The Tiburon was introduced in 1997 with an eye-catching exterior design that brought many buyers into Hyundai showrooms. While the original Tiburon was a nice attempt at the affordable pocket rocket, it was underpowered and didn't have the greatest quality. That all changed in 2003 with the total redesign. The exterior design first reminded me of the Ferrari 456GT. The total redesign brought a V6 powered GT version with 172 horsepower (Originally claimed to have 181 horses). Even fully equipped with ABS/Traction control, leather and moonroof, the Tiburon doesn't go much over $ 22K. That's anywhere from $ 3-6k less than comparable Eclipse's and Celica's and the Tiburon comes with the Hyundai Advantage (America's Best Warranty).

I recently drove a Sterling 2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 w/Hyundai's Shiftronic transmission. For 2004, all GT V6's have a high rear spoiler and standard 17" alloy wheels and tires vs. the standard 16" found on the base model. The 17" wheels and high rear spoiler really give the car a powerful stance. Here's what I discovered:

EXTERIOR:

The Sterling Metallic exterior was complimented by the bold 17" alloys, front fog lamps, the body color high spoiler and the dual exhaust with stainless steel tips. Body panels had excellent fit and finish and the paint was without flaw.

INTERIOR:

The black cloth interior was a bit too dark and gloomy for my taste. The gauges light up in a bright orange to provide a sporty feel and to make the instruments easier on our eyes. All instruments are placed logically and are easily seen. The quality and texture of the materials were of high quality and appealing to the eyes. The high beltline made seeing out of the Tiburon extremely hard and gave you the impression you were sitting on the floor. The stereo in this Tiburon was the optional Infinity 360-Watt am/fm/cd/cassette player w/6 speakers and 8" subwoofer. While I am not picky with my stereos, most kids might find the stereo could provide better quality sound. The drivers and front passenger seats are bolstered to keep drivers and passengers in place during tight curves although I didn't find it very comfortable. The backseat, like all pocket rockets is a joke. I would feel bad making any of my friends sit back there for more than 15 minutes.

PERFORMANCE:

While 172 Horsepower may sound nice for a vehicle this size, it's not nearly enough to make this car the performer it is meant to be. While the automatic tranny may have had something to do w/the adequate performance, the 5speed and 6speed manuals don't fare much better, although they are more fun to drive, obviously. The manuals do tend to be stickier than most manuals too. While most shoppers seeking sports coupes go for the entertaining manual, the automatic tends to be popular w/the Tiburon, especially with the ladies. The 2.7L V6 is also used in the Sonata, Santa Fe and soon to be used in the small Tuscon SUV. The engine isn't exactly quiet or vibration free. Handling is something the Tiburon does well.

Taking the Tiburon around sharp curves and twisty roads proved to be fun and showed the kind of confidence you expect out of a sports coupe.

Braking wasn't a problem whether you have the optional ABS or not. There was some brake fade but not enough to really complain about.

The ride was extremely stiff which you come to expect from a sports coupe to a certain extent. Any bumps or potholes you hit, you will definitely feel in the cabin. Cruising on the freeway reveals some wind/engine noise but no more than the average pocket rocket.

SAFETY:

All Tiburons come standard with dual front airbags as well as dual side airbags. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are available on the GT V6, not on the base model though.

VALUE:

Whether you choose the 4-cylinder base model or the GT V6, you get a lot of features for your dough. Fog lamps, 16" alloy wheels, dual exhaust and rear spoiler are all standard on the base 4-cylinder. The fully loaded GT V6 with leather, ABS and moonroof is a Best Buy in my book. Whichever Tiburon you choose, I believe you are getting your money's worth and then some.

While all of the edges may not be smooth, the Tiburon does well against others in it's class. It may not be as fast or as entertaining to drive as the others, but remember while you spent $ 20K for yours, others spent up to $28K for theirs.

Another plus is Hyundai's current quality rating. Hyundai is tied in 2nd place with Honda, just behind Toyota in total quality. While most sports coupes are expensive to maintain, you can bet on your Tiburon being a reliable vehicle and if something does go wrong, your covered with America's Best Warranty (Do I sound like the commercial?).

MY TAKE:

Despite the flaws I found, I enjoyed driving the Tiburon. Listening to the sound of the exhaust and flooring it at every green light, I had fun, not to mention got the attention of people going both directions. I would definitely recommend the Tiburon to others. If your after a sporty attention-grabbing car, the Tiburon won't disappoint. If you are wanting hardcore performance, I would either recommend a supercharger or you looking elsewhere.
Amount Paid (US$): 20,000
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: Tiburon GT V6 Sportronic Transmission