BS: What do think about Hyundais

Subject: BS: Hyundia's - Good or bad?
From: Ed T
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 05:43 PM

We all know about Toyota's, Honda's and the other main brands. But< what is your impressions about the quality of Hyundias. There seem to be more and more of them on the highways in recent years. So, there must be some good or bad impressions/experiences with them?

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Ed T
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 05:45 PM

Oops Hyundai- I always make that mistake.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:08 PM

I owned one years back. Good car. Don't know about them now. Hyundai, rhymes with Sunday.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:09 PM

sister has one, my buddy has one ... run for years and very reliable

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:27 PM

My daughter has had the Santa Fe SUV for several years. Trouble-free.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:31 PM

I had a 2003 Kia Spectra (same parent company) and put 120,000 miles on it. it was relatively expensive to own and maintain. Major breakdowns, both wheel bearings, some electrical parts and the deal breaker, the tranny.    My current 2000 Saturn SL1 had been cheaper to maintain and run. 180,000 of my miles total, a couple of cooling fans and an alternator.

If you are thinking about buying I would go to Edmunds.com and look at total cost of ownership. It is a good indication of reliability and maintenance costs.   

I would say that American cars, especially for and GM are probably better value than Hyundai.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:32 PM

Ford and GM

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: bobad
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:32 PM

Hyundai is recalling more than 220,000 Santa Fe SUVs and Sonata cars in North America for problems of their airbag systems.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a recent report that the Hyundai distributors in the United States would recall 199,118 Santa Fe SUVs of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 versions, which were produced between April 19, 2006 and July 8, 2008; and recall 22,512 Sonata cars of the 2012 and 2013 version, which were produced between Jan. 24 and June 21 of 2012. The total number of the SUVs and cars recalled is 221,620. Canadian media said that 32,000 of them are in the Canadian market.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:35 PM

Yeah, that's true Bobad but I read it was for a simple calibration problem in the air bags where were not deploying for small adults.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 06:56 PM

My 12 string is a Hyundai, and very sweet it is. Never seen another.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:03 PM

They have come a long way...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: kendall
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:12 PM

I've owned two of them and they are ok but I prefer the Impala.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:13 PM

Like the Japanese, the Koreans came in, put out some pretty fair product and then refined or rebuilt. Kia and Hyundai are both excellent products now and show the same quality that we've come to expect from Asia.

Of the Americans......GM has made the most progress but Ford is right there now too. Its a lot harder to buy crap than it used to be......seriously!   Now that's a plus.........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 07:22 PM

Herself has a 2010 Elantra hatchback and loves it. It doesn't quite fit me, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the car.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: kendall
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 08:28 PM

I did have a problem with the first Hyundai; the throttle regulator was buggered up. I bought it at auction for $900.00.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: EBarnacle
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 09:40 PM

The early Hyundais were cheap, tinny crap. They have improved a long way since then. I recently drove one of their minivans and it was fine until the electronic throttle failed and I had to drive home at an idle.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundia's
From: Beer
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 11:13 PM

I have a friend who swears by them.
Oh!, I have a 1963 Yamaha 180 that still play very well. No intentions of trading it in.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 02:56 AM

I have a Euro spec Santa Fe. I don't know if it is different to the American spec but whenever I hire a car I think I know at a US airport, it is always slightly different.

I love it. It may not be the Jaguar I traded for it in terms of quality but it is now two years old, never had a bit of trouble, one recall over a fuel pipe and drives like a saloon car with comfy seats and high specification.

I got it amongst other things to tow, and it does that admirably. When I was looking, I was choosing between it and cars twice the price (BMW X5, Disco etc) so a little trepidation when I bought it.

Never looked back, and won't ever do so as the warranty will
Still be in force when I trade it in. Possibly for the new model when it arrives next year.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 04:04 AM

probably a nice family....but would you want to live next door to one?

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 12:40 PM

I have an Elantra. Perfect for short trips to work and back. Occasional drives. Minimal upkeep in almost three years, great mileage but too small to be comfortable for a long drive.
I will buy another but maybe upgrade if this one ever dies. It is a 2008 with 23,000 miles on it. May be a while.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 12:48 PM

Musket, do they have a 100,000 mile warranty (160,000 km) in Europe?

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 01:43 PM

They have a five year full warranty with no mileage limit.

Interestingly the stable mate Kia has a seven year warranty but three year full and four year major parts. Again, unlimited mileage.

Hyundai / Kia make a lot of noise about their warranty and now the cars are as good as most others, it is making the competition think. They also do a lot of R&D in England so the suspension settings seem to favour our winding roads.

There is a long curving road to get on the motorway near us and it is interesting. My Jag could go round at 70 mph, my responsible adult's VW Eos (hard top convertible) can only manage 60 mph before wanting to run wide and the Santa Fe manages 60 mpg also. Far better than I expected from a 4x4.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Ed T
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 01:48 PM

""They have a five year full warranty with no mileage limit.""

First owner, I suspect (not transferable to second owner)??

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 02:06 PM

Transferable.

I have the form for a subsequent owner to complete and send in. Also, the second hand ones always sell with balance of warranty.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Ed T
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 02:26 PM

The reason I asked, is I was ready to replace my two cars with one (faithful 1999 Subaru Legacy and 2002 Honda Civic).I rarely buy new anymore.My wife has a low mileage '99 Toyota Solara-which is a Jewel.

My research and driving made me focus on three vehicles-

Toyota Camry (2002 to 2007 a bit smaller than newer ones).
Toyota Corolla, 2009 + are earlier Camry size.
Toyota Matrix (auto, as standard shifts have had issues)
Hyundia Sonata or newer Elantra

After I posted a loaded 2007 Sonata with 50 km became available, and I grabbed it fast. The drive seems much like a newer Camry and I have not seen any significant troubles. Hope it works out, I got a really low price, as owner died and widow did not drive (no kids to pass it on to). As it has low kms, I should have fewer troubles for awhile (fingers crossed), as I mostly drive local, about 10,000 K a year.
I sacrificed fuel consumption for comfort, as I choose to do as I advance in age;)

I often talk with taxi drivers, body shop folks and ordanary drivers and this is what I have pulled together in my mind:

Nissans-good vehicles but parts are expensive and have some have early rust issues.

VW, Audi BMW Mercedes- Much higher maintaince costs when off warranty.

Mazda, harder on fuel and not as good as other Japanese (some say because of the Ford partnership). SYY technology in 2013 shows promise for fuel economy.

Toyota- good vehicles, but have been gliding on reputation from earlier years. Other vehicles have came up to narrow the gap significantly.

GM - avoid the earlier auto transmissions. Came ahead greatly in the past few years, now put together really well.

Ford - reliable, well put together (benefitted from Mazda) but, many recalls in recent years. Some models could share "Mazda" fuel issues.

Chrysler, poorly put together-trouble as they age-avoid.

Jeep- Yesterdays vehicle,hard on fuel went downhill with Chrysler. Some are Chryslers in disguise.

Mini- expensive to operate, you pay BMW prices to maintain but don't have a BMW.

Avoid Smart cars

Avoid early hybrid vehicles-battery technology has improved and batteries are expensive to repair.

Honda/Acura-Poorly put together, thin metal, rust prone in northern climates. Young folks like the "sporty" drive.

Hyindia-Nearly as good as Toyotas in recent years.

Kia, give them a few years, until Hyundia improves them.

Lexus, Infiniti -Nice, if you can afford 'em.

4X4s most are gas guzzlers

Trucks-Don't know

Best minivan Chrysler,watch for rust in the rockers.

*(VW Westfalia- Best to buy a spare parts vehicle, as you will need it).

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 03:29 PM

Hyundais are pretty boring. If you drive because you have to they will after recent quality and durability improvements probably be OK.

If you want something that will do a quarter of a million miles and if you have a turbo one be fun too - get a rear wheel drive Volvo.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 05:12 PM

I'm 12,000 short of a quarter million on my cheap little Saturn.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 03:31 AM

By heck Bridge. You always give good value for money!

Hyundais are boring, coming from a Volvo driver.......... Last time I checked my car didn't have a place to put my pipe or seats designed to fit the contours of a cardigan.

Mind you, fairs fair. Many years ago I had an 850 T5 as a company car.

You do have a serious point though. I would never have bought a Hyundia on the basis of a driver's car. I do have a 911 that gets wheeled out at weekends, being one of these capitalist bastards etc.

The Hyundai fits the bill as a tool and as I said above, is pleasantly surprising as a drive as opposed to me expecting it to be good.

The Porsche was bought new 9 years ago and other than servicing and wear parts (eats bloody tyres and brake pads) has never had a single problem. Quality is quality and sometimes you get what you pay for. My responsible adult's Eos is similarly reliable and 5 years old now.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 03:41 AM

T5Rs were very quick indeed in their day but suffered dreadfully with wheelspin if provoked. My 945 Sport Edition is quite brisk and I don't own a pipe and cannot remember when I last wore a cardigan although there may be one at the back of a wardrobe somewhere. I'm surprised about your Porsche. Back in the day several young men who had inheritances bought them, and they were terribly unreliable (and the meccos always ragged them rotten when they went in for servicing). And there was still the oversteer problem...

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 05:34 AM

For several years I went on holiday to a little Turkish fishing village, 40 minutes down a rough track from the nearest main road. Massey-Ferguson tractors and Hyundai minibuses were the staple village transport - not exciting, but both kept on going for ever, and most things could be mended by the village blacksmith.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 11:45 AM

One should expect reliability from a car that is wheeled out only on weekends, and then driven where? The tobacconists?

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Ed T
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 12:38 PM

I had a volvo way back. The Subaru drive reminded me of the Volvo,as both seem to be sturdy and well built (except the Subaru was all wheen drive). I recall parts, locally, were quite expensive for the Volvo, when needed. Rear wheel drive is a challenge in local winter conditions, so I prefer front wheel drive. The Subaru in winter conditions was amazing, kinda like a snowmobile.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Musket
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 03:59 PM

Porsches used to be skittish, never mind friendly arse ends that always wanted to come and play.   The volvo amongst others got me prepared for that. (A Reliant Scimitar was the best lesson though, no weight over the diff.)   

This porsche is a bit better though. Not quite as tame as some of the latest ones, but a true GT for going long distances visiting friends for the weekend, (or going to the tobacconists, hello sailor etc etc) It doesn't oversteer as such, but the grip is very good so it doesn't run wide when cornering, and that can be the same as oversteering in terms of the outcome I suppose. My company designed and supplied some R&D machinery for them and having been round their factory a few times, I just got bitten by the bug.

My inheritance was the opportunity to work down the pit rather than the price of a new car, although I would have preferred to buy it with someone else's money. It wasn't cheap, although holds its price better than many other premium cars.

The Hyundai holds its own in the garage, (or to be exact in the car port I had built at the side of the garage,) and going back to the OP, I fully endorse their latest offerings, or at least, the offering I bought. Nice to know I can go out in the snow for that matter. The Jag was ruddy useless, rear wheel drive automatic with huge tyres and the auto box couldn't do anything other than set off in 1st..... The Porsche is better in the snow, presumably through a more sophisticated traction control. I toyed with the four wheel drive version but it was above my budget.

I would happily just have the Hyundai as it really is a car for all seasons. I have always had another car though, projects in the old days and runners more recently. (I still have a Triumph Stag in bits making me feel guilty as I have ignored it for a few years.)

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: michaelr
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 09:36 PM

Wife just bought a 2004 Hyundai Sonata that was owned and garaged by an elderly man. It's in beautiful shape (so far) and quite comfortable. Sporty it's not, though it has a 6-cylinder engine, but it's very nice. 64,000 miles, no parts replaced.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Gurney
Date: 06 Aug 12 - 10:48 PM

I did look at a 4X4 some years ago, but decided that I'd rather live without the trim. Tacky, garish, are the words that come to mind.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Musket
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 05:05 AM

Must admit, the Santa Fe model before mine had a fake wood trim inside that echoed Gurney's comments, but as they grow up they seem to get more discreet and understated. A bit like how early Japanese cars were blingy but now understated. The Koreans seem to be getting the message. Possibly influenced by their UK based design house?

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: kendall
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 07:32 AM

Our 2006 Impala suites us just fine.I can't see sending more dollars to Korea,or Japan. What have they ever done for us?

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Musket
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 01:09 PM

If there were a UK car manufacturing industry I would consider supporting it. After all, I have had a couple of Jags, and even, gulp! a Rover 75. Many years ago, all my cars were typical repmobiles, Ford and Vauxhall. May be USA owned but large UK factories with many more UK companies supplying them.

Nowadays, profits from Jaguar and Landrover go to India, Ford and Vauxhall repatriate profits to USA, Honda and Nissan buy parts from other countries and use UK labour to bolt them together.

To be honest, with the huge UK design house, European operations running out of The UK and many parts sourced here and shipped over to Korea, you could almost make a case for Hyundi being better for the UK economy than some cars assembled here.

Not that I bought on that basis. I bought on value for money. I didn't buy on whether the car had soul either. In some ways, it was as cold a logical choice as buying a freezer or washing machine rather than a car. I have grown to love the ruddy thing though and the next model is high on my next list.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 01:24 PM

I didn't buy on whether the car had soul either.
If so you would have bought a Kia.

Aren't there percent of local (national) content stickers on cars in the UK? They had them here the last time I went shopping for new.

Check this out Americans. If you want to keep your dollars at home.   


Made in America?

Hyundai Tuscon is very very un-American. While the Accent is a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Becca72
Date: 07 Aug 12 - 03:28 PM

A very close friend is on her 2nd or 3rd Hyundai and swears by them.

I owned a brand new 2000 Kia Sephia that I got to 104k miles with no problems at all other than a tendency to get flat tires for unknown reasons...good little car.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: kendall
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 07:30 AM

My Impala is 77% American and the rest Canadian. I have no problem with that.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 08:49 AM

Maybe an Australian report isn't helpful ... but you did ask.

In 2009 we bought a 12 y/o, 150,000km (DIY mileage conversion) Hyundai Excel as a learner for the kids. One of the kids is still driving it in 2012. I don't know what it has on the clock now but I do know I could find only one Australian insurance company last year who'd offer ANY third party insurance and none would insure the car against theft.

I was told those old Excels are so tinny you only have to sneeze near them and a door will pop open. No big deal for a car that's worth two thirds of one fifth of not very much, but our daughter often has her very nice fiddle (sorry! VIOLIN) on board and it's worth many times more than the Hyundai.

For a basic 4 cylinder runabout with no frills, it's been just fine. I think the radio still works.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: kendall
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 09:33 AM

We have a 1930 Ford that is like new. I have to wonder where all these Hyundais, Hondas, Kias and other foreign crap will be in 82 years.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Elmore
Date: 08 Aug 12 - 08:22 PM

I love my 1995 Geo Prizm. It will outlive me.

Subject: RE: BS: What do think about Hyundais
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 09 Aug 12 - 07:30 AM

I have to wonder where all these Hyundais, Hondas, Kias and other foreign crap will be in 82 years.

They'll be in the same junkyards as today's Ford, Chrysler and GMC products.

It's not where the cars are made, but how. They've evolved from being short-lived, but easily repaired, to being long-lived, but hard to repair.

The engine in that 1930 Ford probably only lasted 25,000 miles before it needed an overhaul, but doing one was a relatively simple job that could be done with the toolkit which came with the car. (It's the same engine that was used in Ford N series tractors. There are many thousands of those still in service and most of the engines have been rebuilt multiple times, usually by their owners.)

By contrast, modern-day cars routinely run 150,000 to 200,000 miles with very little maintenance. But, when they do need a major repair, it's usually outside the scope of most amateur mechanics, and having it done professionally costs more than the car's worth.