2002 Hyundai Accent L from North America - Comments

Not a lot has given me problems on my new Accent. I did however had to take it in at 678 miles to have the tires balanced.

I love my new Hyundai Accent, and I would recommend it to just about anyone, it gets almost 40 mpg! I think that it is quite quick too, very quiet, compared to my mother's 2000 Hyundai Elantra, even has more comfortable seating than my grandmother's 2002 Hyundai Sonata. It even handles it self very well at speeds of over 90 miles an hour, handles and rides like a much bigger, heavier vehicle. I get almost 100 miles on my usual 5 dollar run to the gas station. All my friends want one too! Mine came with a/c in it as well, gets cold within about 20 seconds even in above 90 degree heat!

This is definetly a car you can beat the hell out of and have fun doing it too! I race those Honda Civics now and again, and they usually can't keep up!

I usually don't shift out of 1st gear until about 25-30 and second until about 45 and third until about 65 and so on, with this car, you almost never really need 5th gear, although I do use it on the highway.

This car is very attractive and you wouldn't figure it to have so much interior room and look so well designed, especially with a sub 10,000 dollar price tag. it has very dent resistant bumpers and body paneling too! I backed into a telephone pole (concrete base) at about 5 mph and it didn't even leave a noticeable scratch!

I would recommend this car to anyone, this has been my first car and I financed it for about 181 dollars a month and even got the 10 year extended bumper to bumper warranty! so go to your dealer and test drive one, even the Accent L (base model) (MSRP from 8,999), and I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised!

Then why give it a poor rating and comment on never buying another one???

Race civics? That's funny, you're obviously a Hyundai dealer representative spreading propaganda, I will report you to the site admin.

Dear site admins, we need a better system of "proof", it's obvious some people will use this site for their own agendas, I suggest we get people to submit more personal information every time they post a review.

Cheers!

I agree with the other two reviews... First of all the first gear governs out due to RPM's at about 26mph. I've raced a civic before, but the only reason I won was because the dude didn't know how to drive stick very well, at all! The hydraulic clutch sucks when it's even remotely cold outside. I wish they would still make spring-loaded!!! Otherwise, awesome little car!

Interesting to hear about the hydraulic clutch and the cold. My 2003 Accent with just over 5000 km is in the shop today to look at the clutch. This recent cold snap here in Ottawa, Canada has been too much for it (-25C day/-30C night) I did not realize I was purchasing a car built for Florida winters...

I've got a 2001 5-speed. I have no doubt I could take civics. I had a 98 civic automatic with nowhere near the go. A standard Accent against a few year old civic 4 banger automatic is no problem. I have never had a sticky clutch. Manitoba Canada, -40 and worse in January.

Congratulations I want you to buy me a lottery ticket! I have a 2001 and I honestly want to steer it right into a bridge embankment. no one can tell me why my cooling fans and a/c fans have stopped working at 61k, but they could have at 60k. I live in las vegas and I have to drive around with the heater on so the engine doesent over heat. but they have put a tranny in it every time its needed it bless there hearts!

I like how you mentioned that you backed into a pole. It seriously made me laugh. But, I do like that they have the practically dent-proof bumpers, which is what my old car had. THEY ARE AMAZING. Plus, I love Hyundai. My mom has one and it's a really nice car not only to look at, but to ride in as well.

I have owned a civic 1998 dx 1.6l 16V.

I have also owned a 1992 civic cx 1.5 16v.

And I will tell you right now... the 92 will kill the 98 model... why... I don't really know or care.

In my opinion, civics have gone downhill after the 1992-1995 model (in terms of Acceleration and fuel economy)

(the latest "saturn looking civic" is great tho)

I am sure a manual accent with a good stick driver can beat an automatic 1998 civic dx...

My 93 grand AM stomped on Honds of all types, Ford mustangs, Chevy Impala's. It is loaded with a 3.3 V6 Engine. I have modified the intake and the exhaust and had time it from 0-60 in 5.9 Seconds. On jetBlue, it took 22 seconds to hit 170 MPH and it took 26 minutes to reach attitude of 40,000 Feet.

All I want to know is if the accent is such a great car that everyone loves, then why on earth are you beating them up against civics? Why not look after them like they're obviously looking after you?

To the JetBlue commenter, while I think you made the smarter choice by owning a Grand Am, the A320 is not able to cruise at 40,000 feet! The maximum altitude is 39,000 feet for this airplane and we rarely venture much above 37,000 because the plane doesn't have the wing or the power to handle the weight at those high levels. I fly the airplane and also own a 2004 Grand Am, with no problems.

On topic, my wife however drives a 2002 Accent that has numerous problems with the alignment (pulls left constantly), air conditioning and rattles galore. Off warranty, I have also replaced the right rear wheel bearing (was done once under warranty at 38,000 miles), the exhaust heat shield came loose and the radiator started leaking. The driver's side headlight burns out religiously every 6 to 8 months. The biggest problem however is water leakage. Every time the car goes through a car wash or it rains outside, the front passenger and left rear passenger floor pans flood with water. This started around 17,000 miles and the dealer has had the car 6 times during the warranty to fix this leak which they claim is a 'common problem;' however their fix only lasts a couple of months before it starts again. I have taken the car to all 4 Hyundai dealers in the area and they all have more or less the same spotty service, and Hyundai Corporate has been NO help at all solving this problem, in or outside of warranty. I was told to take it up with the dealer as they are in a position to make a decision. Also, I have noticed rust at the seam where the roof meets the rear frame/pillars since this problem started. I do not believe this is a common problem and am very frustrated this car is not water tight. The car now has 49,800 miles but is off warranty because it is a few months over 5 years old (built Feb/02). It is a cheap car that always starts, but has spotty quality and very poor dealer and corporate customer support/care. We will not keep this car beyond 2009, and will likely trade it on a Pontiac instead, which has been a better car for us (44K/no problems). No more Hyundai for us.

Jake Steiner/NYC

To the comment above, I have owned my 02 Accent since Feb 2002 also. I have had several people tell me that these cars are known for their problems, especially with the transmission. I had the paranoid, but prudent plan to buy an extended bumper to bumper warranty. I am so glad I did. I have always said that I have had my car for 6 years and have never had any problems with it! I only use this car for in town driving and I live in a small town, so I only have 48,600 on my car. I take excellent care of it, oil changes every 3 mo and I just got a full tune up last month. This morning on my way to work, I turned a corner and all the sudden my car started cutting out. I pulled into the parking lot at work and when I was idling it started with the clanking metal against metal. Then nothing, but a check engine light. It wouldn't start again. I had to have it towed to a city 2 hours from my home because that is the closest dealer. I just got a call from them and they said it was a cam shaft positioner sensor that went out. Good thing I have an extended warranty. 10 years/100,000 miles. I am so afraid now that I will have nothing, but problems from now on. : (

And to the original commenter, you are obviously a sales-person. Even I, who loved my car until today wouldn't put those words to paper.

I have to say I agree the car isn't a race car, but for the size of the engine and fuel economy it is capable of it is a zippy little commuter. It has 1.6 liters and probably the same HP as most vehicles with the same sized engine or similar, but the gearing on the auto makes it seem very fast. I have never driven the standard version, but am quite happy and impressed with the power it has for being an economy car.

To the commenter above, you owned your car for almost 6 years without a problem. I wouldn't worry about more problems arising since you have such low KM. One problem in 6 years is pretty good I would say. Don't think it is a terrible car unless more start to go wrong. Good luck!