2000 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 from North America

Summary:

This car will drain your wallet

Faults:

First day after purchase, check engine light comes on. Call seller; acts like he doesn't know me, and avoids me.

The car did not qualify for lemon law private seller. Find out I needed exhaust work that would cost me $800.

Went back to mechanic one day later, check engine light back on, same problem. He welds something and sends me on my way.

Constantly replaced mass air flow sensor.

Replaced oxygen sensor, alternator, fixed heater, fuel lines, cylinders and plenty more problems.

General Comments:

This car has been nothing but problems, and has cost me thousand of dollars to repair.

Now it stalls and cut off at stops lights. Check engine light on again; was told to replace mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor again. Did that to no avail.

Someone please help me, I don't know what to do. I have been to numerous mechanics, and some don't even want to touch it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st January, 2011

24th Jan 2011, 16:58

There are tools available for used car shoppers, that can help arm you with information to avoid problems like this person experienced.

Take, for instance, CarMD (www.carmd.com). In a few seconds it scans the car's computer to see if there are any current or pending problems. It even comes with computer software and toll-free access to ASE Techs who can let you know how much repairs will cost. That way, if you still like the car, you can ask for a discount based on needed repairs. If it's something serious, you know to steer clear.

27th Jan 2011, 15:15

Try the crank shaft position sensor. Don't blame Hyundai for your bad experience with an 11 year old car with 120k miles on it. It's not the company's fault you bought a piece from a crook, and kept getting had by shady-tree mechanics. Have you ever tried taking it to a dealer who employs people who are trained to work on your car? I'm a Hyundai technician, and I hate to see people get played like you have. But you get what you pay for. Always remember, short term deals often lead to long term headaches. If you are seriously into keeping this car, then bite the bullet and take it to a professional. Just sayin'.

Good luck! If you have any other questions, email me at miketastic1982@yahoo.com

6th Aug 2013, 10:41

I have a 2000 as well, and I couldn't agree more. This car has been nothing but problems, time and money. I would never own one of these cars again.

2000 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4 V8 from North America

Summary:

Great running car, not great looking

Faults:

Nothing really has gone wrong with this car in the 30k that I've owned it. It's been fairly reliable except for a few things.

1. Changing the brake rotors/doing anything with the brakes on this car is very hard. Japanese metal is about as reliable as a Pepsi can, so it rusts really bad.

2. Back to the metal, it's just really poor quality. Parts of the car were already rusted out when I bought it at 60k, so I've had to do a lot of bondo work.

3. On the V6, you can only access 3/6 of the spark plugs. Which means problems if one goes that you can't reach without disassembling pretty much the entire engine.

General Comments:

Overall, it's a great car, well, at least it's been to me. Then again, I really baby it. Never have taken it over 5k rpms (unless I was about to get T-boned or something). Change the oil every 4k. Brakes in check, etc etc.

Gas is not too good for a small car. Gas mileage is not too good at all for a V6. It gets around 17-18 in in the town, and 24-25 on the interstate. My dad has a Mercury Grand Marquis and it is actually way better on gas mileage than my Hyundai Sonata (his gets 23 in town and 28-29 on the highway... HUH!).

Also, if you're a classy individual, I don't recommend buying this car. It has ZERO chrome on it, and it's not flashy at all. It's gonna need bondo eventually, and if you can't find the matching paint, you're gonna have a nice fat bondo patch on the rear. Honestly, this is a typical kind of car that a high school/college kid would have, and if you're older and can afford better, you shouldn't buy it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th March, 2010