finally my people getting some things right. My dad wants the XG350... but he may go for this instead.

 

Unless your dad dislikes wood paneling, I think he would be happier with the XG350...it is more plush inside, smoother-riding, and has more equipment on it than a Sonata....even probably this new one.

 

The LS 400 did have some Benz styling cues but that was all. The 2nd gen GS outside of bubble eyes looked at the time like no other sedan on the road.

 

Yeah - the XG (in current form) is definately a nicer ride than the Sonota (in current form).

We'll see about this new Sonota when it debuts.

M.

 

Note that the XG350 was a disaster, in terms of sales. . . they were hoping on having the same impact the original LS400 had hahahahaha. Well, they made three mistakes: selling them out of Hyundai dealerships, the ugliest design of a car's rear end, save for the bangle 7 series, and the worst marketing campaign an extry level luxury car has ever seen.

There may be a good chance, and I'm willing to put money on it, that the XG will be dropped, and the Sonata to take it's place once again as the Hyundai flagship. I don't think Hyundai will make the same mistake as before, and being the owner of Kia, I'd bet that they will copy Toyota's lead (especially noting the success of Scion) in introducing a seperate marques for different markets. Whether or not you like Hyundai's is irrelevent. . . this is good news. Competition, especially with the onslaught of a value based entry level luxury car, will help to keep the prices down on other models. The biggest immediate threat (if they play their cards right) would be to near luxury brands, such as Acura, Volvo, etc. . .

 

even though it kinda looks like one of those cars on the market,
it looks pretty good for the price we would pay in the future
even though hyundai has bad reputation because of their first failure of EXCEL
i think hyundai defitly makes better car then Saturn or other mid sized car manufactures

 

hurray for koreans~~ hehe ^^;; finally my ppl are
getting some jap designers or something

 

Don't know about CA where you are posting from, but here in the D.C. area the XG-series.....both 300 and 35o...has sold very well....and we are the country's second-largest car market outside of Southern California. It's not the type of car that a hard-core sporting enthusiast would buy, but a lot of people appreciate it for its low price, reasonably good build quality, plushness inside (although the lack of a power-tilt steering wheel is an omission), smooth ride, standard equipment, and perhaps most of all, the L-O-N-G warranty.

 

If Hyundai want's to compete with the big boys in the Luxury division they have to be leaps & bounds over the current XG, warranty is great & an excellent selling tool, but if the product is inferior compared to the competition, it won't matter much.

 

Well, if you don't want to take our word for it, go on down to your local Hyundai dealer, check out the Sonata, the XG350, and the rest of what Hyundai has to offer, and see for yourself if you don't think they offer a good product for the money. Then, if you still think they sell a POS, .....fine.

 

Yeah, I'm sure it sold well in some places. I don't remember the source, but I read that sales of XG's were disappointingly low. They were expecting the car to be a Camry/Accord killer.

 

I never said that Hyundai was a POS I have looked at their products VERY closly as a matter of fact & I'm not knocking them here, I simply & basically said they have a way's to go before they match Lexus & Toyota quality! The XG? Now what current Lexus vehicle would be would be on the same level as the XG exactly? there is none! so that's my point! Hyundai is pretty good value for the money, but ALL things considered, Toyota & Lexus are superior. I'm sure they will welcome the challenge too.

this is what Hyundai has won recently:

passion at play
A truly successful design will recognize and accomplish a clearly defined mission. In the case of the 2004 Sonata, that mission is to offer outstanding safety, performance and value with style and refinement. Sonata’s sophisticated look is both fashionable and functional; every aspect of it is dedicated to offering the best driving experience in the mid-size class. Outside, it is evident in a smartly tailored grille flanked by elegant, projector-type clear lens halogen headlights. Doors have been designed for easy entry and exit. An aerodynamic front air dam, contoured rocker panels and a subtle rear rise in the deck lid direct airflow around the cabin for a quiet ride. Of course, to fully appreciate how impressive a car this is, you owe yourself some time behind the wheel. From the first kilometre, you’ll see that the 2004 Hyundai Sonata is a mission accomplished.

2004 Sonata – “Highest Ranked Entry Midsize Car in Initial Quality”
The Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan was named the 2004 Award recipient in the J.D. Power and Associates IQS for having the highest initial quality in the Entry Midsize Car category


I think that's fantastic & I say good for them! IF you read it very closly, it states that it won the award for "INITIAL" quality (which usually means in the first 90 days of ownership), while Lexus & Toyota have won MANY of those awards & countless ones for the used car side of things as well (3 year old models +). Big difference. How many 'used or pre-owned' awards have Hyundai (& Kia) won compared to Lexus & Toyota? Not to mention re-sale values....good for people purchasing a used Hyundai or Kia, not when your trading them in. Like I said, ALL things considered.

 

AKA Equese -.- probly -.-;spelled wrong

 

One thing about Korean cars that would discourage me from buying one though is that S. Korea basically doesn't allow any IMPORTS there at all. So they want the rewards of participating in the U.S. free market without making their market open.

 

Oh so you're saying Koreans couldn't figure it out for themselves?