Overview & Reviews

Sheet metal is all new, and gives Sonata a more substantial look despite somewhat controversial retro-style front fascia and grille. Flush-fitting doors and restyled exterior mirrors help quiet the ride, while horn activation switches from spoke button to center steering wheel pad.

• Large and comfortable interior, bargain compared to Ford Taurus and Toyota Camry, interesting front styling

• Not so much a bargain compared to Nissan Altima and Honda Accord, interesting front styling

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 9 of 9.00

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  Too many repairs! - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lindsay - August 21 - 9:36 pm

  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 Ive 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 Ive 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 Ive been reading, most people have gotten more miles out of their Sonata, but maybe mine was driven hard before me or just wasnt a good one. Im very attached to it, and its served me well, but be wary of all the problems that may come along the road!

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  97 sontai - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By paul bonnici - December 1 - 3:33 am

  I bought the car 2005 and only 50.000 km but no problems so far but some of the parts have broken off

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  130,000 and still a great car! - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By Still a great car! - April 1 - 1:58 pm

  I bought my 1997 Sonata 5 1/2 years ago with 80,000 miles at a cash price of $3,500 and its still a great car! I love it and Im looking to buy another one. Have not had any major problems with it.

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  Great car overall. - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ryan - December 17 - 4:52 am

  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 its 3.0 V6. Ive 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, its a pretty nice car.

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  good car - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By alex fong - July 16 - 3:00 am

  more power is better!

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  Loved it! - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By gr8scotto - May 21 - 2:00 am

  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)

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  Make up for the low price in repairs - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By Leeann - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Sonata used a couple years ago. It ran fine for about six months. When it hit 100,000 it fell apart. Ive 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.

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  Timing distruciton - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By bhart - September 20 - 2:00 am

  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.

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  99,800 and still going - 1997 Hyundai Sonata
  By mtgmaker - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I just logged 99,800 miles on my 97 Sonata GLS and I just now had my first problem. A leaky valve cover gasket. Cant ask for much better than that.