Thinking of getting a new Tiburon

[Shaner]

So I went and took a Hyundai Tiburon (Tuscani, not SE) for a drive today and loved it. That shift-tronic feature was really neat for someone who wants/needs an automatic (I do a lot of city driving).

The base price for a fully loaded (spoiler, leather, 17" rims, sunroof, power everything, etc) was about $29,000. It was the Tuscani Yellow colour.

I didn't bother trying to talk him down because I wasn't going to be buying today anyway, so it would have been a waste of time.

But how much do you figure I could get the price dropped?
They already took the 1% GST off, but that's slightly over $300.

What would be a reasonable amount to expect to get off?
Any other things I should know?

[ar_ken]

At this time of the year dealers should be offering good incentives to clear out their inventory, so it would not be hard for you to maybe talk (negotiate) $1500-2500 off the MSRP... especially Hyundai, they are known to offer very competitive incentives around this time of the year....

However I would hold back on the Tiburon. As nice as it is, it's a design that's approaching 5 years old. A redesign should be forthcoming and should include a lot of improvements from the current generation.

The car itself is a very nice one though. The compact sporty coupe segment is shrinking and it's nice to see a competent player in the arena to compete with the Acura RSX...

[Shaner]

At this time of the year dealers should be offering good incentives to clear out their inventory, so it would not be hard for you to maybe talk (negotiate) $1500-2500 off the MSRP... especially Hyundai, they are known to offer very competitive incentives around this time of the year....

However I would hold back on the Tiburon. As nice as it is, it's a design that's approaching 5 years old. A redesign should be forthcoming and should include a lot of improvements from the current generation.

The car itself is a very nice one though. The compact sporty coupe segment is shrinking and it's nice to see a competent player in the arena to compete with the Acura RSX...

It is an older design, which worries me. I love that car and I want one quite badly!
I badly wanted a Celica a few years ago but went for something much cheaper (Sunfire) and now the Celica is gone. I have regretted that decision since (I don't like buying used).

I don't want Hyundai to completely redesign the Tiburon to the point where I don't like it, or to pull it completely.
There's little profit to be made on cars like that, so it wouldn't be a huge shock if Hyundai pulled it completely within the next couple years.

[konfusion666]

The fact that it's an "older design" might be a good thing, as it implies all the design quirks would have been worked out by now.

Whereas a re-designed Tiburon might have some annoying problems in it's first year.

Also, I'd definitely get manual for a car like the Tiburon.
Even if I did city driving.

[Shaner]

The fact that it's an "older design" might be a good thing, as it implies all the design quirks would have been worked out by now.

Whereas a re-designed Tiburon might have some annoying problems in it's first year.

Also, I'd definitely get manual for a car like the Tiburon.
Even if I did city driving.

I'm undecided about the transmission.
The manual is fun to drive and gives it that extra power.
But the automatic has the shifttronic feature. It lets you shift manually from gear to gear when you want, or you can slip it into drive and let the car do it for you. The shifttronic isn't quite as quick as a true manual would be, but it's almost as fun and almost as quick.

[Slimfast]

the tuscani has a v6 engine in it so I don't think a manual is a must. My friend has a manual tuscani and he loves it. Sometimes he and my other friend in a celica go head to head and the tuscani always comes out on top. I think the tuscani looks better too. It's not HEY LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT MY ROOF SCOOP!
Good choice for a car, wish i could buy one. :(

Btw, my friend bought his recently (a few months ago). He bought a used 2003 tuscani for 21,000.

[Shaner]

the tuscani has a v6 engine in it so I don't think a manual is a must. My friend has a manual tuscani and he loves it. Sometimes he and my other friend in a celica go head to head and the tuscani always comes out on top. I think the tuscani looks better too. It's not HEY LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT MY ROOF SCOOP!
Good choice for a car, wish i could buy one. :(

Btw, my friend bought his recently (a few months ago). He bought a used 2003 tuscani for 21,000.

$21,000 for a used 2003??? Holy hell.
An 06 fully loaded Tuscani is about $29,000, and I imagine I could get it dropped down to about $27,000.
Talk about good resale value.
That makes me want one even more!

[MrDisco]

test mule for the new tib

http://www.hyundaiexchange.com/forum/files/special1146045887_839.jpg
http://autospy.dreamwiz.com/board/bbs/table/spyshot2/upload/DSC01952.jpg
http://autospy.dreamwiz.com/board/bbs/table/spyshot2/upload/DSC01945.jpg
http://autospy.dreamwiz.com/board/bbs/table/spyshot2/upload/DSC01942.jpg
http://www.hyundaiexchange.com/forum/files/tiburon2007_132.jpg

[sPiKyAZN]

lol new tib looks pretty similar to the old one....but i like it!

Maybe you should hold off a little?

[tharsan]

tiburon's a good choice, i'm now driving an 03 tiburon se (stick) and i'm lovin' every minute of it! i do alot of rush hour traffic driving too (scarborough to oakville involves a drive from McCowan to the 403 on the 401 every day) and I still have no regrets about going with my stick shift =)

very easily modded car too

[superdeals]

Base price of Hyandai 'Tuscani' and Base price of Mazda Miata GX is very close. I think you can go for Mazda Miata, far better car IMHO.

[masterballer]

the tuscani has a v6 engine in it so I don't think a manual is a must. My friend has a manual tuscani and he loves it. Sometimes he and my other friend in a celica go head to head and the tuscani always comes out on top. I think the tuscani looks better too. It's not HEY LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT MY ROOF SCOOP!
Good choice for a car, wish i could buy one. :(

Btw, my friend bought his recently (a few months ago). He bought a used 2003 tuscani for 21,000.


lmaooooo pitting a 2.7 L or something V6 against a 1.8 L I4 :D and the V6 only has maybe 10 more HP, but more tq ofcourse. the V6 tib is junk, how in hell can honda get 197 HP out of a 2L I4 from the new SI and huyande can only get 185 or something like that out of 2.7 L V6 :confused:

and they dare to put the GT badge on it :mad:

[pfdude]

Is the Tiburon still one of those most stolen vehicles? Or did it finally get bumped off the list?

[tharsan]

Is the Tiburon still one of those most stolen vehicles? Or did it finally get bumped off the list?

Bumped off the list a long time ago, it was the Tiburon FX (from the late 90's) that were reported as the most stolen car in Canada.

http://autonet.ca/AutonetStories/stories.cfm?storyID=1021

[ichpen]

lmaooooo pitting a 2.7 L or something V6 against a 1.8 L I4 :D and the V6 only has maybe 10 more HP, but more tq ofcourse. the V6 tib is junk, how in hell can honda get 197 HP out of a 2L I4 from the new SI and huyande can only get 185 or something like that out of 2.7 L V6 :confused:

and they dare to put the GT badge on it :mad:

Wow, didn't realise. That be a horribly detuned engine. Haven't seen a V6 put out this little hp on anything other than a minivan this decade...

[masterballer]

Wow, didn't realise. That be a horribly detuned engine. Haven't seen a V6 put out this little hp on anything other than a minivan this decade...

2004 Tiburon:

2.7L 172 hp V6 "GT" :D

Ref: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2004&make=Hyundai&model=Tiburon&trimid=-1

Lmaooooooo POS if i even seen one. How is that even possible? :confused:

63 HP/L of displacement *woow*

[ichpen]

2004 Tiburon:

2.7L 172 hp V6 "GT" :D

Ref: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2004&make=Hyundai&model=Tiburon&trimid=-1

Lmaooooooo POS if i even seen one. How is that even possible? :confused:

63 HP/L of displacement *woow*

Stick an auto on it and you'll be having issues breaking 130hp at the wheels.... To the OP, you sure about this??? :)

[masterballer]

Stick an auto on it and you'll be having issues breaking 130hp at the wheels.... To the OP, you sure about this??? :)

get a RSX, WAY better choice, you get the same amout of power BUT not huge ass engine that will drink gas like no tomorrow, and the RSX looks WAY sexier :) .... I would get the Type S for that little extra fun factor ;)

[sPiKyAZN]

get a RSX, WAY better choice, you get the same amout of power BUT not huge ass engine that will drink gas like no tomorrow, and the RSX looks WAY sexier :) .... I would get the Type S for that little extra fun factor ;)

If he gets a type S, it will cost him over $6000 more than the Tuscani.

[sshe11]

If he gets a type S, it will cost him over $6000 more than the Tuscani.

and I am sure the insurance would be sky high too ...

[konfusion666]

I love how these car threads always end up with people essentially saying "Forget about whatever car YOU want to get... get the car that *I* want to get!"

[Shaner]

I won't be forgetting about the Tiburon.
I think it's one of the best small cars on the road for under $30,000.
Sure, it's a V6 that doesn't put out a ton of HP, but it's a light car with good torque. After driving it, it has pretty good power.
It dies in 3rd gear, but all the other gears are great for power, especially 1st and 2nd.

If you compare the Tiburon to a lot of other V6's, you'll realize it's faster than most of them. It will tear apart any Grand AM or Grand Prix (minus the GTP) that GM puts out.

So sure it could have more power, but I'm not complaining. I like it and plan on getting one.

[sPiKyAZN]

I won't be forgetting about the Tiburon.
I think it's one of the best small cars on the road for under $30,000.
Sure, it's a V6 that doesn't put out a ton of HP, but it's a light car with good torque. After driving it, it has pretty good power.
It dies in 3rd gear, but all the other gears are great for power, especially 1st and 2nd.

If you compare the Tiburon to a lot of other V6's, you'll realize it's faster than most of them. It will tear apart any Grand AM or Grand Prix (minus the GTP) that GM puts out.

So sure it could have more power, but I'm not complaining. I like it and plan on getting one.

Get exactly what you want. IF you really like it, that's all that matters. Even if the car experts on these forums try to convince you otherwise.

[ichpen]

Get exactly what you want. IF you really like it, that's all that matters. Even if the car experts on these forums try to convince you otherwise.

Go for it if you like it. And to the poster above and those like him who complain about discord, 'This is a public forum!!!'. When you post asking for opinions don't b***h and complain when you find people putting your perfect car down.

Don't know, if I were in your shoes I'd plonk down 30k on a used G35 coupe, sure insurance will be higher, but car = much nicer in every way. It's your money.

[ichpen]

$21,000 for a used 2003??? Holy hell.
An 06 fully loaded Tuscani is about $29,000, and I imagine I could get it dropped down to about $27,000.
Talk about good resale value.
That makes me want one even more!

Oh and before you get ahead of yourself:

Take from autotrader value finder for 2003 Tib GTs...

Low Mean High
$3,300.00 $14,995.00 $21,400.00

It's not a BMW or some hidden gem in terms of resale value.

[mau108]

And another thing, theres no fear in going used with Japanese ;) they take abuse like no tommorow :P unlike your sunfire.

Used g35 would be my choice as it would hold value for a while, hyundai are doing better then before but their resale value is pretty low(comparable to GM and Chrysler).

I would also choose the RSX, but

a. their discontinuing it (honda has discontinued the prelude, s2000 and now the rsx, they have the ugly accord and civics now :()

b. insurance is really faking high, I mean I guy I know is paying the same amount of insurance for a bmw m3 as he is an old honda prelude.

Well you gotta pay to play, tiburon is nice car but thats all...

[sPiKyAZN]

Go for it if you like it. And to the poster above and those like him who complain about discord, 'This is a public forum!!!'. When you post asking for opinions don't b***h and complain when you find people putting your perfect car down.

Don't know, if I were in your shoes I'd plonk down 30k on a used G35 coupe, sure insurance will be higher, but car = much nicer in every way. It's your money.

Well actually I never saw the OP ask for different options, his mind was already set on the Tiburon.

Anyways of course you have the right to say what you want. I'm sure the OP already figured out the low hp raiting for the tibron's engine...it just seemed liek a lot of you people just had the need to put his car down.

btw I think Hyundais are Korean, not japanese...dunno if that makes a difference or not.

[ichpen]

Well actually I never saw the OP ask for different options, his mind was already set on the Tiburon.

Anyways of course you have the right to say what you want. I'm sure the OP already figured out the low hp raiting for the tibron's engine...it just seemed liek a lot of you people just had the need to put his car down.

btw I think Hyundais are Korean, not japanese...dunno if that makes a difference or not.

Well what's the point of posting then???

It's akin to me saying, "Hey, I'm going to buy a 1985 Trabant... End of discussion".

If I post a thread stating that I want to buy a VW I fully expect to have the need to wear my flame retardant underwear....

I've pulled up some reviews on the 05 Tib and they're all pretty average. Nothing special or noteworthy.

But hey if the OP likes it, why not.

[sPiKyAZN]

Well what's the point of posting then???

It's akin to me saying, "Hey, I'm going to buy a 1985 Trabant... End of discussion".

If I post a thread stating that I want to buy a VW I fully expect to have the need to wear my flame retardant underwear....

I've pulled up some reviews on the 05 Tib and they're all pretty average. Nothing special or noteworthy.

But hey if the OP likes it, why not.

He had some questions regarding the pricing of the Tiburon I beleive. Check his first post.

[Shaner]

Guys relax.
I never necessarily asked for opinions on the tibby, but I'm also not complaining that people are putting it down.
If anything, other people are complaining, not me.

[ichpen]

Hey it's all part of the fun of this place...












P.S. (get a g35...) :) Or if you just want to pose get a Solstice....

[tharsan]

I own a 2003 Tiburon SE, and an 2002 RSX was actually less expensive to insure, by about $40/month, but I went with the Tiburon anyway for it's value and unique appearance.

[ichpen]

I own a 2003 Tiburon SE, and an 2002 RSX was actually less expensive to insure, by about $40/month, but I went with the Tiburon anyway for it's value and unique appearance.

How do you find it compared to RSX and other cars?

[tharsan]

How do you find it compared to RSX and other cars?

To be honest, I'd never driven an RSX or a Celica, which were the two other cars I was looking at, but I didn't need to. That may seem ignorant, but I liked the way the Tiburon felt, and I didn't feel that the RSX was worth the extra cost at that point for me (was on a budget that the Tiburon was already stretching), even if it was cheaper to insure.
Besides, Tiburon's are far more rare than RSX or Celica's.

[icedout44]

Fun Car = MINI Cooper


Im so serious go drive one and you will never think of the Hyundai again.

[nightwolf]

ive got an 05 tiburon se. i love it. end of my story heh.

[sshe11]

I own a 2003 Tiburon SE, and an 2002 RSX was actually less expensive to insure, by about $40/month, but I went with the Tiburon anyway for it's value and unique appearance.

ohh ok thats surprising ...

[masterballer]

Go for it if you like it. And to the poster above and those like him who complain about discord, 'This is a public forum!!!'. When you post asking for opinions don't b***h and complain when you find people putting your perfect car down.

Don't know, if I were in your shoes I'd plonk down 30k on a used G35 coupe, sure insurance will be higher, but car = much nicer in every way. It's your money.

:)

[madgiang]

hyundai sucks

[pontiac_driver]

civic si > tiburon
the v6 puts a lot of weight up front, handling is going to be sloppy
but seeing how you didnt care too much for the hp i doubt you'll care for the handling

[ProfessorChaos]

civic si > tiburon
the v6 puts a lot of weight up front, handling is going to be sloppy
but seeing how you didnt care too much for the hp i doubt you'll care for the handling

ditto the new civic si will ruin anything in the < $35000 category on the track including the golf gti which is basically a moving brick with a turbo mounted on it.... and the windows fall out(classic vw for ya)

honda gives you a loaded si for $27k...thats if you can even find one...they are extremely rare right now...waiting list ANYwhere in the GTA is 8 weeks or so...a 2.0L I4 that pushes almost 180 wheel horse power stock is quite an achievement without an forced induction. I mean...the cooper S puts down 140-ish hp from a 1.6L...which isn't bad...but it's just like the vw...loud and heavy as a brick....driving it wasn't fun....no luxury at all...just a bunch of metal switches that u flick on and off....but it was a rental for a week...oh and the cooper s has some of the worst handling i've seen for such a small car....

the tiburon is okay....

[ichpen]

To be honest, I'd never driven an RSX or a Celica, which were the two other cars I was looking at, but I didn't need to. That may seem ignorant, but I liked the way the Tiburon felt, and I didn't feel that the RSX was worth the extra cost at that point for me (was on a budget that the Tiburon was already stretching), even if it was cheaper to insure.
Besides, Tiburon's are far more rare than RSX or Celica's.

I'm guessing there are reasons why Tiburons are rare and it's probably not a supply problem...

Anyway, I can only judge it on paper.

[masterballer]

I'm guessing there are reasons why Tiburons are rare and it's probably not a supply problem...

Anyway, I can only judge it on paper.

i was gonna say that. o and to the guy who said GTI, the new GTI is n/a, no turbo.

[Chookman]

ditto the new civic si will ruin anything in the < $35000 category on the track including the golf gti which is basically a moving brick with a turbo mounted on it.... and the windows fall out(classic vw for ya)

I have a hard time believing it'll ruin a Miata even though it does have a 27HP advantage.

[416azn]

Tiburon is a sick car..

[beerbaron105]

what about a cobalt ss/sc?

i picked mine up last august with the employee discount, fully loaded it was 24,xxx+tax, a deal i couldnt turn down, especially for the value u get, underrated 205 hp (typically dynoes around 210-230whp) 18 inch wheels, two-tone leather, 7spkr mp3 stereo w/ 10 inch sub, sunroof, onstar, side airbags, tested and tuned sport suspension, all the body effects - and i still get 28 mpg with hard driving.

[Shaner]

what about a cobalt ss/sc?

i picked mine up last august with the employee discount, fully loaded it was 24,xxx+tax, a deal i couldnt turn down, especially for the value u get, underrated 205 hp (typically dynoes around 210-230whp) 18 inch wheels, two-tone leather, 7spkr mp3 stereo w/ 10 inch sub, sunroof, onstar, side airbags, tested and tuned sport suspension, all the body effects - and i still get 28 mpg with hard driving.

I took the SS for a drive and didnt' like it. I found it to be very underpowered and didn't care much for the handling. That's not even mentioning the fact that it's GM

[ichpen]

I took the SS for a drive and didnt' like it. I found it to be very underpowered and didn't care much for the handling. That's not even mentioning the fact that it's GM

On paper it looks pretty quick, again have not driven it though I do find my behind after a Chicken Vindaloo fest prettier than this particular GM concoction.

[masterballer]

The SS looks nice, and has alot of features, it looks like a fast car on paper and it is underated BUT it is a GM car.....you decide.

[konfusion666]

... though I do find my behind after a Chicken Vindaloo fest prettier than this particular GM concoction.

bahahaha! all worship the mighty vindaloo. :lol:

[Shaner]

The guy at the Hyundai dealership called me and asked me if I wanted the car. I said I was still undecided. He then offered me a $4,000 discount. No negotiation, nothing. So I'd be looking at $24,4xx for the 06 Tuscani. Not a bad price at all.

I still can't make up my mind though. I knew what I wanted a few days ago, but the more I think about it, I'd like to get maybe a used Cadillac CTS or maybe a new Mustang GT.

I looked at the Acura and I didn't like it, not at all.
I don't care much for Civic's, never have really.

So I think I'm stuck deciding between the following:

Used Cadillac CTS
New Mustang GT
New Tiburon Tuscani

Obviously all the cars are very different so comparing them isn't really possible. I guess I'm going to have to sit on this for a while longer. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm confused.

[ElvaSoShexai]

@ first when i was looking for my celica... i thought i knew that was what i wanted.. but after some thought.. i looked into some other cars (preludes/integras... is300)

basically every1 said celica was a bad decision... all my friends told me to get a late 90's civic si/sir or integra... parents wanted me to get any car newer than 2000

so then i thought for a lllooonnnggg time... and after spending some time on forums for those cars... and reviewing my finances... i went with the celi... it may be slow as hell.. but i love it!



The guy at the Hyundai dealership called me and asked me if I wanted the car. I said I was still undecided. He then offered me a $4,000 discount. No negotiation, nothing. So I'd be looking at $24,4xx for the 06 Tuscani. Not a bad price at all.

I still can't make up my mind though. I knew what I wanted a few days ago, but the more I think about it, I'd like to get maybe a used Cadillac CTS or maybe a new Mustang GT.

I looked at the Acura and I didn't like it, not at all.
I don't care much for Civic's, never have really.

So I think I'm stuck deciding between the following:

Used Cadillac CTS
New Mustang GT
New Tiburon Tuscani

Obviously all the cars are very different so comparing them isn't really possible. I guess I'm going to have to sit on this for a while longer. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm confused.

[konfusion666]

if he offered you 4000 off just like that... then you should definitely be able to get more off if you go into the dealership and do the negotiation thing with him.

[Shaner]

if he offered you 4000 off just like that... then you should definitely be able to get more off if you go into the dealership and do the negotiation thing with him.

You'd think so normally, but I doubt it in this case. He thought he had a guaranteed sale with me, so I think he threw all his cards in. That's one hell of a price for that car.

I'm still undecided though, so negotiations are pointless.

[aquariaguy]

I won't be forgetting about the Tiburon.
I think it's one of the best small cars on the road for under $30,000.
Sure, it's a V6 that doesn't put out a ton of HP, but it's a light car with good torque. After driving it, it has pretty good power.
It dies in 3rd gear, but all the other gears are great for power, especially 1st and 2nd.

If you compare the Tiburon to a lot of other V6's, you'll realize it's faster than most of them. It will tear apart any Grand AM or Grand Prix (minus the GTP) that GM puts out.

So sure it could have more power, but I'm not complaining. I like it and plan on getting one.

Get the basic Miata. Lovely car.

[gordholio]

The guy at the Hyundai dealership called me and asked me if I wanted the car. I said I was still undecided. He then offered me a $4,000 discount. No negotiation, nothing. So I'd be looking at $24,4xx for the 06 Tuscani. Not a bad price at all.

I still can't make up my mind though. I knew what I wanted a few days ago, but the more I think about it, I'd like to get maybe a used Cadillac CTS or maybe a new Mustang GT.

I looked at the Acura and I didn't like it, not at all.
I don't care much for Civic's, never have really.

So I think I'm stuck deciding between the following:

Used Cadillac CTS
New Mustang GT
New Tiburon Tuscani

Obviously all the cars are very different so comparing them isn't really possible. I guess I'm going to have to sit on this for a while longer. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm confused.


I would go for the Tiburon. If he gave a $4K discount right off the top, maybe you can talk him down another thousand. :)

[beerbaron105]

I took the SS for a drive and didnt' like it. I found it to be very underpowered and didn't care much for the handling. That's not even mentioning the fact that it's GM

did u drive an ss? or an ss/sc, there is a difference, somethign along the lines of 50 whp

if u think its underpowered then i dont know why u want a tibby, since a cobalt ss/sc runs a 14.5 in the 1/4 and a tibby is mid 15s in v6 trim

[beerbaron105]

I took the SS for a drive and didnt' like it. I found it to be very underpowered and didn't care much for the handling. That's not even mentioning the fact that it's GM


i also find it amusing that u said "the fact that it's a GM" when you are loooking to purchase a hyundai

[masterballer]

i also find it amusing that u said "the fact that it's a GM" when you are loooking to purchase a hyundai


lmao yea that was funny....lmao.... :D

[blizzah]

i also find it amusing that u said "the fact that it's a GM" when you are loooking to purchase a hyundai

Nowadays, Hyundais are much better than the average GM.

[beerbaron105]

Nowadays, Hyundais are much better than the average GM.

i LOL'ed

http://i5.tinypic.com/141k1sz.jpg

[Chookman]

i LOL'ed


You're a year behind.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=aoL4I22d66Ho&refer=asia

I hate Hyundai more than anyone but if you're going to rely on JD Power, they have them now at #3 ahead of Toyota.

[Shaner]

did u drive an ss? or an ss/sc, there is a difference, somethign along the lines of 50 whp

if u think its underpowered then i dont know why u want a tibby, since a cobalt ss/sc runs a 14.5 in the 1/4 and a tibby is mid 15s in v6 trim

I drove the SS. The 2.4, not the 2.0 Supercharged.
The SS I drove felt very slow. It had decent power at best, but it felt just as slow as my Sunfire does.
The Tiburon was much, much quicker, especially in 1st and 2nd.
Like I said before, it was a dog in 3rd gear and that's where most of the speed would be lost in a short race, but all the other gears were great.

As for 1/4 mile times, I really could care less about that. I won't be racing the car I get. I do want power though, and the Tiburon felt much more powerful than the 2.4 Cobalt.

[Shaner]

i also find it amusing that u said "the fact that it's a GM" when you are loooking to purchase a hyundai

Hyundai is 100 times better than GM. The only thing that even kept GM afloat was their trucks and SUV's. Their cars are pretty much garbage and have been for a long time now, whereas Hyundai has improved more than any other company out there.

[slowtalon]

I have an '05 SE and I really love it. Not only does it have all the nice features (power everything, a/c, fog lights) but it looks different than everything else on the road. Anyone who sees it thinks it's great looking. My SE (manual) is a dog driving through the mountains, but I do all city driving. I drove a GT and it made up for what the SE lacked going up hills.

PS, I chose the car I loved over a 'smarter' choice (an Echo HB). I drooled over this car since the redesign in '03 and I don't regret buying it.

[mandipdhillon]

The tibs are nice cars to mod. Not to be used for racing or any other purpose except to pose as you can make them look very nice. At the end of the day, there is always a better car out there for the money but you have to go with what your heart wants.

P.S. - I'm selling mine now after having it for 3 years (not because I hate it but because I need to upgrade to a family car soon anyways and I want to get something with more space i.e. 4 door).

Check out my post (including pics)...

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338737&highlight=tiburon

[lolaleelolo]

i have a lease on an '06 tiburon SE, manual (actually it was a contest win)...
I love it. :)
it's a great little car if youre young and want (and can afford) something fun before you have to grow up and get a 4 door to fit your significant other and kiddies!
im not having any kids anytime soon, im not getting married anytime soon, so it's perfect for me. im not a racer by any means, i do city and highway driving, i have no problems with the car, it has enough pep for me!
it is also a looker...a lot of people have commented and complimented on the car, and i agree there arent a lot of them on the road, particularly of the 05 and 06 models. i see a lot of the old ones though....i like this design a lot better!! it's got the faux italian styling thing going too. hehe

as you can see, i dont know a helluva lot about CARS in terms of technical knowledge, but i do know from my experience that i enjoy driving this one and that it makes the mundane ride to school and home everyday worthwhile.
keep me posted on if/when you get the car, i need ideas about what mines worth in case i decide to buy it out after the lease ends (january).
cheers,
LLL

[plucky duck]

Current generation Tiburon does indeed look night and day better than the previous generation. Seems like someone woke up and smelled the coffee.