Hyundai?

[shootist16]

Went to an auto show yesterday. Me and the mrs are in the market for a new car. We thought the auto show would be a good place to look at several makes of car in the same place without the pressure of car salesmen. We had a short list of cars to look at. The Hyundai was not one of them. We looked at the Hyndai Sonata as we walked by. I have to say that we are curious about this car now. I had always thought Hyundai meant poor quality. Keep in mind that we didn't test drive, but the car surprised me. We now have this car on our list to test drive. I don't know anyone that owns one. What can you guys tell me?

 

[a deadly fart]

My friend is working at Hertz and when they went to pick up a batch of Hyundais from the dealer one wouldn't start at the lot and another latter on was discovered with a defective radio. They have a good warranty it seems but it looks like you better check your car out before you pay for it and drive off.

 

[Shann]

Two of the ladies at my office have them. Very nice looking cars. They haven't complained about them. To be honest, I'd buy a used Toyota or Honda first. I can't tell you why.

 

[ahgar]

I got an elantra gt new in 2003 and proceeded to put 40k on it. I had exactly one problem with this car. at about 38k the thermostat locked up and the gar spewed anti-freeze all over the road. I called the 800 number for roadside assistance, within 30 min a wrecker came and picked up my car and took it to the dealer. car was repaired by the next day and the charge for the whole deal was exactly "0". I was very pleased with both the car and the warranty. I think people forget today that several years ago such brands as, honda, toyota,datsun etc were new and suspect. Now they command serious bucks. give the hyundai a look I think you'll be pleased. later ahgar

One thing to consider is I don't think the resale value is going to be that great. Nothing I ever buy has any resale anyway. good luck

 

[mwerner]

I have a 2003 Elantra as well. No problems at all so far. I did a lot of research before jumping into this, and all the consumer-reports-type rags had nothing but praise for the Koreans, saying that their quality control and reliability are right up near Honda and Toyota.

The Sonata is a very-well equipped number for considerably less than the equivalent Honda.

 

[digdeep]

Bought my Hyundai Sonata used from Hertz. Plush appointments with powerfull V6 engine and get about 25 miles per gallon. This was a replacement for our Chevrolet Lumina which was plaqued with problems. I would buy another Hyundai without reservation.

 

[jackknife]

I was very biased agaist them before last November. We've been a Honda and Toyota family for many years. In early November we were coming back from Charlettesville Va. up RT29 at 8 at night and I hit a deer. Damm thing came out of nowhere. Anyway, it was enough damage to our 2003 Honda Element that we needed a rental car for a month while the Honda dealer put the Element back together. The rental car was a year old Hyndai Elantra.

I was prepared to suffer through the month with a "junker" of a rental car from the ins. company, but I was VERY pleasently surprised. It was a very nice car! Had a comfy ride, handled well, spunky preformance, nice amenities, great gas milage. At the end of the month we picked up the Element with a new front end and turned in the hyndai. Turned it in without the feeling of "good riddense" that I thought we'd have. Like I said, it was a very nice little car.

As a result of driving one for a month, I would now look at one seriously if I were in the market for a car. I was impressed enough to put aside my bias agaist Korean cars. Karen was glad to get her Element back, but she even remarked how nice the Hyndai was when she drove it. I still love my Toyota Tacoma, but if Hundai comes out with a compact pick-up truck I will look at it seriously.

 

[cockroachfarm]

I worked on the Hyundai advertising account when the cars were introduced to North America. The first cars (can you say "Pony"?) brought over here were basically the same car as a seven-year old Fiat! (another car account I worked on but that's a different story ) And they were JUNK.

But that was then, and this is now.

Hyundai has probably done more to make its products competitive than any other car maker in the world. (Of course it helps to have the deep pockets of Hyundai Heavy Industries as your parent company).

Read some of the more recent Hyundai reviews and road tests in the major consumer car magazines. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

My daughter has driven an Accent GS for the past 2 years - with zero problems or repairs. My sister has had a Sonata for years - and gets much better dealer service than I ever did at Mercedes or BMW.

Yes, the resale value isn't as good as a Honda or a Toyota - but while you own them, Hyundais are now very good value for the money.