2003 Hyundai Sonata 3.3L

Summary:

Love the car, would buy another, no hesitation

Faults:

As I read before we bought the car, the interior door handles were flaking off chrome. We just got a recall letter last week to fix it.

General Comments:

The car has no lack of power, but in exchange it isn't the most economical for gas. Mid 20's for MPG.

We bought the car off a lady who maintained it very well, (looked like new, didn't even get an inspection done).

Lots of little extras, auto lights, can't lock the keys in car, can put the windows up with the key off, etc...

Love the looks of the car, (baby Jag. kind of)

Very comfortable to drive, all gauges and buttons are visible and easy to use, except cruise, you have to turn it on, under steering wheel, then you can set speed on wheel.

I was leary of Hyundai, from making fun of older models, like the Pony etc. Now I am reformed, and would look at other Hyundai's as well.

The lady we bought it from had already bought a new Santa Fe, so thought she must be happy with Hyundai.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2009

2003 Hyundai Sonata 6 cylinder

Summary:

Disappointing.. made cheaply, poor service

Faults:

1) CD player was unpredictable about which discs it would play. After about 3 years it would not play anything.

2) Cassette player held converter for IPod attachment - would not eject the cassette and then mangled it.

3) The 'chrome' paint (actually a thick aluminum foil type covering over plastic) has pealed off the grill and door handles, twice.

4) The moon roof randomly gets stuck in the open position, then randomly closes.

5) The fog lights fail on such a frequent basis I don't even bother to replace them anymore (bulbs are about $20 each)

6) For a compact car, the fuel economy is awful -- has been since day 1.

General Comments:

I test drove a standard roof sedan, then the salesperson offered me a 'deal' on a moon roof version, which I bought it. The moon roof mechanism lowers the passenger compartment ceiling height and makes it very uncomfortable for me -- a 5 foot 10 inch height person.

The cars ONLY good points are -- the 6 cylinder has nice acceleration, and it looks good standing still.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd March, 2009

23rd Mar 2009, 08:02

How much to the gallon were you getting out of interest??

In the UK a car this size is an average size family saloon, not a compact, surely this is the case in the states as well?

I've seen the Ford Focus and Honda Civic saloons in the US, surely these cars are termed as compacts, not a Sonata?

By the way, I used to sell Kias in the UK, the last shape Magentis was essentially a re-badged Sonata, and while I thought they always drove OK the trim was very tacky, although mechanically they were good, you do get what you pay for I'm afraid though!

3rd Apr 2009, 10:46

What a horrible vehicle this is! I currently have an 02 Sonata and I will never have another. I have put over $2600 worth of work into it in the last year alone.

The entire electrical system's faulty, and once I have one thing repaired, something else goes wrong. This car is a bonafide money pit. It still needs a new steering rack and an air bag computer, which I can't afford at this point in time. It'll be somewhere in between $400-500 including labor.

I'm deathly afraid of the steering rack snapping on the highway, and by the time I'm able to afford it, it'll be too late anyway. As a matter of fact, the car is getting junked today.

2003 Hyundai Sonata LX

Summary:

I like the car but will NEVER buy a Hyundai again

Faults:

Have one major problem. Third time in 5 & 1/2 years that the front passenger window motor cable is broken and the window will not close. This has happened every two years.

General Comments:

The dealer will not replace the motor, even though it is the third time. He claims it is no longer under warranty and will cost me 8 to 9 hundred dollars to repair. Isn't the part defective if it keeps breaking?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd February, 2009