15th Jun 2006, 12:46

I just recently bought a used 1997 Tiburon, 73k miles for my daughter. Of course, she wanted a Honda Civic, but the price was right for this car. It came with no history. I changed the timing belt as a precaution.

Check engine light has been persistent since I got it. First time it came on, it was the O2 sensor before the Cat. I have replaced that sensor. Car is now experiencing the issues that were stated in message above regarding the transmission and pulse generator. Had Auto Zone check the reasons for the engine light and came up with: PO 136 - O2 sensor after the Cat is now bad, codes PO722 (Pulse Generator)no voltage signal from output speed shift sensor) and PO733(PCM incorrect gear ratio in 3rd gear). I certainly hope that I don't have to have Hyundai transmission fluid only, as I also had the transmission serviced to try to help with the transmission symptoms. I am sure my mechanic did not run to Hyundai for their brand. The day after I bought the car, the airbag light came on and has yet to go off.

4th Aug 2006, 19:03

Okay. here's a quick fix: don't buy AUTOMATIC. learn to drive stick, you will save $$$$$ and frustration, also the car's life. Also I completly agree with the (first or second?) comment about dealers, they always charge 2-3 times the normal price, and rarely, if ever, give good service. a good reliable garage will service quicker, better, less expensive 99% of time.

13th Aug 2006, 11:52

Few things to remember when you buy cheap cars including performance equipment. I have 99 Sonata and I have too many problems. Today my signal tab under the steering broke, so I was going to the auto-zone to buy that, but when I was in their parking lot, my driver side window stopped working!! Bad luck or what! But I made up my mind. As soon as I fix these two things, the next thing I will go to car max and get rid of this baby and look for a Honda or Toyota. Brothers, buy only Honda and Toyota because they are a lot better in long run.

15th Sep 2006, 15:02

I drive the '97 FX and it has 140,000 miles on it and the only problem I have had is the alternator going out. I also am running a 9 psi turbo on it and still have not had any problems. I guess I am just lucky?

29th Sep 2006, 21:11

My mom bought a Tiburon FX in 96 (of course, that makes it the 97 model). She's been the only owner of it, and it has never had any problems. All ours has needed is general maintenance, and right now it needs some work done to it (someone smacked into the passenger side taillight)

If anyone lives in South Carolina and really wants to get rid of their Tiburon, contact me at PhantomDoom@Hotmail.com Maybe we can make a deal?

20th Feb 2007, 06:30

My 97 Fx, is still running strong, it even looks like new. I guess with any vehicle, if you service it regularly and if you look after it, (with genuine parts), it won't let you down. I service mine every 10.000 km, and she still runs and feels like new. I have driven the newer models, they are even more smooth, but the Tiburon generation one, is still the best looker of all Tiburons.

31st Mar 2007, 13:56

I bought my daughter a 1997 Tiburon almost two years ago. Within a couple days the transmission went, this past Friday it is gone again. The worse of it was we were always smelling gas when first getting the vehicle. We never saw any kind of leak. About 8 months after having the car my daughter filled it right up and parked in the drive to find a big puddle. I looked up on-line gas tanks and came across recalls before calling the dealer. It seems the gas tank is a recall item. When I called the dealer they asked for my VIN number and then said that it would be covered. Then after sitting at the dealers for a week they called me and told me that NO it wouldn't be covered. I flipped out. I called out to Utah the main complaint place. The girl told me it most certainly would be covered and that she would call service and take care of him. She said she had dealings with that service department before with problems. We also have had the air bag light on since purchased and the engine light comes on when it feels like. They say it's an oxygen sensor. Oh and the engine sounds like a rubber band is running it. But my daughter loves the car all and all.

30th Oct 2007, 13:28

I have had a 97' tiburon since the summer of 2006 and it has been an excellent car for me. I've practically put the car through hell, yet it still runs very strong. The car currently has 170k miles on it, and all I've needed to change were the rotors and brake pads. Yet, I do keep up on regular oil changes, and general maintenance. I would buy a newer Tiburon in a heart-beat if the insurance on the v6 6 speeds weren't $600 a month for a 18 year old!

4th Nov 2007, 21:58

I have a 97 Hyundai tiburon had it for 2 years and had no problems, but of course I live in Korea and I can access all parts easily. Whoeva said these cars aren't fast is wrong, these cars just need more TLC than other cars, but once you put some money into your Hyundai's they can be beasts. I'm going to have to say the person that was going to the dealer to get his car fix I understand its on warranty and all, but they don't know how to handle your car plus like you said they are beating around the bush to make that extra Cash. Go to a good garage someone who knows they're ways with cars and believe me you won't be having any more of those troubles.

28th Feb 2008, 19:05

I just bought a 97 tiburon with 135000 thousand miles for 1000 dollars. It runs great, but the check engine light is on and of course, its the 02 sensor before the cat. The air bag light is on also and I must taking in to the dealer to have it repaired, but after this forum I will for sure avoid the dealership. So far I have had a major electrical problem. The horn quit working, the radio doesn't work right, the cruise control quit working, and my dash lights work intermittently. It runs strong and I have driven it 700 miles and back within a week's time so it's reliable in my case. Thanks guys for the tips.

9th Mar 2008, 19:53

I have a 1997 Tiburon. We bought it second hand, and we did some work to it to get it safetied. None of the engine lights or anything were on when we bought it, but we put a new battery in it, and voila!! Suddenly the airbag light is on, and they won't safety it. Is this expensive to fix??