Comments: 1-15, 16-18
Where to start with this car? For one, we bought this back in October 2000, when the air conditioner wasn't needed. It was until that summer that it proved to be a terrible conditioner. The car never really did become cold at any point in that car.
The heating system as well was just at shabby. It took well over 10 minutes for the heat to start working right, even if it wasn't that cold. Forget about winter! The car had to be warmed up a good 30 minutes or it would be frozen inside.
The passenger side's window also is touchy. You roll the window up too far, the actual glass runs off track and goes beyond the frame, causing the door to not properly shut. The locks in the car also had an electrical problem, and would work one day, and not the next.
The cockpit of the car is also not made for people any taller than perhaps 5'4". Anyone who's bigger will find it difficult to get comfortable in the car.
Now onto the major problems.
The transmission had been jerking in and out of place about 4 months into the purchase. Turns out it was a pulse generator. Not that expensive of a part to repair, however, once it was fixed, it broke another 3 times. Faulty part? Yes. But, having the dealer fix a part that was under the guarantee proved to be a hassle. It came to a point where they beat around the bush, and cost $400 out of my own pocket, for them to eventually fix what was wrong. (That being the generator that we suspected before hand)
Having the pulse generator go out was a very scary experience. Having the car on the freeway at 60 to suddenly thrust in and out of positions, topping the RPM's over 6000 isn't something you ever want to experience.
Along with the pulse generator, the car supposedly needs the Hyundai transmission fluid only, or "it'll ruin the transmission" so said the dealer. The fluid costs approx. $45 per container. This gets very pricey.
The airbag light came on at approx. 50,000 miles and has yet to go off. It in buyers guide, it says this is a serious problem, and needs to be fixed asap. We went to the dealer and they told us it was an electrical problem, and not to worry.
The engine light has come on and off all throughout this period of owning the car. First time it came on was at 55,000 miles, then at 67,000 and again at 84,000. It still is on, and they said the faulty generator is causing this again. This makes it the 4th time we've had to repair this.
Buyer beware. Better get the checkbook out, it's going to cost you. Everything they can't fix is "normal" and what they can fix, will be pricey.
Cargo space is very limited, and forget trying to get anyone, but children in the back seat.
Overall, this is a terrible car. My son owns a 2000 Tiburon, not having learned from my experience, and at 34,000 miles the whole transmission went out. These cars are nothing, but a money guzzler.
I bought a used 97 in 2000 and in the last 3 years, along with going for almost 50k miles, nothing has gone wrong. I heard a little whirring in the engine at about 110k, turned out the belt was getting, replaced that, nothing major. My advice, find a good garage, stop going to the dealer that rips you off. I never go to the dealer unless it's a problem I can't figure out through my garage or by myself. Find a mechanic, not a salesman to fix your car. Just my opinion of course.
I agree with everything you just said. I had almost the same problems you had with your 97. Piles of crap. End of story.
...Not to worry... this is a sporty looking car (NOT PERFORMANCE)...you shouldn't expect a BMW performance. My '97 89k runs good I changed TIMING BELT at 66k and a couple of mechanical problems. But please don't get me wrong... this is not the best sporty car on the market (NOT EVEN CLOSE) if you a chance... get a CIVIC instead. I learned my lesson.
I just recently bought a used 1997 Tiburon, 73k miles for my daughter. Of course, she wanted a Honda Civic, but the price was right for this car. It came with no history. I changed the timing belt as a precaution.
Check engine light has been persistent since I got it. First time it came on, it was the O2 sensor before the Cat. I have replaced that sensor. Car is now experiencing the issues that were stated in message above regarding the transmission and pulse generator. Had Auto Zone check the reasons for the engine light and came up with: PO 136 - O2 sensor after the Cat is now bad, codes PO722 (Pulse Generator)no voltage signal from output speed shift sensor) and PO733(PCM incorrect gear ratio in 3rd gear). I certainly hope that I don't have to have Hyundai transmission fluid only, as I also had the transmission serviced to try to help with the transmission symptoms. I am sure my mechanic did not run to Hyundai for their brand. The day after I bought the car, the airbag light came on and has yet to go off.
Okay. here's a quick fix: don't buy AUTOMATIC. learn to drive stick, you will save $$$$$ and frustration, also the car's life. Also I completly agree with the (first or second?) comment about dealers, they always charge 2-3 times the normal price, and rarely, if ever, give good service. a good reliable garage will service quicker, better, less expensive 99% of time.
Few things to remember when you buy cheap cars including performance equipment. I have 99 Sonata and I have too many problems. Today my signal tab under the steering broke, so I was going to the auto-zone to buy that, but when I was in their parking lot, my driver side window stopped working!! Bad luck or what! But I made up my mind. As soon as I fix these two things, the next thing I will go to car max and get rid of this baby and look for a Honda or Toyota. Brothers, buy only Honda and Toyota because they are a lot better in long run.
I bought a used 97 Tiburon back in 2000. It hadn't given me any problems until the 2nd year. I drive a stick and while on the freeway I had accelerated to shift into 5th gear when the stick became loose in my hand. Turns out the pins that hold the gear box down had all come loose. I'd gotten it fixed and just picked it up when once again on the freeway the same thing happened. Frustrated and 2 towing bills later it hasn't happened since.
A few months later the driver side power window went out and the switch made a buzzing noise and before I could take it in to be fixed the passenger side window goes out. As of last week my windows have gone out a total of 3 times since I'd purchased this car. However this time not only did the windows fail, but the air bag light is on and my radio is acting up. The second time the windows went out the buttons on the face of my stereo weren't working so I replaced it under warranty thinking that it was just time for a new one. Now the same thing is happening with the replacement since the windows have gone out. So it has to be the electrical system.
I'm thankful that I found an awesome, experienced and honest mechanic. They just recently re-opened a dealership on the San Francisco side of the bay. Before that I had to drive way too long to get to a dealership to fix those seat belt recalls. Not to mention bills that would reach close to $700 when I went in for a routine oil change and a once over. I kept getting people on the phone that had no idea what was going on with anything and made me feel uneasy.
I hear that they've improved the newer models, but only time will tell. I thought I had done enough homework before purchasing this car, but now I wish I had done a little more.
I drive the '97 FX and it has 140,000 miles on it and the only problem I have had is the alternator going out. I also am running a 9 psi turbo on it and still have not had any problems. I guess I am just lucky?
My mom bought a Tiburon FX in 96 (of course, that makes it the 97 model). She's been the only owner of it, and it has never had any problems. All ours has needed is general maintenance, and right now it needs some work done to it (someone smacked into the passenger side taillight)
If anyone lives in South Carolina and really wants to get rid of their Tiburon, contact me at PhantomDoom@Hotmail.com Maybe we can make a deal?
My 97 Fx, is still running strong, it even looks like new. I guess with any vehicle, if you service it regularly and if you look after it, (with genuine parts), it won't let you down. I service mine every 10.000 km, and she still runs and feels like new. I have driven the newer models, they are even more smooth, but the Tiburon generation one, is still the best looker of all Tiburons.
I bought my daughter a 1997 Tiburon almost two years ago. Within a couple days the transmission went, this past Friday it is gone again. The worse of it was we were always smelling gas when first getting the vehicle. We never saw any kind of leak. About 8 months after having the car my daughter filled it right up and parked in the drive to find a big puddle. I looked up on-line gas tanks and came across recalls before calling the dealer. It seems the gas tank is a recall item. When I called the dealer they asked for my VIN number and then said that it would be covered. Then after sitting at the dealers for a week they called me and told me that NO it wouldn't be covered. I flipped out. I called out to Utah the main complaint place. The girl told me it most certainly would be covered and that she would call service and take care of him. She said she had dealings with that service department before with problems. We also have had the air bag light on since purchased and the engine light comes on when it feels like. They say it's an oxygen sensor. Oh and the engine sounds like a rubber band is running it. But my daughter loves the car all and all.
I have had a 97' tiburon since the summer of 2006 and it has been an excellent car for me. I've practically put the car through hell, yet it still runs very strong. The car currently has 170k miles on it, and all I've needed to change were the routers and brake pads. Yet, I do keep up on regular oil changes, and general maintenance. I would buy a newer Tiburon in a heart-beat if the insurance on the v6 6 speeds weren't $600 a month for a 18 year old!
I have a 97 Hyundai tiburon had it for 2 years and had no problems, but of course I live in Korea and I can access all parts easily. Whoeva said these cars aren't fast is wrong, these cars just need more TLC than other cars, but once you put some money into your Hyundai's they can be beasts. I'm going to have to say the person that was going to the dealer to get his car fix I understand its on warranty and all, but they don't know how to handle your car plus like you said they are beating around the bush to make that extra Cash. Go to a good garage someone who knows they're ways with cars and believe me you won't be having any more of them troubles.
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THE GUY ABOVE. My 1997 Tiburon runs great. I purchased the car back in September and I couldn't be happier. I paid $2,800.00 for it, so I can afford to put money into the engine, and with just a cold air intake, straight pipe exhaust, and premium gas I get 0-60 in about 6.4 seconds. I'm a street racer; I beat Mustang GT's, CIVIC's and even turbo cars. I LOVE MY TIBURON...
P.S. I HATE HONDAS.
I just bought a 97 tiburon with 135000 thousand miles for 1000 dollars. It runs great, but the check engine light is on and of course, its the 02 sensor before the cat. The air bag light is on also and I must taking in to the dealer to have it repaired, but after this forum I will for sure avoid the dealership. So far I have had a major electrical problem. The horn quit working, the radio doesn't work right, the cruise control quit working, and my dash lights work intermittently. It runs strong and I have driven it 700 miles and back within a week's time so it's reliable in my case. Thanks guys for the tips.