has come a long way from its first foray into the American market back in the mid-'80s. The South Korean automaker might offer an impressive lineup of high-tech
and sedans now, but its first decade was plagued with a few rookie mistakes.
Case in point: the Hyundai Tiburon. Debuting in 1996, the young company’s second attempt at a sports car was more style than substance. It lacked the performance capabilities of rivals like the Toyota Celica or Honda Prelude, and, frankly, didn’t look as good as them either.
But the Tiburon had a few things going for it that make it hard to label as the worst sports car ever. Comments from owners reveal the sporty coupe to be affordable not only at the dealership but for years to come afterward as well.
says its first base model engine could only muster 105 horsepower. Even the most powerful engine available for the second-generation model took about 7 seconds to reach 60 mph.
The Tiburon wasn’t the only car from the era with a sporty face but no power to back it up. But similar models like the Toyota Celica made up for their slow track times with stylish interiors and high build quality. The Tiburon’s interior was filled with plastic.
On top of that, the sporty exterior of the Tiburon had plenty of critics. The first generation’s “spider-face” grille made it the butt of a few jokes in the comments section of this
The Tiburon wasn’t all bad, though. The main thing it had going for it was its price. The base model started just over $17,000 for a new one, and according to
(KBB), you could get your hands on the top trim for less than $23,400.
Once the keys were in your hands, the car gave you very few problems. Other comments on Jalopnik describe the car as reliable and fun to drive. Previous owners say they surpassed 100,000 miles without any major repairs needed.
“The total cost of ownership revolved around oil changes, brakes, and a single wheel bearing,” says a user going by the name RustyBolts. “The Tiburon was fine and I’ll accept criticism only from people who have actually driven one.”
Car insurance for a Hyundai Tiburon
MORE: The 2022 Elantra N: Hyundai’s New High-Performance Car
for a Hyundai Tiburon is pretty cheap. Annual coverage for a Tiburon GT averages out to just over $1,800—almost $1,300 lower than the average cost of coverage for Hyundais overall.
The details of the car like its trim level and model year can make a significant impact on your premiums, as well as your age and driving experience. But the factor that makes the most difference is your insurance provider. That’s why you should for quotes with Jerry.
In less than a minute, Jerry can present competitive rates from more than 50 top providers. If you own a Hyundai Tiburon GT, Jerry can save you up to 32% on your annual coverage. Overall, Jerry customers save almost $900 a year on average.
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