You will not go to a old car show and say look at that 1998 Sonata, but you will say look at that 1998 LS. There is more to coachworks than gizmos and aesthetics. Can the car get 200,000 miles and still look good; without rusting and rattling?

1998Son
https://www.google.com/search?q=1997...Kf8c5O_yHQM%3A

1998LS
https://www.google.com/search?q=1997...QZiWCc33nPM%3A

 

Well ... that's not exactly a fair comparison. However, the Genesis didn't exist back then. But I will say this, while working at the Hyundai plant, the Korean staff would INSIST that the Hyundai Sonata was Lexus quality. And I and a few other Toyota transplants would just laugh and laugh and laugh.

 

Well of course. That's a silly comparison especially because the LS400 cost 4 times what that Sonata cost new.

You won't say "look at that 1998 Camry" either.

 

I would look 3 times over if the 98 Camry had the LS400 v8 in it

Avalon would be a more fair comparison I guess

 

How did a thread titled "My next car..." turn into a Lexus vs. Hyundai debate?

So, to get back on track - if/when I do get a "next car" I hope it will be an SC500........

Since no one has one yet all the comments will be based on conjecture and not any first hand experience.

 

Because the body of the post showed a Hyundai and the OP currently has a Lexus.

 

I think Honda used to be a very innovative company, now? Not so much compared to what they were. Although I totally agree...they don't release something until they perfect it. The Accord has a CVT transmission...they finally went to direct injection. The hydrogen fuel car you mention...haven't they been developing that thing for the past 15 years? I remember reading about it a long time ago. I guess you could say they were somewhat innovative with the Ridgline and the Element - although I can't stand the both of them - they both have sold reasonably well...both serve a purpose and they are practical. I've got friends that own both and love them.

The new Hyundai Genesis is pretty sweet. Love the design of that thing. And I love that dark gray paint scheme that I keep seeing on them. Sharp. I think overall the Hyundai products are capable of doing 150,000 miles with little trouble - but all cars do that nowadays anyway - it's the quality that will decrease after time that worries me...the interior switches and plastics, the buttons, the steering wheel leather, the door handles, the noise, the rust. I see these cars everyday, they all tend to age pretty poorly, but that's ok if your planning on keeping it for a few years.

I'm a long term person when it comes to cars, I enjoy the quality and ability to last. I like the cars that can go hundreds of thousands of miles and still look/perform very well. I realize not many people are like that...most get sick of their cars after a few years (maybe sooner). And that's perfectly fine. I enjoy those high mileage stories...the million miles cars. I think if you tried to accomplish those things in a Hyundai you'd be left with the key...or maybe the windshield. And that's fine, they look nice, they're a great value, parts are cheap, technology is high, but the quality is in question.

 

Science and Accountants
Metal costs money and the better metal holds up better in the environment and crash tests. If a car is a sum of it's parts, you can find brittle/pot metal in various places on a Hyundai and I would challenge you to find it on a Camry. It's an unfair comparison even with a 1998 Sonata and a 1998 Camry. And I can't stand Camry's...the Accord is my champ.

Maybe we should talk 1998 Tiburons vs. Celicas. One is destined to be a collector and the other will be crushed to make kid's toys.

 

All I can compare it to is my Kia Sedona, as it's the only Hyundai/Kia product I've ever had. All the metal is good quality, solid, not thin feeling. Everything I can see or touch meets or exceeds the quality of what is found in my $80k LS460, save for some understandable interior materials (seat leather is much nicer in the Kia actually) so certainly it would a Toyota model.