Let’s have some practical discussion. (I hate to see bunch of new VIN thread on this board)

I am thinking to replace my sedan to a mini van and considering Hyundai or KIA seriously.

I used to own a Hyundai back 1993 for about 3 years. It was a great car. I made a two way trip from Michigan to California (A 6 days on the road trip.) without a single problem. (Did not even know I had to change engine oil during that trip). I really had not much problem with my Hyundai. Just replaced new alternator under warranty and that was it.

I also owned a Jeep for 3 years. It was great. Did not have any problem.

Also owned a Mitsubishi for 5 years. I hate that car. It had so much trouble and I was really happy when I traded it for a 1 year old Toyota Camry.

I owned Camry for about 3 years. I expected a superior quality than any other previously owned cars. But it had few of it’s own problems which disappointed me.

I now own an Honda and an Acura. Damn, these Hondas are rattle box. I don’t have any mechanical problems yet but these rattle noises are driving me nuts.

Overtime, I came to realize that the car prices are over inflated. I mean I think there is a huge bubble in car prices. Specially on luxury brand cars. (And looks like the bubble is popping now)

If you ever replaced a part with money from your own pocket, you know how expensive OEM parts are. These part prices are way out of line.

For example, you pay about $2000-$3000 for navigation option. How much do we pay for a Garmin? it’s only like $300 bucks. And they almost function identically.

And what about that buttons start? I am sure a lot of you are electrical engineers. How much more would it cost for a button start over a conventional key based ignition system? And how much more do you pay for button start when you buy a new car?

How about HID headlight? You just need a set of ballasts and projectors (a crappy plastic housing with a lens on it) + set of HID lamps. How much more do we pay for these over conventional halogen lamps?

I recently replaced a set of tweeters on my Acura. I needed a new set of plastic grills for these tweeters. It’s just a small plastic cap with some holes on it. I had to pay over $20 for
these OEM Acura speaker grills. And it looked like the true cost for those grills are $1.70 per each!!!

Now this un-realistic price of parts (or the car as a whole) gets more un-realistic if it’s a luxury brand.

I think it could be a wise to go with Hyundai or KIA as to me, it looks like those cars has least bubble in their price and for the quality, I guess they must be good now.
(If I was happy with Hyundai in 1993, I am sure it would be better by now) Even if I have to go through more dealer visit for warranty repair compare to Japanese made cars (Anyway most of them are made in US), doesn’t it worth the money we can save on new car price (compare to other brand)?

My impression is that, in people’s perception wise, Hyundai is very under-rated and Honda or Toyota are over-rated.

I mean, hyundai is better than what most people thinks and Toyota and Honda are not as good as most people thinks in reality.

What do you guys think?

I own a hyundai sonata 2000. Its engine and transmission are ok.
The real problem with hyundai car is its accessories like power windows console box, sun visor.
After several years of use, you will see them broken or rattle.
Of course it’s not direct hyundai problem since hyundai only assemble
all the small parts supplied by other subcompanys. but they are responsible overall quality of their cars.
If you are still happy with this issue as long as your car moves,
then yeah go ahead buy hyundai car.

사실 어떤 브렌드에 어떤 차를 사셔도 좀 운이 없을 확률은 늘 존재 합니다. 문제는 통계상의 자료를 보면 현대차를 샀을때 운이 없을 확률이 혼다나 토요다의 차를 샀을때 보다 높다는거죠. (이것도 차종마다 다르지만 일반적인 브렌들 말하는 겁니다.) 저도 2004년에 벤을 하나 사면서 씨에나를 살까 현대나 기아차를 살까 고민하다가 스펙을 자세히 보니 안전장치(수평유지장치던가? 기억이 가물 가물 합니다)들이 기아차에 많이 없던 이유와 리세일 벨류 때문에 씨에나로 결정한 경험이 있습니다. 현대차 사실 품질 좋죠. 그런데 비교 대상이 혼다 토요다의 최고 안정적 품질이 되면 글쎄요… 무조건 나쁘다고만 할 수만은 없지만 좋다고 하긴 더 힘들것 같네요.

Kia Sedona, Hyundai Entourage가 crash, rollover등 안전도 테스트에서
top pick이죠..