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The car is still under warranty (we here have 3 years of warranty), I will took it to the service.
Probably You are right, I hope so. I like Hyundai and this is in fact the first problem I have with this make. I still have a Pony (Excel HB) also, for 13 years and believe it or not it is not much worse than when new. Absolutely no problems with it! So I just don't like to be dissapointed with Hyundai.
Why the Accent over the Getz? It is of the right size for me, Getz is smaller. Otherwise, Getz wasn't available in our country in 2000, I think it is newer for a year or two than Accent2000. It is probably a nicer car for the city and short distances, but Accent is a better choice if You often travel for some 100 km or more away from home. And finally, the Getz is only a bit cheaper than Accent.
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_1923/article.html
I need reviews please. My situation is this.
I live on the east coast harsh winters, specifically speaking of the snow. My main mode of transportation is a ford Mustang. As we all know it's a no go in the snow. I am speaking to a dealer now regarding a 1997 Accent. He says as it is front wheal drive it will be ok in the snow. This is my main purpose for the car (winter driving, snow conditionds). The asking price is $3,000 which is cheap as I only need it for snow conditions. Please advise if I am wasting my time here or if this car would be reliable to-from work in snow conditions. This is the only reason I am looking for it as a second vehicle. Please help anyone, I appreciate all comments and suggestions. Thanks very much in advance!
I have not gotten the information yet, I only looked at the car tonight after work. I don't know about the previous care. What do you think? The dealer has to look for the mileage he believes around 65,000 miles. Three thousand dollars then is too much to pay for this car?
I need something for the snow as the Mustang is not capable of driving in these conditions?
I understand it's not made for that. I just want something to take me to-from work because I am single and live and work on a rural route.
Thanks again VERY MUCH for your advisements!!!!!!
I picked it up yesterday, I only wanted this as a second car to get to and from work primarily for snow conditions as my car is a Mustang. I came home from work yesterday as we on the East Coast have had our first storm of the season 8 inches. I had one hell of a time getting back from work in my Musatang, almost didn't make it.
Before the snow came the deal to buy the car was made and that it would be picked up on that night. I was hesitant about going as the snow was picking up even more. I went anyway and had the perfect oppurtunity to see how the Accent drives in snow. I am happy to say it had no trouble. I am glad now about buying this car.
Needless to say, today after the snow stopped I went out tonight with the full 8 inches of snow still in my driveway in front of the car and it pulled out without any slippage at all. My Mustang is parked behind it in front of the garage where I think it will stay for a long time as it WOULD NOT HAVE GONE ANYWHERE. I am already glad I bought this car, even though it is
VERY SLOW. I guess I am used to the Mustang, but I did not expect it to be fast at all with the small engine. I think it still does ok for such a small engine, it is fun to drive and I think I will let the Mustang stay parked for a while and have some fun with this. I do think though, it shifts kind of rough, maybe this is just the way the car is built? Can anyone give me an advisement? It is 5 speed.
Thanks for any tips you may have.
As for Hyundais, I've never owned one, but I've driven many having lived in South Korea for two years. Shifters are not as precise as what you will find on a Honda, but overall aren't bad. Comparing to a Mustang keep in mind that the Accent is a front wheel drive car, and thus the shifter operates through rods and connectors, whereas your rear drive Mustang's shift lever sits right on top of the transmission.
As for insurance, Hyundais tend to be a bit more expensive to insure then Ameican cars due to higher repair costs (Hondas are way worse due to their high theft rates). All parts must come from Korea so that makes replacements parts expensive. You still might want to look around for cheaper insurance though.
Thanks Lawman and Ingtonge for you input. I overlooked the points made in you a/m messages, The insurance bill I wasn't expecting to be so bad as the cars are cheap let's face it. But the obvious is the overseas parts issue. I am stuck with the higher bill now. Oh well. Also, Lawman yes thanks to you too, I do have to realize they are two different autos not on the same level, your explanation makes sense. Also, Ingtonge, I have a problem with this car in addition to as compared to my Mustang (rough shifting) all the way around. But, it gives me the most trouble shifting into 5th. I left the Mustang parked in the driveway where it has been, still covered with snow. I think this little car is ok but I guess I just have to get used to it.
Another question I have. I am used to the Mustang so I keep making mistakes by way of being to hard on the clutch and giving to much gas. I try to remember it's only a small car but I guess just habit, what you are used to. Am I hurting the car too much mechanically by making these mistakes? This is only my third day (first full day of driving it). I am getting adjusted and used to it now though, so I hope that will stop soon.
I drove a Mitsibishi Galant for the last two years and just downsized to a Mazda Protege (both automatic). At work I drive a Ford Crown Victoria.
I
How much more consumption are you seeing?
What part of the country are you from? How cold is the weather?
Do you warm your car up in the morning, or just start and drive off?
Did you have this car last winter? If so, what was your mileage/fuel consumption then? Better than now?
Does your area switch gasoline formulation in the winter (oxygenated fuels)?
You'll get a better response if you can answer some of these questions.
So far, problems have been
-Oxygen sensor died
-windshield washer pump died
-passenger seat track wouldn't catch
Minor problems all. All fixed under warranty.
In 2001 I bought 4 Blizzak snow tires, made a world of difference in the snow (live in Chicago).
I replaced brake pads recently at my own expense, but that is normal for a 3 year old car and city driving.
Insurance. It was very expensive to insure at first, but now its dropped and its very cheap to insure.
I think these cars are a sweet deal used, as long as you don't get an abused one. I wouldn't buy one new again, they depreciate too quickly. But its been reliable, and its small size helps in the city.
HUD :)
I personally had a Mustang also (1998) & it began a downward spiral after about 30K miles. Tranny problems, oil leaks, some electrical stuff. Dumped it @ 65K when looking at a new torque converter and water pump.
HUD :)
I live on the East Coast and today alone with the windchill factor it was about 8 degrees. Even during "normal season temps" here this car has "NO HEATER". Since my Mustang is out of commission at the moment until I have it looked at I have to use the Hyundai as my main vehichle now. The heater is not broken but I get back from work about 20 miles away from here and the heat is just then becoming noticeable. Otherwise , nothing. It blows cold air? It never gets close to providing decent heat. Also, it seems when it does give you a hint of warmth it is onlt while driving, if you stop at a traffic light it blows cold air again even if it has begun to provide some heat. Is that the way it is with Hyundai's. Just curious to know? Thanks all for any advisements on this matter.
If your coolant level is good, I'd suspect a faulty thermostat, stuck in the "open" position.
Does your car have a coolant temperature gauge? What does it read during your commute? Always cold?
Another tip off that you may have a stuck thermostat is poor gas mileage. The computer may think the car is not warmed up and will cause it to run rich. If operating properly you should get plenty of heat.
HUD :)
I have driven the car all this week cause of the Mustang being out of commision and I still have not evre gooten any heat. The heater only "begins" to give a "trace" of warm air after I am already home. I only drove the car before this about 4 times really since I bought it, cause Iam always in the Mustang. My brother has taken it out sometimes and confirms the same problem as me. The temp gauge reads not on "dead cold' almost to halfway, after I am about halway into my to-from work commute almost exactly 10 miles. I get about 180 miles on a tank of regular gas. I have never owned a Hyundai before or any other small car with a baby engine so I have nothing to compare too. I buy only regular gas in this car and get 180 on a tank but it only costs $10 or $11 dollars. So to me that is outstanding considering my usual car gas bills even being premium. Does that sound too low mileage for a tank of reg. gas in this car?
What id the usual for you others on yours?
Also, as I said I bought it used real cheap it has 85K maybe it could be because of the high miles, these cars tend to have more problems? It is 98. I will take it back to the dealer now and have the t-stat checked out and tell them the problem. I will first check the fluids per your advisements to see what's going on here. I thought it might just be cause the cars are so cheap they just have nothing by way of options etc, so I thought ok, but did think in the back of my mind it should have a decent heater. I am towing out my Mustang in the am to have it checked out and hoping until I have the Hyundai checked out I can put it back on the road so I can actually get to work with heat and not be
shaking and freezing the whole way, that has sucked very much. Talk yo ya later and pleaase do let me know what you think, especially about the gas mileage if it does not sound right because maybe I hae another problem to look into.
HUD :)
I have to ask though...why did you have the plugs changed so early? They aren't scheduled to be changed until 30k. And in all honesty, they can run 60k with no problems.
ps to Smokey75 sorry this sentence isnt as long as last but its late and Im tired Ill try again next time lol
There is a huge mpg difference from the summer to winter. I notice gas consumption the most below -15C. In canada fuel is also volume corrected to a temp. of -15C. So when it is colder than -15C as soon as the gas leaves the pump, we lose volume. This could possibly be part of your gas tank problem (probably not a 1/4 tank worth though). Most likely the neck on the tank is narrow, so if the pump is pushing a lot of fuel the autofill may kick out before the tank is full.
Now to engine lights and spark plugs. My engine light has come on 3 times this winter. Mind you we had temps below -32C and in one case when it warmed up the light went out. I did however have the car in twice, and after running diagnostics the fist time the spark plugs were misfiring, and second time the EFI valve was stuck open. My spark plugs were replaced after the misfiring, and this my car had 8000K at the time. The car currently has under 9000K.
I also had a problem with the clutch (manual tranny), where the master is on bypass, for which the service dept believes there should be a recall (8500K). If anyone has an issue with the clutch engaging, get it in right away. If it ends up on bypass, and you keep driving it, you'll be replacing your clutch.
I also had a windshield wiper problem, the motor needed replacement(4000K). I thought I had a leaky sunroof(2500K), but it turned out to be that condensation was collecting when i had it open, and then closing it, pooled the condensation to the rubber gasket, which would then leak off. Leak tests proved no leaks.
The dealer I bought the car from offers a $900Cdn ((~$575USD), which covers everything but fuel and tires for their hyundai's, subaru's, and suzuki's. I bought the Service agreement for my 2003 Subaru Forester X, but skipped it for my Hyundai Accent. So far I haven't paid for any repairs. Funny, the forester hasn't had a single service issue.
Even though I have listed a bunch of things here, I am very happy so far with the car. My concern was that without an engine diagnostics tool, I would not have been able to find these problems myself.
Scott
DON'T go by what the dealer tells you! I JUST went through this with a friend of mine who brought her Hyundai 300 XG or whatever it's called, in for the 30,000 mile service. I told her to go by the book and not to give the dealer "carte blanche" to do what HE thought should be done for the 30,000 mile check-up. Did she listen to me? NO! $400.00+ dollars later she was complaining. I just laughed. She knows that I know SOMETHING about cars, but she did it her way and paid through the nose!
GO BY THE WARRANTY BOOK!!!!! You don't think the dealer makes money SELLING you the car do you? Unless, of course, you pay those ridiculous DOC fees that so many dealers have PRE-PRINTED on their sales forms! They make mucho $$$$$$ doing things like the above!
fastdriver
thanks for your advise.
Sorry for the error. I did mean the owner's manual with the maintenance charts. Your best bet would be to go into a Hyundai TH topic here and ask there. Maybe someone there will have a definitive answer for you. I guess if it says that it has to be replaced, it has to be replaced or the warranty will be voided? I see what you mean by the confusion.
Good luck. Wish I could be of more help.
fastdriver
Why would you need to replace it? Well, it's like any other required replacement part...if you don't do the maintenance, they don't have to cover it under warranty. In other words, if you never replaced the spark plugs and the engine won't start one day, the dealer may not cover you under the warranty.
Finally, you need to research if the Accent's engine is an interference engine. By this I mean if the timing belt breaks and the overhead valves stop moving, will the pistons hit the valves? If the answer is "yes," then a broken timing belt becomes a much larger and more expensive repair issue. Others here will know the answer to that question. If the original belt breaks after 60K miles, I doubt that they will cover the belt or an secondary engine damage. Just my opinion...YMMV.
BTW...I don't think you can demand they do the belt replacement maintenance for free (unless you are getting all your oil changes, filters, etc for free, also). None of those have prices in the owner's literature, either.