2010 Sonata Nf 2.4

Hi,

Happy weekend!!

I have been searching around for a new ride since early this year. Was riding a Sportage but sold it off due to transmission problem.

As I travelled very frequently (about tiwce a month) between JB-KL-Penang, I am basically looking for a car that worth every penny I spent and comes with good/ satisfactory equipment level, safety is one of my main concern though. I tried the new Forte, 2nd hand C180k, 2005 BMW 3 series, Peugeot, Nissan and of course some so-called very durable Toyotas and sporty Hondas.

Few months back a friend of mine in Penang, who used to own quite a number of cars, acquired a 2009 Kia Optima at the price of +-RM80,000; suprisingly the ride is comfortable, reasonable equipment level (Infinity Sound System some more), and not-so-thirsty engine (which is very much different from my Sportage). And he shared about the pros of Theta engine, it makes me to start looking into a Korean make.

I then started to search for more info about Korean make cars, in fact I was looking for a 2008/2009 Kia Optima, but I couldn't get a good offer (May be everytime I went to showroom with shorts and slippers, driving a small little Kenari so those SA didn't take my words seriously).

As people says 'Ask and you shall get; seek and you shall find'. Last Saturday I dropped by a showroom located in JB town as I know they have lots of stock cars, I was curious if they can provide me something good. It happened that they were having 'Stock Clearance Promotion' (as I called it) to clear of the Sonata NF 2.4 manufactured in 2010. It comes with a long list of equipment, just to list a few:

1) Electric Motor Driven Intelligent Power Steering (iPS)
2) Suspension: double wishbone (front) & multi-link (back) (My favorite set-up)
3) Full leather seats
4) Dual SRS airbag (with lock for passenger)
5) ABS, EBD
6) Auto-cruise
7) Power seat
8) Electric Driver Seat
9) Heated side mirrors with signal indicator
10)...... and the list goes on

(The only thing I don't like about this car is the centre panel which is quite outdated and very Ah-Pek designed.)

And it comes with price tag of below RM100,000 OTR. I was like "WOW!!! Good lobang!!!!" I didn't make up my mind immediate though, I came back and studied quite a number of forums, of course including this one; I need to thank all the sifus and taikors here who selflessly shared lots of info about the experiences of owning a Korean make.

Upon doing all the research, I placed my booking with the SA few days back and yes, I just signed my loan contract with the bank this morning.

The good news is: when I placed my booking I was told that silver is cheaper by RM2k than black; however yesterday I was told that silver is already out of stock and only black is left and the SA wanted me to top-up RM2k. But after a lengthy discussion, I can still get the black one w/o pouring in more money (I prefer black as a matter of fact).

The bad news is: the showroom is now having very low stock level but the demand is high, price gone up to RM100k+ again liao~ and less than 3 units left.

As this forum has provided lots of info while I was researching for a good car, I think this is the time that I return the favours; if time permit, I would feedback more often and I think there are still some Sonata NF owners out there although it has been replaced by new Sonata~~

By the way, I am curious that which Hyundai SC is better in JB? Any one care to share his/ hers experience??

outdated model

Well I know it's outdated or so-called phased-out/ clear stock (or whatever words you intend to use to describe it) model; but I think most importantly the price reflects the true value of this car... We people at Bolehland are so well aware that our cars are actually overvalued due to high taxes and tariffs~ By the way, iswara and wira have been in the market for.... more than 10/ 20 years??

this is good model. I want to buy also.

But probably I'll buy Kia Optima instead. As u said, car price here is

ccc628, congrats on your new ride, when are you getting your ride?

Kia Optima is also a good choice since my friend is using it and he told me that he has no regret buying Optima 2009 model; imagine he is a young rich lawyer with family business who used to own a 'range' of cars i.e he has a Benz, a Peugeot, a Ssangyong and a Gen 2 in his garage~~

"Value" is the main reason that I ordered the 'clear-stock' Sonata NF. It may not be a beauty like Sonata YF or as prestigious as a BMW/ Benz/ Jaguar etc. but afterall, its my choice~~ not each and everyone of us has a beauty-pageant-wife, right? (Just a metaphor~ )

Hi KL3223,

I signed the papers already and I think should be able to get before Christmas; now it is only pending for JPJ matters. Hopefully JPJ and Custom can work 5 full days during coming week~ because last week heard that both of these departments took turn to 'offline' for 2 days each~~

By the way, are you stayin in KL and owning a Hyundai?

last week system overload due to everyone rushing to settle the summons to enjoy the 50% disc.
yes, staying in KL, and just bought a Sonata

did you survey Optima 2009? What is the lowest price you found out?

Hi ccc628,

I was a Hyundai NF 2.4 (CBU) owner. I purhased my NF back in 2007 & sold it off in June 2010, intending to
purchase the new Hyundai Tucson. However, Kah Bintang failed me and finally I cancelled my booking. Now
I am no more a Hyundai car owner. Instead I now own a Toyota Camry 2.4.

Being owned the NF & Camry, I can share with you the following:

a) First, in fact NF 2.4 is a GOOD car. I really miss its good NVH. Even T. Camry lose out in this department.
Good job, Hyundai.

In terms of build quality, T. Camry win marginally. Hyundai is close though.

c) In terms of FC - both are comparable. So, who dare to say Korean car "makan minyak"? That was
history. In fact, nowadays Korean car FC is comparable to Jap, if not better. However, on
highway cruising, my T. camry slightly win. In mix mode driving, both are about the same.
Note that Camry 2.4 Gearbox is 5 speed, while NF is 4 speed.

In short, NF 2.4 is a good car - worth every $ you paid for...

Just my honest review.