Great body and kicks for less

This is an updated and revised review of the 2003 GT model with automatic. Everything remains stock except for the wheels and tires (which I upgraded to 17" and Toyos) and a few cosmetic changes.

I don't consider the Tiburon to be a true entry level sports car, ala Porsche Boxster or Honda S2000, but it is a darned fun car to drive! After 2 years and 50,000 miles I'll still find any excuse to take it out for long back road drives.

What I (still) like:

1. It was very affordable. I don't like moon roofs or sunroofs, as a rule, so I didn't buy the car with one. The amount of standard features for the price is remarkable. These include heated side mirrors, power everything, gas struts for the hood, very nice carpeted floor mats, leather covered seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, inside release for hatch and fuel door, alloy wheels and Michelin tires.

2. It's a blast to drive. Some complain that the steering isn't as communicative as they'd like. I think that is somewhat expected, as the car is front-weighted a bit more than your typical sporty coupe with a four banger.
I think the car is a bit more challenging to drive fast through the twisties and hence, involves a bit more effort from the driver than the lighter cars. I enjoy that, personally. I have enhanced the suspension a bit, adding a larger sway bar and strut supports.

3. I get comments regularly from other drivers...all of which are good. And that's after two years! The car looks more expensive than it is.

4. Emergency maneuvers in this car are predictable and easily controlled. I don't have ABS or traction control, but have yet to lock up the wheels or encounter any problems, even when braking hard for the occasional bad driver or loose ball. The car brakes quickly and doesn't veer to either side while doing so. I haven't experienced any significant brake fade even on my most spirited jaunts.
The chassis stays very composed on curves while handling expansion joints and other road imperfections. Not to say the ride is comfortable in these cases, as the suspension lets you know when you're in rougher territory. Things do get harsh at times, but the suspension never feels like it's over it's head. The body is quite rigid as well with no detectable flex under even the worst road conditions.

5. Reliability. The car gets 22-city/28 highway mpg, averaging 350 miles to a tank. I burn no detectable oil between oil changes, which I perform at 5,000-mile intervals using 100% synthetic oil.

6. Quality fit and finish. So far, I have developed none of the usual squeaks and rattles. The car feels as solidly assembled as it did the day I drove it home new. By now, my VWs would be creaking and moaning and my GM vehicles were literally starting to look a little ragged inside and out.


What I don't like:

1. Hyundai needs to work harder to improve its dealer network. If there were anything I'd want to improve about Hyundai, that's it. Too many dealers are discourteous and lacking in knowledge about the product they are selling. There needs to be more mandatory training for dealer sales and, especially, service staff.

2. More emphasis on paint thickness and proper application. Hyundai purportedly uses state of the art paint and equipment. The biggest complaints I've heard from other owners has concerned paint chipping or problems in certain areas such as where the spoiler is attached.The only issue I have had with this car concerns the paint. The rocker panels below the passenger doors are made of plastic and the paint from the factory did not adhere very well to these. I had them repainted under warranty.

3. Make the cup holders more conforming to American cup and can sizes, vs. Korean.

Beyond that, I can't think of anything else I don't like. Some might expect me to complain about the cramped rear seat, but really...it's not a family car, you know!!

I wholeheartedly recommend this to older drivers who want to experience more exhilaration in their daily drive with the added benefit of being able to stand out from the crowd. I would not recommend the car as a first car for a teenager. Too many other young drivers want to challenge you to race due to the Tiburon's sexy lines and sometimes, just the fact that it's a Hyundai. I can resist such foolishness, but a teen with even the slower four-cylinder motor will find it hard to resist the attention and challenges this car causes.