# Does Hyundai make a reliable used car
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 12, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086 "2010-08-12T21:32:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/1 "2010-08-12T21:32:41Z")
I am in the market for a used car, and am mostly looking at toyotas and hondas. I really only want something basic that has good gas mileage, is economical and has a high reliability rating.
So mostly I’m looking at civics, echos, yarises and corollas. Somewhat at accords too. I really don’t know what else to look at aside from those that would give me what I want (low cost, decent reliability, high gas mileage).
Anyway, I have heard Hyundai reliability has gone up a good deal lately. But I don’t know if that applies to used cars or just the new ones (ie, if they are reliable for 10 years or just the first 3). Does anyone else know?
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/2 "2010-08-12T21:39:35Z")
My wife bought a used 2002 Hyundau Santa Fe a few years ago. Since then it’s had a hose in the power steering replaced, and both front door lock actuators replaced. Other than that, there has been no work done on it.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/3 "2010-08-12T22:28:31Z")
My daughter just bought a 2002 Elantra. Unfortunately, I’ll have to delay my answer for a year or so to tell you how it worked out, but the dealer did give it a 3-month, all-inclusive warranty, which they normally only do for used cars less than five years old.
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### Author:  [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/4 "2010-08-12T22:54:10Z")
I have a 2005 Elantra; I bought it new but since it now has 110K miles on it, it has certainly been used. It is one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/5 "2010-08-12T22:58:07Z")
Bought a 2004 Hyundai Accent in 2006. Love it. Had a couple sensors replaced but otherwise nothing much done.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/6 "2010-08-12T23:35:58Z")
I’ve got a 2005 sonata, which I bought used back in 07. The only trouble I’ve had with it is the fan belt broke 3 times, and the left head light burned out. Two of the times the belt broke were due to me putting it on wrong. The belt was $40 to replace, and the headlight $23. ($5 to have it installed, $18 for the bulb.)
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### Author:  [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/7 "2010-08-12T23:37:39Z")
I have a 2002 Hyundai Accent hatchback (that I bought used in 2006). Perfect city getabout, 35 mpg (up to 40 unloaded on the highway), never had anything but scheduled maintenance.
**kunilou** you got took. If a Hyundai is less than 5 years old, the _fully transferable to subsequent owners_ bumper to bumper warranty is still in effect until that 5 years is up. My car had 8 months on the factory warranty when I bought it.
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### Author:  [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/8 "2010-08-12T23:50:07Z")
I think Hyundai only makes new cars.
😛
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### Author:  [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/9 "2010-08-12T23:53:42Z")
> [@Giraffe](#):
>
> I think Hyundai only makes new cars.
Dammit, you beat me to it.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/10 "2010-08-12T23:54:34Z")
My (ex)FIL works with someone who also works as a mechanic at a Hyundai dealership. He said once those cars drive off the lot, they never come back (other then for scheduled maintenance). Obviously, that’s not entirely true, but I think it gets the point across. They hold up quite well.
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### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/11 "2010-08-13T00:06:13Z")
> [@Giraffe](#):
>
> I think Hyundai only makes new cars.
>
> 😛
[Ford probably didn’t want the competition](http://www.theonion.com/video/ford-unveils-new-car-for-cashstrapped-buyers-the-1,14381/)
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### Author:  [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/12 "2010-08-13T00:46:42Z")
I had a 2006 Elantra I bought in 2007. Before recently totaling it, I never had any real problems other than having to repeatedly replace the tires. That was just bad luck, though.
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### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/13 "2010-08-13T00:53:19Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#):
>
> **kunilou** you got took. If a Hyundai is less than 5 years old, the _fully transferable to subsequent owners_ bumper to bumper warranty is still in effect until that 5 years is up.
I suspect that a 2002 model is past its five years.
I’ve had no problems with my 18-month-old Sonata (that I bought new), for whatever that may be worth. The only issue is that I am not at all happy with the tires that came with the car, and will be replacing them before snow starts falling. That probably won’t be an issue with a used car, as you’re likely to have to replace the tires before you drive it off the lot. 😃
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### Author:  [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/14 "2010-08-13T01:00:05Z")
> [@Frank](#):
>
> I suspect that a 2002 model is past its five years.
:smack:
However, HAD the dealer attempted to sell a warranty for a Hyundai under 5 years old, it would be a scam.
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### Author:  [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/15 "2010-08-13T01:14:43Z")
I bought a 2000 Elantra in 2005. I’m still driving that thing and it’s not 10 years old. I’ve only had one minor problem with it, and it was probably my fault. My mother is on her third used Hyundai and has loved them all. We’re Hyundai owners for life.
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### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/16 "2010-08-13T01:22:24Z")
Another data point: I bought a new Elantra last November. I have 65,000 Kms on it so far and unfortunately I did have to make a repair.
My right blinker bulb burned out.
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### Author:  [@jainsafel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jainsafel)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/17 "2010-08-13T01:58:27Z")
In 1995 my folks got me a used '94 Hyundai Scoupe for my 17th birthday.
Now keep in mind that this was practically one of the first cars to roll off the assembly line for Hyundai in the US. My parents, who are very far from wealthy, bought it thinking that I’d use it my senior year in high school to get to my part-time job, maybe take it to college, and that that would be it. A cheap, disposable car, basically.
This September I’ll turn 32. I’m still driving him. (The car’s a him, by the way. His name is Scooter.)
He’s developed a host of quirks, but he still passes inspection. In the past three years I’ve been rear-ended on the highway twice, the alternator went out, and the driver-side window crank had to be replaced. He’ll stall sometimes at red lights and gets cranky when it rains. But if I had to, for less money than it would cost to replace him I could probably get several more years out of him. But it’s high time I had a car with such fancy features as air bags and anti-lock breaks, so I’m planning to replace him next year.
But when he finally goes to that big junkyard in the sky, it’ll be a sad day, no lie. I’ve had that car for half my life!
I wouldn’t hesitate to get a Hyundai for my next car.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/18 "2010-08-13T02:24:21Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#):
>
> So mostly I’m looking at civics, echos, yarises and corollas.
>
> Anyway, I have heard Hyundai reliability has gone up a good deal lately. But I don’t know if that applies to used cars or just the new ones (ie, if they are reliable for 10 years or just the first 3). Does anyone else know?
Yaris is a poor choice. CR doesn’t like it.
I suggest a Honda Fit.
Hyundai rep for reliability is fairly new, you’d have to get a late model used car.
Why not a new car? Do you have good credit?
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### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/19 "2010-08-13T02:53:16Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> > [@Wesley\_Clark](#):
> >
> > So mostly I’m looking at civics, echos, yarises and corollas.
> >
> > Anyway, I have heard Hyundai reliability has gone up a good deal lately. But I don’t know if that applies to used cars or just the new ones (ie, if they are reliable for 10 years or just the first 3). Does anyone else know?
>
> Yaris is a poor choice. CR doesn’t like it.
>
> I suggest a Honda Fit.
>
> Hyundai rep for reliability is fairly new, you’d have to get a late model used car.
>
> Why not a new car? Do you have good credit?
I’m just starting out my career and haven’t found a stable full time job yet (my jobs have all been permatemp). Plus with the economy the way it is, I figure it could be 3-4 years before I have stable employment and income. So my main goal is a car that will last 3-5 years w/o major problems unti then.
I don’t want to buy new because most cars lose about 30-50% of their value in the first 3-5 years. So I’d rather buy a 2006 model than a new one. Plus I really don’t want to go into debt (I just finished paying off my student loans). Searching around online, I can find 2005/2006 Elantras or Sonatas for 5-7k or so.
I saw edmonds recommend the 2006 Elantra as a good used car. My understanding is Hyundai had really poor reliability at first, but hopefully that has changed in the last few years and the later models are closer to toyotas and hondas wrt reliability.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hyundai-make-a-reliable-used-car/550086/20 "2010-08-13T03:04:16Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#):
>
> > [@Frank](#):
> >
> > I suspect that a 2002 model is past its five years.
>
> :smack:
> However, HAD the dealer attempted to sell a warranty for a Hyundai under 5 years old, it would be a scam.
Right, the car was eight years old and had 69,000 miles. And the dealer didn’t sell her the warranty, it was already there, in writing, when we got to the lot. As I noted originally, the practice around here (told to me by three other dealers) is not to guarantee any used car over five years old.
**Wesley** , the Accord is different class of car than the others you’re looking at. If you’re seriously looking at Accords, you should also consider the Camry and other mid-size cars. Hell, even the mid-size Fords and Chevvys have been competitive on reliability for several years.
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