I have heards rumblings that Hyundai is looking at introducing a hybrid version of their Accent cars. Are they designing them in house, or pulling a Ford and getting some of the technology from another car company? Also, do any of you have experience with the current crop of non-hybrid Hyundais? How do you like them (or not)?
Hyundai has also stated that they will try to market the Accent Hybrid at a much lower cost than other hybrid models on the roads. IMHO if they don't put put a product like the old Excel, than maybe a less expensive hybrid would turn more people onto them. I wonder if Hyundai's famous warranty will apply to the hybrid parts as well?
I can't comment on the rumors of a hybrid but I liked my 2002 Elantra other than it's handling in the snow and that may have been just the tires on it.
Hybrids: '00 Insight, had an '03 HCH for 41k miles
Posts: 587
Re: Hyundai Hybrids?
I haven't heard too much about it. I just hate all the times I've heard people bad mouth Hyundai. I ask "Oh, what problems did you have with your Hyundai?". Their reply, "Oh, I never owned one, my brother's in laws cousin's siter's friend had one and he said they were garbage."
It was actually one of the most trouble free cars I've ever owned and I've have A LOT of cars.
'00 Insight "Wazabi" -75,000+ miles
'03 Toyota Matrix - 81,000+ miles '03 HCH-CVT-OSBM-41,000+ miles (retired 04-10-06) "I'm very secure with my little Insight, no Prius envy here."
i was seriously considering a Santa Fe, because about 5 times a year, we need to pull a trailer long distances. Hyundais have come a long way, but yes, people still look down on them. I'd be interested in a Hyundai Hybrid, though I have to admit that I'm considering a 1st gen HCH, but I wouldnt get a 1st gen Hyundai Hybrid
"We believe Hyundai's hybrid project is mainly designed for overseas markets. The carmaker will push the plan even if they are not so sure about the hybrid sales at home," he said. Hyundai relies on exports for more than 70 percent of its sales.
'00 Insight "Wazabi" -75,000+ miles
'03 Toyota Matrix - 81,000+ miles '03 HCH-CVT-OSBM-41,000+ miles (retired 04-10-06) "I'm very secure with my little Insight, no Prius envy here."
Hyundai's used to be very bad when they first came out. Then the went to like a 10yr/100K warrant or something rediculously long. After that their quality improved a lot. Currently they are pretty much one of the most reliable cars. They still have reputation for poor quality for those of us driving cars in the 80s but it is unwarranted and If they came out with a decent hybrid I would give it serious consideration.
Tbaleno is right on. My wife bought an 89 Hyundai Excel new ($8900), and it was a disaster. Consumer Reports rated the 87-89 Excel the lowest in just about every category, and ours lived up to it. The crowning moment was after owning it for 2 1/2 years it developed a coolant leak. Now, the clever engineering work on the coolant line had it run through the passenger compartment. When it leaked, that's where it dumped the coolant. That was a lot of fun. We traded it in after 3 years, 28K miles for $2000.
Having said all that, the new ones are great - wouldn't say a bad thing about them. It's unfortunate when your first market entry is a true piece of junk - hard to shake off the stigma. Although that 92 Chrystler Minivan was just as bad, but that's another topic for another forum...
Hybrids: '00 Insight, had an '03 HCH for 41k miles
Posts: 587
Re: Hyundai Hybrids?
Mine was a '94 Excel 4dr sedan. I bought it in '95, just a little over one year old with around 20k miles. We were in the market for a new car but didn't want to pay much. I was looking for a Civic but all were pricey, I had noticed the Excel had been for sale on a local message board (before computer type BB, this was made of cork ) at a local store for some time. I decided to check it out and liked it BUT it was a Hyundai. The guy was asking $5900 for it. I offered a $4700 take it or leave it offer, he bit. I drove it 2 years and put 40k trouble free miles on it. I knew Hyundai's of the time had overhearting problems and it did run warmer than I liked, I switched it to full synthetic oil......problem solved. When I sold it 2 years later, I sold it in one day for $3900. I am meticulous about my cars and that normally helps me when it's time to sell.
It truly was one of the most trouble free cars I ever owned, I've had close to a hundred - maybe more. Some day I'll count them all.
'00 Insight "Wazabi" -75,000+ miles
'03 Toyota Matrix - 81,000+ miles '03 HCH-CVT-OSBM-41,000+ miles (retired 04-10-06) "I'm very secure with my little Insight, no Prius envy here."
Hyundai Hybrids?
) at a local store for some time. I decided to check it out and liked it BUT it was a Hyundai. The guy was asking $5900 for it. I offered a $4700 take it or leave it offer, he bit. I drove it 2 years and put 40k trouble free miles on it. I knew Hyundai's of the time had overhearting problems and it did run warmer than I liked, I switched it to full synthetic oil......problem solved. When I sold it 2 years later, I sold it in one day for $3900. I am meticulous about my cars and that normally helps me when it's time to sell.
