1997 Hyundai Coupe Base 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Most reliable car we have ever owned

Faults:

Brake system equalising valve failed at nine years old.

Front wheel bearing (off side) has just been replaced.

Drivers seat worn due to heavy use.

Original battery lasted 10 years!

General Comments:

We bought this car new after being almost bankrupted by a demon dog of a 2.5 litre Ford Probe.

We needed a car that was ultra reliable and good looking, with fair to middling performance, and a three year warranty.

This little lady is now 13 years old, has done 157000 miles, does 430 miles to a tank of petrol, and has been the most reliable car we have ever had.

It's been to Spain twice, France, Scotland, Cornwall, and has now been relegated to my work hack, and is used every week day.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th March, 2011

10th Apr 2024, 16:45

These were fantastic cars, very underrated. Cousin had a 97 model years ago, it was reliable and fun.

1997 Hyundai Coupe FX 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Unique and Terrific. Wonderful; I have 2 of them. Version 1 model 2 litre

Faults:

Water pump stopped working. I replaced it myself. EASY JOB, and very cheap to buy parts.

Clock issue as with everyone else. But who cares; not me much.

Nothing else!

General Comments:

BEST damn car I've owned. VERY reliable and strong. No knocking, banging or tapping, and I drive her hard!

Compression test I did myself revealed 215, 217, 215, 218. on the cylinders. That's with a pod filter and hard driving.

GUESS what people = change your damn car oil! I change mine every 3 months. I use Premium Oil and a new filter.

Most of the hard luck stories here sound like from people who don't know much about cars. FACT = your mechanics will screw you. I've seen it.

Water pump I changed myself dudes. $130 Australian for pump and gasket. Labour Nil. Coolant $18. Full cost of repair $148!!

You know what? If something goes wrong, it effects other components... might be reason for other issues after fixes and maybe dodgy mechanics.

I can't believe most of the comments on here.

This is a good tough car. And girls, don't change your oil once a year!! Do it more often. And if you hate Hyundai coz they break down on ya, maybe check ya engine oil level once in a while. Unbelievable!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2010

1997 Hyundai Coupe FX 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great value, reliable car

Faults:

Clutch slave cylinder seized, due to previous owner topping up the reservoir with water!!!

Electric aerial failed.

Driver side electric window drive cable snapped.

General Comments:

Love it! For a 1.6 the performance is very good. Handles like a dream.

Not really a family car, as there is very little room in the back seats.

I do all my own maintenance, and I must say it is very straightforward on this model.

Lately I have noticed rust on the sunroof, which is cause for concern.

Electric aerial went, but was easy to replace with a good value one from Maplin.

Otherwise, it has worn well for what is now a 11 year old car. Used a local dealer to fix electric window drive cable - service was very good value and second to none. Would like to buy the current model (or the Genesis) though!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th October, 2008

1997 Hyundai Coupe FX 2.0 litre petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Middle of the road, but fun

Faults:

Front shocks wore after 25,000km.

Trim wore badly.

Bits of interior trim consistently came away.

Booming exhaust.

General Comments:

The car was pretty good for a Hyundai and looked great.

The brakes were barely adequate, but the engine was reasonably strong and was fairly quick.

The cabin was a bit, shall we say, loud and the plastics were low quality. Seating in the rear was tight, but not too bad for short trips. The booming exhaust gave rear passengers headaches.

The front seats were OK for a while, but went soft and lacked support.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th July, 2004

1997 Hyundai Coupe FX 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A pocket rocket, but a bit plastic in some respects

Faults:

Car was second hand, so there were some issues which may have been due to the previous owner.

Replacement of clutch was quite expensive, as I was told it is a "pull-type clutch" which is different from normal.

Car was traded in after it started making a "UTN" - Unidentified Ticking Noise, which seemed to be in the gearbox, but wasn't worth spending the money to investigate.

General Comments:

For a car which looks like an Excel on steroids, it has some punch. I was able to tear off a Subaru LX from the lights.

Handling is good, when given performance tyres, but due to the fact that it's front wheel drive means that if you lose it, you lose it big.

Quite an attractive car, and affordable too (AU $21,000 second hand & 3 years old).

Occasionally mistaken for a "Hyundai Scoupe" - until you give them a ride in it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st September, 2003