Santa Fe 2L Petrol - Recommended ???

techie

Has anyone got one of these, 04-05, and would you recommend them.

Whats the fuel bill like to run them?

Good quality cars, timing belt is a costly job, I would recommend you buy one with the belt just done. Should average high 20s maybe 30mpg if you don't do loads and loads of short urban spins, not a particularly frugal car but not the worst of them either. They age well.

techie

Thanks for the quick response , do you know when the timing belt needs to be done?

I wouldn't know to be honest, I would imagine on age alone a 04 would be due shortly at the 6 year mark if it hasn't reached the required mileage already. If you're buying from a dealer they should have it done if it hasn't been done already. Just something to be aware of, it isn't a €300/€400 job on them.

(CH3)2CHOH

My Ex boss had one as a company car. He absolutely detested it, couldn't wait to give it back. He had loads of problems with the gear box and drive shafts.

I was in it a few times as a passenger and thought it was cheap inside and quite noisy. I'd stay clear to be honest.

The Express

Petrol model can be a bit light and floaty on the road. Diesel a little better balanced (relatively speaking) and the assurance of 4wd when it's needed.

techie

Ok thanks everyone for the replies so far.

Its actually for my sister, she is looking for a family car for herself , husband and two small kids, both in car seats (isofix)

She is also looking at:

05 Renault Scenic 1.4/1.6 petrol
05 Opel Zafira 1.6 Petrol
05 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Petrol

Has anyone any of these cars above for the same purpose and would you recommend it?

Thanks.

beachlife

techie wrote: »

Thanks for the quick response , do you know when the timing belt needs to be done?

Hi techie,
The belt needs to be done every 50,000miles/80,000km's on these (factory recommended)
But there have been issues with belt snapping earlier (change around 45,000 miles/70,000kms)
Also when getting the timing belt done I would expect to pay 550 euros for the job. Anything less than this and it's not being done right!!
The reason being.
The proper tensioner(hyundai)is 100 euros. This is not in the timing belt "kit" and has to be got separately.So most indy's just don't replace it and quote 400/450 for the job.
I recently had one in where the tensioner was alright when cold but when it got hot(as the engine warmed up) it lost all it damping!! This means that the timing belt was "slack" i.e loose!! VERY lucky not to skip a tooth or break the belt on that one!

05 Renault Scenic 1.4/1.6 petrol
Wouldn't touch under regardless what anyone says

05 Opel Zafira 1.6 Petrol
Yes, a friend who is a right petrol head has one as a family car, never had any probs with it.

05 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Petrol
Fine big car, will do the job, won't hold it's value as well as the Zafira imo, in 3 years the an 05 Mondeo 1.8 will be worth very very little.

niceirishfella

RoverJames wrote: »

05 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Petrol
Fine big car, will do the job, won't hold it's value as well as the Zafira imo, in 3 years the an 05 Mondeo 1.8 will be worth very very little.

+1, go for the Mondeo, no Timing belt issues there at all.

(CH3)2CHOH

techie wrote: »

Ok thanks everyone for the replies so far.

Its actually for my sister, she is looking for a family car for herself , husband and two small kids, both in car seats (isofix)

She is also looking at:

05 Renault Scenic 1.4/1.6 petrol
05 Opel Zafira 1.6 Petrol
05 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Petrol

Has anyone any of these cars above for the same purpose and would you recommend it?

Thanks.

Personally I'd take the Mondeo , really good solid car. Next would be the Scenic followed by the Zafira. All three are nicer than a Santa Fe.

Having said that I bought the wife a 06 Scenic last year and she loves it. But that was her choice. I'm surprised how good it is but with the reputation they have I was dreading it. Turned out very good so far.

beachlife

the scenic and zafira are in the same league,the ford is better built.
However for a family the ford is less friendly for loading buggies etc.
Hate to say it ,but I'd go with the opel or renault.
what about the trajet? or ford galaxy?