With all the engine issues why do people continue to buy Hyundai’s and Kia’s

[slo town]

I've had a couple of those as rentals, from California's ONT airport. The DCT transmission spoiled an otherwise nice vehicle. Never before have I felt so much like I could be stranded at any moment in the desert.

I know exactly what you're saying. It was nice in every single respect except for that stupid German designed Getrag transmission. But the car was perfect for my wife to rack up 1,000 miles a week on, and many of those miles were out in the middle of nowhere. But when the trans got bad enough for me to worry it would lose drive I got rid of it. I honestly think I would have burned that thing to the ground had it stranded my wife out in the middle of nowhere.

Scott

 

[odie]

'18 ACCENT SE ( base ) w/ 6 speed auto at 40,404 miles . Price new , gas mileage ( 39 m.p.g. calculated since new ) , design / appearance out / in , warranty , ease of maintenance ( access to oil filter / air filter / cabin filter ) and low car payment helped to overlook issues . Paid in full . Gas mileage display is off 3 > 4 M.P.G. higher than calculated . Go here to see difference , https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/post-your-gas-mileage-calculated.330203/page-20 . Last , it's not that great for emissions , plenty of soot .

 

[Nesterenko]

What can I say? I've found their commercials truly annoying, well, many of them anyway.

This is a forum full of countless crazy off-the-wall opinions. Did you read the post above mine? That guy is basing his purchases on an experience from way back in 1976.

And that doesn't make sense either, sorry.

 

[Greasymechtech]

The 10 year warranty is within the life realm of many new car buyers. Some just don't keep vehicles long enough.

Test drive equivalent vehicles from multiple automakers and decide for yourself.

Commercials don't decide on what I want or buy.

Engine issues seem to be common enough among various automakers.

 

[hemioiler]

The internet and forums blow everything up by a factor of 10,000. Ask a random person on the street if Hyundai/Kia makes good cars and they'll probably say it's no different than anyother brand nowadays.

The warranty is very good, certainly higher than that on my truck.

Cost is cheap and fuel consumption is incredibly low on my parents kia forte. I hopped in one day and the gauge was at 4.9 l/100km (48 mpg) on their 95% rural driving. Yes its computer calculated, but even if its off, they're getting amazing mileage out of a car they bought brand new for $22,000 CAD pre covid.

The interior looks amazing (though obviously quality reflects price point), and the gauges/buttons are drop dead simple for old folk to navigate.

The exterior is sporty and fresh, LED headlights, designed by ex Audi designer.

Value is incredibly high, what's not to like?

 

[nthach]

Value, and Hyundai - like Samsung and LG just get the American consumer better than Toyota. You can buy a “stripper” DX(now LX)/LE level CamCord or CiviRolla or a nicely equipped Sonata/K5(Optima) or Elantra/Forte for that price.

 

[odie]

The '18 ACCENT was purchased new under $16,000 before trade in .

 

[Dave1027]

I don't understand why people buy a Hyundai/Kia when they could have just as easily bought a Toyota/Honda.

 

[Revving2Redline]

I wouldn’t go near one of those makes now. With that being said we had a 2008 Elantra that was passed down to the children and was still running when we got rid of it with almost 275,000 miles. What changed and why?

I might guess is that they started throwing direct injection and turbos on everything. now I did own a 2012 Hyundai accent 1.6 GDI and I changed oil every 3 to 4,000 miles with 5W30. the owner's manual says at that time you could use a five or a 10 w 20 or 10W30. I simply put 5:30 yearly. my guess is the oil cap says something like 5w20 and people are driving their cars probably further on an oil change that they should with fuel dilution. I was very happy with my Hyundai though I could not stand the dealership at all. it was my first Hyundai and it had 9800 miles on it when I bought it.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I don't understand why people buy a Hyundai/Kia when they could have just as easily bought a Toyota/Honda.

There far less money, they have a much longer warranty, they look a lot better in a lot of cases.

Before you hate on me, I have a Toyota too. Just telling you why I even considered a H/K last time around.

 

[Revving2Redline]

I don't understand why people buy a Hyundai/Kia when they could have just as easily bought a Toyota/Honda.

you got to remember a lot of people are asphyxiated on how much car they can get for their money. the biggest disappointment with Hyundai that I had was there was no spare tire in the trunk. they had that inflatable slime stuff back there. I will look at what Hyundai is doing and say that they're styling is okay and you get a lot of car for your money but they are still very lacking in the resale value. you also get a lot of car because thankfully they're non-union so they're not passing on a lot of those prices on to the consumer. I had very little trouble with mine as I kept the oil changed and I did the GDI valve cleaning through the throttle body on a fairly regular basis.

 

[JustN89]

I don't understand why people buy a Hyundai/Kia when they could have just as easily bought a Toyota/Honda.

Because when I bought my Elantra brand new, it was $3k less than the Civic and the Corolla. The interior of the Elantra was far and away better than the Corolla, and the Civic, while nice, didn't offer a lot of features that the Elantra came with despite being priced much higher.

I've now owned the Elantra for 6 years, 86,500 miles, and it still returns 40+ mpg and the only repair needed was a door handle which was replaced under warranty. I've got a thread on here documenting my experience since new with this thing and I would happily buy this car again. For what I paid, what I've gotten out of it, and the fact that it's still under warranty, I couldn't be happier.

While I would recommend this iteration of the Elantra (MPI, 6 speed Auto, spare tire and no "fix a flat" kit), I would not recommend every model of Hyun/Kia out there. Like with any car brand, there are good models and bad models. Also unfortunate, but a lower price brings in a, we'll call it a "more budget-minded consumer", that ignores or delays maintenance on these cars. They do not take well to mis-treatment.

At the end of the day, the Corolla, the Civic, and the Elantra are all just econo-boxes. Appliances through and through. The Toyota will likely last longer, but let's be honest, most people buying these appliances don't exactly want to keep it for 10+ years.

 

[Revving2Redline]

There far less money, they have a much longer warranty, they look a lot better in a lot of cases.

Before you hate on me, I have a Toyota too. Just telling you why I even considered a H/K last time around.

Just telling you why I even considered a H/K last time around.

just don't get the H/K mistaken or mixed up for the infamous H&K with their home offices in Obendorf

 

[odie]

I don't understand why people buy a Hyundai/Kia when they could have just as easily bought a Toyota/Honda.

Not all Toyotas are trouble free . Had a few with issues . Such as leaking timing chain cover , water pump replacement and other issues . They were taken care of under warranty . The '18 ACCENT has a periodic dash rattle while the TOYOTAs owned had many rattles . One had very bad dash rattle and took it back to dealer and couldn't get it right . Had to fix dash rattle myself by removing parts and placing sticky back felt on back of the parts . Rattle stopped .

 

[odie]

Oops , the oil filter in the picture above is for the '13 FIT . The oil filter for FIT is HORIZONTAL and is easier to get to than the '18 ACCENT that is VERTICAL .

 

[Enthusiast]

With all the engine issues, why do people continue to buy BMWs? To me that's a much bigger question.

 

[odie]

The Mini Cooper is known for its issues . Shame , like its appearance .

 

[Nick1994]

How about we turn this thread around, why wouldn't the average person buy a Hyundai over a Toyota?

Just did a little research, 2018 Hyundai Sonata SE and 2018 Toyota Camry L.

Sonata MSRP: $22,050
Camry MSRP: $23,645

After 5 years the KBB trade in values, "Very Good" condition, 75k miles:
Sonata trade in value: $13,124
Camry trade in value: $12,311

The Sonata would still be under powertrain warranty after 5 years and 75k miles. Would barely be out of bumper to bumper warranty.

I was at CarMax today for an appraisal on a car I'm selling. While waiting I went and sat in multiple cars. The Accord was hands down nicer than the Camry. And the Sonata was a little nicer too. All my opinion for what's nice though.

 

[PWMDMD]

There far less money, they have a much longer warranty, they look a lot better in a lot of cases.

Before you hate on me, I have a Toyota too. Just telling you why I even considered a H/K last time around.

I agree and I currently have a Toyota, a Lexus, and a Kia.

When I bought the Kia Soul there was no other vehicle made that was equivalent - I'm 6'5" and the interior space, especially the headroom of the Kia Soul, is unmatched. Every Toyota in the same class was significantly more expensive and at the time had a MAs making them even more expensive. I love the powertrain too - great gas mileage and the engine has some getty up and the CVT is very good. I just drove it and I think it's a really fun car to drive and I prefer driving it to the Tundra or the RX 350 especially going into Worcester or Boston. Lastly, the 2.0 has PFI and between some thicker oil, 5k OCIs, and judicious use of fuel system cleaner it's a gamble I was willing to take. The Kia will have an intact powertrain warranty for what will likely be its entire usable life for me and it's not a mission-critical vehicle in my life so what do I care?

 

[PWMDMD]

BTW...I think there is a significant selection bias on BITOG. People don't obsess over engine oil and join an oil forum because they plan to keep a vehicle for 5 or 6 years and 60 to 70k miles but that's the expectation of many (most) people. With proper maintenance, even a Hyundai and Kia can manage that expectation in most cases. 200K miles? Maybe not but my guess is few Hyundai/Kia owners have that expectation. If I can get 10 years and 100K out of the Kia that's a win in my book.