Faults:

At 5,000 miles the clutch malfunctioned which prevented shifting, but this was easily repaired by blowing compressed air into the hydraulic clutch line.

At 60,000 miles the driver side window weatherstripping needed to be replaced.

At 110,000 miles the drivers side window mechanism snapped and needed to be replaced however, this service was performed free of charge due to the previous problems with the weatherstripping.

At 135,000 miles both front control arms needed to be replaced due to excessive corrosion. The price was $650.00, the first time I spent money on a repair for the entire time I owned the car.

General Comments:

I must admit that this has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have never broken down a single time with this car. All options still work perfectly in the car; from the air conditioning to the cassette player. This car has been subject to harsh city driving, highway travel, and snowy northeast weather, so it has seen it all. It is beginning to show wear by the recently slowing acceleration, but what do you expect from a small car with 150,000 miles on it? If you are expecting sophisticated engineering, purchase a Honda, but if you are looking for an ultra reliable, low cost automobile, the Accent is definitely for you.

Faults:

The driver's side window fell off the track after two years. The passenger's side window requires two hands to roll up or down.

The weather-stripping doesn't work; if the windows are at all open when it rains or you squirt your windshield, the water will drip onto the seat/you.

The paint on the side mirrors completely faded to white.

The car is on its third heater, and even the dealer took a full week to get the heater in both times.

The dealer did not register the extended warranty, and I had to argue and provide proof that I purchased it. Meanwhile, I had to pay; they did not respect the warranty until after I had proven purchase.

Rear struts cracked at 40,000. At 76,000 I am replacing all struts.

Car stereo died after three years.

Body dents easily from people backing into it.

While I love to drive the car in sunny weather, in winter snow storms and in heavy rain I feel as if the car is going to fly off the road.

The windshield fogs easily, and the vent cable has had to be re-attached twice to control the defrost.

New alternator at 70,000 miles.

General Comments:

Although the list of aches and pains has been longer than I'd hoped, I have had the car for seven years. The most frustrating part has been that repair shops and even the dealers have been slow in getting Hyundai parts, and that the same things have gone wrong more than once.

Mileage is great, about 36 MPG.

Compared to the other cars in its beginner's market, this car is, as they say, "fun to drive," and also sporty looking whereas its competitors are sluggish and just plain not cute at all.

For what I could afford, my little purple pony has carried me around in some awful Midwest weather, and I'm still in one piece. It was the right car for me at the time, and it's getting to be a close call, but I am still driving it since the repairs are less than a new car would be; this year I have put 1600 into its fixings, not including basic maintenance.

I will not buy another Hyundai ever again, but I have taken good care of this one and would call it a friend, good medicine, or positive karma.