Cancer survivor finds her ideal car in 2012 Sonata

Veronica Kellum has had her share of scares in the past year, so when she was helped by Planet Hyundai at 7150 W. Sahara Ave., there was good reason to be happy.

Kellum, a pharmacy technician at University Medical Center, is now the owner of a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. A cancer survivor, she is thankful for not only her car, but especially the fact that she has weathered the storm of health issues.

Add in the fact that Planet Hyundai sales consultant Lamar Stingley went the extra mile to get the lowest possible financing package and you won't find a happier person right now than Kellum, a native of Southern California .

"I had a 2004 Santa Fe in California and bought a 2007 Santa Fe at Planet Hyundai Sahara," said Kellum, who has enjoyed a long history with the Las Vegas dealership. "When I needed a new car this time, it was a no-brainer. I'd spoken to Lamar about five months ago and told him I wanted either a Sonata or an Elantra. I liked the Sonata but thought I'd be better suited pricewise with an Elantra."

From there, the staff went to work and Kellum was able to get the car of her dreams.

"I was very impressed with the way Lamar handled the transaction," she said. "There was absolutely no pressure at all, and he wanted me to leave with what I wanted and be completely happy with the deal."

The Sonata has everything for Kellum.

"I like it because it's sporty," she said. "However, I also wanted a manual transmission."

Stingley was dumbfounded that Kellum wanted a stick shift.

"I wanted a manual transmission and that was the dealmaker," she laughed. "Lamar just kind of looked at me and told me I was different. However, he did everything he could to make the deal work."

Kellum also likes the sleek body style of the Sonata.

"It doesn't look like what you think a Hyundai by name would look like," she said. "When people first hear the name Hyundai, they don't realize what wonderful cars they are. This is my third car and I love Hyundai. Every year they get better and I absolutely love my new silver baby."

The four-cylinder engine has plenty of power along with fuel mileage of about 30 mph in town.

"The fuel mileage is awesome," she said. "This car is a sports car in a luxury car's body."

In addition, Kellum loves her sound system.

"It's a basic sound system, but it rocks," she said. "I love a pretty good gamut of different music ranging from jazz to rock and roll and R&B. I can blast everything and it all sounds good."

Stingley, a five-year veteran of the car business, said he won't forget helping Kellum.

"She didn't think that she could get the car," Stingley recalled. "I talked to her and found that that she was a cancer survivor and considering that my mother has had health problems, I just wanted to help her. I wasn't interested in the commission, but rather just wanted to make sure she was taken care of. I will never have to worry about Veronica now that she's driving one of America's safest cars. She is so happy with her car and we're happy to have played a role in helping her."

Stingley was able to help spearhead an effort that lowered Kellum's payment while also assuring her she received the extended coverage. The Sonata came with the 10-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty and the five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

"Lamar rocks in my book," she said.

Planet Hyundai dealerships also include Planet Hyundai Centennial at 6200 Centennial Center Blvd. in the northwest valley.
Further information can be found by calling 702-938-1400 (Sahara) or 702-483-2200 (Centennial), Stingley at 702-521-6777 or by visiting www.planetlv.com.