2008 Hyundai Tiburon Review
The Tiburon is a sporty coupe that was introduced in 1996. The second and current generation debuted in 2003. In 2007, its exterior was updated, blue lights were added to the interior, tire pressure monitoring was made standard, as were stability and traction control in the SE.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
If you’re looking for an inexpensive sporty car, the Hyundai Tiburon delivers the goods in some areas but disappoints in terms of performance. It looks sleek and has a great warranty, but its performance just isn’t up to par with its more experienced peers. Rumor has it that the 2009 Tiburon will be a rear-wheel drive redesign. If that comes to pass, then we’ll have a real budget-friendly challenger on our hands.
What’s New For 2008:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
J.D. Power gives the Tiburon 3 stars for mechanical quality and 3.5 stars for design quality. The first Tiburon had issues with dragging clutches, rusting moonroofs, noisy timing belts and transmission problems. It was recalled six times. Problems with the current Tiburon include oil leaks, rough idling, leaky moonroofs and various transmission issues. It’s been recalled three times for fuel spillage and cracked gearbox components. Expect average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for five years or 60,000 miles.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The Tiburon earned 4 stars in government side crash tests. Other data is not available. Last year’s Tiburon earned 5 stars in front crashes. Anti-lock brakes, front side airbags and tire pressure monitoring come standard. Stability and traction control are included with the SE.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Sleek Looks
+ Great warranty
+ Low price
Cons
– Soft handling
– Mediocre engine
– Older design
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Honda Civic Coupe LX is very similar, but gets about six more miles to the gallon. The Mitsubishi Eclipse GS has over 20 more hp, but costs a few thousand more. The Scion tC for relatively the same price offers 20 more hp.
What Others Are Saying:
“The Tiburon should help dispel notions that Hyundai is only about conservative-looking, sensible cars. Oh, the Tiburon isn’t flighty. It’s a well-made, economical coupe that just happens to be a real hoot to haul around.” – Popular Mechanics
“Unfortunately, the Tuscani (Tiburon) is the machine that puts pay to the old axiom that a car is only as good as its brakes. The car’s steering is too heavy, the torque steer too prominent and the “sports-tuned” suspension too unsportsmanlike to generate any fun worthy of serious stopping.” – The Truth About Cars
“If you want a new sports car but don’t want to spend a lot, the Tiburon is worth considering.” – The New York Times
Read more about the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon at the Hyundai manufacturer web site.
