1997 Hyundai Accent GL 1.5 from North America

Summary:

Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'

Faults:

The locks on the car are a piece of crap. A month after I bought the car, it would not open from the inside. To get out, I had to roll the window down and open it from the outside. The dealership fixed the problem for free since it was under warranty at the time.

"Check Engine" light went on at 62,000 miles and has stayed on. The dealership keeps telling me they can't find anything wrong with it.

Suspension is lousy. I had to have my shock absorbers replaced at 53,000 miles and now they need replaced again. The car feels like it is going to fall apart when it hits a speed bump or if it gets over 30 miles per hour and don't dare take it on the interstate.

The master cyliner recently went bad and I can't drive the car because the brakes aren't working properly, but we have to wait on the Hyundai dealer to order the parts for it and they say it may take up to a week and a half.

The exhaust pipe busted at about 71,000 miles causing the car to burn gas very quickly.

At 45,000 miles the car constantly jerked. The dealership said that the fuel injectors probably were clogged. That didn't solve the problem so I took it back to them and they said that it was probably the RPM.

Parts are very difficult to get for a Hyundai. Pretty much the only place you can get parts for it is the Hyundai dealership and they charge an arm and a leg.

General Comments:

I have to confess that I really didn't take good care of this car. I went over 12,000 miles without an oil change once.

It is a very reliable car. It never once broke down on me.

The reason I would never buy a Hyundai again is not because they are bad cars, it is because it is so difficult to get parts for them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th January, 2002

1997 Hyundai Accent GT 1.5 DOHC from North America

Summary:

Piece of junk!

Faults:

The paint is very thin, dents and dings come easily.

Timing chain tensioner broke bending my valves, and putting a hole in the head cover. The car was still under warranty, but it took three months to get the car back from the dealer.

The paint around the mirrors is peeling.

Metal sunroof deflector is rusted.

The plastic parts break easily and often.

Buying this car was the biggest mistake of my life.

General Comments:

Gas milage is good.

The car looks sporty and handles fairly well.

Its almost paid for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st October, 2001

4th Nov 2002, 08:31

Did he check the head gasket of his car engine? Change engine oil every 6000km? Or simply, did he maintain his car regularly? If the answer is yes. I have nothing to say. But if no, he has no right to complain his Accent sucks!

1997 Hyundai Accent GLS 1.5 from Malaysia

Summary:

The best alternative motoring in Malaysia

Faults:

The bolt of the the stabilizer bar went missing. Got it replaced for RM10.00.

There is thumping sound whenever I hit a speed bump. Most probably the front absorber needs to be replaced.

General Comments:

GENERAL: I just love the car. The solid feel when you close the doors. The electric mirror adjustor. The solid bumper which can withstand a 10km/h impact (experienced this).

ECONOMY: Very economical on long distance drives. About RM5.00/100km.

Servicing is cheap. About RM180.00/10,000km. You get fully synthetic engine oil and original air/oil filters.

Fuel filter needs to be changed every 40,000km. Timing/alternator/air-conditioning/power steering Belts every 60,000km. These are cheaper than Proton parts.

HANDLING & COMFORT: Believe it or not, this is one of the best handling cars I ever driven. It is very stable at high speed. You can take a 45 degree corner without lifting off the accelerator (at 90km/h).

The seats are quite nice and firm. My family members do not complain of back ache even after a 500km drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th July, 2001

14th Jul 2005, 00:54

I think the fuel economy is incorrect, RM5.00/100KM. That event cheaper than taking my 70cc motorbike! I don't buy that.

20th Aug 2005, 00:22

I think the correct estimation for fuel cost is RM10.00/100KM.Since the fuel price increased, if you wanna drive continental car don't worry too much about the fuel, the most important thing is the pleasure to drive the car.

22nd Sep 2005, 02:10

Interesting comment about Hyundai car. I plan to by the same brand and model. the only think I have to look is the cost of replacing the part. the current price, offered by Bintang Kah sdn bhd is RM64K, which I think slightly cheaper than Waja (since it is imported car).Perhaps you can tell more interesting story to convince me to buy. thanks.