Hyundai XG30 - How Bad/Good Is It?

[gtd2000]

For a wee while now I've had a bit of a Hankering for some cheap n cheerful Korean luxo-barge action

 

 

The XG30 looks like it could hit the spot and there seem to be a few going around the grand mark or less these days.

 

I've seen a few ads where they have replaced the AC compressor for 1500 quid etc but this seems somewhat excessive and would defeat the purpose of buying one...

 

Has anybody had one or got any advice about them?

[Pillock]

You're guaranteed a job with Hirst Cabs at least, how can you go wrong?

In fact the XG/30 would be the ultra-high-end of the fleet thus ensuring you get all the glamorous jobs up to and including ferrying ex-page-3 models to and from filmings of rubbish TV quiz shows only shown obscure cable channels late at night.

 

Translation: Do it.

[UglyAmerican]

For kit and cushy ride, they're good. Unfortunately this is one of only a few cars I'd say to avoid.

 

This is an older Hyundai build, which means it's cheap, it feels cheap, and they built them cheaply. In particular, there are loads and loads of electrical problems -- classic christmas tree dash lights. And many bad transmissions. As you mentioned, A/C compressor is a well-known problem too.

 

Generally I think modern cars should be free from major mechanical or electrical problems until 100,000 miles, and with luck, maintenance and parts should last till 200,000. I think the older Hyundais like the Grandeur/XG30 start to disintegrate around 60-70,000 miles.

 

The XG30 also features Hyundai's Gutless V6 series engine, this case in 3.0 trim. It's got supposedly 193 bhp on tap, but I don't believe it. The 3.5 that replaced it in the US was only marginally better, mustering 210 bhp and still feeling like it was from Mitsubishi in 1991. Oh wait...

 

To make matters worse, they're pretty thirsty. With the 3.5 liter engine, a friend was telling me he was lucky to muster 24 mpg (that's UK numbers) in mixed driving.

 

On the shite luxobarge front, how about a Nissan Maxima QX? They are extremely well made and durable and they're pretty fun to drive - certainly moreso than the Hyundai. My parents had a few over the years.

 

Newer body style with 227 bhp:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-Nissan-QX-3- ... 255b5d79e4

 

Older body style with around 190 bhp:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-NISSAN-MAXIM ... 3f00ae43d5

[warren t claim]

I think the Kia Magentis is a better car but for about £1500 I would have to get a Lexus LS400.

[UglyAmerican]

I think the Kia Magentis is a better car but for about £1500 I would have to get a Lexus LS400.

I didn't realize the LS400 was even in the price range. It's superior to all of them really. The original LS was built to match or better the legendary W124 Benz in durability and quiet. They succeeded. Incredibly good cars, though boring.

[warren t claim]

Is an LS400 really shite though? They do still have some street cred.

[Justin Case]

I think the Kia Magentis is a better car but for about £1500 I would have to get a Lexus LS400.

...... or even less

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1708240.htm

 

Tempting, but the service costs area bit eye-watering

[warren t claim]

I think the Kia Magentis is a better car but for about £1500 I would have to get a Lexus LS400.

...... or even less

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1708240.htm

 

Tempting, but the service costs area bit eye-watering

Fuck me!!! I NEED one of those!!!

[reallyloud]

The Lexus is recognised in the press and by those who run them as good cars. the Hyundai however, is met by indifference and owners are defensive about them - I think the Hyundai wins in the shite league. I might have a Top gear report about it somewhere. I'll dig it out.

[warren t claim]

They should of made an XG30 estate so country and western fans could nail planks of wood to the side.

[shite_meister]

XG30-feels cheap inside with some horrible wood trim, certain parts are either unavailable now or stupidly expensive.

 

Having just acquired an LS400 I would highly recommend one if sterile Jap cars are your thing, the build and refinement is nothing short of sublime and the 4.0 V8 is a quad-cammed master-piece (early ones are non interference so even if they mash the belt you're still ok)

[Rod/b]

I brokered the sale of a perfectly good LS400 a couple of months ago. £150. It was the one Clarkson drove in one of his DVDs.

 

Should have had it myself really...

[UglyAmerican]

Lucky sodding limeys and your cheap cars. At least my petrol is $3/us gallon.

[Tayne]

.

[maxpower]

At least my low-octane piss is $3/ per 83% of a gallon.

EFA

[gtd2000]

Lucky sodding limeys and your cheap cars. At least my petrol is $3/us gallon.

Insurance tends to be way cheaper over here as well which does help balance things out even more

 

Almost fell over when I got a quote for a motorcycle in the USA

 

It sounds like the XG30 could potentially be a bit of a liability then and here I was thinking about wafting about in a reliable low rent ride....

[wuvvum]

If an LS400 isn't shite enough you could always go for a grey-import Toyota Celsior - most are even better equipped than UK-spec LS400s.

 

Would agree that a Magentis is probably a better bet than an XG as far as Korean luxo-shite goes - the Kia would certainly be better to drive, and doesn't seem to have any major gremlins. Also agree that a 3-litre QX would be a better ownership prospect than either of the above, although it would struggle to keep up with a Magentis on twisty back roads.

[UglyAmerican]

Also agree that a 3-litre QX would be a better ownership prospect than either of the above, although it would struggle to keep up with a Magentis on twisty back roads.

Really? This one?

 

Or this one

 

[shite_meister]

If an LS400 isn't shite enough you could always go for a grey-import Toyota Celsior - most are even better equipped than UK-spec LS400s.

 

But most of them have electronically controlled air suspension which becomes troublesome with age...much like the Rangie P38s, also the insurance will be higher even though its the same car as the LS400.

[Lukas]

I am interested in the XG for a long time (some years) now, I´ve asked mechanics about it, asked dealers, even talked to an owner (Yes, I found one!). And all I heard made me sad because I would really loved it´s looks, but sadly almost everyone did not recommend it. The XG is very rustprone, the gearboxes are likely to break, the engine has electric-problems with the ECU and stuff, the interieur disintegrates quite fast etc. ...

 

I would buy a Camry instead, because the XG is FWD too so that shouldn´t be a problem then.

 

L

[wuvvum]

Also agree that a 3-litre QX would be a better ownership prospect than either of the above, although it would struggle to keep up with a Magentis on twisty back roads.

Really? This one?

 

Or this one

 

This one

 

Never driven a new shape Magentis so couldn't comment. I had an old shape one with the 2.5 V6 though, and it was nearly as quick as the QX in a straight line, and amazingly agile through corners - probably because it's a pretty light car for its size. The QX feels rather heavy and ponderous by comparison, although it does cling on well for what it is.

[wuvvum]

If an LS400 isn't shite enough you could always go for a grey-import Toyota Celsior - most are even better equipped than UK-spec LS400s.

 

But most of them have electronically controlled air suspension which becomes troublesome with age...much like the Rangie P38s, also the insurance will be higher even though its the same car as the LS400.

Really? I didn't realise that. The air suspension on mine (H-reg) worked fine. Wouldn't know about insurance as I put mine on my trader's policy, but I suppose grey imports normally cost more to insure.

[ChinaTom]

Have you considered the 3.3 litre Sonata? Or a Grandeur even? I suspect both will be hard to find, but depreciation will have reached that level where the owner negotiates a fee with you to relieve them of it.

[Spottedlaurel]

Buy a Camry V6? I seem to have missed out on the one I found locally, which was a shame. My brief test drive showed it to be amusingly rapid, though handling not as good as my 2.2 Sport.

 

Keep the engine in one piece and you can sell it to a guy who does MR2 conversions for £500, if it's under about 140k miles. He bolts them to a manual gearbox, so it doesn't matter if the Camry's auto goes pop.

[Spottedlaurel]

Once these drop in price a bit more I could well be interested:

 

 

Had Hyundai build/component quality improved by the time they started doing these? They seem like the natural successor to a Camry.

[meggersdog]

I think the Kia Magentis is a better car but for about £1500 I would have to get a Lexus LS400.

...... or even less

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1708240.htm

 

Tempting, but the service costs area bit eye-watering

Fuck me!!! I NEED one of those!!!

Or even http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :MESELX:IT

 

Price negotiable for fellow shiters

[gtd2000]

Once these drop in price a bit more I could well be interested:

 

 

Had Hyundai build/component quality improved by the time they started doing these? They seem like the natural successor to a Camry.

I had one of these when I was working in DC for around a month or so, I'd heard all about these cars being every bit as good as the Camry or the Accord, however, being honest I would say it came a very close runner but perhaps not quite at the Japanese benchmark.

 

I didn't have any real complaints about the car other than finding it a bit on the big side. It had the 3.XL engine fitted and had plenty of go about it too! From what I remember it averaged around 22 US MPG which isn't too bad considering I was not practicing any form of Hypermiling with it

 

I'd be happy to drive one of these at the right price

[Lukas]

I'd be happy to drive one of these at the right price

I guess the austrian prices are not what you thinking about...

 

http://www.gebrauchtwagen.at/detailansi ... zeug=65628

 

 

Just joking!

[gtd2000]

I'm slowly converting people at work to RHD's by the way

 

They are finally seeing the light!

[Lukas]

I´m thinking about it too. I just wish I could borrow a RHD-car for one or two weeks to see how it works in everyday-traffic. I´m really curious...