I bought my Hyundai Accent new and although it has had a few manufacturing defects, it has held together really well for an inexpensive car. I paid around $13, 000 for my 1996 Accent, and I am still driving it today.
The car is hardy and can withstand variances of Heatwave Southern United States summers or the below freezing temperatures of varying winters. My Hyundai has not failed me on starting even when I have to break ice off the door.
My car can get at least 35 miles per gallon on the highway and over 20 in the city. This is important since I hate gassing up my car. I have a baby, and I will usually pay-at-the-pump so I do not leave my child or have to haul her with me to pay. Otherwise I hate having to make pitstops.
Features
My dark green Accent has:
moon roof
AM/FM cassette radio
dual air bags
coffee holder
floor mats
air conditioning
It is a standard transmission which I wouldn’t trade for any automatic in this world. I love having control over the engine.
Problems
I first experienced trouble with my Hyundai about 500 miles after I purchased it. The Check Engine light came on, and I called for an appointment to have the Hyundai mechanics investigate my problem.
It turned out to have a defect in the power steering rack, and they repaired it for no charge. It took many weeks to get this fixed since the repairmen gave me the run-around on the part being in warranty. They said it was a $1200 part, and that they had to have a Region Manager approve such a repair. I thought that was nervy to send me back out with a two year old with defective steering. It seems the Hyundai mechanics cared nothing for my family’s welfare or safety.
Eventually, one of the Quality Check sales people called me doing a survey on how I liked my new Hyundai. I told them everything was okay except I could not get a warranty repair on my manufacturing defect. The lady took down my information was seemed displeased. The said she would take care of this.
A few days later, lo and behold, the Hyundai repairmen had called me to let me know the power steering rack was now on order and that the Regional Manager had signed off approval for my part.
A few months later, the Check Engine light came back on. I called the dealer, and I discovered that they had sold the Hyundai business, and I was out of luck on getting it fixed unless I drove out of state to another dealer. This did not make me happy.
To this day, the Check Engine light still shines in my eyes, but I just ignore it. We now have a new Hyundai dealer, but I am leery to do business with them. How can I feel comfortable with a company I never know is going to be there when I need them?
Overall
The car itself is adequate, but it is not ritzy in the very least. After the first few months, the ride is not smooth, but it is very bumpy. I would hate to be driving for a surgery patient and have them feel every bump I drive over.
Make sure you maintain your Hyundai as directed. Otherwise you could end up stranded on the side of a road somewhere. Fuel filters must be replaced every two years, or you could be clogging your catalytic converter like I did with a previous Hyundai.