1997 Hyundai Coupe SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Stupid flashing clock that irritates me - don't bother trying to repair cos they're unrepairable and it's a mission to even remove it (not just a wedgey out of the dash trust me!). Just get a clock from halfords and make - replacement is abiut £60 for a new clock from main dealer!

Rear wheel bearings went at 70k and cost £75 each to replace (part only as I did them myself).

Exhaust manifold cracked at the branch at 74k - direct replacement can vary as there are two types:

1 catalytic converter and manifold as one (you need to replace both in this case)

2 catalytic converter and manifold separate parts (you will see 4 bolts attaching the cat and manifold and in this case you can get away with replacing just the manifold which is much cheaper!).

Best option if the manifold has gone is to replace it with a stainless steel header and high-flow cat - much better and works out cheaper, not to mention the crack won't ever come back.

TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) went at 55k and cost £75 for a new one. Manifests itself by eratic idle and lumpy acceleration. Takes about 5 minutes to fit.

Spark leads and plugs needed replacing due to hesitation and lumpy pickup. Replaced with NGK plugs (only use NGK on hyundai's!) and Magnecor leads (makes all the difference). Lumpiness gone and now runs sweet as a nut.

Electric aerial broke and was replaced with a part from ebay (cost £15) - took an hour to fit myself.

Last, but not least - the washer jets sometimes decide not to work. I need to sort this as I'm more than sure its gunk in the washer bottle. In the mean time I use a syringe to draw water out and it seems to work for a week then blocks up again - very irritating!!

Watch out for parts cos there aren't many 'pattern' parts out there - main 'stealer' parts seem to be the order of the day for hyundai.

Car handles lovely and is a pleasure on long journeys. Engine gets a bit unrefined over 80 mph, but is tolerable. Also can be a little thirsty if your driving spirited. I've seen 20 and 25 mpg at times, but if you take it easy you can get good mpg.

Gears nice and positive, as are brakes. Got to remember that this is a late 90's car and as such shouldn't really be compared to new ones! I'm going to trade her in next year and despite its failings I'll be getting a mark 3 or 3.5.

Lots of nice gizmos in this car which I like - electric everything!

Over 80 you say? Whats the national speed limit again? :D.

No! I don't speed - I take her on the occasional track day at croft circuit near darlington. Very expensive, but worth every penny! Highly recommend it if you haven't done it before.

Hi just read you listing, the blocked jets normally are due to the washer pump in res getting blocked. can clean as there is a mesh covering the pump inlet. remove wheel arch cover climb under and just pull the pump out and wash, ensure you've got an empty bottle or you get wet. I normally post under the 98 listings. Regards.

Hi got a 2001 2.0 SE and electric aerial has developed a few broken teeth on the mechanism so have had to disconnect the electrics when up to stop it continually whirring.

Is it possible to replace the wheel? or has it had it?

Either/or how do you remove the whole unit through the little vent in the boot?

Cheers Rick.

The problem may not be the wheel on the motor but the teeth on the aeriel itself. I had to replace it; only £17 from the dealer. Please see good comments on the Coupe SE '98 listing.

I have 1.6.16v coupe, 1997 black 70k for £450. One of the best cars I have had, lots of fun and looks great. But most of the bolts under the car are very rusty. Like my fog lights can't get them off to fit my new ones, don't want to damage the car, what do I do?