An Azera Sighting

[Islander]

I've had my 2006 Azera for 10 weeks. Today on my way to work, for the first time I finally saw another. 10 weeks just to see one on Long Island, where new cars are everywhere, simply amazes me.

It concerns me that there are so few Azera's on the road. In order for Hyundai to really invest in supporting the car in the US (you know the clunking suspension issue...) they need to know the car will be a success here. While the clunking suspension and a few minor quirks are present in many of the forum participants cars, the Azera is still a too well kept secret to the American car buying public. It's unfortunate that such a great car and tremendous value is not more heavily marketed by Hyundai. For well south of $30K and less than $25K for an SE with the Premium package, these great cars shouls be all over like the Taurus' & Sables' of the early 90's.

[JoeD]

I agree that for the value the Azera is one great car.  I have had mine now for about five months and only recently have I seen one.  I think part of the problem of selling more is that it is advertised as a Luxury Car and  it is but the person driving a so called Luxury Car is not ready to step down, in their minds, by the Name, "Hyundai".  I think it is going to take sometime before people realize how Great This Car is for the Money.  Hyundai like Toyota "in the beginning" is going through growing pains.  Hyundai keeps bettering their product and sales.  In the recent months I have seen many Hyundai Sonatas on the road.  This was caused by the large advertising campaign and people realizing just how great a car it is for the price.  I think this will also happen with the Azera as long as Hyundai continues to maintain their effort of quality. JodD

[Islander]

I agree with you Joe...Hyundai is climbing up much like Toyota did, as well as Datson/Nissan. Positioning the car as a Luxury car or near Luxury car may not be in their best interest due to the snob appeal some brands afford "some" of their buyers. If Hyundai pits the Azera up against the Avelon, Ford 500, Maxima, Lucerne as many auto rags do, they might attract buyers. As wonderful as the Azera is, it is not yet a BMW 5 series, E Class Mercedes or ES Lexus, but neither is the price. Heck the Azera offers "similar" features for $10 - $25K less...and there in lies the tremendous value.

True, the Lucerne, 500 and Maxima also offer some "similair" features to these luxury names, yet the Azera is often a superior value to these cars just the same, albeit at $2.5 - $6K less.

I enjoyed a Taurus SHO prior to the Azera. One of the enjoyment factors was the uniqueness of the car. While I enjoy the Azera's uniqueness too, I would still prefer to see more on the road. FWIW I'm guessing I've only seen 5 Lucernes, 10 current body Avelons, and 10 500's in the same 10 weeks I've seen 1 other Azera. Around here it's BMW, Infinity, Lexus & Mercedes making up 25% of cars on the road, then the SUV's (all makes/models) make up another 35%, so that doesn't leave alot of room for all the other brands/models...

[Azera]

Yea, it's sad, but Hyundai is really lacking in advertisements of Azeras. There's not much we can really do, I hope we will see a second generation Azera.

[killerztp]

Hi Islander, which part of long island are you in? I was there over the weekend maybe you saw my azera? Such a small world.

[boostedfc3s]

I've seen about 5 or 6 around here. I usually see one everyday on the way to work... its the same one, but I still see it.

[Islander]

hey killerztp-

i'm in nassau county right by the coliseum where the islanders play. didn't see your azera this weekend, but if i did, i woulda posted about it!

[killerztp]

I was around smithhaven mall. maybe we will see each other's azzy since such a small world we live in.

[Islander]

TWO IN 5 DAYS! Today a Black Azera going the opposite way. So in 11 weeks of Azera ownership I've seen 2. During that same time frame I've seen at least:
3 Ferrari's
2 Ford GT's
3 Lamborgini's
1 Lotus
2 Aston Martin's
2 Roush Mustangs
12 AMG version Mercedes
3 6 series BMW coupes.
and a gazillion new Camry's, Altima's & Maxima's.
.....but it looks like the Hyundai Azera could be on a roll.

Damn, I wish they would/could sell alot more Azera's. The local dealers still have 2006's available. Hopefully Azera doesn't go the way of the Edsel.

[whitemef]

I live in the Dallas area and have had mine for 5 or so months. I have only seen 4 others. All kinds of Sonatas but no Azeras. I would think for the little bit of extra cash more people would step up to the Azera. I do like the Sonata, but really.

On the other hand, I do like the fact that no everybody has one (Camry, Accord). At the car wash the other day I caught a guy staring, yes staring at the Azera as he was walking over to his Benz.