What do you think of Hyundai cars?

[acidboy]

So I've been looking for a new car for the past week or so. Mind you, I just want a workhorse everyday low maintenance car. I went to a Hyundai showroom to take a look at the Santa Fe. I don't know of anybody who actually owned a Hyundai, so I was just wondering what you guys there feel about the brand, and the vehicle.

 

[globetrotter]

I've had two - company cars. both were great for exactly two years, and then started having small problems. but, I should add, that was 7 and 5 years ago, I have heard that they are better now.

 

[Journeyman]

I think that Hyundai have improved a lot over the past five or seven years, both in terms of styling and reliability.

I can recall that their cars always aroused a "blecch" response in me - a car that you would drive if you had to, but very much an appliance car, not one that you drove because you wished to, or because it aroused your emotions.

However, nowadays their cars look considerably more attractive, and also seem to perform quite well. Certainly worth a look if you are considering an economical car.

 

[lakewolf]

I drove one too 7 years ago, a company car they lend me while I was searching for apartment and car at that time.

The car performed well, as a car it is ok, cheap and functional.. but nothing you'd fall in love with.

 

[Southern-Nupe]

The funniest thing about Hyundai, is the fact that their quality has improved immensely, and their designs look better than previous generations. Needless to say, I was actually very impressed with the upcoming Genesis. The companies biggest fault is their name, alot of people wouldn't consider one, just due to fact that it's a Hyundai, no matter how good they are.

 

[Joffrey]

Hyundai is doing very well in the U.S. and world wide, because alot of those people who previously wouldn't consider buying one are buying them.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...050380,00.html

 

[dtmt]

They've been improving by leaps and bounds with each new redesign. I would actually consider the new Sonata if I were looking to buy a WWD sedan. Has the Santa Fe been recently redesigned? If not, I probably wouldn't bother.

I'm really interested to see how the next Tiburon will turn out though. There have been photos of test mules running around, which are turbo and RWD!

 

[DNW]

I had some experience with them years ago. They weren't great then, but the story seems different now. Everytime I turn around, Hyundai is eating market share from Detroit and everybody else. They've invested a lot of money in their R&D and plants. It probably wouldn't be far fetch to say that their quality is on par with Honda, and styling is slightly better on some cars, IMO. Also, you can't beat it with the 100,000 mile warranty.

 

[visionology]

I think they deserve the biggest turnaround award for a car company. Remember the POS Hyundai Excel from the early 90s?

Their designs as of late have often used lots of obvious styling cues from other manufacturers so one might call them uninspired however they offer great bang for the buck. When people forget their shady early 90s history they will really be serious competition for Honda and Toyota.

 

[Condor]

My aunt got the sante fe, fully loaded.
It rides nice and as far as I know has
held up very well (less than a year old now)

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by dtmt

They've been improving by leaps and bounds with each new redesign. I would actually consider the new Sonata if I were looking to buy a WWD sedan. Has the Santa Fe been recently redesigned? If not, I probably wouldn't bother. I'm really interested to see how the next Tiburon will turn out though. There have been photos of test mules running around, which are turbo and RWD!
Yeah, I saw pictures of the possible replacement for the Tiburon, they're saying that it would be a 300 hp V8, sport coupe with RWD. The new 07 Santa Fe is actually quite attractive, I'll admit I was somewhat impressed, the first time I saw it.

 

[jeansandtshirt]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Also, you can't beat it with the 100,000 mile warranty.

That is what would draw me to looking at them if I was in the market for a new, cheap car. I'd probably still spring for a Toyota or Honda, with real world resale not being there yet with Korean cars.

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by jeansandtshirt

That is what would draw me to looking at them if I was in the market for a new, cheap car. I'd probably still spring for a Toyota or Honda, with real world resale not being there yet with Korean cars.
Good point, the reliability has improved, but resale just isn't there yet.

 

[LanAltec]

I have a friend who has one. Not sure exactly the make, but its pretty old and has always run well for him. Good gass mileage too.

 

[Go Surface]

Aren't they buy one get one free now?