Hyundai Accent

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $8500.00 from Mirak Hyundai, Bosto

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 Hyundai Accent manual

Summary:
I have had this ACCENT for 6 years now. It has 156,000 miles on it, and I am currently driving 35,000 miles per year. This car needed virtually no maintenance until 95,000 miles. Since then, I have replaced the air conditioning (VERY expensive), the windshield wiper motor, front axle, the clutch (the original lasted 'til 135K!) and lots of other little things (e.g. - the window crank center broke and keeps popping out). My mechanic said it looks good right now, other than the leaking rear struts. Overall, it's been just about the least expensive car I have ever owned in terms of maintenance. However, I was in several accidents with this car. I think people hit me so often because the car is grey - literally the same color as the pavement - and so people would back into the side of the car in parking lots, etc, because they could not see it. I was also rear-ended a couple of times, including one when I was stopped at at stop sign and an SUV hit me very hard while he was speeding. That accident caused a neck/back injury that I still haven't fully recovered from, 2.5 years later. I had $18,000 in medical bills from just that one accident (all paid by insurance). This car still drives well, though, and gets 36 mpg even at its advanced age and mileage. I am buying a new car this summer and will not buy another Accent, due to the extent of the injury I received in the low-impact accident. This is the perfect type of car for someone who has to haul a lot of gear. I drove halfway across country in it - twice - with no problems whatsoever. It's also great in the city, since it can fit in parking spaces that many other people pass by!

Strengths:
Excellent gas mileage (36 pmg); low maintenance costs; Excellent trunk space and lots of space when rear seat is folded down; excellent roadside assistance plan included; low purchase price

Weaknesses:
door plastic scratches easily; high medical bills from accident; things seems to break right after the warranty ends; dealers difficult to find in some areas (had difficult getting service from a dealer)

Similar Products Used:
Geo Prizm (Corolla)

Price Paid:  $14500.00 from Dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Accent SE

Summary:
I must be the luckiest Accent owner ever. I'm on my 3rd Accent and my luck is as follows:

1. 2001 Accent 3 door. Great car. Got great mileage. I paid $10,000.00 out the door. Drove it for 2 1/2 years and totaled it in an accident. Car was demolished and I walked away with absolutely no injjuries. I was very impressed. Seeing the car, my insurance company called to ask me when I was being released from the hospital... I told them I was perfectly fine. they were impressed too. I was paid $7,500.00 from the insurance company so this car was almost free to drive for almost 3 years.

2. 2003 accent. This was a BASE model 3 door. Other than an aftermarket CD player and AC it really had no options. I bought this in early 2004 with 23,000 miles for $4,500.00. It looked brand new. No problems at all until 85,000 miles. The clutch resovoir and starter went. $900.00 service. Other than that and new tires (this car LOVED Michellins) this car ran for 97,000 and I thought I better trade it before it hits 100,000. Traded it in on a 2008 SE, got $3,500.00 for it last week. Again, I can't imagine a better car costing less to own and drive.

3. 2008 SE. I can't belive this is the same model as my others. Sun roof, ABS brakes, Tire pressure monitoring, 16" rims!! and still under $15,000.00

Like I said maybe I'm just lucky but my Accents have all run like tanks. And, lets just say I don't take the best care of my cars... oil changes are sometimes... cough cough,,,,, late?!

I have recommended Hyundais to my friends who laughed... until they drove one and cost compared them to Hondas and Toyotas. They ended up buying Hyundais. Ist it a BMW or Lexus beater... hell no. Is it a car that you can drive for a few years and get most your money back? Maybe. I have and will probably buy another one in 4 years. Maybe they'll have a V8 by then??? :)

Strengths:
Inexpensive. For price, interior is well made. Great Warranty. Looks better than similar priced competition.

Weaknesses:
SLOW. Wish it still had 4 wheel discs (though its cheaper to service the rear drums) dash plastic scratches easily.

Similar Products Used:
Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Mirage

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $13220.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Hyundai Accent

Summary:
Feb. 09,2008

Just bought a brand new hatchback accent. pulled it off the lot with 4 miles on it.. took it home and notice wow i had a full tank of gas before i came home and now im empty...heres the math i drove 50 away from home and bought my car (meaning i had a 50 mile trip home in my new car) the car has a 11 gallon tank and is spose to get 32 mpg well if i had a full tank and it only took 50 mile to empty a full 11 gallon tank that doesnt sound like a big 32 mpg does it?? the car is manuall and when on the high way in 5th gear and 70 mph its hitting about 5 grand in rpms not good plus when sitting at a red light it is about 2000 to 3000 rpm and thats just ideling also the clutch and brakes had NO pressure behind them at all and every time i would go to take off i would stall or it would jerk like it wanted to stall. i took it back to the dealer because i dont want a pice of crap i could have bought that off the street. so i got a new one pulled that off the lot with 1 mile on it good for 3 days but the 4th day the pressure in the clutch went and now im worried~!

Strengths:
LOOKS GOOD QUIET RIDE

Weaknesses:
TRANNY I GUESS I DONT THINK ITS TORQUED RIGHT

Similar Products Used:
scion tc AMAZING!!!!

Price Paid:  $13000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Hyundai Accent 2dr Hatch

Summary:
I just wanted to say that this is an excellent little hatchback.

Strengths:
excellent gas milage
sporty body style

Weaknesses:
its no V6 and its no luxury car...but if u have the money u can make it into one.
the panels on the doors tend to scratch easily.

Price Paid:  $5000.00 from Simmons-Rockwell

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Hyundai Accent Hatchback

Summary:
Bought the car with 18000 miles on it. Had no problems until 85000 when it needed brakes, radiator fan and windshield wiper transmission. Only other expense was tires and oil. Needed O2 sensors and thermostat at 120000. Got 39 mpg when I drove it home from the dealer. At 134000 it still gets over 30 hwy. But it's pretty much dead as the AC compressor needs to be replaced for $800, needs more 02 sensors, and maybe fuel injectors for another $800. It burns 1 qt. oil every 1500 miles so it's not worth putting in $2000 worth of repairs. Still think it was worth it--$5000 for 6 years with only brakes, wiper trans., fan, thermostat and 02 sensors for a total repair bill of around $1,200. Slipped off the road in a snowstorm and Hyundai paid the towing bill to get the car out of the snowbank.

Strengths:
Great mileage. Reliable.

Weaknesses:
It's no cadillac.

Similar Products Used:
Toyota Tercel