Used 1998 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Sonata, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sonata since its last redesign.
Loved it!
gr8scotto, 05/21/2004
1997 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I just "retired" my 1997 Sonata due to a major mechanical problem and was very upset to have to do so because up until this incident this vehicle performed FLAWLESSLY for me. I had absolutely no mechanical problems whatsoever with this car and it was by far the best vehicle I have ever owned up to this point (I am 35 years old)
Not a good car to buy, get the V6!
markman69, 01/24/2003
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
What ever you do, get the V6 if you are considering buying a used Sonata. The 4-cylinder model lacks in pickup, accelleration, and keeping a constant speed. The Transmission is taxed heavily because of the undersized engine. The car is much too heavy to have a 4 knocker under the hood, it needs at least a 6, maybe even an 8!
1998 Hyundai Sonata for sale near you
Showing 1 of 1 listings
- Base SedanMSRP: $2,9881,705 mi away
99,800 and still going
mtgmaker, 04/26/2002
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I just logged 99,800 miles on my 97 Sonata GLS and I just now had my first problem. A leaky valve cover gasket. Can't ask for much better than that.
Too many repairs!
Lindsay, 08/22/2015
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my car used five years ago. It had 59,000 miles on it, two owners before me, and looked to be in great shape. I LOVED it. It served me very well driving long-distance back and forth from college. The V6 engine gives it great acceleration (though at the expensive of very low gas mileage) and everything about it started out smooth. It was affordable and a very attractive car. Well, after about a year the paint started coming off. My roof is now completely bald five years later and the lovely red paint is not perfect anywhere except maybe the doors. (Of course I've never parked it in a garage and we have harsh winters.) Then about two years in my entire transmission gave out and had to be replaced - VERY expensive. Almost cost as much as the car itself. Then it was the door handle, then the electric window buttons, then the alternator, then all four brakes at the same time. This is spread out over five years, but I've spent well over $4,000 (what I paid for it) in repairs. And it only has 75,000 miles! Today I found out the spark plugs are in wrong so I have to replace them and some other parts. The engine is really loud and clicks when I drive. The transmission can still be a little rough, and when I have the air conditioning on, my car rocks quite a lot. The passenger window is slow to go up. It seems like from the reviews I've been reading, most people have gotten more miles out of their Sonata, but maybe mine was driven hard before me or just wasn't a good one. I'm very attached to it, and it's served me well, but be wary of all the problems that may come along the road!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
would not recommend
alina, 12/09/2002
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had a Sonata for two years and it was only two years old when I bought it. I've had more problems and put more money into fixing it than I ever should have.
Surpirsed
Stewart, 04/07/2002
1996 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought the car as the cheapest car in which I could comfortably seat 5 people. It has turned out to be a longterm dependable car. At 100k it hos only been in the shop a couple times and still runs strong.
Sonata Requiem
cicco, 08/28/2002
1996 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My neighbor just totaled my parked Sonata. I will miss this car. I bought it in spite of my kids scorn and never regretted it. I had no repairs other than maintenance in the 122,000 miles I drove it. I was expecting to get another 50K miles of satisfied driving out of it.
Timing distruciton
bhart, 09/20/2002
1997 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
You should get your timing belt changed before you hit the 65000 mark. The car has no saftey engine shut off when the timing belt goes and the engine is therefore ruined and you will need a whole new one because all of the valves get smashed together. I was only in my driveway when mine went without any warning. I turned my car on and boom the timing belt went and so did the engine. Buyer beware.
OK
gregjstewart, 01/25/2004
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
No major problems. Does not let you know you've left your lights on. This can be a problem with weak battery that comes with car. Tires weak on takeoff on wet surfaces.
Great car, could do better on the road
Binnie The Gooh, 09/07/2003
1996 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
It´s a great car, but they could make it better suitible for the raod like when you are taking sharp turns it slides to the sides alot but it can be controlled, this is a sedan version, so why not make it perfect!!
hyundai
kk92, 05/01/2004
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
ok so i bought this car used from the credit union and 2 days later the power windows went out. the rotors need to be turned every 3 months whether the brakes are brand new or not. when the power windows mess up the locks mess up and so on. when you lock one door while its running the drivers side window goes down. it has been ok while driving on the highway but when you need a part you have to get them from the dealer like the power windows is dealer only and the transmission fluid is dealer only due to its being a hyundai
I like it alot
noodle_head, 02/17/2004
1996 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
When i got on this website i looked through the cars i didnt find one my style or in my price range.Im sixteen years old and my parents are on a tight budget and i need a cheap car and this one looks real cheap and very nice.But i know i could not and cant really afford it so i guess im just gonna rate it.
Best Of The Best
Likewise, 04/03/2002
1995 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
If this car in not better than HOnda Accord, Then Accord is not either. Very Cool Car. Loved it. Highly reccomended, Cheap Price, compatible.....Beautiful.....
Great car fot the price
jonas, 10/03/2002
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Its a very great car for the price, I have paid 3500$ CAN, a civic 92 worth 3500$ CAN. and I can tell you that the sonata 95 is better on all points. Its smooth and with the 5 speed model, the mitsubitshi (137 hp) respond very well. At 175 000K the motor lools like a new one!.
Okay
odis, 02/27/2002
1995 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car ran great until 90,000. I had to redo the transmission and airconditioning
Awesome!
James II, 01/30/2003
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i hate someone to blame this car just based on some trivial problems. so comfortable and smooth in driving. i paid $2300 at 120000 miles. still working well and too silent to feel i am driving. i bought it in NJ and drove it to FL about 1300miles. still has no problem.
good hyundai
Youngjoon Park, 03/02/2002
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has almost wonderful equipments. Wonderful with cheap price. But there are minor problems.
Better than expected...
Pinkfire, 03/03/2002
1995 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this Sonata new. It had a five-speed, A/C and no other power options. The first repair was at 97K, for a new clutch. At 125K, maintenance has included a timing belt every 60K, rebuilt starter and alternator, new water pump, etc. Dealer service went down hill when my local dealer changed hands. The second timing belt service was vastly overpriced, and several non-factory parts were used.
Hyundai Sonata
paul the driver, 08/12/2003
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought the car at aroudn 50,000 miles and now it had 100,000 miles the car performed very well untill about 90,000 and then everythign just started falling apart i spend maybe 3,000 on repairs and currently my transmission only has 3rd gear i will redline on a highway at 90mph i cant take turns at more then 25mph or it will skid out i dont recomend buying a hyundai i would rather have a civic then this car
Impressed
Brudzio, 05/12/2004
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought new and still driving 9 yrs later. Fun to drive, especially at 190km/h. Had front crash at 80 km/h miraculously nothing happened to us, car took all the impact and was severed. Mechanically excellent and snappy. Body mouldings rust inside and swell - had to replace 2 times. Door locks rust & freeze, takes time to get in - can turn the key, however can't open. Hardware falls apart (sunshades, door knobs). Upgraded stereo to Hyundai CD combo - far much better sound. A/C still works well. Fuel tank rusted - had to rebuild. Manual tranny rebuilt in 5th year, wheel bearings noisy. Overall quite positive experience
reliable, but unexciting Sonata II
American in Korea, 05/27/2004
1995 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My father-in-law gave me this car with about 100,000 km. It's not the nicest car I've ever driven, but it is VERY reliable. It has never broken down on me. It starts up in the snow and cold no matter what. So far, all I've replaced has been a battery, distributor cap, and plugs. Getting work done on Korean cars in Korea is dirt cheap, so that is a plus. Same problem with power door lock gremlins. They lock and unlock on their own all the time. When I get out without my keys, I make sure to roll down the window first! It has 155,000 km. (nearly 100,000 mi.) on it now and should be strong for much more.
not a lemon
sonata user, 03/28/2003
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had problems with my auto transmission, I did not have the transmission coolant flushed, so it overheated eventually and killed the transmission, bought a new one, still going strong. Had a fault with the auto door locks, sometimes they would lock without warning when I got out of the car, locking my keys in. The brakes have lasted forever on this car, confortable ride even on the worst frost-heaved roads. My only complaint has been expensive parts/ unavailability of parts. Right now I need a valve cover gasket, and none of the dealers can get it for me.
Not worth it
Jasmine, 05/30/2003
1995 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car because I had no choice - it was the only one available that I could afford. It has given me nothing but problems - the brakes went out (twice), it rattles terribly, it stalls when the a/c is on (and sometimes when it's not), and the interior fogs up when the heat is on. However, it does get good gas mileage and it is comfortable. But I will not buy another Hyundai.
It's falling apart
jonsie, 03/28/2002
1995 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my hyundai one week and the next week my timing belt blew, mytrunk lock broke my glove box lock broke my passenger side door handle broke. never buy a used hyundai
97 sontai
paul bonnici, 12/01/2008
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought the car 2005 and only 50.000 km but no problems so far but some of the parts have broken off
good car
alex fong, 07/16/2005
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
more power is better!
Great car overall.
Ryan, 12/17/2005
1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I really like this car alot. I drove this car for about a week some time ago and when I heard that the car was for sale I immediatly offered to buy it. What really left an impression on me about this car was the power of the engine. It really seems to make the most of it's 3.0 V6. I've driven cars with comparable engines and this one outperforms them by far. The interior is very comfortable and of good quality. Power windows, locks, moon roof, all nice features to have. Overall, it's a pretty nice car.
Make up for the low price in repairs
Leeann, 06/03/2003
1997 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Sonata used a couple years ago. It ran fine for about six months. When it hit 100,000 it fell apart. I've had it in the shop about twice a month for the last year and a half. It has been one headache after another. I would recommend that you not touch this car with a 10-foot pole.
130,000 and still a great car!
Still a great car!, 04/01/2008
1997 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1997 Sonata 5 1/2 years ago with 80,000 miles at a cash price of $3,500 and it's still a great car! I love it and I'm looking to buy another one. Have not had any major problems with it.
It Keeps On Surprising Me
alliknow4, 03/21/2003
1998 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
One day some friends of of mind gave ride in this car they had rented, it was 98 Hyundai Sonata I new nothing about them, but I remember getting out of it after they had dropped me off, thinking damn that car really feels good, it good to, it was Mid Night Blue with leather seat V6 in order word Heaven. I now own that same car, I bought it from the rental company that owned it, it's been over a year and as I said it just keeps on getting better. I hear the critics say it cheap, unreliable, and all of that well I don't know what they are talk about...I feel like king in such a beatiful car. Driving really is Believing!
love this car
pepperdevil, 06/17/2003
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car feels big and expensive. I bought it used and spent about 1/2 of what I would have for a new version of a competing car (Accord, Altima, etc.). I have spent the past few years driving from Phoenix to LA and back and this car has taken it like a champ - very comfortable and safe-feeling car. The only problems I have had are the motors on the power windows going bad, the power door locks lock themselves when the weather gets warm (???) and for the life of us, we can't get the brakes to stop sqealing. All bearable to have a car I can rely on and that fits me like a glove.
98 Sonata Reliability for less
vincent1234, 06/27/2003
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great experience - no mechanical or transmission problems ever- just oil changes. For the price like driving an accord for half the cost
Sonatas song got Old.
Top Tony, 08/23/2020
1998 Hyundai Sonata GL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this cat in 2000 with 13,000 miles. I had no major issues with it until the transmission started to go with less than 60,000 miles. Previously, all kinds of window regulator issues. All four went at one time or another and one window broke twice! Not the motor but still an expensive hassle. In 2003 I had a minor fender bender and the front hood crumpled like cardboard. I repaired the car and kept it till 2009 when like I said the transmission died at 60000 miles.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
UC Purchase
aliasname, 07/14/2002
1998 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
The exterior ressembles many larger, nicer vehicles, that cost more money. That means affordible style to me.