In a previous blog entry I mentioned that I had swapped the Veracruz out for the smart fortwo. The smart had an aux input and was more appropriate for the weekend I had planned. Plus I sort of like the smart.
I whined a little bit about the numb steering in the Veracruz offending me as a driver and left it at that. What I probably should have taken the time to mention was the steering feel being almost the same as what's found in Lexus vehicles-- one of the many elements of Lexus vehicles I happen to dislike. But that type of steering, along with the floaty ride and complete lack of road information transmitted to the driver are the kinds of thing that sells to people like my parents who happened to be visiting for the weekend and who happened to absolutely love the Veracruz
They loved the seat comfort and material. They loved the dash layout and color scheme. My mom wouldn't stop talking about the ride comfort, that she couldn't hear the engine or the wind no matter how fast we were going. My dad busied himself trying to take apart the wireless headphones for the rear seat entertainment..he's an engineer, don't ask.
They were sold. My mom is now considering the Genesis for her next car. (She says that now, but if I know her next time she goes to buy a new car she won't leave the GM lot empty handed...she never does.) And it turns out that after a few hundred miles of exploring California with reluctant tourists, I put aside my steering complaints and found a few things about the Veracruz that I was smitten with like these super handy, and cool when closed, storage bins. I had them filled all weekend. Never with cups.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 21,203 miles
wobbly_ears says:
02:43 PM, 11/ 3/08
Mike,
Have you guys taken the Veracruz to the dealer to get the horn fixed or not?
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/10/2008-hyundai-veracruz-se-awd-silence.html
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/09/2008-hyundai-veracruz-15000-mile-service.html
If not, you guys are the sort of people who care little about others on the road.
I said it before & I'll say it again. It is irresponsible to drive without a working horn. You are putting yourselves & others on the road in potential harm. A working horn is an essential safety equipment.
It is unconcionable (and not to mention illegal) that the so-called auto journalists can't be bothered to get a simple thing fixed.
Oh yeah, it is a Hyundai & not an R8, or a GT-R or an M-3.
vt8919 says:
04:34 PM, 11/ 3/08
Irresponsible? It's a matter of opinion. In MY opinion it's not that important, wobbly_ears. For example, a guy passed me the other day and swerved back into my lane way too soon, almost colliding with the front of my car. Instead of blaring my horn, I did something more important and slammed on my brakes. Unless someone is driving down the wrong side of an interstate, or if a thief set off the car alarm, or if someone in front of you is sitting at a green light (which is not dangerous, but annoying), it's useless in my opinion. I'd rather have my horn go than have my brakes fail, or my tire blow out. THOSE are more important than a noise maker that people use out of fits of anger or saying hi to their friends they see nearby. If you use your horn more than, say, once or twice a month for any reason, there's something wrong.
I do not blame these guys at all for taking their sweet time.
tettes says:
04:44 PM, 11/ 3/08
Well, if you use your horn only when you're annoyed or angry, you're not using your horn in accordance with California driving laws.
From the California Drivers manual:
Use Your Horn
* When necessary to avoid accidents.
* To try to get “eye contact” with other drivers. Tap your horn to alert another driver who might turn in front of you.
* On narrow mountain roads, where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead.
Don't Use Your Horn
* If a driver is going slowly, and you want him or her to drive faster. The driver may be ill, lost, or having problems with the vehicle.
* If slowing or stopping your car will prevent an accident. It’s safer to use the brakes than honk the horn.
* To show other drivers that they made a mistake. Your honking may cause them to make more mistakes.
* Because you are angry or upset.
I agree with wobbly_ears. They should fix the horn asap.
tackepj says:
05:04 AM, 11/ 4/08
In addition, in many states where a routine safety inspection is required, a working horn is essential to pass. I know this was the case in PA. Now I live in IN, where it's perfectly acceptable to drive with bald tires and no brakes as we have no safety inspection.
But, as wobbly_ears points out, it's a matter of responsibility. I never understand why folks have car problems on a vehicle that's under warranty--especially when you have a fleet of vehicles to choose from should one be out of service. Get it done and we'll all stop b*tching about it (we'll find something else by then).
altimadude00 says:
05:37 AM, 11/ 4/08
This is why the Buick LeSabre was a top seller for, what, 10 years running? Journalists didn't like it because it was a barge, but that was exactly why real people that had to drive it every day like it.
Kind of like how you see many more Hyundai Elantras and Toyota Corollas than you do EVOs and WRXs.
fadetoblackii says:
07:05 AM, 11/ 4/08
altimadude00-
same way with the crown vic/grand marquis/town car. Gigantic, poorly handling, slow vehicles, but they are the most comfortable things you can drive if you do any type of highway driving at all. That's why they were able to keep the same chassis under them for ~20 years.
wobbly_ears says:
07:29 AM, 11/ 4/08
I have an 07 Hyundai Azera, with which Veracruz shares many componenets & design cues.
Yes, Azera & Veracruz have a sort of a 'buick-like' ride (but not so much bad). They isolate the road from the driver & the driver hardly feels the road bumps & imprefections.
Now, initially I wanted to buy something more dynamic. But if youb have ever drive in Houston, you realize that comfort is what works here. We have probably the worst kept city streets in the nation & perennially clogged freeways. When you drive here, sometimes after a hard day's work, you need to be really comfortable when you're stuck in traffic. It also makes for a great highway cruiser. And I got it fully loaded for the price of almost entry-level Camry or Accord!
I know it is very unusual for someone in my age group to go for such cars (I'm only 30!). I think I'm done with sporty cars as long as I'm in this part of the country.
felonious says:
08:24 AM, 11/ 4/08
Page museum!! I was just there with my family this last Saturday. :) Our stickers were blue though, so we were probably there on different days. Isn't that huge mammoth skeleton cool?
gjupp says:
12:34 PM, 11/ 4/08
I would just want the horn to work so that you could honk at the girls in LA
jaguar8 says:
06:55 PM, 11/ 5/08
sounds like my mother and the Ford dealerships...
xbjay says:
08:23 PM, 11/ 6/08
my friend's xterra's horn doesn't work.. and when we carpool and get into near accidents.. we stick our heads out the window and shout at the top of our lungs.. "HEYY!!!! WTF!"