Your reasoning is about the same as mine.  I was looking at another Buick,
but to get the stability control, I'd have to spends $35000 for the Lucerne
and I did not want the Northstar V-8.

At the same time I was looking a Buick, nothing much else was of serious
interest except the Avalon Limited at about the same price.  If you
suggested buying Hyundai, their reputation from the late 1980's was still
fresh in my mind and I'd have laughed at the idea, even though I'd not
looked closely at one for many years.  A couple of weeks later, talking to a
couple of people that had them as rentals, they were impressed with the new
Sonata.

Long story short, I looked, I liked, I bought.  The car has everything that
I want at a price thousands less than the others.  I'm not saying the
quality of the leather is the same as the Lucerne, but it is damned close. I
don't need the reclining rear seats that the Avalon Limited had. It does
have every feature that is important to me.  I figure I have at least a
$5000 advantage, maybe more.

thanks hyundaitech. the 20k to 25 k is the sticker price i see on the
new cars. we get a lot of check engine lights on some of the cars but
don't think i have ever saw one come on on the sonata. love the standard
trip computer that comes on the sonata. also like the standard 6 airbags
on the 2008s and the standard stability control. seems like you get a
lot of car for the money. also noticed standard satellite radio on the
2008s.   in case anyone wants to know the fastest car hertz rents that
we have a lot of is the infinity g35 , seems faster than the dodge
charger with the hemmi v8..   5.6 seconds 0 to 60 for the g35. 6.0
seconds  0 to 60 for the charger with the hemmi according to consumer
reports.  guess i am just an old man of 60 who still likes to put his
foot in it from time to time.

Is that Hertz's used price?  Used '06 Sonatas should be going for a
LOT less than 20-25K.  Maybe $14K.

My brand new '06 was bit less than 20K.

Since you work at Hertz, go ask your maintenance people what they
think of the Sonata.  And let us know what you find out.  It would be
very interesting to know what a rental company thinks of this car.

no real problem. but wonder what you think about the 2007 & 2008 sonata
V6.  drive a camry and thinking about selling it and getting a 2007 or
2008 sonata V6. retired but work for hertz part time and of all the cars
we have in the $20000.00 to $25000.00 price range the sonata V6  is the
most fun to drive. handles great and lots and lots of power when you
need it with pretty good gas mileage. just wondered if you think the
sonata is on par with the camry and hold up in the long term. any real
problems  with the sonata or complaints from owners? my camry is a 2006
le 4cyl. great car but oh so  boring.   thanks   DAVE