1999 Hyundai Accent GS review from North America

First transmission @ 36,000.

Rattling noise from engine area @ 40,000.

Noise from wheel house front left/ suspension/ strut or whatever 42,000.

Second transmission @ 54,000.

Alternator @ 56,000.

This car is a true nightmare. It's been meticulously maintained. Premium gas, 3K oil changes etc. This doesn't seem to have helped though as two transmissions have gone out. The one I'm using now--a re-manufactured--is supposedly "better" (according to the not-very-helpful Hyundai rep I spoke with) than a new one. However, I'm starting, after 60K miles, to experience the same type of problem that ultimately led to the replacement of the first transmission, i.e., it feels like using a standard transmission when you're giving too much gas before the new gear is in place which happened when you don't "release" the clutch properly.

Also, the check engine light kept coming on so I took it to the shop one and two times, but the electrical problem I apparently had didn't disappear despite the shop's fine-tuning, or whatever it was they did... They finally decided to replace the alternator. That actually worked; knock on wood (this wasn't too long time ago).

I've replaced the tires, rotated those, aligned and balanced them, but still haven't been able to get rid of the noise that seems to be coming from that area (front left). It may be the strut/shock???

It took me awhile to realize where another noise I heard came from. I thought it came from the dashboard or glove compartment, but it turned out the culprit was the rear view mirror. Just an FYI.