2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon?
Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) is added to the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon’s standard four-cylinder engine this year, cranking out 138 horsepower at 6,000 rpm while improving fuel economy and emissions. The performance-oriented Tiburon GTV6 gains two horsepower to make 172 ponies for 2004. Inside, a new metal grain finish replaces black plastic for the center stack and window switch surrounds, and the floor mats have been upgraded.

Advantages of the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon:

• Standard side-impact airbags
• Ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• Impressive grip with optional 17-inch wheels and tires
• Knockoff Italian exotic car styling
• Bargain price tag

Objections to the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon:

• Underpowered standard engine
• Excessive curb weight takes the edge off of the handling
• Cheap interior bits and pieces
• Uninhabitable rear seat

Editor's Advice:
Appearing to be more expensive than it is, but handling less capably than it looks, the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon is a study of automotive compromise. Because of its rather portly 3,000-pound average curb weight, the racy-looking Tiburon is somewhat of a slug with its standard four-cylinder engine, and even more so when saddled with the optional four-speed automatic. For sporty driving, it’s better to select the GTV6 for its 2.7-liter six-cylinder motor, which sounds more intimidating than it is. We’d also advise checking the option box for the 17-inch wheels and tires, which help the heavy Tiburon hang on in a corner. Considering that the Hyundai Tiburon GTV6 starts around $18,500 and barely cracks the $22,000 barrier when equipped with leather seating, ABS, power sunroof, a six-speed manual transmission and Infinity sound, it seems like Hyundai is providing plenty of bang-for-the-buck. Add in the standard ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and real value is found. Just don’t cross-shop the pudgy Hyundai Tiburon with the light and lithe Acura RSX. Rather, the Tiburon competes on equal footing with cars such as the Ford Mustang V6 and Mitsubishi Eclipse.