Kia and Hyundai cars

[Bream Master]

When these cars first started entering the American market, although I was not of driving age then, I was told to stay away from them.  I was told they don't hold up real well and require a lot of maintanence.

However, with the gas prices going up and all these new commercials featuring how far these cars have come, what do you guys think?  I'm about to graduate and a brand new Hyundai starting at 13,550 or so doesn't sound too bad.

I'm sure someone on here has owned one or is currently driving one of these two cars or is a mechanic who can share their experience.

Thanks.

[edbassmaster]

Buyer beware!! A girl at my job bought a brand new Tiburon and when she went to go pick it up from the dealer she couldnt take it cause the check engine light was on. Eventually they fixed whatever it was...than it was nothing but problems...every other day something was wrong with it. Finally after three months and hiring a lawyer she got a Mazda. Do yourself a favor and buy a used Honda. And even though Daiwoo's Buy One Get One offer sounds tempting, stay away!! I have a 2001 Honda Civic I bought used and a 1999 Nissan Altima I bought new and they both run PERFECT. For $12k you can get a great Honda. My wifes aunt and uncle also bought a brand new Santa Fe...regrets!!

[Cigarlover 1]

**Before you buy insist that the dealership runs a detailed carfax reort**

Coincidentally we were looking at Hyundais and we found out the car we were interested in was a lemon. Anyway my wife had a Hyundai Elantra when we got together 4 yrs ago and it was great. Her step brother now has it and has had no problems.

I have to agree with Ed though. Give Honda some serious consideration. We have a CRV that we've had for 2 yrs with no problems and a Pilot and they're both great cars.

[senile1]

You can't go wrong with Toyotas and Hondas.  They rank very high in reliability and quality in every report you'll see.  I haven't owned a Hyundai but recently, over the past couple of years, their quality ratings have gone up tremendously and they are less expensive than Honda and Toyota.  I would read some consumer reports and auto tests on these cars before I count them out.  Remember, in the early 70s Honda and Toyota were considered lower quality, but by the 80s their quality had equaled or surpassed almost every other auto manufacturer.  Hyundai could eventually follow the same path.  

I haven't read much that was good regarding Kia's.

[Cigarlover 1]

I don't know how much truth there is to it but I've heard the insurance is higher on Kia's because they're not as established as the other car companies.

[IllinoisBasser]

Hyundia's have been good to me. Very reliable, and cheap. the only downside is resale. If you plan on driving it until the doors fall off, it's a good choice. Honda's make good cars as well,more to purchase,but then again,your resale is higher too. I have not very much about the new Kia's. Buyin used is always an option. I purchased mine as a program car, it had 12,000 miles on it. As far as insurance costs go, with you being under the age of 25, your insurance is going to be a little more . Stick with the 4 door non-sporty cars or 2WD trucks, that'll save you a few bucks. This is my second Hyundai in 10 years, my last one had 86,000 miles, with no problems. some of the new Toyota's are pretty reasonably priced as well. Check out carfax.com too. A year ago we decided on buying a used mini van. After reading some of the owner response on certain makes and models, we made our purchase,one year later, no problems ( knock on wood).

[Live.2.Fish]

  Quote

Posted by: Bream Master Posted on: Jan 11th, 2007, 11:45pm

I'm about to graduate and a brand new Hyundai starting at 13,550 or so doesn't sound too bad.

Yeah, it does sound like decent deal, but remember that just because its new doesn't mean that its the best option for you.  You might want to get a used car for the same price and get a LOT more options with it.  Just because its new, doesn't make it better.

[cabela10]

When I met my girlfriend she had a 1999 Hyundai Tiburon.  I hated that thing from the start.  The thing was a pile of *****.  The whole car rattled and made odd noises.  Well, I finally talked her into purchasing a new vehicle.  After several months of research, she bought a great car.  2006 Honda Accord.

If you have the money, get a Honda Accord.  You can find a brand new one for around 16,000, which is a great buy.  Honda's are very reliable.

Tiburon's and Elantras are junk.

If you want a great higher end car, go for the Toyota Camry.  The new design looks awesome and they are dependable.

[dink]

I sure am glad my wife got rid of her Hyundai Accent after almost 200,000 miles.  It was OBVIOUSLY ready to die. ;D ;D.  Seriously, any car you buy... do your homework on it.  And once you buy it, regular scheduled maintenance is the most valuable thing you can put into it.

[senile1]

  Quote

When I met my girlfriend she had a 1999 Hyundai Tiburon.  I hated that thing from the start.  The thing was a pile of *****.  The whole car rattled and made odd noises.  Well, I finally talked her into purchasing a new vehicle.  After several months of research, she bought a great car.  2006 Honda Accord.

If you have the money, get a Honda Accord.  You can find a brand new one for around 16,000, which is a great buy.  Honda's are very reliable.

Tiburon's and Elantras are junk.

If you want a great higher end car, go for the Toyota Camry.  The new design looks awesome and they are dependable.

You're talking about a Hyundai model from 8 years ago.  They have improved drastically since then.  

[NATHAN_JAMES]

Just to add to all these great points (i own a Honda Pilot), if your worried about buying foreign vs

American made don't. Toyota has plants in America and Canada. And my Honda was assembled in Canada, parts made in US. The only part made in Japan and shipped here was the transmision. Many American made vehicles parts are made in Mexico not totaly sure where they put them together. True it's a foreign company but Americas aren't loosing jobs to them because the cars are made here. And just to add i believe Toyota will be racing in NASCAR this year.

[basspro05]

Yup but where does the profit go, it doesn't stay here it lines the pockets of the execs over in Japan, good way to keep our economy rolling  :  Sorry my family only drives American, I am really biased

[NATHAN_JAMES]

And American investors. And unless your self employed, i'm pretty sure the company you work for,the execs don't share there profits with you, thats why you get a pay check. Thats why it's important to keep the jobs in America. And anyone can share in the profits just buy stock in the company. Oh and its Chevy and Ford that are closing factories here in the states and Toyota and Honda that are building new ones, go figure.