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2003-2008 Hyundai Tiburon Pre-Owned

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Justin Pritchard
Last-gen Tiburon appears to be a good used sports-coupe buy, just watch the clutch
Members of the Tiburon owners community tend to rate the styling, design and quality of their machines the highest, right alongside the performance if they’re in a V6-powered model. The V6 engine isn’t a gas miser though, so owners tend to rate its fuel consumption figures poorly.

Common complaints deal with rear-seat room, road noise on certain models and a lack of storage for at-hand items up front. Many owners wish for a trunk-release button on their remote keyfob, and several comment on a larger-than-average turning radius.

Common rattles tend to come from the sunroof or hatchback area, though these may be remedied by a minor adjustment or the addition of some rubber cushions.

The most commonly identified issue dealt with the Tiburon’s clutch. If you’re looking at a model with a manual transmission, you’ll want to ask the owner if the vehicle has its original clutch, and be sure to test it out. Generally, a low-rpm, high-load, full-throttle condition will coax slippage from a worn clutch—so get the car up to about 70 km/h in 4th gear and pin the accelerator.

2006 Hyundai Tiburon

If you notice any slippage, call it into pricing negotiations or look for another model. If in doubt, ask a mechanic for assistance to be sure the seller isn’t trying to soak you with an expensive clutch job.

Be sure that there are no unexplained ‘check engine’ lights illuminated, and also check the engine for smooth idle and acceleration. You’ll also want to ensure all interior accessories work as expected-- including all windows, locks, the sunroof, seat-heaters and air conditioning. Note the condition of the upholstery and leather, too.

A word of caution when shopping for a used Tiburon—avoid a model that’s been modified with aftermarket parts, especially if you’re looking for a car that still has factory warranty remaining. Some owners report having their warranties voided for even relatively minor upgrades.The most common upgrades are an air intake system and exhaust. These can boost performance slightly, but you’ll want to be sure they don’t contravene any local laws, and that they’re installed properly.

Heavily modified vehicles with extensive engine work should be avoided unless you’re very familiar with tuning, and suspension upgrades should be checked out by a mechanic for safety’s sake.

If you can find a good price on a relatively stock Tiburon that’s in good shape, you’ll likely become the happy owner of a unique, distinctive and one-of-a-kind coupe.


photo:Hyundai

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    2008 Hyundai Tiburon
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    2008 Hyundai Tiburon
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    Justin Pritchard
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