Faults:

Generally the mechanical strength is satisfactory and I didnt experience any failures, but had the following minor problems; noisy gear-changing sometimes; (only when hurried-up).

Front-right shock absorber (which was manufactured in Turkey) had an oil leak because of a crack when the total distance counter showed 22.000kilometers.

General Comments:

This car is a polite looking sedan as well as having a sportive external view. Performance is the most considerable positive feature with it. Its light chassis (930kg) is carried by the power-full 95hp engine. The performance progressed even to a better status as it's engine oil was refreshed more frequently (I did this every 3.000km, but NOT 10.000km as routinely recommended)

Faults:

Radio/Cassette unit failed within the first year, replaced under warranty.

Electric window stuck within the first year, replaced under warranty.

Whistling noise from the exhaust when when accelerating, Silencer replaced under warranty.

Clutch changed at 40000 miles, car out of warranty and high cost to replace.

Regulator for electric window stopped working, another expense to fix.

Sometimes difficult to engage reverse gear, got used to it (rev the engine).

Gears are sometimes hard to engage/clicky, also got used to.

High front tyre wear, pirelli tyres changed after 17k.

Rust on the driver's door.

General Comments:

Bought the car new (old style Accent), problems which were detected before the 3 year warranty expired were dealt with efficiently, but I only noticed the rusting after 3.5 years and repair was refused by the dealership in spite of the fact the rust must have started a while back.

Expensive problems only have started after 3.5 years with the clutch needing to be replaced and I had to pay for the scheduled time belt change at 40K total cost over GBP600.

Last month the electric window stopped working, regulator change cost GBP140.

This is my first car so these problems might be average for any car and I have to say that the car has been otherwise very reliable. (ie I have not been stranded with a major mechanical fault)

I am now waiting for the gearbox to fail at which point I will most probably be looking at getting another car as because of very high depreciation rate, it will not be economical to spend more on this car.

Faults:

A month after buying my Accent with only 38,000 miles on the clock, a long journey on the motorway left me with gear box oil leaking.

This was due to the drive shaft gasket, so I got it replaced ASAP.

Since the gasket, it's just been new tyres and new bushes, which is pretty normal for any car a few years old.

The paint work isn't the best, I've already had to re-spray the passenger door and the rear bumper due to the paint peeling off the primer.

General Comments:

Not a bad first car, apart from the insurance... being a young driver.

It's fine when I'm driving round with my mates in the car, but once I get a car full of adults, it gets very cramped in the back. Even though the car looks big from the outside, it's not very roomy in the back.

Very nippy car for what it is, gets me up to 60mph in just under 12 seconds, and doesn't drink too much fuel. Normally I get about 270 miles out of the tank, but if I'm really careful I can get up to 400.

Soon after buying my Hyundai, I noticed the sound system wasn't the best around, very distorted at both high and low frequencies.

So I treated myself to a Ken-wood CD player / changer, and replaced all the stock 20w speakers with 135w loudspeakers, the improvement is remarkable =)

Replacing my standard coil springs with an Apex lowering kit and the standard bushes with Polyurethane bushes has really increased the handling of my car.

With the stock suspension parts, there was a lot of body roll going round corners, that has pretty much been eliminated with performance suspension, whilst maintaining a comfortable ride along our pot-holed English roads =)

So far I am very happy with my 1999 Hyundai Accent Coupe. Still going well with 50,000 miles on the clock.

The next car I buy will probably be a 2.7 petrol Hyundai Coupe.