Priuses are not that bad looking, the first time I saw one I almost threw up in my moutha little, but they grew on me. I wouldn't drive one, but they are not that bad.
I would say that Hyundai used to be like that. I had an old Accent, both of my door handles broke within a week! Now they might be getting better, I still won't chance it. That was really irritating it cost like $400 to fix it. :s
Your hyundai might have just ben a lemon because I had one and it was ok but ugly, I traded it in a while ago I have a camry now and it is cool. The new body style is so much better than it used to be.
Get a Honda or a Toyota, definitely get one of those two with reasonable miles on it. If you take care of it and change the oil every 3k it will last you. I have had both and I wouldn't get anything else!
I would be happy just to have a car, Mine was totaled a few weeks ago. It wasn't my fault though so I should get a new one because of insurance. Nice to see some unbiased reviews on cars here though. Most review websites get kickbacks from the car companies to do good reviews. I like truly unbiased opinions, nice to see some.