Car shopping, Toyota vs Hyundai

[evilhomer]

My little 2-door just isn't cutting it with my new baby, so I'm in the market for a new one. I must be old and responsible because I'm going after a station wagon. I've narrowed my choices down to two:

Hyundai Elantra Touring
vs
Toyota Matrix

I'm leaning towards the Hyundai because I like the styling and it comes in about $3500 cheaper. I'm just not sure about the Hyundai track record. They've got a good reputation, but (recent troubles notwithstanding) Toyota is king. I can afford either car, but I'd rather save some money if I can. Does anyone have good or bad info to share on the Hyundai?


I could always go with option C, the Chevy Camaro, :drool: but unfortunately, the list of standard features on this one includes divorce papers

[TheSHAD0W]

I drive a Toyota myself, but I've been hearing very good things about Hyundai over the last few years. I'd recommend you go by budget.

[Exaspera]

Try looking at Consumer Reports.

[AccountingDrone]

For what it is worth, mrDrone and I had a hyundai back in the late 80s and early 90s. That was back when they had transmission issues, but the one we got never had any problems. It was comfortable, and ran well [with proper maintenance. Some americans totally ignore routine maintenance and then wonder why stuff craps out on them]

I would have no problem driving a hyundai now, other than we seriously appreciate the safety engineering of VWs and will stay with VW.

[LillFilly]

Tough call. My boyfriend likes Hyundai, but respects Toyotas for running forever. He likes Subaru too. My family has had Toyotas all our lives; no issues yet. Think about long-term costs; are you going to have to pay that extra $3,500 to repair the Hyundai 2-years down the road?

My Rav4s 13 years old and still going strong! Yeah baby!

[Nurian]

My boyfriend likes Hyundai, but respects Toyotas for running forever.

Especially the late model Prius

The Matrix is nice (my MIL has one) but if it were me, I'd go with Hyundai. $3500 is $3500, after all.

[Fire_on_High]

My 95 Hyundai Accent is still going strong, and it's never needed any stupidly expensive repairs...routine maintenance keeps things humming along.

[Javakat]

We have an '05 Elantra that we purchased new. We've had no problems with it, but with our new baby our model feels a little cramped.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I have an Elantra. It's 7 years old, now. No major problems to speak of. My dad says they're an even better car now than they were when I bought mine.

I had a Chevy Prizm (which was killed in a rear-ender ) before that. That was the last year they made them, though, and I would have gone for a Corolla (which is the same car) but I couldn't afford it.

[Spiffy McMoron]

My initial gut instinct would be to go with the Toyota. Yeah, the Hyundai may be $3500 cheaper now, but with depreciation taken into account, you'll get most of that back if you take the Toyota.

Have you looked at a Mazda3 Sport?

[Sonoma]

My best friend has a Pontiac Vibe, which is pretty much the same as the Matrix. It's been a good, solid car. I've driven it from Bakersfield, CA up to Chilliwack & Victoria, BC. It's had enough storage that we can take it on a week long campinjg trip.

[evilhomer]

My initial gut instinct would be to go with the Toyota. Yeah, the Hyundai may be $3500 cheaper now, but with depreciation taken into account, you'll get most of that back if you take the Toyota.

Have you looked at a Mazda3 Sport?

I looked at the Mazda but rejected it for some reason I can't recall. Toyota and Hyundai both have 0% promotions going on right now that might end April 30, so I'm anxious to get the deal done. I don't want to throw another wrench into the mangled mess that is my brain right now.

My gut is saying the Toyota for quality assurance and resale. I like to keep cars for the long haul, but if things change and I need something else, I'd like to get a good price on the sale. Toyota wins on either count.

On the other hand, my instinct is saying Hyundai. The price is better, it's 2 years / 40,000 km better on the comprehensive warranty, and I've had good luck with cars before. My current car is a 98 Pontiac Sunfire. When I got it, the advice was Pontiac's are shit, get a Toyota/Honda, but I stuck to my guns. With regular maintenance, she's been a dream for me. Only one $500 non-routine repair in the 12 years I've had her. She still runs great and I hate to give her up, but the need for four doors and cargo space are forcing my hand.

[Spiffy McMoron]

My gut is saying the Toyota for quality assurance and resale. I like to keep cars for the long haul, but if things change and I need something else, I'd like to get a good price on the sale. Toyota wins on either count.

On the other hand, my instinct is saying Hyundai. The price is better, it's 2 years / 40,000 km better on the comprehensive warranty, and I've had good luck with cars before.

That was just my gut instinct from reading the names on my screen. Putting aside the price and the quality, which is the better car? Which do you prefer driving in terms of power and acceleration, ride, and handling? Which has the most useful cargo space, the best stereo, the comfier seats, the nicest interior, etc?

All of the talk of resale value and cheaper initial cost won't mean as much if you hate driving the thing.

[draftermatt]

That was just my gut instinct from reading the names on my screen. Putting aside the price and the quality, which is the better car? Which do you prefer driving in terms of power and acceleration, ride, and handling? Which has the most useful cargo space, the best stereo, the comfier seats, the nicest interior, etc?

All of the talk of resale value and cheaper initial cost won't mean as much if you hate driving the thing.

Very true.

I have no experience with either Hyundai or Toyota, but if I was choosing between them and I enjoyed driving both I think I'd go with the Hyundai.

Better price, better warranty, and some of them are pretty sharp looking.

[sld72382]

I have a Sonata. Great car.

I would never drive a Toyota because they're pretty much deathtraps nowadays. Now there's a recall because some of trucks are slowing down by themselves. I would have shrugged it off if Toyota were to come clean, but after all the mounting evidence of them trying to sweep this under the rug, no way.

Plus, Toyotas look boring. They're about a sharp looking as a toaster.