NRR - Hyundai Reliability

JD Power says that owners of the 2003 Hyundais reported 10% more problems after three years than the industry average.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2006133

You can decide if the price premium for a Honda or Toyota will offset the potential repair costs of the Hyundai. Although Intellichoice may estimate that for you:

http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/comparator/v2/comparison-fs?VEHICLE_NMB1=18364&VEHICLE_NMB2=19077&VEHICLE_NMB3=17698&addColNbr=0&complexYear=0&make=0&model=0&trim=0

for example.

I still drive my 2000 Hyundai.. 102K miles. Its very reliable and the new ones are stylish. Great warranty.. so what do you care..

My 2000 Elantra is just turning over 110k and has been very good. I would guess 2005 and newer is too soon to tell. You will get a 100k warranty on a new model, not sure if it transfers on a used car.

My girlfriend is buying a hyundai tuscon literally as I type this post, no kidding.

10 year bumper to bumper warranty, offroad capabilities for climbing season, great gas mileage for its class, can't go wrong there.

We have a Santa Fe. Good for several years.

If you're buying a first new car out of college and you know you'll be getting something better in the next five to seven years, a Hyundai with a 100,000 mile warranty is a safe bet. Once you get past 100,000 it's somewhat of a crapshoot. If you're looking to buy a car to run into the ground (or just keep past 100,000 miles), I'd go with something with a bit more reliability like a Toyota, Honda, or, if you're in a snowbelt state, a Subaru. My Subie wagon has nearly 185,000 miles on it, and aside from tuneups and oil changes I've never had to take it into the shop. I still get nearly 30 mpg on the highway too.

I bought a 1995 accent over a year ago for 1200 bucks. It has some minor problems like a broken door handle and heat/cool lever but it runs great. Gets 40 mpg hwy and 35 around town. I have driven it about 30,000 miles. The Toyota tercel I had before drank oil (they all do) and didn't make it past 170,000 miles. The toyota should have made it well past 200k. My hyundai has 165k and I expect it to get to 250k.

While a new car is great, you can get a 3 year old car with 40-50k for much less. The resale on these puddle jumpers is never very good so you are much worse off buying new.

are you people all poor? what good is a college education if you are planning to drive a hyundai the rest of your life?

JD Power is owned by the Detroit manufactuers. The issue advertisements disguised as independent surveys. Only Consumer Reports if totally independent, accepts no advertisments, is not owned by product manufacturs, and tests only samples purchased anonymously at retail stores (vs. manufacturer selects).

IIRC, Consumer Reports gets their long term dependability information the same way as JD Power - owner survey.

If JD Power is owned by the Detroit mfgs, why are Chrysler, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn and Chevrolet below average? Why would Hummer be 5th from last? They aren't getting very good bang for their buck.

Shawn Pencil wrote:

are you people all poor? what good is a college education if you are planning to drive a hyundai the rest of your life?

Nope. I make $74k a year and drive a Hyundai Elantra wagon with 110k on it. I paid cash for it back in 2001, used, with 20k on it (~$9500). The money I DIDN'T spend on a car has been growing very nicely in my 401k (~17% increase last year). For some, a car is simply a means to get from point A to point B, and the minimum requirements are all that are needed. I realize I'm in the minority on this, as most people drive a status symbol. I'd rather drive a cheap car into the ground, bank the savings, and retire early. The $10,000 I DIDN'T spend on my car will be worth $74,000 (assuming a modest 8% return) in 2022 when I turn 55 and hope to retire. If god forbid I have to work until 65, that $10,000 I saved back will be worth $160,000.

I have had NO major issues with my Hyundai Elantra Wagon that i bought in 2000.

Aside from getting the clutch replaced (it was getting old)

and routine maintenence.

I have 130K and it is still running strong.

Through snow, desert, rain, mud, dirt roads etc.

Great car that i bought for 10 grand.

I am so disappointed they don't make a wagon anymore. My 2000 wagon is so versatile. I have a Yakima rack up top and can carry two kayaks on this car. The car is short enough so that my girlfriend can load a kayak, couldn't do that with an SUV. There's enough space in the back that I slid a new bathtub in (still in box), and was able to close the back hatch. I have used it to haul dirt, bricks, and basically beat the hell out of this car and it is still running well. I could drive this thing forever if it lasts.

Thanks all - this would be for the wife. We have decided to go with the Elantra because it has a slightly larger engine, while still being very fuel efficient. In checking out Consumer Reports, the Accent took a couple of dings for acceleration 0 - 60 in 11+ seconds. Acceleration in that range could be a liability, so the Elantra sounded like a better option. Also, given the great warranty on the Hyundai's we will likely go with new as opposed to used - we tend to drive them until they can go no further, so it is not like we trade them in every 2 - 4 years.

With regards to question about college grads only being able to afford X, we have bought new and more expensive before ... the best feeling is paying that f'er off and spending that ~$500/ month on something else that matters. Combined, we make well over $100K per year with no kids, it is simply a matter of priority on where we would like to spend our money, for us - a car is simply a mode of transportation. We don't want a gas guzzling beater, just something that is safe, affordable and fuel efficient (again - affordable). The reality of the situation is that after a year or so, all cars are used cars but the monthly payment is still the same even at the end of the 4th year. In our case we only want "new" for the warranty and the known "history" - not wanting to get a "Katrina" car or some other type of salvaged POS.

another car question...i'm looking for replacement for a 16 year old car that has some miles left, but i want to have some background reasearh done in case the thing just up and dies before i'm ready.

i love the idea of a hybrid but the extra cost doesn't make sense unless you drive alot. i ride to work so i'll only put about 6000-8000 miles per year on this car.

since i'll drive it till it dies, reliability is a requirement. i also want good gas mileage since any reduction in gas consumption is a good thing. The only requirements are 4-doors for ease of getting things and people in and out of the back seat and enough space to fit one bike fairly easily.

anyone been shoppping lately and would like to offer some suggestions?