Welcome!
I had a '11 Optima EX 2.4 (bought new, drove for 11 months/11k miles) and a '12 Sonata 2.0T Limited (bought new, drove for 24 months 30k miles) before I bought my 2013 SHO w/ 5k miles on it 2.5 months ago.
The SHO is soooo much nicer than the Korean cars. Much quieter and better handling, the main things I couldn't stand with my Sonata. Not to mention the massive wheel hop I'd get when the 2.0T would kick in. I love the huge trunk in the SHO and love how much more room the front seats/console have.
Get the 2013 if you can, they can be had for around $28-30K. I paid $30,800 (plus tax). for my 8 month old 5500 mile fully loaded Performance Package SHO ($47.5 sticker). I flew from Colorado to Dallas to get it, as it was exactly what I wanted. A lot of nice updates that are worth the money (huge brake upgrade, remote start, power steering wheel, heated steering wheel, LED tails, MyFordTouch, new 20" wheels, new grille/headlights/headliner/gauge cluster, and some other things I'm forgetting). Should have all of the tous you liked in your SX and more. Can't get a panoramic roof but I'm glad to have a regular sunroof again. The pano roof on my Sonata would creak and the seal was starting to have issues (common problem). SHO has a lot of stuff the SX doesn't have (adaptive CC, blind spot warning, collision warning, auto parking, rain sensing wipers, remote start, massage seats, heated steering wheel, power steering wheel, power pedals, adjustable ambient lighting, etc).
These cars respond very well to just a tune. Tune only cars (w/ 3bar sensor) are running 12.7@108mph in Michigan (Milan) right now. Almost a full second in the 1/4 mile. No tune only cars have had engine/tranny failures, very safe. The two big tuners for the SHO is Livernois (LMS) and Unleashed. LMS is in the Detroit area, so definitely would check them out if you are close. The LMS guys with 2010-2012 SHOs are running very good 1/4 times. Their 2013+ tune seems to be a little more conservative, guys are running 12.8's+ with similar mods. I plan to do a full exhaust (Corsa catback+PPE Down Pipes) for $2000, a tune for $500, a 3bar map sensor for $60, and new spark plugs for $60. That should make it a solid 12.5-12.7 car with a 0-60 in the low 4's.
I haven't had mine in snow yet but already bought a winter package from TireRack. I live in the mountains, so I benefit from dedicated snow tires. I lived in Michigan for 8 years and was always fine with all seasons (no hills), so you'll be fine with a top of the line A/S. SHO's with the Performance Package come from the factory with summer tires (Goodyear F1 Supercars), so those need to be swapped out.
I'd avoid 2010 if possible, a number of TSBs were issued to fix issues. A lot of clunking with the transmissions and other things that required flashing the computers. I see a number of people who need the hubs replaced before 60k miles, start making a noise. Spark plugs need to be replaced after 50k miles, people see a large difference with new ones. 2010-2012's have peeling chrome on the tail lights, seems all of them do this. Either accept it, paint them, or plastidip them. Some are swapping them out with SEL tails to get rid of the chrome. Not a direct swap with 2013+ LED tails, requires the updated 2013+ trunk. The drivetrain seems to be holding up well, have seen a couple posts with engines blowing but that's typical for any forum/car.
