Look who's all grown up. The original Hyundai Tiburon -- the name is Spanish for shark -- looked like a caricature of a real sports car when it arrived in late 1996. Lacking such performance features as an optional V-6 engine and 17-inch tires, the
Tiburon felt more like a toy than a true sportster.All that has changed on the redesigned 2003 Tiburon, which went on sale last month in the United States.The Tiburon looks and feels more mature, and is now a worthy competitor to sporty coupes
like the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Toyota Celica. Next to some of the Japanese brands, in fact, our lavishly equipped, Korean-built Tiburon GT V-6, priced at $20,492, looked like a bargain.He: My biggest regret in driving the Tiburon is that it makes me
look a lot younger than I feel.She: In your dreams. My biggest regret is all the Krispy Kreme doughnuts I've eaten in my lifetime.He: My point exactly. It's getting harder and harder to squeeze my ample carcass into these little sporty
coupes.She: Here's a rule of thumb. If you don't look good in a midriff top that bares your pierced navel, you're probably not going to look good in the new Tiburon.He: Wow, doughnuts and body piercing. This is a new tack in test drives. And
driving is what the new Tiburon is all about. The 2003 edition not only looks sexier and more grown up, it feels more substantial. The GT model with the V-6 weighs in at just over 3,000 pounds. Yet it's light enough that the twin-cam 2.7-liter V-6 feels
really zippy, especially with the new six-speed gearbox. The all-independent suspension enables a very controlled ride, with the longer wheelbase and gas-filled shocks providing more comfort than the previous generation. Just don't try to sit in the rear
seat for long.She: I think this is as close as you're going to get to a Korean Ferrari. It looks fast, even standing in the driveway. And yet you can buy 10 Tiburons for the price of a single 550 Maranello. Most importantly, the Korean quality stigma
is fast becoming a distant memory with each new product that Hyundai introduces. I can remember having a field day lampooning the first-generation Korean cars, with all their squeaks and rattles and sloppy assembly quality. But the Korean manufacturers
have earned our respect with their most recent crop of new vehicles. And yet they haven't done away with the terrific warranties -- including five years of unlimited roadside assistance.He: The insurance companies don't seem to be convinced yet. Even
though you'll save on the sticker price, be prepared to pay higher-than-average insurance rates to cover your Tiburon. But you should be reassured on the safety front. Side air bags are standard on the Tiburon GT, although for some reason antilock brakes
still cost extra. In fact, all the fun stuff -- a tall spoiler, fancy aluminum pedals, a moonroof and the six-speed manual -- come bundled in a $2,000 options package.She: I don't think
I ever once engaged the top gear. But then again they're not aiming the Tiburon at the Martha Stewart set, are they?He: Hey, who needs six speeds anyway to get through the drive-through at Krispy Kreme?She: But I did appreciate all the standard
equipment on the GT model, including leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, 17-inch Michelin Pilot tires and a great Infinity audio system with a CD player. That's an awful lot of hardware for the base price of $17,999.He:
don't mean to knock the Japanese, but a similarly equipped Eclipse or Celica will cost you thousands more. Neither one looks as good as the Tiburon, and you can't even get a V-6 in the Toyota. And there's a big difference in the cockpit. The Tiburon's
cabin looks clean and contemporary, with lots of metallic accents.She: I thought it was a little too dark and monochromatic. And the Tiburon is difficult to climb in and out of, for consumers of any age. I liked the look of
the 17-inch wheels and tires, but the low-profile rubber makes for a harsher ride.He: Mere quibbles, dear. None of that is going to bother the young male buyers at whom the Tiburon is aimed. For $20,000 or less, automotive entertainment doesn't get
much better than this.2003 Hyundai Tiburon GTAnita's rating: (Above average)Paul's rating: (World class)Likes: All grown up from previous generation, with a sculpted, aggressive new look. New V-6 engine with new optional six-speed manual.
Lots of performance and style, with an affordable price tag. New longer wheelbase provides smoother ride, more cabin room. Standard leather seating on GT V-6. Infinity AM/FM/CD standard on GT V-6. No more Korean quality stigma. Side air bags are standard.
Super 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and five-year, unlimited mileage. 24-hour roadside assistance.Dislikes: Tight squeeze in the cabin for mom and dad. Impractical, except for dating potential. No room in rear seat. Fun features, like tall
spoiler, aluminum foot pedals, moonroof and six-speed manual, are part of a $1,988 options package. Anti-lock brakes cost extra. Higher-than-average insurance cost.Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, four-passenger subcompact coupe.Price: Base,
$17,999 ; as tested, $20,492 (inc. $495 destination charge).Engine: 2.7-liter V-6; 181-hp; 177 lb-ft torque.EPA fuel economy: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway.12-month insurance cost, estimated by AAA Michigan: $1,613 (Rates may be higher or lower,
depending on coverage and driving record.)Where built: Korea
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