06 Sonata owners - Pro/Cons?

I'm just about to turn 15K miles on my '06 LX. Great car!

Only complaints: 1) driver's seat comfort - I haven't been able to come up with a position that allows me to comfortably use the "dead-pedal." I feel the leg bolsters are too high and stiff (remember, the LX only comes in leather and cloth may be different), and have been keeping my eyes out for an aftermarket seat pad that could help out. My left leg goes numb if I try to drive like I'm used to... 2) Body roll and sliding under hard accelleration in corners. Not a big deal for the averge driver. I will be upgrading to Eibach Pro-Kit springs as soon as performance struts are available too. 3) Mileage not quite where I'd like to see it given the rating of 20city/30hwy -I'm averaging 21 in a mix of the two and thought I'd be more like 23 or 24. I don't feel I'm on the gas that much. 4) Stereo lacks deep bass. I didn't want a sun/moon roof, so mine doesn't have the factory sub-woofer and now I wish it did. I may have a small (6 or 8")amplified Bazooka tube installed (should sound better than factory sub and at a lot less than the cost of the sub / sun/moonroof option).

All stuff I can live with or improve, and it's otherwise a really great car. Plenty fast, very good brakes, precise steering, quiet, nice design in/out, well made, nice tight seams. Hope this helps.

I personally don't agree on the interior styling comment, but that is of course simply a matter of personal preference. Agree on the electronic stuff, but can no doubt live without. Agree on the bass comment on the stereo as I said before, but should add that the stereo is otherwise excellent. A co-worker who used to do competition mobile audio was impressed save the bass. There's a lot of mid-bass, mid-range, and very good highs. The separation and imaging are excellent, particulary noticeable on any good CD recording. He said, simply add a 6 or 8" amplified Bazooka tube. You could also easily replace the front door speakers for not much dough, and I may well do both -but I want to focus on the performance first.

Your comment about lazy shifting has been well documented by auto journalists, yet Hyundai won't issue a TSB (technical service bulletin) to owners. Here's a link to Autoweek's Q3 update on the LX -note the little bit about getting the trans updated. I had to b!*ch and moan to my local dealer to get it done, but eventually he gave in. He claimed my complaint didn't match the internal TSB. That was BS -they just didn't want to deal with it since they were really busy the day of my appointment. Before you read this, assuming you haven't already -I highly encourage you to read the Q1 and Q2 updates as well. They were pretty hard on it in the Q3 update. I agree with some of what they're saying about long range comfort, but not the noise comments -and the suggestion that Hyundai "scimped" is annoying if not false. I agree that the steering requires input sometimes, but not constantly -talking about on, say, a medium to long 55 - 70 MPH sweeper of a turn. I believe either the Eibach or H&R springs will remedy this minor problem, but won't know until performance struts become available as I won't change over until then. Here's the link to the Q3 update: 2006 Hyundai Sonata LX -Third-Quarter Update - AutoWeek

Again, I think they were too hard on it in the Q3 review -but then I own one.

JP

Pros:
Warrenty with con of rebuilt parts.
Cheap

Cons:
Transmission replaced once they want to do it again
Trottle Pedal sensor (drive by wire) replaced
Ball Joint Replaced
Computer replaced
Window regulator replaced
6 alignments until I took it private dealer couldnt get it right.
Paint Peel
Timing Tensioners


There might be more I would have to go thru my book of receipts. The transmission is a huge stinker! If my head was on straight I wouldn't have bought this car for that reason alone! I am sour with good reason so everyone out there that has good luck with this car I am happy for you...