Sonata 2.7 V6/Gold

Pune Doc · 30th April 2009, 02:20

Am curious to know views, pros & cons on piking up a second hand Sonata Gold/2.7 v6. Looks like a spacious and comfortable car for chauffeur driven use.

Have basolutely no clue on what it'd cost to own one/what to expect on maintenance etc.

Please advise

Best wishes

S@~+#0$# · 30th April 2009, 11:04

While I am not sure about the maintenance, I must say that the Sonata V6 is one of the best cars automatic cars that I have driven in India. The H-Matic transmission is butter smooth and the way it keeps you involved/engaged is simply superb(when you are in manual mode). In terms of looks and comfort, I would rate it better than the Sonata Embera too.Let us wait to see what the ownership experience is like considering it has been discontinued now for almost 4+ years.

esteem_lover · 30th April 2009, 11:26

If you can afford to keep it, it is a great car with a low value. Have seen them go for 2.25L here. Drinks petrol, expensive parts.

S_budhiraj · 30th April 2009, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

If you can afford to keep it, it is a great car with a low value. Have seen them go for 2.25L here. Drinks petrol, expensive parts.

This car is a gas guzler!

If the car is to be used ocassionaly, then It's a great buy to enjoy the V6 at such cheaper prices.

If the car is to be used on daily basis then It would be rather sensible to be away from this, as it has been Discontinued almost 5 yrs back and not wallet freindly to maintain either.

lamborghini · 30th April 2009, 12:08

Had both, a 2003 Sonata Gold and a 2001 Honda Accord.
Given that resale values are similar, i'd hands down pick the Accord over the Sonata as a car to be chauffeured around in as well as drive.
The Sonata is nice, reliable car, that has slightly expensive parts, gives a poor FE, has a so so ride quality and driving experience but very good quality interiors.
The Accord on the other hand is more reliable, bigger, more comfortable and fun to drive with the cons being the relatively low cost interiors and that driving in traffic is tiring.

null · 30th April 2009, 12:17

Its a wonderful car. My friend had it for a couple of years before he sold it off upon moving companies (company car). Not too bad a fuel efficeincy for the car of its size , stature & elegance, however, the maintenance costs were on the higher side. Getting any spares would be difficult & you have to only rely on Hyundai for it.

Like someone mentioned above, consider it if you can afford to keep it

alpha1 · 30th April 2009, 12:18

Lamborghini: But Sonata has those decidedly Jaguarish looks ...

aadix · 30th April 2009, 12:24

hey hi,

i have a 2.7 sonata v6, which i used as my daily car these days (except for factory trips where i use a diesel)

the car has absolutley given me no major trouble what so ever and is relatively cheaper to maintain, atleast cheaper than my type-1 crv.

my avg service bills range between 2.5k to 4k and the car is gonna go in for it's 30k kms service pretty soon.

the only -ve point is the mileage: it gives me 6 kmpl in the city and on the highways between 8 to 9 kmpl

overall, if you aren't going to do many kms/ or arent very keen on the mileage and want a comfortable and spacious car for chauffeur driven use, i would suggest a gold, but if you would like to take control of the wheel sometimes, then the v6. although the handling might not be that great, it has its own unique charm

ps: parts arent a issue yet. atleast in hyd, most of the parts are available easily at the service centres, only the parts of the terracan are a issue and take time, thats what i was told the last time i went to the service centre.

loving_alaap · 30th April 2009, 15:16

everything is good about sonata except FE.

It will literally hurt you.

As its a V6, there is no point getting CNG!

If you really love the car, use it as a spare / for a change car.

Pune Doc · 30th April 2009, 23:02

Hi all

Thanks for that quick feedback.

Mileage, as I see seems to be a big concern despite having learnt to live with 2 beautiful old white elephants (1996 E250D and an E220)

I am going to see a few of these old Sonata's and check them out- all around the +/- 2.75 lakh range. Let's see where this takes me. Will keep you all posted.

Thanks once again

Pacifica · 10th January 2010, 09:43

Does the Sonata come with airbags?

I'm looking for a used premium segment sedan too, and my primary requirements are:

* automatic transmission
* airbags
* good ground clearance (the higher the driving position the better)
* budget around 5L

GTO · 10th January 2010, 21:17

^^ Yup, the Sonata (atleast Gold variants) did come equipped with airbags. Within a 5 lakh budget, you'd do well in considering the Honda Accord too. You'll either get the first gen that was officially launched in India, or an early vintage previous gen. Those cars are built to run till atleast 2.0 lakhs kms (if not 3.0).

bigron · 13th January 2010, 11:11

I have had the sonata gold for over 6 years and have covered more then 400k kms in it.Its a wonderful car.I had the smaller 2lt version. Very spacious and comfortable as hell.I have always said that the rear seats of the sonata are better then the superb as well as the new camry. I saythis becasue i have those 2 also.Cant comment on the accord as i ve not driven it extensively. It gave me an avergae of around 7. Not too expensive to maintain. Much cheaper then the skoda for sure. The radiator started giving troube after all those kms we clocked in it and finally sold it off in 2009 end for a price of a new zen estilo.

prashant03 · 13th January 2010, 15:35

Pune Doc: I agree with GTO. An older Accord would be better than an older Sonata any day. You should seriously consider a 2002-03 accord, even if it's a lakh or two more. The build quality and engine would be far superior.

speedy · 14th January 2010, 11:54

Having owned the Sonata 2.7 v6 for 7 years and just recently reluctantly sold it in November. I would say the car after about 60,000 kms on the clock ran as i had first driven it on delivery of the car. Crisp and throws out the power on command. The spare parts for the car are not expensive and the average is better on the 2 liter gold engines, but no complains as that is expected from a 6 cylinder engine. Comfort is as good as the E class and the automatic box is silky smooth. When you look at the handling of the 2.7 it is a beast, just grips the road and if you switch off the traction control she is a monster. The E and the Sonata have a similar handling which is fun in their own way. Resale on the car is not good even for the gold. So if your looking to keep her for a short span my suggestion is go in for an older Accord like suggested by others or for any other make. My car was in factory condition with full service history and never tampered with by any mechanic who was not from the Hyundai official Service center and i got Rs 2.30 Lakhs for it.

30th April 2009, 02:20	#1
Pune Doc Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 5 Thanked: 2 Times	Sonata 2.7 V6/Gold Am curious to know views, pros & cons on piking up a second hand Sonata Gold/2.7 v6. Looks like a spacious and comfortable car for chauffeur driven use. Have basolutely no clue on what it'd cost to own one/what to expect on maintenance etc. Please advise Best wishes
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 11:04	#2
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	While I am not sure about the maintenance, I must say that the Sonata V6 is one of the best cars automatic cars that I have driven in India. The H-Matic transmission is butter smooth and the way it keeps you involved/engaged is simply superb(when you are in manual mode). In terms of looks and comfort, I would rate it better than the Sonata Embera too.Let us wait to see what the ownership experience is like considering it has been discontinued now for almost 4+ years.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 11:26	#3
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	If you can afford to keep it, it is a great car with a low value. Have seen them go for 2.25L here. Drinks petrol, expensive parts.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 12:08	#5
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,114 Thanked: 5,761 Times View My Garage	Had both, a 2003 Sonata Gold and a 2001 Honda Accord. Given that resale values are similar, i'd hands down pick the Accord over the Sonata as a car to be chauffeured around in as well as drive. The Sonata is nice, reliable car, that has slightly expensive parts, gives a poor FE, has a so so ride quality and driving experience but very good quality interiors. The Accord on the other hand is more reliable, bigger, more comfortable and fun to drive with the cons being the relatively low cost interiors and that driving in traffic is tiring.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 12:17	#6
null BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Paradise (wish it was) Posts: 434 Thanked: 333 Times	Its a wonderful car. My friend had it for a couple of years before he sold it off upon moving companies (company car). Not too bad a fuel efficeincy for the car of its size , stature & elegance, however, the maintenance costs were on the higher side. Getting any spares would be difficult & you have to only rely on Hyundai for it. Like someone mentioned above, consider it if you can afford to keep it
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 12:18	#7
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,095 Thanked: 2,605 Times	Lamborghini: But Sonata has those decidedly Jaguarish looks ...
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 12:24	#8
aadix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: hyderabad Posts: 1,597 Thanked: 14 Times	hey hi, i have a 2.7 sonata v6, which i used as my daily car these days (except for factory trips where i use a diesel) the car has absolutley given me no major trouble what so ever and is relatively cheaper to maintain, atleast cheaper than my type-1 crv. my avg service bills range between 2.5k to 4k and the car is gonna go in for it's 30k kms service pretty soon. the only -ve point is the mileage: it gives me 6 kmpl in the city and on the highways between 8 to 9 kmpl overall, if you aren't going to do many kms/ or arent very keen on the mileage and want a comfortable and spacious car for chauffeur driven use, i would suggest a gold, but if you would like to take control of the wheel sometimes, then the v6. although the handling might not be that great, it has its own unique charm ps: parts arent a issue yet. atleast in hyd, most of the parts are available easily at the service centres, only the parts of the terracan are a issue and take time, thats what i was told the last time i went to the service centre. Last edited by aadix : 30th April 2009 at 12:25.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 15:16	#9
loving_alaap BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 808 Thanked: 9 Times	everything is good about sonata except FE. It will literally hurt you. As its a V6, there is no point getting CNG! If you really love the car, use it as a spare / for a change car.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 23:02	#10
Pune Doc Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 5 Thanked: 2 Times	Hi all Thanks for that quick feedback. Mileage, as I see seems to be a big concern despite having learnt to live with 2 beautiful old white elephants (1996 E250D and an E220) I am going to see a few of these old Sonata's and check them out- all around the +/- 2.75 lakh range. Let's see where this takes me. Will keep you all posted. Thanks once again
	() Thanks

10th January 2010, 09:43	#11
Pacifica BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 112 Thanked: 166 Times	Sonata airbags? Does the Sonata come with airbags? I'm looking for a used premium segment sedan too, and my primary requirements are: * automatic transmission * airbags * good ground clearance (the higher the driving position the better) * budget around 5L
	() Thanks

10th January 2010, 21:17	#12
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,776 Times View My Garage	^^ Yup, the Sonata (atleast Gold variants) did come equipped with airbags. Within a 5 lakh budget, you'd do well in considering the Honda Accord too. You'll either get the first gen that was officially launched in India, or an early vintage previous gen. Those cars are built to run till atleast 2.0 lakhs kms (if not 3.0).
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 11:11	#13
bigron Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NSEW Posts: 1,309 Thanked: 2,706 Times	I have had the sonata gold for over 6 years and have covered more then 400k kms in it.Its a wonderful car.I had the smaller 2lt version. Very spacious and comfortable as hell.I have always said that the rear seats of the sonata are better then the superb as well as the new camry. I saythis becasue i have those 2 also.Cant comment on the accord as i ve not driven it extensively. It gave me an avergae of around 7. Not too expensive to maintain. Much cheaper then the skoda for sure. The radiator started giving troube after all those kms we clocked in it and finally sold it off in 2009 end for a price of a new zen estilo.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 15:35	#14
prashant03 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 34 Thanked: 0 Times	Pune Doc: I agree with GTO. An older Accord would be better than an older Sonata any day. You should seriously consider a 2002-03 accord, even if it's a lakh or two more. The build quality and engine would be far superior.
	() Thanks

14th January 2010, 11:54	#15
speedy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Meri Jaan Posts: 6,197 Thanked: 1,023 Times View My Garage	Having owned the Sonata 2.7 v6 for 7 years and just recently reluctantly sold it in November. I would say the car after about 60,000 kms on the clock ran as i had first driven it on delivery of the car. Crisp and throws out the power on command. The spare parts for the car are not expensive and the average is better on the 2 liter gold engines, but no complains as that is expected from a 6 cylinder engine. Comfort is as good as the E class and the automatic box is silky smooth. When you look at the handling of the 2.7 it is a beast, just grips the road and if you switch off the traction control she is a monster. The E and the Sonata have a similar handling which is fun in their own way. Resale on the car is not good even for the gold. So if your looking to keep her for a short span my suggestion is go in for an older Accord like suggested by others or for any other make. My car was in factory condition with full service history and never tampered with by any mechanic who was not from the Hyundai official Service center and i got Rs 2.30 Lakhs for it. Last edited by speedy : 14th January 2010 at 12:01.
	() Thanks