Topic: 06 Camry SE 4cyl or 06 Sonata GLS V6

[Shnak]

Although leasing is a more expensive way to finance a vehicle, you do have more than "nothing" at the end of the lease, in fact with a Sonata, depending on residuals, you would likely have some equity to put to another car or your pocket.

Can you explain that please? And I doubt residuals are that high for a 5 year lease on a Sonata, but I'm sure they inflated their residuals just to be able to lease them... so at the end, I doubt the car will be worth more, or even close, to the predicted residuals by Hyundai.

[Arthur Dent]

Both I-4 and V6 Sonatas will be built in States.

nope. That is a the plan but currently the I4 cars are made in Korea.

[neil]

4cyl currently available with 5 speed man or 4 speed auto.  Rumour was the 4cyl was to have a late intro to 5 speed auto like the V6.

Yes all 4 cyls are Korean, 6's Alabamian.  First digit of vin will tell you for sure your origin, start with a K and it's built in Ulsan, 5 and it's Montgommery.

Celeair's residual is about $9100 plus tax.  Should be close to accurate.

Most of my customers who are payment conscious are choosing extended amortization loans vs leasing these days, way more flexibility than a lease with similar payments and residuals.  Deal with your own bank, paydown anytime, flexible payment dates, "own" vs "rent". No mileage or condition restrictions, no upfront drive away costs.  Of course you can't just give it back at the end.

Congratz Celeair on your purchase BTW, I've been driving the same car as you bought for about 2 months now, it's great.  I drove a Korean 4cyl before this one, and there is absolutely no discernable difference is fit/finish initial quality.  Those 17" rims are gorgeous.

What was the final deciding factor on your choice if I may ask?

[ovr50]

Although leasing is a more expensive way to finance a vehicle, you do have more than "nothing" at the end of the lease, in fact with a Sonata, depending on residuals, you would likely have some equity to put to another car or your pocket.

Can you explain that please? And I doubt residuals are that high for a 5 year lease on a Sonata, but I'm sure they inflated their residuals just to be able to lease them... so at the end, I doubt the car will be worth more, or even close, to the predicted residuals by Hyundai.

All I'm saying is that either way, the 5 year old car will be worth $x, regardless of lease or buy. Many imports (not domestics so much) have enjoyed residuals that do create some equity over the life of the lease. Will the new Sonata be in that situation? I have no idea, but either way you have a 5 year old vehicle worth something. If there is no equity in the lease, give it back and walk on.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I went with the 5 year lease w/ the Sonata GL V6 w/ sunroof and 17" wheels option.  Decided the leather and powerseats weren't worth it to upgrade to GLS, and the cloth felt good. I pick it up on thursday.

Thanks for the info all.

I didn't know you could get the 17"ers with the GL with cloth! Those look SO MUCH better than the other 16" alloys, which might as well be wheel covers. And moonroof too?!   Now, if only it had a manual at that price... $25,6.

Congratulations. The I4 has good fuel economy, and I'm very surprised at how fuel efficient the V6 is too. VERY nicely blanced car - smooth and punchy V6 returning good fuel numbers, good ride with nice handling, large interior while looking more compact on the outside, stylish and proportioned exterior while not looked tacky or cheesy, sporty alloys and dual exhaust, lots of equipment for the price, and as far as I'm concerned excellent quality as well. You should love it!

Neil, a neighbour of mine has an off-silver blue Sonata. Is that the Crystal Silver or something else?[/color]

[Snowman]

Congratulations celeair….our first new Sonata driver

[celeair]

To answer some of your questions.

My deciding factor for this car was that this car felt equal or better in most cases in comparison to my other test drives (camry, corolla, accord, civic, altima, mazda 3). At first I was weary about the quality issue of hyundai, but I did some research into the company, and I thought it was worth giving them a try.  Above all this, you can't beat the price point.
My payments for the 5 year lease will be 470 mnth w/ nothing down. A finance option I was considering was 5 years 1500 down @ 550/mnth.  I decided I would like a different car after 5 years, and simply walk away.  I did not want to pay for the entire vehicle, just the use of it for 5 years. They gaurenteed $9800 residual. I suppose I could have done better but, I was tired of hunting and wanted to finally get a car.

The color is the crystal silver (the silver with blue hue, looks like ice). I wanted a dark color to originally, but that was the only GL V6 they had with the package. It ended up looking pretty sharp, so I went with it. and the grey interior is better than the beige too.

I will post pics when I have it.

[a4_tom]

Congrulations on the Sonata purchase.

[ArticSteve]

Congrats on the new ride. Wheels are sweet.

[Scaerio]

what the heck I'll throw the beautiful Altima in there too.

Which has average reliability at best... and cheap plastics too boot.

Nissans seem to be about style over substance.  Look at the Altima-based reliability disaster/recall magnet that we know as the Quest...

Perhaps a symptom of the co-operation with Renault, whose cars are often characterized in Europe as looking great, but having mediocre performance and often poor reliability...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The color is the crystal silver (the silver with blue hue, looks like ice). I wanted a dark color to originally, but that was the only GL V6 they had with the package. It ended up looking pretty sharp, so I went with it. and the grey interior is better than the beige too.

I will post pics when I have it.

My underground parking neighbour has a Crystal Silver Sonata with the 17" wheels. Last Sunday I walked a few spaces over just to check it out - it looks VERY sharp. The colour is just enough to stand out and look classy while not being something overly trendy. The wheels set the stance off right, and the dual exhaust looks great on it and not tacky. Grey interior is much more pleasant and modern than the beige to me.

Couldn't get a better combo. Really!

CON-GRATS!!! 

[Scaerio]

Congrats!  Enjoy your new ride!!

[celeair]

pretty cool add from down under

http://www.evolveddriving.com.au