2000 Hyundai Sonata GS

Summary:

I wasn't pleased with that purchase

Faults:

During 3 years of ownership, I had two occasions during which the car was crank no start and two occasions in which the car started, but would only go about ten to fifteen miles per hour, just enough to drive it to the car repair shop.

Like many other posters, I had issues with the driver-side front window motor. When the motor started going bad, I could hear popping noises in the door. In order to put the window all the way up, I had to push the button briefly, give the window a few minutes to recoup, then do it again, rinse and repeat. I got the motor replaced at a car repair chain.

The windshield wiper motor broke as well. I got that replaced at a car repair chain.

The crank sensor went bad at about 70,000 miles.

The crank sensor went bad again around 74,700 miles. At that point, the timing belt went bad, too. That's when I traded in the car.

General Comments:

Good:

The 2000 Sonata was a cheap buy.

The cabin was roomy and comfortable.

Bad:

Cheap, but you get what you pay for.

The transmission had little power. I didn't notice it during the test drive. I did notice it when I drove it home from the dealer. After I hit the gas pedal, it felt like the car had to think (for a bit) of what it was supposed to do.

The car was unreliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd December, 2006

2000 Hyundai Sonata GL 2.5L V6 170HP

Summary:

It's too bad many will never realize how good this car is

Faults:

Since this is a review on a used car I have just purchased recently, there have been no problems yet. I bought it from a Hyundai dealer though and before I came to pick it up they put in a new battery, replaced a fan belt and replaced break line for me at no charge.

I was lucky to be able to see the full history of the car as the dealer had all maintenance records. It was a one owner who did all the scheduled maintenance which is crucial info to know when buying a used car. Best of all, it had the timing belt replaced just before I bought it!

General Comments:

I knew I wanted a used car for a good price, but didn't want to settle for some cheap econobox. I think the Hyundai Sonata is a lot of car for the money and of very high quality. The good value comes from the fact that people still think Hyundai makes unreliable cars so their value depreciates rapidly. Their loss and my gain I guess.

From the outside, the Sonata definitely looks unique. It has some elegant curves that give it a larger, classy look. It has it's own style rather than being so bland like other mid-size sedans. The car also sits quite low to the ground which is something I personally like, but maybe not others. I think that even the 07 Accent sits higher than this 2000 Sonata.

The interior doesn't quite live up to the standard of the exterior styling although it's pretty good overall. There is just too much gray and plain black colors for my taste. The interior lights have a slight green tone to them which is kind of cool.

Luckily the seats are positioned high in the car and there are many adjustable settings. Console is easy to read and operate and the gear shift is big and hefty with a nice shiny chrome base.

The seats hold you in place well, but are a tad too stiff, but legroom and side-to-side room is great.

The Sonata has superb handling. It is just the right balance between precision and comfort as far as the suspension goes. While driving straight along a roadway the car slightly bounds over rough areas without barely noticing and it feels so smooth. But when making turns, the steering is very precise and predictable. Good road feel despite a soft suspension which is great. I can't tell you enough what a wonderful feeling it is driving this car around, it is that comfortable.

But just because it is comfortable doesn't mean it has no guts. This is a pretty small and light car for a mid-size so that V6 under the hood can really rocket you fast to anywhere you need to go in a hurry. But it is very quite and smooth. The transmission is nearly perfect, shifting just when it needs to and without any shock.

The Sonata is an incredible car even 6 years after its debut and I woudl argue that it drives just as nice as any newer car for a fraction of the cost. If you're ever in the market for a used car, definitely look this one up. Just make sure you know it's history and the car will treat you well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2006

19th Mar 2007, 13:00

UPDATE (6 months after purchase):

The car is still running great and never failed to start during the bitter cold Canadian winter. The only issue is 1 headlight that occasionally won't turn on.

25th May 2007, 11:18

UPDATE 2: It is now 7 months since I bought the car and it recently started to stall on rare occasions when stopped or at a near stop at intersections. I was aware of the potential problem before since there was a recall on some wiring harness problem, but when I reported it, Hyundai told me the previous owner had the work repaired for free due to the recall, they had me take the car in for another free repair for a recall on oxygen sensors. The car still stalled so I took it to the dealer, but they could find nothing wrong. They said the car appears to be running perfectly fine and no check engine light. I have to agree, the car drives amazingly smooth, there is no roughness at all in the engine, but this intermittent stallling issue has me worried because it could potentially cause a bad accident and I'm mostly worried about my wife. I'm very frustrated over this problem because it happens so unexpectedly and the dealer cannot fix it.

23rd Dec 2008, 18:16

We have had a 2000 Sonata GLS since DEC. 1999...a few problems that were corrected under warranty. Warranty extended on power train due to class action suit against Hyundai for misstating engine power in some document... nit picky, Hyundai didn't deserve that... but they extended our warranty from 100k to 120k miles under which we replaced the transmission at 105,000 (whew! we needed that).

So its not as food as Honda or Toyota but close and cheaper... especially in 2000.

Other things... power window panel went out $350. suspension squeaking a lot, check engine on due to O2 sensor. Heat is passable in frigid WI.

ETC...