When buying a new car. Do you consider the "Hyundai's & Kia's" etc..?

[conjur]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: conjur
I had a rental Hyundai Sonata (their Accord-level car) for few days in Orlando. It was quiet, smooth, well-appointed, and a decent radio. I was really surprised at the build quality. The shifts were a bit harsh but it was a rental with just under 10k miles.

Plus, they have long warranties that cover about everything for the length of your loan. I would consider one, sure.

Ha, I had a Sonata rental for a week and I was quite un-impressed. You really had to slam the trunk (like 3 times really hard) to get it to latch. The engine was very noisy and I'm not talking about exhaust noise, it was more like valve clatter and driveline noises. The transmission shifts were very abrupt, not at all smooth. This car had 2,000 miles on it.

The long warranty is a sales gimmick used to promote an image of 'quality'. Chrysler did this back in the late 80s, VW did it in the early 90s...this is nothing new and does NOT mean they have a good reputation in fact it quite often means just the opposite.

I would not consider one. They have a long way to go before they reach Honda quality levels.

Sounds more like a poorly maintained and abused rental. In the apt. complex in which I live there are quite a few Sonatas and I saw plenty of them at the airport being driven off or returned when I did the same.

Every mfr will have a lemon once in a while but you should have said something to the rental company.

 

[StageLeft]

I would ONLY consider a hyundai and kia if I wanted the cheapest car possible. Their middle/higher end vehicles (as if they really have any high end ones) are crap because now you're paying "real" car price for a hyundai/kia. That's elitism in me, which is funny considering I drive a 93 sentra much of the time, but still I'd only consider one of these if I was looking for inexpensive transportation. Their warranties are good...

Sounds more like a poorly maintained and abused rental.

Could be. Rentals are notoriously abused. The last one we had was a neon with not all that many miles but the transmission was already in a fairly bad way.

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: Roger
Hope
You
Understand
Nothing's
Driveable
And
Inexpensive

bet acronym evar!

My sister bought a new Hyundai Accent (price was the issue), and honestly. I've driven it several times, and for the price+warranty, I have to say it's a great cheap car. On the other hand, I have no idea what it'll be like in 5 years.

What makes these cars crappier than other entry level cars??? (for example, Hyundai Accent vs. Ford focus or Chevy Caviler, etc)??

 

[Mark R]

My sister bought a new Hyundai Accent (price was the issue), and honestly. I've driven it several times, and for the price+warranty, I have to say it's a great cheap car. On the other hand, I have no idea what it'll be like in 5 years.

Based on my family and friend's experiences, it'll be a whole heap better than something like a VW or a ford.

 

[CPA]

I recently test drove the Sonata. If I hadn't fallen in love with the Mazda6, I would have bought it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sounds more like a poorly maintained and abused rental.

Could be. Rentals are notoriously abused. The last one we had was a neon with not all that many miles but the transmission was already in a fairly bad way.[/quote]

Well, the abused rental theory falls short in the fact that every other rental I've driven did not exhibit problems like that. And it only had 2000 miles on it! It was probably only a couple months old!

I used to work for a rental car company. A Toyota Corolla with 20k miles on it drove much better than that Sonata we rented.

I wouldn't buy a Cavalier either. I guess if I had to chose between the Cavalier, Focus or the Sonata I would take the Ford Focus.

 

[ivol07]

I have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra with 65k miles on it and I have no complaints. Drives well, nothing has fallen apart...everything is fine. I've only taken it in to be serviced once because I couldn't fit my hand in the space to change a headlight...even tho it wasn't covered by the warranty they gave it to me for free and washed it. Not bad. Of course it's not a luxury car, but if you're looking at Hyundai then you don't want a luxury car anyway. I would definitely put it in the same category as Honda. My wife got rid of her Civic and got a 2003 Santa Fe. She couldn't be happier. And the best thing is...it will be paid off next month. The best kind of car is one thats paid off.


Long Term Road Test

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: aircooled
What makes these cars crappier than other entry level cars??? (for example, Hyundai Accent vs. Ford focus or Chevy Caviler, etc)??

Not a thing.

 

[DrPizza]

At a huge used car place, they also sold new Kia's and Ford (Focus? the cheap one)... Of course, the salesman suggested to us that we could get a brand new car with the full warranty and better financing by going with the Kia.

He talked us into test driving the Kia... Let me tell you... I've gone 55mph on my 10 speed and felt like I was better protected... It might be okay if you never go over 30, and only drive in a city where gas mileage might be more important (and pollution control, if you're feeling environmentally responsible), but there's no way in the world I'd have wanted to drive that thing 12 miles each way daily on an interstate...

 

[SilentZero]

Ummm NO!

 

[DogFromDuckhunt]

No, I don't but I wouldn't even really consider a Honda, Chevy, or Ford (among others). I would rather a slightly used BMW, Audi, MBZ, or something of that nature over a brand new Ford or Honda.

 

[Electric Amish]

I would.

Based on my observations, most people on this board wouldn't because they are too arrogant and superficial.

 

[Aztech]

I think the new Kia Sorento SUV looks pretty nice.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I guess if I had to chose between the Cavalier, Focus or the Sonata I would take the Ford Focus.

Personally, I'd prefer a car that isn't recalled every year for a new defect.

- M4H

 

[BCYL]

No...

Have you seen the re-sale value of those cars after just 1 year?

 

[stso]

Originally posted by: BCYL
No...

Have you seen the re-sale value of those cars after just 1 year?

So it's best to buy used Hyundai since the warranty lasts for 10 years

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I guess if I had to chose between the Cavalier, Focus or the Sonata I would take the Ford Focus.

Personally, I'd prefer a car that isn't recalled every year for a new defect.

- M4H

Well, Cavaliers are total crap and I don't like Hyundai so that pretty much leaves the Ford.

 

[BoberFett]

I considered the Santa Fe, but my girlfriend REALLY wanted a PT Cruiser so we got that instead.

 

[ub4me]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: conjur
I had a rental Hyundai Sonata (their Accord-level car) for few days in Orlando. It was quiet, smooth, well-appointed, and a decent radio. I was really surprised at the build quality. The shifts were a bit harsh but it was a rental with just under 10k miles.

Plus, they have long warranties that cover about everything for the length of your loan. I would consider one, sure.

Ha, I had a Sonata rental for a week and I was quite un-impressed. You really had to slam the trunk (like 3 times really hard) to get it to latch. The engine was very noisy and I'm not talking about exhaust noise, it was more like valve clatter and driveline noises. The transmission shifts were very abrupt, not at all smooth. This car had 2,000 miles on it.

The long warranty is a sales gimmick used to promote an image of 'quality'. Chrysler did this back in the late 80s, VW did it in the early 90s...this is nothing new and does NOT mean they have a good reputation in fact it quite often means just the opposite.

I would not consider one. They have a long way to go before they reach Honda quality levels.

My Honda Accord (94) is very, very noisy, and its transmission shifts are the worst I ever had. From the last Spring, it has been making problems, so I paid $1000 for fixing already (radiator replacement...). And it's waiting for another service (timing belt and all other belt, master cylindar, electric wiring) that would cost me several hundred dollars.
But people say it's a reliable car. That's what I don't understand.

 

[ub4me]

(duplicated)

 

[Actaeon]

I think the new Tiberon GT's are okay.

I don't think I would be interested in any other Kia/Hyundai cars...

 

[JBT]

As of right now I would NOT get one of those brands once they grow up a bit sure why not?

 

[ub4me]

Originally posted by: JBTele
As of right now I would NOT get one of those brands once they grow up a bit sure why not?

Its reputation has already grown up a bit.

2003 Economy Sedan Comparison Test

 

[Cyberian]

JD Power rates the 2003 Hyundai Sonata higher than the Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima -

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I guess if I had to chose between the Cavalier, Focus or the Sonata I would take the Ford Focus.

Personally, I'd prefer a car that isn't recalled every year for a new defect.

- M4H

Well, Cavaliers are total crap and I don't like Hyundai so that pretty much leaves the Ford.

Well, I wouldn't say cavaliers are crap. The older ones were pretty good depending on what you got n them. However, I wouldnt buy one anymore since they no longer come with the 3.1v6. I owned one and that was a kickarse car. It had great power, decent gas mileage, and was pretty reliable. I never liked the 4banger version though.