New Car buying experience

[markinnaples]

Now that's a solid real-world review of how good a hybrid can work for someone.
I've been spouting it for years that going full EV is a much worse idea than going with a hybrid. With any luck, more companies will start making efficient hybrids like this one instead of cramming the full EV down our throats as they seem want to do.

[Too Many Projects]

Agree, great, long term, revue. I like that you are impressed with the Hyundai/KIA vehicles. I am considering a 2017-18 Sorento to replace my '16 CR-V. I failed to do enough research on this car to realize I can't tow anything and I really need a car to be able to do that.

[Lynn]

Here is the other side of the coin with Hyundai vehicles. I was going to start a new thread on this, but I think it fits here, plus no problem with me hijacking my own thread.

This one also turned out good for our family, but I am guessing not all of these stories end well.

My brother (3 years younger) whom I had the auto repair business with, HATES Hyundai / Kia. He calls them “disposable cars.” Of course, you have to remember that he started working on them back in the 90's when quality control was nothing like it is today. I quit working on cars professionally in 1989, so I don’t have the same perspective.

The attached picture is our 28 year old hugging his mom in August of 2012, just two months after she donated a kidney to him. Zack’s a great kid, with an incredible sense of humor and a little bit of the Al Bundy self deprecation. One of his sayings is “Hey, I have standards you know. They aren’t high, but I do have them.”

Zack’s dad sold him a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 2.4 direct injection engine a couple years ago. Actually, more like gave it to him. Sales price was nominal. Since then I have done all the oil changes, religiously at 5,000 mile intervals. A couple oil changes ago, I noticed it was pretty low on oil when Zack brought it to me. So, knowing how UN mechanically inclined he is (not sure he would know which end of a screwdriver to grab... but he is one hell of a bartender... we all have our strengths) I told him to start bringing it every 3000 miles.

He calls a couple of months ago and says his car won’t go over 50 mph. I have him bring it by the house so I can check it out. Low on oil (but still showing on the dipstick). I do an oil change, then run the scanner to see what code it has.P0326, knock sensor issue. I am thinking that the knock sensor is malfunctioning and severely retarding the timing. I clear the code and have Zack take me for a ride to see if it will act up. Runs fine.... until the engine reaches operating temperature, and then I hear a definite rod noise. Holy chit. The car has 126,000 plus miles on it, and I know his dad always had it serviced at the dealer.

Start doing some research. Read this: https://www.thedrive.com/news/hyunda...-engine-issues

Mind you, that article had not even been written when this all happened. I just knew that I didn’t want to put an engine in this thing. After some research, I thought what the heck, the car is way past the warranty period, both in time and mileage, but let’s see if Hyundai will step up as these engines definitely have issues.

Bottom line: even though I had zero records of my oil changes, they were able to look at the valve train and discern that it had been receiving proper regular maintenance. New engine for free; no parts, no labor. I have to say, they really stepped up to the plate.

Most car makers would not take responsibility for a six plus year old vehicle with 126,000 miles. Once they committed to replacing the engine, they even provided Zack with a brand new car as a loaner until his car was done. Pretty good customer service. Having worked at a Buick dealership in the 70's I can tell you that the way the tech and the service advisor present this to the manufacturer can make a big difference. And I believe our guys did a great job presenting it.

[Too Many Projects]

Well, that is certainly interesting... I have been looking at the 2.0 turbo as a replacement for the Honda. I only buy cars with less than 65k, so this may come up later, after a purchase. Thanks Lynn, more facts to ponder. Maybe the V6 would be a better choice, even if the mpg is a little less than the turbo.

[Z282NV]

I believe I am a lot like your brother in that these are "disposable cars", however I am impressed that the dealer stepped up and replaced the engine for him.

[Xplantdad]

Hi Lynn, I hope you don't mind me adding some of my experiences as well.


We had a Kia Soul that we bought new in 2012. I drive over 100 miles per day, so it wasn't long until this car was out of the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. I had the oil changed every 5000 miles at the dealer using their coupons for $12.00 including oil and filter (I couldn't do it that cheap!).



There was a class action lawsuit that involved Hyundai/Kia, Toyota and Honda...where each manufacturer over estimated the actual MPG of their cars. (https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/KiaMPGInfo )Toyota and Honda offered $$ off the next purchase of one of their vehicles. Hyundai/Kia offered either a lump sump payment...or a continuing cash disbursement for the entire time that you owned the car. You would turn in your mileage and they would reimburse you at the going rate. Sometimes we'd turn it in once a year, sometimes 3x a year. The least we got was about $380.00. The most we got was $1300.00-not bad for a continuing payout.


One major repeair was Kia replacing the whole steering column due to a flaw at 120,000 miles. We got a loaner for a week while they did that-and it cost us nothing. The only other major major repair that was done was at 250,000 miles when the heater core blew. The dealer worked with us and I paid $1200 for the repair (See pics!). There's no way I was going to try this repair...LOL. After it was put back together, surprisingly there were no squeaks or rattles....













We ended up selling the car on Facebook marketplace for $2500 on August 8th...when the head gasket started to go at 286,567 miles











We replaced it with a new Hyundai Elantra Hybrid...which when brand new on a trip to San Diego averaged 53 miles per gallon. Not bad! Oh yeah, we didn't pay any dealer mark up either-as a returning customer (We already have a 2018 Hyundai Sonata that we bought new at the same dealer-only has 28,000 miles now....)













Time will tell how the hybrid batteries hold up in AZ...which is notorious for killing batteries. The batteries (like the car) have a 10 year warranty.


Having worked for an Olds dealer in the 80's...where the cars were definitely built to fall apart in a year or two, I am impressed with Hyundai and Kia!


Sorry for the hijack!

[Lynn]

No need to apologize Bruce!!! Fit right in with the subject matter.

Looks like they started with a heater core and built the car around it.

[Xplantdad]

Originally Posted by Lynn

No need to apologize Bruce!!! Fit right in with the subject matter.

Looks like they started with a heater core and built the car around it.

Pretty much!