I remember when they actually started producing halfway decent cars some years back and I said to myself "Maybe if they keep this up, in several years it will be acceptable to own one".

So my question is: has it been long enough, or do they still reek of shoddiness?

1/23/2007 9:30:07 AM

I'd rock a Sonata. They're pretty common in other countries, for the price I guess. They have been winning some awards the past few years, too. I can't speak on their mechanical durability but everything else is looking up. You pay for what you get usually.

1/23/2007 9:33:41 AM

I mean, it's hard to beat a 100,000 mile warranty...and I hear they are really good about it, too...

1/23/2007 9:36:28 AM

no, not yet

1/23/2007 9:44:59 AM

maybe 5 more years?

1/23/2007 10:05:34 AM

for the price and the warranty, sounds like a good deal to me if you just don't give a shit about cars and need something to get you from A to B.

1/23/2007 10:10:47 AM

they still have way too much plastic on the inside - still feels very cheap - i'd give it 2-3 years instead of 5 though - everyone's reviews of them have been changing the past 2 years

1/23/2007 10:14:51 AM

My parents have an 04 santa fe and its a nice car, but very very basic. The seats are actually quite cramped for an SUV even though its suppose to be a small SUV, the padding in the seats are uncomfortable over a period of time, handles like shit, power is lacking in some areas but has too much torque in 1st gear and doesn't have traction control. I have an Acura TL as a car and its miles ahead of the santa fe in comfort features and so much more. We actually got the 04 santa fe and the 03 acura tl for the same price.

And the ceo of hyundai looks like to be jailed for 6 years for bribery and money laundering. Just spend the money on a pre-own honda/acura for the price. You'll be much happier.

1/23/2007 11:01:08 AM

Quote :

"And the ceo of hyundai looks like to be jailed for 6 years for bribery and money laundering. "

Haha, there goes the whole "beginning to look like a reputable company" thing. woops

1/23/2007 11:13:47 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16650422/

1/23/2007 11:21:50 AM

That guy looks and apparently acts like the hot azn chicks father from Lost.

1/23/2007 11:32:13 AM

Sry, don't watch the show...

1/23/2007 11:33:08 AM

They're cheap in some areas but mechanically the new Hyundais are pretty good.

I don't suggest buying a KIA (Killed In Accident) any time soon.

1/23/2007 1:35:50 PM

yeah I don't like Kia's and the suzuki shit is annoying as they try to tout that their cars are as much as their bikes.... yeah right

1/23/2007 1:43:45 PM

newer suzuki grand vitaras kick ass if you ever been in one

1/23/2007 3:43:32 PM

what else are you going to do? spend 60k on a z06 and still get a shitty plastic interior (or any american car for that matter)?

i rocked out an 89 Excel in high school...jack shit for power, but it was a good car. I wouldn't buy one now just because I can afford better, but if I was looking for something cheaper, it'd probably come in after mazda on my list.

1/23/2007 4:18:38 PM

their minivans blow, but other than that the sonata is decent.

1/24/2007 12:54:25 AM

the new 2007 hyundais and kias actually look very good; better looking than a lot of jap, american, and even some european cars.

as far as quality, as someone said, wait another couple to few years.

1/24/2007 5:40:26 AM

^^^^^^You do realize that Kias and Hyundais are almost identical under the skin, and share a lot of powertrains right?

1/24/2007 1:15:54 PM

if i was going to buy a new car now, i'd probably get a sonata. can't beat the price and warranty.

1/24/2007 1:20:25 PM

but kia's look like shit...

1/24/2007 1:33:09 PM

please come back when you're knowledgeable in what you're talking about.

1/24/2007 1:55:43 PM

who?

1/24/2007 2:04:20 PM

I bought a new Hyundai Tucson ~1.5 years ago. No major problems thus far. Between the price and warranty, I was sold.

My only gripe on the vehicle is the interior - they use "cheap" plastic that scratches somewhat easily - this may have changed in the couple of model years since I made my purchase.

1/24/2007 2:08:54 PM

^yeah, reason why I don't like my parents suv. Other then that, its a nice DD.

1/24/2007 2:10:15 PM

I figure that Hyundais have been good since consumer reports, autoweek, jdpower started saying they are "better" than honda and toyota 3 years ago.

1/24/2007 2:33:13 PM

Kias and Hyundais are just as good as any other car out there.

Their engines and suspensions are a generation behind, but their quality is good. And their styling is really starting to get good (look at the new Santa Fe).

I'm not a fan of Korean cars, but given them credit where credit's due.

1/24/2007 11:13:10 PM

i'm ready for my $10k chinese sports car.

1/24/2007 11:40:06 PM

I have a 99 Tiburon with 183,000 miles that I am finally putting to rest this week. I delivered pizza in this sucker for 6 years so it got some very extreme driving coniditons. My plan was to keep it for as long as it would run without needing major engine work, and its been rapidly falling apart in the last couple of months so its time to scrap it.

Verdict:
Mechanically it held up pretty well, can't really complain about lasting until about 170k miles, hard miles at that, never needed significant engire or transmition work, still on the second clutch. The last 15 thousand miles have been rough, though.

Cosmetically not as good. Had some paint peel at 30k miles (with routine washing), weak body structure (pulled off half of the bumper backing over a curb at 5 mph), and hordes of little i-can-live-with-it details that fell apart - seemed like something broke at fairly regular 10K intervals, half the door handle broke off, passanger window button fell into the car, center consule lid broke off, etc.

It was a fun car to drive, though, and cheap.

1/27/2007 10:26:10 PM

I have an '06 Tiburon that I bought about a year and a half ago and it's been great. The interior is definitely not any more 'plasticky' than any other cars I've seen (with the obvious exception of high-end or luxury) and I haven't had any problems, mechanical or otherwise. I got the 4-banger, so gas mileage is awesome (low-mid 30s highway). It's a little heavy for a sport coupe, so the acceleration could be a little better, but I figure a decent CAI should help with that.

2/5/2007 11:06:07 AM

^don't hold your breath on a CAI making a noticeable difference, esp. on a 31xx lb 2dr coupe.

2/5/2007 1:32:22 PM

The only thing that'll help that 4banger is a turbo.

2/6/2007 12:11:54 AM

everyone I know who has or had one always is telling me about there troubles with them.

After two years or so.

[Edited on February 6, 2007 at 3:13 AM. Reason : .]

2/6/2007 3:09:25 AM

They even beat Honda out to win Best Initial Quality from JD Power & Ass.

2/6/2007 12:35:29 PM

^keyword: Initial

2/6/2007 12:39:06 PM

lol nah i really think that the models can stand up against its competitors. The Hyundai Corp has earned its respect IMO. It's becoming the luxury division pretty soon.

2/6/2007 12:51:22 PM

TOO BAD HALF THEIR CAR LINEUP LOOKS SIMILIAR TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS CARS

2/6/2007 1:58:00 PM

SRTiburon-4 ... atleast it's not FWD

2/6/2007 2:19:56 PM

^ I'm sorry what? Sounds like a Dodge.

2/6/2007 6:51:28 PM

silly fafgol dci dks arew fore achikcks

2/6/2007 11:46:55 PM

^^^damn, that'd be a hyundai i'd consider... probably be cheap as hell.

2/6/2007 11:54:17 PM