Ask the Car People.SM


2003 Hyundai Tiburon ( GT V6 and Base Styles) - READ ONLY

152 messages,  Last post on Oct 03, 2003 at 8:28 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hatchbacks Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Tiburon, Coupe, Hatchback

Messages Page 9 of 16

#76 of 152 My New RED GT V6 by r_scott45

May 19, 2002 (11:54 pm)

Just got my Tiburon GTV6 with 6spd yesterday--already have almost 400 miles on it because it's SO fun to drive! I took a trip over to Santa Cruz today...total time around 5 hours there and back and never once did I leave the seat...as I neared home it occured to me just how comfortable those seats really are. I love the way it drives, the handling, and the ready surge of power available from the 2.7L V6--this thing will ZOOM effortlessly, and climbing mountainous highway while negotiating tight sweeping turns at over 80mph proved only to be EASY in this car! The sound system is outstanding. I have found shifting be something with a bit of a learning curve...the engine reves so freely, the normal "sluggish" foot on the throttle as clutch is depressed will result in a rapid engine speed surge, so it's important to get that foot off the throttle "now" as the clutch is depressed--unless you're REALLY speed shifting. As for shifter operation...at first I felt less than sure about hitting 6th smoothly, but after 400 miles of "practice" I am finding shifting to be very precise. For "low level" driving, this car will accelerate with ease with only 3000rpm shift points, and the huge torque allows it to motor along in higher gears at slow speed yet still "power out" without a downshift. Rearward visibility is minimal...especially with the high-mount wing (which looks TOO cool!), but who cares. I do love those Ferrari style mirrors perched on stalks--even though they impede forward-lateral view more than a bit. I have only one complaint to report...during the test drive the moonroof would only open half-way. The dealer said they would fix this...of course when I bring the car back since I sure wasn't leaving without it! When I got home the moonroof would not open at all--no tilt, no retract. Using the supplied "key" I cranked the roof open just to see if the problem was some kind of binding in the mechanism, but the window lifts and slides back quite easily under manual power. NOW when I press the slide button I hear a "chattering" sound under the roof panel where the drive motor is...as if the drive gear is slipping, misaligned, or damaged in some way. The roof opens easily manually, so the problem is most likely something in the drive mechanism...I'll take it back to the dealer "soon" and have them look at it, but I REALLY hate to get out of the car that long!!! I suppose I will have to chalk the roof up to a "problem" with a Hyundai...and the naysayers will hoot that they "told you so", but this is the third Hyundai I've owned in two years...along with a 2000 E-wagon, and 2001 Santa Fe and neither of those has EVER had ANY problems--period. So far, other than the moonroof, this outrageously gorgeous, sexy, deliciously red GT Shark has DELIVERED to my expectations, and even if the roof NEVER works right I will still think the car is fabulous. By the way, my dealership is Selma Auto Mall in Selma California...which I HIGHLY ENDORSE as being THE place to buy any Hyundai...they NEVER "gouge", and they are about the nicest, friendliest bunch of people I've ever met! I bought all my Hyundais there and everytime I must say the experience was remarkably smooth, well-ordered, absolutely ZERO pressure, since the CARS DO sell themselves...you test drive a Tiburon (or a Santa Fe) and they won't HAVE to pressure you into buying it!!!
I think this model Tiburon has the potential to one day become a "classic" among sport coupes due to its stunning lines, and as I have SEEN during the last year with the Santa Fe...at first it seemed only "I" had one...now I see them everywhere. I expect the same will happen with the Tib...especially THIS version! All Hyundai needs to do is consider bumping HP/TQ to around 200/200 to give the car nearly unbeatable performance, solve the roof problem (if there is a large scale one), and KEEP this super-stunning body style for at least 5 or 6 years, THEN resale will hold up well as more and more people rush out to buy them! THIS "foundation" is the perfect starting point to form a lineage of superb sports cars...I hope all Tiburon owners will use the power of the pen to let Hyundai KNOW what a serious hit this car is!

#77 of 152 Hi r_scott45 - Congrats on your new 2003 Tiburon GT... by revka

May 20, 2002 (11:57 am)

and thanks for sharing your initial impressions. I'm sure others passing through here will appreciate your detailed notes.
 
Just one small suggestion: if you have a long message, it will be easier for people to read if you break it up into smaller paragraphs. Participants will be more likely to read your entire message if it's easy on the eyes. We look forward to hearing more about your Tiburon experience. Thanks for your participation at Town Hall.
 
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

#78 of 152 The power of the l4? by kratas101

May 21, 2002 (8:48 pm)

How good is the l4 on the Tib? I find the additional standard features for the V6 not worth it as I would be being an automatic transmission, so I wouldn't be getting the 17 inch wheels and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats in Texas are suicide! Although I know an l4 isn't like a V6, is it still good for its engine size? Thanks.

#79 of 152 Four banger not all that bad------- by hudrahead

May 22, 2002 (8:14 am)

kratas10: I have a 2001 Tib that I use for business. Mostly endless hours of running the Interstates. I have over 70K on the clock (not a typo) and the thing runs better than when new. Mine is a 5 speed (mid-life crises syndrome LOL)so not really a problem for me, tho IF I did a lot of stop and go, heavy traffic, driving it'd be a automatic. I drove both when shopping for my Tib and to tell the truth the automatic does not suck all that much performance from the 2.0 engine. Great gas mileage for the 5 speed too, 32 to 34 consistently running 75 to 85 mph most of the time. The only thing I wish is that top gear was a little taller as the revs 80 mph, tho smoothe, are a little high. The automatic cars may have a little better gearing in that respect. I think the 2003's are a little heavier than the 2001 cars so they may be a little slower off the line but should be about the same at crusing. The base 4 cyl cars seem to be in short supply as I've only seen one all year at a dealer. Hyundai expects sales to be 70% V-6 so I guess that's what they are shipping the most of. A base car with A/T is one heck of a lot of car for the money. Nothing in it's class compares in my opinion. I'll most likely be getting a 2003 before year's end. Gonna give the 2001 to my niece, no trade-in. She thinks the thing is "so cool" LOL !!
 
hud

#80 of 152 Hey r_scott45 by jedisebs

May 23, 2002 (11:05 am)

I had the same problem with my moonroof and I had it fixed at the dealer. Don't let them tell you that you need a new switch. What you really need is a new moonroof motor. I sat at the dealer for 3 hours while they changed the switch (which didn't fix the problem) and then called in some "certified hyundai technician". He rolled up in about forty five minutes and it took him only five minutes to say that I needed a new motor. He had even brought a spare one because he was pretty sure that that was what the problem was going to be. Apparently he's been doing this type of repair pretty often lately. He left and the problem was fixed soon. Make sure you tell them to check the motor. Otherwise you'll be waiting for a long time.

#81 of 152 Thanks hudrahead by kratas101

May 23, 2002 (8:40 pm)

That was exactly what I needed hudrahead I'll mostly be driving around streets since I don't need to go onto freeways and such, and yea, the 03 Tib is heavier than the 01 but I doubt I'll be doing much speeding anyways. The cops are really tough where I live so I have to watch out. Oh and btw, that is insanely good gas mileage lol =)

#82 of 152 2003 Hyundai Tiburon gets a good review in this by iluvmysephia1

Jun 09, 2002 (4:21 pm)

month's Import Racing magazine(I might have the name wrong but you get my drift). They test drove an orange-red one in Las Vegas, NV. They were impressed with the car overall. The negative things: they would dump the Infinity stereo 6-speaker CD system and they wonder why Hyundai put the side view mirrors sticking out like they do. I took a look at the photo of the car, and, although they do stick out I like the styling of them. On the stereo I would need to hear it myself to make a judgement like that(I'm thinking that it would be just fine to me). The writers of this review were no doubt pretty young and probably felt like their P Diddy wouldn't sound loud enough whereas my British Foghat or Canadian Tragically Hip would rock quite nicely--though I'm just guessing here! As far as the powertrain(V6 engine ,6 speed that the little sharkracer has)they were impressed. Plenty of low-end torque and plenty of speed and good cornering handling. The torsion bar was mentioned as being helpful up front. Fit and finish was labeled as good and the instrumentation well-laid out and easy to-find. Hyundai gives 3 trim levels with the next step up above base giving you a cool spoiler and chrome gas, clutch and brake pedals. The magazine(I'm going on my feeble memory here--I'm thinking it was called Import Racing magazine)is going to take on a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon as a tuning project over the coming months. That is a good sign as it shows that they liked it enough to put their favorite tuning touches on it. Looks like a very fun little road-racer to me.

#83 of 152 I Test Drove a 2003 Tiburon by jbmalik

Jun 11, 2002 (4:40 am)

Okay, here goes.
 
I test drove the 2003 tibby the other day. I REALLY wanted to like this car. But I'm not sure if I do, now that I drove it. My overall gripe (and I know not many of you are going to like this) is that I think the car (at MSRP, despite whatever additional bogus surcharge the dealers are asking) is overpriced. Remember when Car and Driver said in the review that they think it's priced about right (i.e. not particularly a bargain?) Well mark my words, I think in a few more months the Tib will be selling at or around dealer invoice (example: Today a local RI dealer offered me a loaded Jet Black Tibby V6 at $19.9K, including delivery (versus $20.5K MSRP). I'm still waiting for them to go down). Ok, now for the test drive. The plusses: buttery smooth clutch, awesome seats, great rear view mirrors and logical, well-read controls and gauges. Back seat room is not as bad as the critics make it sound. Handling good at low speeds. Low road/outside noise. Relatively good quality inside, for the $. The minuses: Handling at high speeds. The critics were right, the nose of the car is too "floaty" at high speeds, and the suspension is more harsh than I would like it over rough payment.... I would probably be nervous driving this car above 75 mph. I think others would concur. I currently drive a 1998 Ford Contour SVT (MSRP new $23.5K; I paid $17.5K for it (used) in 1999). The Contour SVT handles like it is on rails. I am not saying I would take my car over a Tiburon GTV6, but in terms of performance it is better. Howevr the clutch and shifting action in the Tiburon is much better than any Ford, including my Contour SVT.
 
If I was in the market for this car (the Tiburon), I would (and will) SERIOUSLY consider the Ford Focus SVT. It is getting great reviews and at list price (again, at *MSRP*) is about $1200K less than the Tiburon. I have owned two 'specialty' Fords in my day, a 1994 Ford Taurus SHO and a 1998 Ford Contour SVT. The SHO gave me some trouble after 70K miles, the Contour is at 77K and I have had very little trouble with it. I also would seriously consider an Acura RSX-S, the list MSRP is only about $2500 more than the Tibby. A few used 2002 RSX-S are popping up at around $21K, they have about 3K miles on them.
 
The bottom line (my opinion) is this: Buy the Tiburon if you can get it at (the maximum) a few hundred above dealer invoice. I believe the dealer invoice for a loaded GT-V6 with 6-speed is $18,700...The car is a bargain at $19K and some change, no more. Anxious Tibby buyers, hang in there and wait, the price will come down soon enough....

#84 of 152 Fog lights by crew03

Jun 11, 2002 (9:09 pm)

Does anyone know how to change the fog lights? Please tell me how if you do!

#85 of 152 Comments/Questions about my 2003 Tiburon by u4eahh779

Jun 17, 2002 (9:38 pm)

I bought my silver '03 Tiburon GT V.6 Auto. last Thursday and was having the time of my life for about 35 miles... and then the sunroof wouldn't open. The dealer had to replace the motor, give my a free tank of gas, a coupon for a free oil change, and four football tickets before I was once again satisfied.
 
This car is definitely hot... I am all about the stares and pointing. It is a pretty fast car, too, but I was wondering about performance parts and custom accessories. If anyone has info please write back.

Messages Page 9 of 16

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement