2000 Hyundai Accent L from North America - Comments

I shouldn't have bought this car. The car is a year and half old and I'm driving a rental because it won't start. This is the second time this has happened (12000kms).

Last time the dealer had the car for 5 days, I had to call Hyundai Canada to get anything done. The dealer told me to rent a car if I wanted to get around, what am I making payments for?

The car has 31000kms on it and it leaks oil like crazy. When you're driving you can smell oil burning.

At 8000kms I had the rotors replaced because every time you pressed the brakes the steering would vibrate so bad.

The car looks OK. Drives OK. But mechanically the car is junk, and the dealers and Hyundai don't care about you, they've already got their money.

I will never own another Hyundai again and I'm trying to sell this one. Take my word for it, spend the extra and get a Honda Civic. And if you have Hyundai now, I would get rid of it.

Have had totally the same problems - if not more. We are from Australia and have an engine misfire problem. Totally ready to "give it away". Absolute rubbish and to make it even more hilarious our dealer who sold us the car will not buy it back off us - even for trade in.

Hyundai only design their cars to last 5 years with normal use. This is why they usually have a 5 year warranty. They are a cheap and nasty car. Also all the interior parts are of a low quality. I would not buy one of these cars ever.

I don't know what you people are smoking in Australia, but I definitly want some. I have an Accent L 2000 with 46,000 miles on it. It is a great car. Problems have been minor and repaired free. I service car regularly and don't beat on it and I frequently do long road trips and it gets about 40 mpg and is a nice quiet comfortable A to B car. The price and warranty can't be beat. It's not a Bentley or a Maserati. It's a 2000 Model T. And if the car is guaranteed to last 5 years and then self destructs as you say then it will in all probability be paid off and you will have gotten your money's worth out of it anyway. As to the 5 year thing take a look at some of the Hyundai Accents for sale on a website like ebay. An awful lot of cars over 5 years old. Anyone can get a lemon and all cars have some problems. Unless I am really lucky which is unlikely since I drive a Hyundai to begin with, your car is not the norm for Hyundai and their quality is much better these days than it was in latter years. And as to the dealer, if they won't honor the warranty, I would bring my son and my nephew and two nieces - all under 6 with ice cream cones and bring them in to the dealers showroom to look at the cars while Daddy gets them to fix his car.

If your Hyundai is problem free you're very lucky, if you drive that car with kids in it, I suggest you get something safer though, one serious accident in that car and everyone will die, while the guy in the Mercedes will come out without a scratch. Cheap cars are not safe, no matter what tests they "passed". I'm worried about your family, do some research man, a ten year Accord is more reliable and safe than any Hyundai on the market.

Cheers!

I've read the comments and can only add this, I began an experiment with the purchase of 2 cars back in 1990. One was a prior model of the Hyundai Accent called Hyundai Excel. My other purchase was 1990 Honda Accord EX. Both cars have been regularly serviced by either the dealer or myself. I've not experienced any issues in ownership with the Hyundai Excel and after 10 years of reliable ownership I donated it to a good cause. I replaced it with a 2000 Accent which now has about 40k on it still the same great car as the Excel. I can't speak kindly for the service dealer in No.VA, yet they do honor their warranty and I had one recall on it they solved that problem.

Now the high end Accord also proved itself reliable as well. It is more comfortable than the Excel or Accent. When we replaced it with a 2003 Honda Civic LX. I can only tell you that I'm glad that the wife loves her Honda and I'm glad I love my Hyundai.

If you get a problematic car you need to sell it once it causes frustration for you. If you get a Lemon car, just get rid of it! Save yourself the headache and bite the bullet on the wallet expense.

My husband and I had a 2000 Accent and it was great. One problem and they fixed it for us. Something about the transmission. The computer was a bit confused when shifting. The people there were very nice. We needed a cheap little car because we had part-time jobs and were in university living the Mac and Cheese lifestyle. We went on four long distance trips (Wpg - Edmonton, Wpg - Calgary for example). It was great. Our lease ended and we upgraded and purchased a 2003 or 2004 Elantra Hatchback. We love it.

Old Accents are crap.

They over did the cheap.

Sadly, Hyundai dealerships are horrible.

Newer Hyundais are far better.

I own a 2002 Elantra... it's a fantastic car that competes with the Civic 1.7L. In fact, I think it destroys it in every way with the exception of resale value and fuel efficiency.

Better radio, speakers, reliability has been a dream so far, engine size power and torqu, so much more options.

Sorry for your crap Accent... I liked the 1996 GT once... but I thank god I never tried it.

The Elantra is a great Hyundai, and is an example of how the new models are far better.