One of these things is not like the other's - my 2011 Sonata Limited 2.0T (turbo!)

[OverkillZJ]

The Corolla had started shifting very poorly, and yesterday got stuck in 2nd gear for awhile for no reason. It needed battery, tires, brakes, belts, all of the usual stuff - that I didn't want to put into it. It's a great little car, but it hurts my back sitting in it for more than half an hour, and I go on 7-8 day-long drives a year at a minimum. I decided that it was time to unload it before it was no longer reliable transportation... Also I wanted a fresh-vehicle start that I haven't made mistakes with, such as getting t-bones when missing a stop sine and getting in a big fight with a guard rail. The Corolla crab-walked even though alignment is correct. Because of that I wanted to trade it in, I have no issue with sending it to auction, but I'm too honest to sell something like that private party. After all papers were signed and done, I disclosed how F'd up the car was, they weren't surprised.

And so, can you spot the new one? I've been researching for awhile, because of the back issues I really wanted a vehicle that had a comfortable drivers seat with lumbar support - and you bet your ass this is one of the most comfortable seats I've ever been in! Equipped as I got it (fully loaded) retail is $31,395. I left paying $27,386 (minus $5,000 for corolla) and financed at 1.9% over 48 months.

I'm pretty happy with that. 550 miles to go until she's broken in and I can really play with the turbo and paddle shifters...

I played with the idea of an AWD vehicle a lot considering the winters we have with the hills around here, but I have the Grand Cherokee semi-beater. The gas difference for AWD is almost a 30% loss, and 99.5% of my miles are on open highway long distance, in good weather.

This baby gets 33MPG even with the horsies...

[BigDaveZJ]

It's never a fun day when you drive a Hyundai.

Seriously though, they seem to have come a loooooooong way in the last 10-15 years.

[ELLLLLIOTTTTT]

Heck yeah, Hyundais have come a LOONNGG way! They had a huge reconstruction around '99-2000 and their cars since then have been leaps and bounds better. Take a look at the Genesis coupe... it won all kinds of awards and is a bad ass ride. Congrats on the purchase Matt!

[OverkillZJ]

I never thought I'd even want to drive a Hyundai, let alone own one. One of my good friends is a mechanic, and when we started having lots of trouble with the Toyota, he convinced me to re-visit them as he's been really impressed over the last few years.

I test drove a few vehicles, but honestly, nothing in the price range even felt remotely like the quality of this vehicle. Shutting the door is a solid THUMP, the ride is smooth yet sporty, and even though I haven't taken it over 4,000 RPM's yet, plenty of power. And the warranty is impressive... Honestly the whole purchase experience was just 100% positive.

I would've preferred a US company, but when it came down to it, I bought what I enjoyed the most, and felt more confident about.

[OverkillZJ]

I finally got it broken in, holy crap I shouldn't be allowed to have a fast car. Too much fun! It's much quiter than I'm used to during acceleration, when I feel like I'm going 50 at the end of an onramp, it's usually about 100. Whoops. I'm not the type to constantly speed and get tickets, so I'll need to learn to re-judge my speed!

[FearTheDentist]

I was planning to pick up the exact same car last month, but while I was waiting for one in red to come available I stumbled across an almost new Volvo S60 for a steal and went with that instead. I must say I never thought I'd be getting a Hyundai (my first experience was with an 80's vintage Excel..) but after test driving the new Sonata I was a believer- that is a REALLY nice car. I'm still not sure I made the right choice but I saved over 10K so..... Regardless, IMO there's nothing else out there in that price range that even comes close for features or performance- the Accord and Altima have nothing on it, and the warranty is top notch. Congrats!

[biggoofy]

They really have come a long way both my parents just bought them and seem to be liking them. I got to drive the elentra and I enjoyed it.

[OverkillZJ]

I was planning to pick up the exact same car last month, but while I was waiting for one in red to come available I stumbled across an almost new Volvo S60 for a steal and went with that instead. I must say I never thought I'd be getting a Hyundai (my first experience was with an 80's vintage Excel..) but after test driving the new Sonata I was a believer- that is a REALLY nice car. I'm still not sure I made the right choice but I saved over 10K so..... Regardless, IMO there's nothing else out there in that price range that even comes close for features or performance- the Accord and Altima have nothing on it, and the warranty is top notch. Congrats!

If I came across another great deal on another nice car I'd have done the same, money saved is money in the bank and towards retiring, right? My corolla was just dying from the abuse I'd given it and needed to be replaced "now now now" with how busy I am, and how much driving I've been doing. It really is a different car than they used to be, WOW is all I think. I love jeeps and 4X4's, but when I'm going to a meeting trying to close a $30,000 contract, getting out of a comftorable quiet vehicle puts you in a different mindset than getting out of a muddy truck. That's for the weekends!

They really have come a long way both my parents just bought them and seem to be liking them. I got to drive the elentra and I enjoyed it.

The Elantra is a great car too! I almost wish I didn't see it parked next to the Sonata. The Sonata drivers seat is the most coftorable I've ever been in, and has a great lumbar support, so when I saw the turbo numbers I just had to pull the trigger and stop wasting so much time dreaming about it, haha.


I'm getting rid of the buggy carcass and the Samurai this summer, so I'll build up the 5.9 - having one good nice car, and one good trail rig will make me happy. I was always stressed having like 5 vehicles and a trailer. Too much CRAP.

[cLAYH]

Ha ha, I'm going through the same thing right now too. I just picked up a 5.9er for a 2nd vehicle/mild trail rig and am will be looking at getting the wife a new daily driver. Never would have condsidered a Hyundai but I might now. Might.... With the weather around here in the winter I'm a big AWD guy. All Wheels must contribute!