Cars- Japanese Korean

W

warmglow

Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
8
Hi I am going to be in the market for a set of wheels. Nothing too fancy or shabby so I was thinking ofa Hyundai Sonata or a Nissan Altima. Used or Certified. Anyone tried these out- This will be for LA city conditions
 
I haven't driven either, but I do know that Hyundai quality is really improving. You can check out the "Initial Quality" and "Long Term Dependability" at the JD Powers website.

Lexus was #1 in quality for something like 11 years, beaten this year finally by Porche.

If I drove in Southern California, I'd want a convertible. :)

Happy Shopping,
-Bob
 
I agree that Korean cars are improving in quality. But Honda and Toyota have always been supreme to me.

It's tempting though to get the Korean cars. Their warranties are sooo generous. The Japanese know that they have a built in customer base and reputation already so aren't inclined to give the most generous warranties.

My honda has been running fine at 166K and only tune-ups and oil and filter changes.

Next will be a Toyota.
 
When our daughter graduated high school and started college, we got her a new Toyota Corolla. That was 1990. Jess did her level best to destroy that car while away at school- oil changes when she remembered every 8 to 10 thousand miles needed or not, run into many things, and so on. It finally died last year at 267 thousand something and some change.

She bought a new Toyota.
 
I tried to wear out a Nissan and while it treated me right, I will buy a Toyota before another Nissan product. Toyota's are just better for owner's who drive them over 150K. A 4 cylinder Camry LE is a hard value to beat for a reasonably priced car with reasonable options.

If I was going bottom dollar, Hyundai and Scion are hard to beat right now. However, the Camry in the sub-$20K range for a new one is hard to turn down when you price the competition with similar features.

Now, if Toyota would just release the new Tundra's which are real work trucks and not the soccer Mom variants .... :)
 
just bought a toyota corolla-its nice,quality of interior parts could be better-41 mpg on the highway is real real nice-

might also take a look at suzuki cars,has a 100,000 mile warranty like korean cars
 
I've been driving my Elantra for two years, no problems at all other than the rather cheesy Korean tires. Got this as a "program" car (full warranty) with 17,000 miles on it; now with 45,000 the tires are junk.

Other than that, it's been utterly reliable. I recently drove a rented Toyota Corolla while mine was getting fixed (a rock through the window!), and to me it seemed these two cars might have rolled out of the same factory. They looked, felt, and drove almost identically.
 
mwerner said:
I've been driving my Elantra for two years, no problems at all other than the rather cheesy Korean tires. Got this as a "program" car (full warranty) with 17,000 miles on it; now with 45,000 the tires are junk.

Other than that, it's been utterly reliable. I recently drove a rented Toyota Corolla while mine was getting fixed (a rock through the window!), and to me it seemed these two cars might have rolled out of the same factory. They looked, felt, and drove almost identically.
Click to expand...

Last year about this time I hit a deer with our Honda Element and while it was in the shop we had a Elantra as our rental car for three weeks. It was a very nice driving car! I'll have to admit not to sell the Hundai short.
 
I worked on the Hyundai advertising account when Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries first brought these cars to North America. I remember working on one press release that introduced the name: "Hyundai - rhymes with 'Sunday'!" At that time, the cars were basically rebadged Fiat 128's - a 6-year old design, abysmal fit and finish, haphazard QC.

But that was light years ago. Today's Hyundai vehicles are right up there with Honda and Toyota. Instead of buying my daughter a used Honda or Toyota when she went off to college, we got her a new Hyundai Accent - the cheapest model - because of the new-car warranty. That little car was abused in ways that only a 21-year old woman college student could abuse it - with no complaints or breakdowns, no serious repair bills. Same story with my sister's Sonata.

I still work on several automotive projects each year and, knowing what I know, I would have ZERO hesitation in purchasing a brand-new Hyundai.
 
5% of all $ Nissan/Infinity makes goes directly to the French Govt... that makes them a nono for me...

I would go Korean, better reliability and warranty too.
 
I just this year got rid of my '88 BMW 535e. It had only 78K original miles on it, but the New England winters had taken it's toll on the body. There was rust EVERYWHERE. I recently inherited a 93 honda accord with 144k on it, but very clean body and interior. There is no way an American made car, I'm sorry to say, could run as well as this one with the same mileage. So, I'm firmly in the Japanese camp at this point. This past summer, I rented Sonatas from time to time and found them to be a sound, nice riding vehicle, although I thought it had a little too much torque in the low end. Ergonomicly, the Japanese cars can't be beat. The switches and controls on the dash and elsewhere in the car well located and absolutely intuitive to use. Go Japanese, that's my vote
 
I had a hyundai elantra for about 3 years and it was a great car. One thing to keep in mind when buying a hyundai/kia/daewoo etc is that there is little to no trade in value. if you buy it plan on keeping it until it dies or basically giving it away. aside from that really good cars. Now pardon me while i go outside and drive off in my 96 toyota forerunner with 210,000 on the clock. later,ahgar
 
Also check the ratings at consumer reports & any inputs at epinions.com, pretty informative.
Stay away from Isuzu, my recent Honda Passport (Rodeo) just about drove me insane, easliy the worst reliability of any vehicle I 've owned.
Just bought a Toyota Matrix, no problems. Wife drives a Subaru Forester, also no problems.
Also, Pontiac Vibe is the same as a Matrix, just comes from a Toyota plant in california, matrix comes from canada.
 
My mother (a mechanic) says that the Hyundai mechanics alway bitch about not being able to get parts. plus watch out for the fine print in the "amazing" warranty
 
everyone knows somebody with a honda or toyota with 150,000 or more that still runs like a clock-

ever heard of a hyundai with a few hundred thousand?
 
I have a 96 Kia Sportage 4x4. 111K so far. Runs great. No rust in the paint, but some on the spare tire arm.

Sister has a 2001(?) Rio with 120K.

We're both still pleased.
 
The Subaru wrx (or STi) is my favorite import. Great performance, safety, AWD, turbo, and its 4 door.
 
Honda Accord or Toyota Camry XLE . . . Consumer Reports gives both the highest rating (for the past 10 years).

You'll be disappointed with a Nissan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top