Used Hyundai

[Shel_B]

My friend Tricia is looking for a used car. She wants a Camry (likes mine) but finds that used Camry prices are beyond her budget. Both she and I have enjoyed our experiences in Hyundai Sonatas when using an Uber. However, we both have concerns about their reliability.

Which years/models of Hyundai, and especially which engine, might be a safe choice within a $10,000 budget? The simpler mechanically the better, i.e., she'd like to avoid turbos, performance models, complex electronics, and so forth. The car would be for 90% or greater local driving with a couple-three long highway trips per year for a business or vacation trip. That's what she's been doing for the past fifteen or so years.

 

[hemitom]

So you already know you don't want a Hyundai.
Before a Sonata I would shop fusions or Malibu both can be found without turbo engines but could be difficult to find ?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Theta 2, no thanks. You already know this from this site.

Accord or a Mazda might be an alternate without the Toyota tax.

 

[Leo99]

From what I gather from reading and talking with people that have Hyundais, they are either great or they blow an engine. My neighbor's kid had a Hyundai. Had a kid or two, and about a bigger Hyundai. Their other kid also bought a Hyundai.

 

[KrisZ]

A used Hyundai is a no go in my book.

I would highly recommend a Ford Fusion or Escape with the 2.5 four cylinder, MPI engine. These can be had at reasonable prices and are nice vehicles.

 

[Shel_B]

Theta 2, no thanks. You already know this from this site.

Accord or a Mazda might be an alternate without the Toyota tax.

She's considering a Mazda as around here prices are better than Honda. But since prices are good for Hyundai, and she likes the interior and comfort of the sonatas, she wants to consider them.

I don't know enough about the Hyundai issues to know if there are years/models/engines that are reliable and dependable. Is there a Hyundai that you'd buy for your sister? T is like a sister to me and her happiness and well being are important to me.

It's just as easy to suggest specific models as it is to tell her to stay away. I just don't know enough about the brand to make a smart, educated suggestion.

 

[SC Maintenance]

She's considering a Mazda as around here prices are better than Honda. But since prices are good for Hyundai, and she likes the interior and comfort of the sonatas, she wants to consider them.

I don't know enough about the Hyundai issues to know if there are years/models/engines that are reliable and dependable. Is there a Hyundai that you'd buy for your sister? T is like a sister to me and her happiness and well being are important to me.

It's just as easy to suggest specific models as it is to tell her to stay away. I just don't know enough about the brand to make a smart, educated suggestion.

Google "Theta 2 recall". There are many - for many years. I believe the engine is cursed. There are plenty of people who will tell you there Theta 2's were great. But they are statistically more Theta 2 engine failures than Nissan CVT failures, based on everything I have seen. I think the Nissan CVT issue is overblown also - but I am not buying one of those either.

I am pretty sure the Sonota's in her price range would all have the Theta2 in it?

 

[KrisZ]

Anything with the 2.4 theta II should be out. I think that includes all Sonatas 2011 and up.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If she wants a car like yours, there are plenty of 2011 Camrys listed for under 10k in the SF area

The Mazda 6 is also worth considering. Mazda's worst problem is rust, but it doesn't rust where you are

Are smaller cars acceptable? Because this Yaris seems like a good choice. Or this one

 

[Urshurak776]

I vote Mazda for sure. I will never buy another Hyundai or Kia.

 

[Bill7]

I vote Mazda for sure. I will never buy another Hyundai or Kia.

Just curious what is wrong with Hyndai/Kia brand. I rented a Hyundai Elantra a while back, was very smooth and it seemed to get 40 MPG.

 

[odie]

Go to CarComplaints for issues and use CARFAX to look up history for wrecks , maintenance records , # of owners , etc.. Another site to visit is I.I.H.S. to check for crash test results , etc.. Good Luck and keep us updated .

 

[odie]

May want to use a flashlight to look down into upper engine and check dipstick for cleanliness ( bare metal or little varnish ) . Also check dipstick for level of oil and color .

 

[Urshurak776]

Just curious what is wrong with Hyndai/Kia brand. I rented a Hyundai Elantra a while back, was very smooth and it seemed to get 40 MPG.

Stuck rings and I meticulously maintain my vehicles. Search my threads. I have gone into it to exhaustion. I got rid of the Tucson and my son still has a Santa Fe with the dreaded theta II. The Kia Rio still running but had to replace catalytic converter and do a good piston soak.

The DI Hyundais/Kias burn a lot of oil unless you change oil probably every 3K - 4K or so. 5K didn't cut it. Burned oil so bad messed up the CAT.

 

[Bill7]

Stuck rings and I meticulously maintain my vehicles. Search my threads. I have gone into it to exhaustion. I got rid of the Tucson and my son still has a Santa Fe with the dreaded theta II. The Kia Rio still running but had to replace catalytic converter and do a good piston soak.

The DI Hyundais/Kias burn a lot of oil unless you change oil probably every 3K - 4K or so. 5K didn't cut it. Burned oil so bad messed up the CAT.

I used to do 4k OCI, then I convinced myself that 5k OCI was just as good as 4k OCI, but in some applications (maybe even mine), 5k might not cut it.

 

[Urshurak776]

I used to do 4k OCI, then I convinced myself that 5k OCI was just as good as 4k OCI, but in some applications (maybe even mine), 5k might not cut it.

5K too long in a Hyundai/Kia.

 

[The Critic]

5K too long in a Hyundai/Kia.

Yeah, they're pretty much candidates for 3K oil changes.

 

[walterjay]

Stuck rings and I meticulously maintain my vehicles. Search my threads. I have gone into it to exhaustion. I got rid of the Tucson and my son still has a Santa Fe with the dreaded theta II. The Kia Rio still running but had to replace catalytic converter and do a good piston soak.

The DI Hyundais/Kias burn a lot of oil unless you change oil probably every 3K - 4K or so. 5K didn't cut it. Burned oil so bad messed up the CAT.

Which engines gave you problems.

 

[Nukeman7]

Any Hyundai before the 2011 model year should be OK since 2011 is when they went to GDI. My aging parents have had a 2010 Elantra GLS trim since new and surprisingly, it has been more reliable than the Hondas and Toyotas they have owned. In 14 years of ownership, the Elantra has only needed a master cylinder and 4 tires. Still safely operating on the original brake pads/rotors.

 

[ecotourist]

Hyundai/Kias are nice looking cars. I might buy a new one if I was going to use it very little (like put more than 50,000 km on it). I wouldn't buy a used one.

And I wouldn't buy any Nissan (new or used) with a CVT.

The realistic vehicle brands for something I planned to keep for a reasonably long time and actually drive would be Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Toyota. And of course Acura and Lexus but even well used those would likely be out of your friend's price range.