RD as a daily driver at this point?
 

Hi,

I like the classic Tiburons. But the newest ones are 18 years old at this point. I would like to have one to enjoy and use it as a daily driver. It's very hard to find information on these cars online. For the 2003 and newer MKII is much easier to find info on. So I could find no buyer guides or tips to what look for when buying one, the weak points to pay attention too, potential problems etc. Or even a model guide following all years. It seems to be a very under appreciated little gem.

Modern Kias are very reliable. But are the RD cars? I hear the engine is. But what about the rest? Especially electrics and electronics too? What about rust? And what about parts availability? Only used at this point?

On the other side of the spectrum, are the engines easy and cheap to boost power if you want to stay NA? How much power can you reasonably expect? Are there things like short shifters still available?

I love the curvy lines and the overall look and would love to drive one. Think the style was way ahead of its time. Just now cars are starting to catch up. If you pay attention the moulded sides and creases of the RD is everywhere now a days. But the RD is a classic type of shape. Really nice.

My favorite is the RD2. It seems most prefer the RD1, which is also very nice. But I have a preference for the RD2.

So is buying one as a daily driver a good idea at this point? Or they are better enjoyed as weekend cars or the like? Thanks in advance for the help.

I was told this was the biggest forum for the RD. Perhaps it's just too late in the game and interest for it has died down? Maybe it's a sign to avoid it?

The RD community is getting smaller and smaller. But don't let that hinder your appreciation and love for the first gen tibs! They are great cars! Keep the fluids changed and timing belts fresh, and will last just as long as any Honda or Toyota.

Trouble is finding them in good shape these days. They are hard to come by. If you find one with low miles, pick it up! But do yourself a favor, replace the timing belt asap. Enjoy your search and hopefully you chime in soon with an RD to brag about!

Thanks for chiming in.

Would you have any tips concerning my questions above? Is there a better place to ask?

In terms of miles I have only found cars around the 100K miles mark. Should I steer clear? Like you said they are hard to come by and I can't be searching for 6 months. I need a daily soon.

I have owned both the RD and the GK for several years. They are both considered "reliable", however I had several electrical gremlins in the GK (2005) whereas I didn't have any issues at all with my 2001 (until I boosted it).

If you want something VERY reliable, I would go with a manual RD and do all the maintenance including timing belt. It will run forever but not have all the latest gizmos.

If you want a better looking interior with automatic A/C and newer style gauges, then go with a GK but I think it will give you some reliability issues. The V6 got me 22mpg whereas the I4 got me 30-32mpg.

If you know your way around a car and have the tools and driveway, then go with either and the best deal.

Hey JonGTR,

Thanks for the reply.

It's interesting that you chimed in. Because while looking through the forum searching for info, I saw a post by you and saw you avatar and I just had to look through your threads trying to find a larger version of your avatar photo, which I did. Very nice RD. I love the stance and wheel size.

I'm strictly interested in the RD cars at the moment. Not considering the later GKs etc. Only RDs.

By the way, did the RD2 have any technical advantages over the RD1? Or is the difference only cosmetic?

It's great to know the RD cars are reliable. I will definitely buy a manual transmission one too. Are parts still widely available for these cars?

Do you drive yours as a daily? Would you recommend?

So the engine is belt based? I thought I had read it was a time chain engine. I guess I confused it. I will definitely make sure to change the belt then as soon as I get it, unless I have a fresh receipt of it being done very recently (?).

Are there any weak points to pay attention to, potential problems with the RD cars etc?

I will be heavily relying on pictures from the seller before I commit to take a look, as I see already I probably won't find one around here. I will have to travel. So I will have to ask sellers to take pictures for me to see first in order to decide if it's worth going or not take a look at it. It can be a couple of hours driving. Are the any specific areas I should request pictures of? Maybe rear wheel arches? Are the RDs prone to rust?

Thanks again for chiming in.

By now, unless it's been garaged, you will need to find an RD from a southern state. They do rust! I found mine with a blown clutch and fuel pump for $300. Otherwise in great shape.

They do have timing belts. They are easy to replace and cheap. Parts for the car are still available and transmissions and motors are easily found in scrap yards. They are shared with the Elantra as well.

I stopped daily driving mine long ago since I bought more expensive vehicles. But, I do plan on getting the white RD back on the road since I hate putting so many miles on the truck.

Thanks. So there are no technical differences between the RD1 and RD2?

And as long as I find one with a running engine and no rust, there are no extra weak spots to be aware of and watch out for?

That's interesting and very handy that it shares parts with the Elnatra, as they are still produced till this day. Are the shared parts only with the contemporary Elantra J2/RD? Or also with newer Elantras? Thanks once more.

Mostly shared parts between the elantras and tibs will be found in similar years.

Jon's right, they do tend to rust with the age of the car and location. Mine has been in Colorado for 20 years, and no rust at all! So definitely find one in the drier southern states and you should have a pretty clean tib.

Rd1s and RD2s are pretty much the same. Cosmetic differences only. You'll want a newer RD1 with none captive rotors if you plan on putting aftermarket wheels on. Just makes it easier. Also, the newer RDs (99+) have the charcoal canisters relocated from the factory, so you don't have to do that on your own.

Only part that was a PITA to diagnose was a faulty iginition switch. Other then that, electronics are still solid.

Hmmm.....can't think of anything else right now.

Thanks. That's good news about later RDs being better as I'm looking for a RD2. Just love the look and find it so unique, even among other twin round head lights cars. So this part will be automatically covered.

Are there any particularly weak spots for rust? Or just the normal usual places such as rear wheel arches, sills and under doors?

In terms of engine power boost, what is the max power to be expected if keeping it NA? Thanks again.

Another piece of info I can't find anywhere. Where they disc breaks on all 4 wheels? Especially the RD2?

I'm not sure if anybody is still watching this thread, but I have yet another question. Does the Tiburon share the steering wheel and gear knob with other Hyundais? I found one to buy where it seems to be in good condition but the leather steering wheel and knob is totally worn out.

Thanks.

I have seen both.

The Tiburon RD wheel looks identical to my J2 Elantra (2000) steering wheel. Although they were not leather wrapped.

I believe the Elantra XD 2001 to 2006 had the same shift knob as the RD2.

Thanks. That's good to know.

Is there a guide for colors available and how many of each color made for each year of the RD and RD2? I couldn't find anything.

And I have seen cars with Yamaha written on the back with FX. What's that about?

As for colors, I'm sure there is a PDF of a brochure floating online somewhere, should show trims and colors available.

As for the yamaha symbol......eh.... not sure on that one.

Thanks. I will try to google tiburon pdf.

For colors, from what I could gather looking for RD2 cars for sale online, it seems Silver is the most common, not surprisingly. Followed by blue, which did surprise me. I thought black would be second. But I guess it was different back then. Today every car is silver, black or white.

Yellow seems to be the most rare with the RD2. Very rare actually.

It looks like this in order of most common to least common:

Silver
Blue
Red
Black
Yellow

About the Yamaha thing, I did read somewhere something about Yamaha's involvement, if I'm not confusing cars. Maybe with the engine? But did they have a Yamaha special edition? Who knows. Maybe in Korea. They seem to have had some special editions only sold in Korea.

You may be confusing cars. Hyundai did get some outside help though. Apparently Porsche helped design the suspension in the RDs, and a rumor that Lotus also helped. Also rumors of Pinnafarina helping design the RD's lines as well! Probably why I still get compliments on my car every time I take it out! Still absolutely love the style of the RD1s! Timeless IMO.

I think the Pininfarina bit may be true. The lines are very similar to several cars designed by Pininfarina. The curves of the original RD1 are very Italian. The RD2 redesign is specially Italian. It's full of Italian cues. From the quad round headlights to the scoupes in the rear bumper. Pininfarina has designed a few cars for Hyundai since. So it's possible that the relationship started much before back when the RD was being designed.

I knew about the Porsche involvement. They helped develop the whole chassis actually and also tested the cars on their track in Stuttgart.

Never heard about Lotus. But since Porsche was involved I doubt Lotus was too. They basically provide the same type of service.

But I think I read something about Yamaha. But I can't remember what or where. I've been doing so much reading about these cars. But I saw a picture of one with a Yamaha badge on the trunk. Said Yamaha FX.

About the brochure, I couldn't find any. Only for the 2003 and newer Tiburons. So if you have any tips as where to find it I would appreciate it. Thanks.

I found a Tiburon which I want to buy! It's not low mileage though. It has about 90K miles on the clock. To be concerned?

By the way, a friend of mine who buys and sells cars said I should be careful as these Tiburons are notorious for ECU problems. Is that true?

As long as there is not sludge under the oil cap, there shouldn't be a problem with the mileage.

I don't know about any ECU problems. If there were, they are easy and cheap to replace now.

The only time I've heard of ECU problems is when people try to wire in something and they have no idea what they are doing. AFAIK, they are pretty solid from the factory.

By sludge you mean the caffe latte colored pudding looking cream thing? If it has that, it normally is a sign of what? Because I would think that it's probably pretty easy to clean the oil cap off if the seller wants to be dishonest? So is there another thing to watch out for if you want to catch the same problem, besides the oil cap?

About the ECU being easy and cheap to replace now, you say that because there are enough of them in the used market?

Thanks.

Ok, good to know. Thanks.

There were no "common problems" for the RD Tiburons. Yea, I know it sounds unbelievable considering every other vehicle has these. The only thing you have to look out for is negligence on the part of the owner.

Great to know. I thought the ECU thing was bogus. It sounded more like badge snobbery or something really.

What do you guys think of the mileage? Is it even reasonable to expect finding examples with much less miles at this point?

By the way, are those 16" or 17" wheels on your white car JonGTR? I think 17" is probably the largest which will fit? The wheel arches on the car seem pretty small.

Anything under 100k is a good find.

The wheels are from the factory, sort of. I imported them from the UK which came off a special edition 1999 F2 Evolution model. They are 16".

Nice. Did they ever come with 17" from the factory, even if only in Korea?

How many miles does yours have by the way?

Just came across some info online talking about a Quaife torsen diff that would fit the Tiburon and was sold in the early 2000s. The posts says: It was a DSM piece that had one gear reversed, taking advantage of the Alpha and Beta motors and trannies being mirror-image copies of the Mitsu 4g61/3 drivetrains.

Is this still available and is it worth getting it?

From what I understand is they are a modified dsm diff. Meaning the warranty become void. You'd need to contact quaife to see if they still have some collecting dust on the shelf and how modifying it for the Beta affects it's warranty.

I'd say a better option is a Kaaz diff. They actually make it for the Beta ii tranny. Not sure if it'll fit the beta I or not. Someone else will need to chime in on that one.

Ok thanks. Is it a worthy mod at this point in your opinion? For a road car. Daily driver.

By the way, I'm having a hard time finding wheels for the RD cars. Not a lot of options with that bolt pattern and I don't want to run adapters. I was looking for 17" or at least 16", 5 spoke. Haven't seen anything I like yet.

I own a 1997 RD1 it's my first car and I bought it in good condition mind you the paint needed a touch up.
The car had 156000 kilometres when I got it second hand from an old dude who wasn't driving it anymore, I had do do a full service and everything else little by little, from brake discs/calipers suspension arms bushings and more mechanical stuff, so far it cost me about as much as I bought it but I don't complain, it's a fun car to drive easy and quiet for commuting is a looker and the power is there to have some spirited driving on extra urban locations, it's fuel economy is dictated buy your foot and the maintenance cost are low because of the cheap parts, overall it's a great car with nice looks good performance for what you pay and no headaches for electrical stuff the main thing about the RD and RD2 is the condition the car is in, mine has not even a spec of rust and the underside is clean and nothing leaks, I would advise you to get one In as best a condition as possible without paying too much for it and enjoy 🤘