[ashman78]

IMO THIS alone is a genius, winning idea. I've only purchased two cars brand new and I hated having to go to the stealership even for routine maintenance.

Don't make me sit and wait for my car or offer to shuttle me somewhere in a long ride with six other customers. Come to me, take my car and leave me a loaner...

My in-laws have been Mercedes people for 15+ years. Even though they buy from an out-of-town dealer 40 miles away, they still get pickup/dropoff service (with comparable loaner) whenever the car is getting serviced under warranty.

Yes, you pay the price in the sticker...but I'm with you. Probably well worth it.

 

[S_Klass]

My in-laws have been Mercedes people for 15+ years. Even though they buy from an out-of-town dealer 40 miles away, they still get pickup/dropoff service (with comparable loaner) whenever the car is getting serviced under warranty.

Yes, you pay the price in the sticker...but I'm with you. Probably well worth it.

That's probably why they get it.

 

[ashman78]

That's probably why they get it.

They could buy from the much larger local dealer, but had bad experiences there. I'm shocked the competing out-of-town dealer is willing to honor the "free ride" offer, but they do it. :crazy:

 

[NotAPreppie]

My wife's 04 Santa Fe GLS AWD 2.7L started life as a rental car. We bought it at 40k miles and after another 30k it's been bullet-proof. Not a wonderful car to drive but I've driven worse and the TCO has been incredibly low next to my '99 Passat 1.8t with similar mileage.

 

[sipes216]

i honestly hadn't paid any attention to hyundai or kia parts swapping or ownership. neither of the companies are worth my time

 

[Postman]

Been the same company for at least a decade and have been platform sharing for quite a while now, IIRC.

I don't think this is correct. I know historically Kia bought old Mazda tech, and Hyundai old Mitsu tech. Hyundai is pretty much on their own but I think Kia is still based on 10 year old Mazda engineering.

Again, I don't know for sure.

 

[ashman78]

Kia is owned by Hyundai and they share platforms on several models. I get all the names confused (Sorento is from the Santa Fe; Borrego is from the Veracruz; Sedona is from the Hyundai minivan; I hope that's right!)

Probably more like SEAT/Skoda is to VW/Audi.

Ignoring this company as subpar is just...well, ignorant. Worse than people calling our cars Jettas

 

[NEWMAN'SOWN]

^ All I have to say is this. If I have the money to be able to afford this car, then I can afford an S Class, 7 Series, or A8. People who purchase these kinds of cars really don't care if the car costs $15-25k less than a Merc or BMW. The badge which is on the front of the car is every bit as important to the buyer as anything else to do with the car. I really don't see the point in making a cheap car for rich people. The reason that Hyundai and KIA makes sense as cheap cars, is because people are willing to sacrifice refinement, performance, and style in order to save money. If your customer isn't interested in saving money, you have lost your way.

 

[beaumisbro]

newman, forget the hyundai girl next door man. get on with the indian chick
on a serious note, I see hyundai creating greater differentiation between kia and hyundai brands. They seem to be making kia the cheap, value for money brand and hyundai mainstream/upper-end brand. so far it seems to be working.

 

[DerRennWagen]

"I personally have not known one single Hyundai that didnt have several issues. Most of them from the factory.", said the Volkswagen owner.

I have never had any issues with my Volkswagen. :thumbup:
Dont know what Im doing right, but there has to be something.

And the Hyundai my dad has burdened himself with...
He has been to three dealers, and dealt with the Regional Hyundai execs.
All said the same thing.

"One quart lost for every thousand miles is normal.":hmmm:


And Hyundai OWNS Kia.
Both badges I would not recommend.

 

[GC Lionel Mandrake]

People are badge snobs. I don't think Hyundai is hoping to pull customers away from BMW, MB or Audi, but I would think they would target people who buy Lexus and Infinity products here in NA.

Unless they snag some celeb spokesperson who makes their cars suddenly desirable in that way to pull the German type luxo-barge buyers who have little brand loyalty but care about looking like part of the 'in' crowd.

 

[Postman]

People are badge snobs. I don't think Hyundai is hoping to pull customers away from BMW, MB or Audi, but I would think they would target people who buy Lexus and Infinity products here in NA.

Unless they snag some celeb spokesperson who makes their cars suddenly desirable in that way to pull the German type luxo-barge buyers who have little brand loyalty but care about looking like part of the 'in' crowd.

Well said and I think accurate.

AND perhaps more importantly is the branding aspect. Having cars like this and the Genisis add to the prestige of the lower models and the company as a whole.

It also will help keep owners loyal. As the 23 year old Elentra driver makes more money in the next 5, 10, 20 years they will hopefully stick with Hyundai.

It worked well for Acura and Lexus, and for VW. How many of us started with a cheaper VW and now drive 3.6 4mo Passats or Audis?

 

[pacent]

My in-laws have been Mercedes people for 15+ years. Even though they buy from an out-of-town dealer 40 miles away, they still get pickup/dropoff service (with comparable loaner) whenever the car is getting serviced under warranty.

Yes, you pay the price in the sticker...but I'm with you. Probably well worth it.

My local BMW dealership does this as well...nothing new.

They call ahead to see where you're currently at, drop off the loaner, and pick up your car..doesn't matter if you're at the office, watching your kid's little league game, shopping at the mall...its an awesome service.

 

[Tom Parish]

When was VW ever known for marketing savvy?

Hyundai is taking things step by step which is very smart. Don't forget they have a great warranty plan that VW keeps making smaller.:banghead:.

 

[ashman78]

Don't forget they have a great warranty plan that VW keeps making smaller.:banghead:.

Which is sort of sickening, since VW had the 10/100 powertrain warranty throughout much of the 90s. Hyundai acts like they invented it (including language to that effect)

 

[ashman78]

My local BMW dealership does this as well...nothing new.

Exactly....but it is pretty groundbreaking for Hyundai.

I hadn't actually paid attention to what their dealer lots looked like recently, but it's almost funny to see all the econoboxes flanked by Genesis and the stunning new Sonata (not my cup of tea, but the new model is very well designed and built).

 

[NEWMAN'SOWN]

I feel like Hyundai is that one kid in the class who "had something wrong with him" Not quite disabled, but definetly slower than a normal person. The things that he achieved were only a big deal becuase he was "the slow kid" I see Hyundai as the slow kid. "Wow, they offer a car that doesn't self combust before it reaches 50,000 miles." "Wow, the interior is made from melted Tupperware, rather than Rubbermaid now." "Hey look, the car can actually take a turn with slightly less body roll than fat man on a scooter."

Sure they have made steps forward, but as far as being a competent car company? No way. :wrench:

 

[DerRennWagen]

^ Wow, I can lean against my fender without denting it!!

Anyone else remember when Hyundai's would dent any time the wind blew?

 

[gobluetwo]

For the record, I met an older gentleman (probably 60 or so) at the train station this morning who was getting out of a new Sonata. Since we were pretty much walking to the station at the same time, asked him how he liked it. He said this was his replacement for an Audi A8L (!) which someone had rammed, causing $23k in damage, thus totaling it. He said this is just as comfortable and a much better size, handled well, gave great fuel economy (drove to Arizona and back in it and averaged 36mpg), and had all the creature comforts he needed. Part of me thinks it was the more manageable size and the new car thing, but the cost/benefit certainly worked for him. FWIW...

And just as an fyi, i take the train into the city maybe 4-5 times a year, so i'm no regular to that station.

Also, as far as the W8 bridging the price gap with the Phaeton, that's somewhat true, but the Phaeton still cost significantly more (~$20k) than the Equus is expected to cost. And one other note - when I was in business in Korea in March, I rode a stretch Equus to/from the airport. that thing was NICE. Did you know they have live TV in the cars? Sweet.

 

[TDIBUGMAN]

I have never had any issues with my Volkswagen. :thumbup:
Dont know what Im doing right, but there has to be something.

And the Hyundai my dad has burdened himself with...
He has been to three dealers, and dealt with the Regional Hyundai execs.
All said the same thing.

"One quart lost for every thousand miles is normal.":hmmm:


And Hyundai OWNS Kia.
Both badges I would not recommend.

And I know of three VW owners who were told the same thing about their 2.0 cars.

We have an 07 Azera that has been in for oil changes (gratis from the dealer), and to replace the throttle position sensor. Otherwise it has been a trouble free experience. I am very close to pulling the trigger and trading it in on a new Tuscon...