Thinking about buying 2007 Hyundai Sonata For My Wife

[adlep]

Autotrader reveals that a used 07 Sonata V6 with 30,000 miles on it can be found for around $12,000

Why is it so cheap?

Autotrader Link - Look at those prices

But Edmunds has nothing but a praise for this vehicle

I am looking for a great deal, but $10,000 off the sticker price after a year got makes me suspicious.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Resale value has nothing to do with quality these days.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I'm impressed with the value you get from a Hyundai, if you are going to drive it until the resale isn't much of a factor. It is a nice car with a great warranty.

If you are going to buy new and trade it in after 3-6 years, you are going to take a hit on its low resale value.

 

[caspur]

Have you ever thought why anyone would sell a 1 year old car? Do you know why they all have about 30k miles (when the avg mileage is 12k-15k/year)?

Now, do a carfax on the VIN. I think your answer will become clear.... (1 owner, many drivers).

Also, Hyundai's are merely average cars....generic, derivative, and ultimately inferior to their Japanese counterparts. (which is reflected in their resale value.)

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: caspur
Have you ever thought why anyone would sell a 1 year old car? Do you know why they all have about 30k miles (when the avg mileage is 12k-15k/year)?

Now, do a carfax on the VIN. I think your answer will become clear.... (1 owner, many drivers).

Also, Hyundai's are merely average cars....generic, derivative, and ultimately inferior to their Japanese counterparts. (which is reflected in their resale value.)

I follow your reasoning, and I would avoid a previous rental car, too. But assuming the car really was owned by a private party:

A 30K 1-year car was someone's commuter car. A long commute is pretty much the easiest job a car can have. Lots of steady driving, a very high ratio of miles driven in top gear, a very high ratio of miles driven on a warm engine. It has probably seen fewer kids barfing in the back seat, it is less likely to have been driven by a teenager since it was with Mom or Dad at work all day every day, and it was probably driven by someone who could afford to maintain it. In addition, all the time-sensitive issues like paint, interior, rust, seals, belts, etc are only one year old regardless of mileage. This car is much more desirable than a 3-year old car with the same miles.

So you need to be sure who owned it.

Regarding the Sonata in general, I wouldn't think twice about buying a modern Sonata over a Camry.

 

[adlep]

Here is a very valid test of 2006 Sonata. Edmunds does not have any problems with it overall, except fuel economy is slightly below advertised.

Long term test

Here is another comparison test:

Prev gen Accord and Camry vs 06 Sonata

 

[krunchykrome]

I considered purchasing a used Sonata, 2007 to be exact. I rented one a while ago, and I thought it was a great car. I too was suspicious about the used prices on these vehicles. After visiting a few dealerships and examining the carfax reports, I found that nearly all of the used Sonatas were previously rental vehicles.

To answer your question, they were probably rental cars.

 

[Vetterin]

I see nothing wrong with Hyundai. As a matter of fact I am current pricing the Elantra for my work car as I drive 70 miles daily.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Unless it was a rental car, I say to go for it. And even if it was a rental car, it may not be a bad deal. Despite the stigma, ex-rental cars are not necessarily a bad thing for someone who is looking for basic, reliable transportation since the majority of the time the only things that are truly wrong with rentals are cosmetic. If you want an appliance that will get you from point A to point B then it's hard to beat a Hyundai for value. As Rio said though, you need to be sure that you're going to drive the car until it dies.

ZV

 

[alkemyst]

personally if it was not a rental I am sure is was just a long range commuter...this is way better than 30k of stop and go driving.

Hyundai makes a great car, the sonata is a good one.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

It can be considered the early-mid 90's maxima of today. Those cars didn't have great of a resale value, but are indestructible. I know I'm just basing my following example based on anecdotal evidence:

Two of my close friends have '94 maximas. Both were driven to 200k+ miles (one was about 260k or so).
Both ran perfectly fine, and both are awesome cars. Original everything (except the usual of course: brakes, belts, plugs, etc..)

 

[vi edit]

Hyundai has an enormous fleet/rental sales volume. Carfax it and see if it was a fleet vehicle.

 

[thecritic]

Rental is fine, just make sure that the tires were rotated (make sure all tires are within 1/32 of each other), engine oil/filter were changed regularly (hard to verify), and that the engine AND cabin air filters have been changed (if they have not be done, ask selling dealer to do it for you). As long as all maintenance is brought up to date, they are great values.

 

[Gibson486]

Well....you can buy a brand new one for around 14K without much negotiation.....


edit:

nm...I thinking of the wrong car....

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
It can be considered the early-mid 90's maxima of today. Those cars didn't have great of a resale value, but are indestructible. I know I'm just basing my following example based on anecdotal evidence:

Two of my close friends have '94 maximas. Both were driven to 200k+ miles (one was about 260k or so).
Both ran perfectly fine, and both are awesome cars. Original everything (except the usual of course: brakes, belts, plugs, etc..)

Maximas held there values decently here in S. Florida at least the first few years of their life.

 

[redgtxdi]

Another thing to consider (unless the seller is offering something *special*??)......

.......is that the 10/100 warranty is out the window!!!


Only way it's transferrable is thru family sale. (no joke)


So if that 10/100 warranty is important to you, then buy new!

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
It can be considered the early-mid 90's maxima of today. Those cars didn't have great of a resale value, but are indestructible. I know I'm just basing my following example based on anecdotal evidence:

Two of my close friends have '94 maximas. Both were driven to 200k+ miles (one was about 260k or so).
Both ran perfectly fine, and both are awesome cars. Original everything (except the usual of course: brakes, belts, plugs, etc..)

the maxima's VQ30 has proven to be bullet-proof. nobody knows how good these hyundai's are when they get old.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Another thing to consider (unless the seller is offering something *special*??)......

.......is that the 10/100 warranty is out the window!!!


Only way it's transferrable is thru family sale. (no joke)


So if that 10/100 warranty is important to you, then buy new!

You get a 5 year/60k warranty if you are not family...which is not that terrible a deal.

Either way both are powertrain only, so likely you aren't going to need either in 100k miles.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
It can be considered the early-mid 90's maxima of today. Those cars didn't have great of a resale value, but are indestructible. I know I'm just basing my following example based on anecdotal evidence:

Two of my close friends have '94 maximas. Both were driven to 200k+ miles (one was about 260k or so).
Both ran perfectly fine, and both are awesome cars. Original everything (except the usual of course: brakes, belts, plugs, etc..)

the maxima's VQ30 has proven to be bullet-proof. nobody knows how good these hyundai's are when they get old.

They are going to get too/have gotten to 100k miles...most aren't going past that by much on any car.

 

[bigpow]

I had a rental Sonata V6 for a day and although it's spec-ed exactly like my car (04 solara v6), it felt completely different.
IMO, Sonata engine uses more gas to go less miles, and inside is clearly a $15K car, not that of a 20K ones.

Don't be shopping based on paper specs, you'd be surprised. Test drive a few cars (within your budget), not just one or two.
I wouldn't be surprised if you pick an older year other brand than an 07 Sonata instead. I know I would.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bigpow
I had a rental Sonata V6 for a day and although it's spec-ed exactly like my car (04 solara v6), it felt completely different.
IMO, Sonata engine uses more gas to go less miles, and inside is clearly a $15K car, not that of a 20K ones.

Don't be shopping based on paper specs, you'd be surprised. Test drive a few cars (within your budget), not just one or two.
I wouldn't be surprised if you pick an older year other brand than an 07 Sonata instead. I know I would.

I thinks car had maybe exhaust leak. I don't know it did.