Well first off I am going to apologize for all the miss spellings you are going to run across. I feel that miss spellings do not make you change your mind about the car. So pardon me while I am about to make some.
Its been a long while since I have written a review. But looks like I am here again. Anyways, oh Hyundai. How you are helping making things so much more competitive between automakers, Thank you.
The 2004 Hyundai Sonata is the 3rd brand new Hyundai I have owned. Started with a 1999 Elantra, 2001 Elantra and now the 2004 Sonata. I miss my 2001 Elantra, but since I have sat behind the Sonata, I can't go back to it. Anyways, lets drop the drama and move on shall we?
2004 Hyundai Sonata is in my book the best bargin out there for a car in the price range of $18,000-21,000. I looked at the following cars during considering puchase: Dodge Intrepid, Dodge Stratus V6, Chrysler Sebring, Mercury Sable LS, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Taurus. My good luck and history with Hyundai sent me to my dealer first. I was originally looking for a 2004 Black Hyundai Sonata LX. Which they ended up having in their overstock lot. I didnt end up purchasing it. I have no clue why I didnt, but I didnt. Maybe cause it was lacking heated leather seats... hehe I don't know. Anyways, I ended up purchasing the Sonata that we drove over to the overfill lot. Here are some key features I enjoy of my car:
2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6:
Exterior
- The design of the headlights. Just great work and appeal overall. I love the projector headlights and fog lights. They spread light so much better then any type of headlight assembily in my opinion.
- Foglights themself. I have never owned foglights on my car's. Now that I have them, Ill never go without them again. They fill in them little holes where your headlights dont get. Didnt know there was any until I had fog lights to turn off and on to compare.
- Taillights are just the cats meow. I like the round lights. LED 3rd brake light shows they didnt cheap out on a feature. The round tail lights remind me of the Chevrolet Impala/Malibu which I DONT like. They just look funky. These are more classy and unique. I also like how you can not see the bulbs from behind.
- Power Antenna is also nice as well, something small that really doesnt matter I guess, but I am a feature freak and its a plus to me. However, had to figure out the noise after a few times of hearing it going down after I turn the car off. Its rather loud considering I can hear it inside the car in the front seat. Faint, but its there.
- Heated Mirrors, I am from Maine, so they have a practical use here. Expecially where we are starting to see more and more of ice buildup more then snow.
Interior
- Power Everything, is the way to go. Power windows, power locks and mirrors. People say to me "Its just another thing to fix", well the way I look at it, with a 5 year warranty, I shouldnt have to worry about it.
- ShifTronic, its a neat feature I have only seen on say BMW, Mercedes and other high class cars. Nice to see something like this by Hyundai. Have no reason to use it yet, but when winter comes again, Im sure it will help.
- Accenting wood and chrome, adds the nice touches inside the car. If it wasnt for them, you would see a lot of plain spots in the car. Even down to the Hyundai elblem on the stearing wheel in chrome is pretty nice.
The Hyundai Sonata LX adds:
Power Seat(s)
Electronic Rearview Mirror
Climate Control
Power Sunroof
Leather Trimming
All for only about $1000 more!
All in all, its what you would expect in a nice midsize car. Run's great, and seems to be less clunky then the 2001 Elantra I had. Im sure I could think of tons of improvements. Like I highly enjoy the Keyless Entry but now with remote trunk as well. Also like how the gas tank door and trunk release in the car are done. No more pulling the floor handles. That was a pain. The hood and trunk are now hydrolics instead of a support bar for the hood and just a free swinging trunk. Very well done again. The trunk actually goes "THUNK" instead of a ringing of aluminum.
Anyways, if you shy away from Hyundai, don't. You will see major benefits in almost any model you choose of theirs vs any other car maker out there making cars in that price range. Hyundai is sure here to stay. Their reputation of making horrable cars back in the early 90's is long gone I think. They are becoming more and more popular, and the people show it. Everywhere I look now, Hyundai here, Hyundai there. There not sprinkled around anymore, everyone is figuring it out that its just a deal you can't pass up.
All I have to say is, Hyundai keep up the great work. You have some new redesigns coming out "Including the new Hyundai Sonata" being built in the United States! No more Korean sold in the U.S.? Big factory in Alabama now and starting to make cars in 2005 I believe. Welcome the newest competitor! And compete it will!
--- Small Update ---
Ive checked with the Kelly Blue Book on resale value. Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 is worth about $2000 more vs Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Sebring and about a $3000 difference vs Ford Taurus. Equal is the Chevrolet Impala. And the Impala is about $4000-5000 dollars more expensive. To me that shows it's even holding its value more then the respectable cars that have been around for years and years.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 16800
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: GLS V6
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