Accent?

Whispered · 13-03-2009 9:27am #1

Just wanted to get a general opinion on Hyundai Accents - good car/bad car? (can I post a link & see wat people think?)

Or any recommendations for a cheap car (up to 2k max) which looks kinda decent and a make with a good name.

Nothing like a micra or a fiesta, the car I'm getting rid of is a starlet, so something different to that too.

So much choice out there and I want to get it today.

EPM · 13-03-2009 9:41am

First mistake is trying to do it in one day. Big mistake.

A Fiesta or Micra would wipe the floor with an Accident - sorry Accent any day.

How big an engine are you willing to go for? Is 2 k the max?

Hellrazer · 13-03-2009 9:42am

Helena.
What year Accent are you going for?

Having worked for Hyundai for 5 years I couldnt fault the Accent at all(Btw I dont work for Hyundai now but would still buy an Accent myself if I got one at the right price)

The newer model is a great reliable car but the older one is even more reliable.

Id go so far to say that its reliability is on par with Toyotas and Hondas.

Only problem the newer model gave was with airflow sensors(check for an orange light on the dash)but this can be solved with a spray of carb cleaner.

Cheap car but one that wont let you down.

Whispered · 13-03-2009 9:50am

Thanks Hellrazer, I was originally looking for a toyota but was told Hyundai is almost as good. Could I pm you a link and see what you think, do you mind?

EPM, Thanks for the warning, but I've been looking for a few days now and have just about decided on an accent. Anyway, why such a big mistake?

EDIT: 2k is absolute max, in fact I'm trying to spend less, I wouldn't bother only my own car has problems which will cost a few hundred to fix and the car is only worth that. It broke down a few days ago on the long mile/naas road junction. I had only passed my test the day before, so it was a bad start to my driving! I need a car as the OH is away for a month and I'll be stuck otherwise, hence the urgency

Hellrazer · 13-03-2009 9:57am

Pm me the link and Ill have a look for you.

helena.ryan wrote: »

Thanks Hellrazer, I was originally looking for a toyota but was told Hyundai is almost as good. Could I pm you a link and see what you think, do you mind?

Xavi6 · 13-03-2009 10:00am

I have my Accent a year and a half now and it hasn't caused me any trouble (it's a 2001). It's a 1.6 litre and is very smooth to drive and easy on the petrol.

Thumbs up from me.

BrianD3 · 13-03-2009 10:05am

Which model? The 1998 model has poor safety, the 2003 is a bit better but still not great

1998
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/hyundai_accent_1998/36.aspx

2003
http://www.ancap.com.au/results/10/

Whispered · 13-03-2009 10:07am

It's a 00.

Hellrazer · 13-03-2009 10:13am

Xavi6 wrote: »

I have my Accent a year and a half now and it hasn't caused me any trouble (it's a 2001). It's a 1.6 litre and is very smooth to drive and easy on the petrol.

Thumbs up from me.

1.6?
Cant say Ive ever seen a 1.6 one.

Was sure they were all 1.3

BrianD3 · 13-03-2009 10:16am

edit: wrong comment posted

Is the car similar to this one
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Accent/1.3-GS/200907191837636/advert

EPM · 13-03-2009 10:17am

Just a suggestion

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Almera/1.4-Spor/200908191918781/advert

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Almera/(NCT-03-/200910192032335/advert

Jack Bauer999 · 13-03-2009 10:17am

Hellrazer wrote: »

1.6?
Cant say Ive ever seen a 1.6 one.

Was sure they were all 1.3

wasnt the accent picked out as one of the worst cars ever in top gear a cuple of years ago, Ive an image in my head of James May trying to make it up some small hill and the thing conking out.

Saab Ed · 13-03-2009 10:18am

I'd sooner drive nails into my own leg than drive an accent. Looks awful, interior awful , drives awful , safety awful. No good reson to buy one. Hyundais always do well in owner surveys because the expectation level is so low. Find an extra grand and buy the same year focus. Even €2,000 buys a lot of proper cars. No need to go so low

Whispered · 13-03-2009 10:29am

BrianD3 wrote: »

edit: wrong comment posted

Is the car similar to this one
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Accent/1.3-GS/200907191837636/advert

Yes it's the same as that one

EPM wrote: »

Just a suggestion

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Almera/1.4-Spor/200908191918781/advert

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Almera/(NCT-03-/200910192032335/advert

Oh cool, thanks, not a big fan of the look of the almera, the other one is just too big, I don't want a family car, but please, keep the suggestions coming.

Jack Bauer999 wrote: »

wasnt the accent picked out as one of the worst cars ever in top gear a cuple of years ago, Ive an image in my head of James May trying to make it up some small hill and the thing conking out.

Oh really? That doesn't sound good. Not good at all.

Saab Ed wrote: »

I'd sooner drive nails into my own leg than drive an accent. Looks awful, interior awful , drives awful , safety awful. No good reson to buy one. Hyundais always do well in owner surveys because the expectation level is so low. Find an extra grand and buy the same year focus. Even €2,000 buys a lot of proper cars. No need to go so low

I actually think it looks nice TBH, the interior is ok, I'm moving from a 95 starlet so any interior will be an improvement! The safety being awful would be a concern though.

Some very conflicting posts, I'm more confused than ever now. :eek:

Saab Ed · 13-03-2009 10:42am

This is where my money would go

http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1335611

or

http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1350808

Much safer,nicer,cooler places to be.. Ignore the reg plate on the Accent, they were 10 years out of date when they were launched anyway

bazz26 · 13-03-2009 10:43am

Accent is ok a to b transport but the safety rating is very poor.

Here are some alternatives in your price range:

Mazda 323:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1349297
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1337664

Mitsubishi Carisma:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1348515

Nissan Almera:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1334016
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1321804

Toyota Corolla:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1339669

Ford Focus:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1335611

Whispered · 13-03-2009 10:52am

Thanks everyone, have decided on the accent. I have very very little to spend as this is totally unexpected, my own car died a few days ago, if I had the luxury of time.

Now, just a check, if I buy a car which is not taxed, can I legally drive it until I get the log book?

EPM · 13-03-2009 11:20am

You should be ok if you have a Garage receipt with you at all times.

Seriously though, even for 2k you could get a lot better for your money! Focus would be an excellent choice. They are light years ahead of the accent!

Best of luck with whatever you get anyway!

Fey! · 13-03-2009 11:32am

My better half had a '99 Accent (old model) which never gave trouble, and wasn't the worst car I've ever driven.

Best of luck with whatever one you decide on.

Zube · 13-03-2009 11:50am

Fey! wrote: »

My better half had a '99 Accent (old model) which never gave trouble, and wasn't the worst car I've ever driven.

Wow, now I want one!

Seriously, OP, the only thing the Accent ever had going for it was that it was cheap new. There was a reason it was cheap new: it's really not as good as something from a mainstream European or Japanese maker.

Mr Benevolent · 13-03-2009 11:51am

OP, as you know this is generally a male forum, and the Accent is generally not within the male image. So you'll get a lot of 'ugh, awful car' comments. Since you're not that bothered by looks (or you like the Accent) then by all means go for it. They're reliable and long lasting. Should be able to get a 2002 for €2000 with a bit of a stretch. Just make sure you bring something with a lot of car knowledge with you. My brother and I inspected his car ourselves and after buying it we found out that there was more wrong with it then we thought! Should be plenty of Accents out there for very good prices. Just make sure to haggle.

Mr Benevolent · 13-03-2009 11:54am

it's really not as good as something from a mainstream European or Japanese maker.

Eh? You mean like the Golf 1.4s that blow head gaskets? Or Toyota's VVTI fiasco? Or Mercs that rust? I could go on and on. Your comment smacks of outdated rhetoric.

Zube · 13-03-2009 11:58am

Confab wrote: »

Eh? You mean like the Golf 1.4s that blow head gaskets? Or Toyota's VVTI fiasco? Or Mercs that rust?

I don't mean that it might let you down 1% more often than a Skoda, I mean that from the second you clang the nasty door shut and grip the horrible plastic wheel, you will be sorry you ever saw it, never mind bought it.

The first time you get to a corner, you'll be glad it's so slow, too.

Saab Ed · 13-03-2009 12:31pm

Hyundai are not problem proof either. I once sold one and it kept coming back with a water leak around the sunroof. We replaced everything that we could but to no avail ,the leak just kept coming. In the end a friend of mine in a Hyundai dealer told me of a coupe he sold with the very same problem. In the end it turned out to be a dodgy seam weld. Now what ever about the handle on a glove box falling off but a bloody dodgy seam weld!
Also they give wiring loom problems, the Getz gave short block problems , the diesels give big clutch and flywheel problems. Second gear syncro is a common problem to all Hyundais and reverse can evaporate all together.
All cars give trouble....

Hellrazer · 13-03-2009 1:09pm

Saab Ed wrote: »

Hyundai are not problem proof either. I once sold one and it kept coming back with a water leak around the sunroof. We replaced everything that we could but to no avail ,the leak just kept coming. In the end a friend of mine in a Hyundai dealer told me of a coupe he sold with the very same problem. In the end it turned out to be a dodgy seam weld. Now what ever about the handle on a glove box falling off but a bloody dodgy seam weld!
Also they give wiring loom problems, the Getz gave short block problems , the diesels give big clutch and flywheel problems. Second gear syncro is a common problem to all Hyundais and reverse can evaporate all together.
All cars give trouble....

The sunroof problem was repaired by dealers under warranty even the car was outside of warranty.
The Santa fe gave problems with clutches because the flywheel was only a single mass flywheel when it should have been dual mass and again it was replaced free of charges within a certain mileage.Dont ever remember the Getz giving block problems or any wiring faults with any of the Hyundais.

Second gear synchro and reverse was a problem only in the Diesel trajet iirc.And since hyundai offered unlimited mileage or 3 years warranty on them in 02/03 it was usually only those used as taxis that it was a real problem with.Those in normal everyday use very rarely had these problems until they hit big mileage.And you know how taxi drivers moan--hence the reason everyone knew about the gearbox problems.
I remember replacing some of those trajet gearboxes up to 150k if it was under 3 years old.

Saab Ed · 13-03-2009 1:17pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

The sunroof problem was repaired by dealers under warranty even the car was outside of warranty.
The Santa fe gave problems with clutches because the flywheel was only a single mass flywheel when it should have been dual mass and again it was replaced free of charges within a certain mileage.Dont ever remember the Getz giving block problems or any wiring faults with any of the Hyundais.

Second gear synchro and reverse was a problem only in the Diesel trajet iirc.And since hyundai offered unlimited mileage or 3 years warranty on them in 02/03 it was usually only those used as taxis that it was a real problem with.Those in normal everyday use very rarely had these problems until they hit big mileage.And you know how taxi drivers moan--hence the reason everyone knew about the gearbox problems.
I remember replacing some of those trajet gearboxes up to 150k if it was under 3 years old.

Yep in fairness to Hyundai they always did these things under warranty and are very good in this department. I was just trying to show that every car has their problems and Hyundai are not immune, but you're right in saying that the warranty is very good. For me though thats the problem, a Hyundai is just a warranty and without one there is not a hope in hell I'd buy one over many better cars out there.

Poulgorm · 13-03-2009 1:21pm

The accent is very reliable and simple to drive. Easy on petrol. Quite agile.

But don't have a crash in one - very little protection

kuro_man · 13-03-2009 1:57pm

Regardless of the merits of the Accent, if you ever need to sell the car quickly it would be much better to have a Focus.

Why don't you drive both first and then decide? You should be able to do that in 1 day.

alias no.9 · 13-03-2009 2:10pm

If you were happy with your starlet, you'll probably like the accent, but the fact that your looking for something 'different' to the starlet leads me to think you will be disappointed with an accent within a short time of purchasing it. It will be reliable and reasonably economical, that fits the bill for lots of people, but there are plenty of other options for similar money that will give you similar reliability and economy with the added bonus of better refinement, driving dynamics and style.

Mr Benevolent · 13-03-2009 2:24pm

there are plenty of other options for similar money that will give you similar reliability and economy with the added bonus of better refinement, driving dynamics and style.

+1. A bit of negotiating could bag you a €2,500 car. Choices grow exponentially during a recession and at these low prices.

Accent?

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