Hyundai Coupe or Audi A3

golfbgud

Decisions Decisions......

Changing the car for "herself". She likes an '04 1.6 Hyundai Coupe but I would like to see her in an Audi A3 1.6 (2001/2002).

Both are similar prices and both are 1.6.

Any input/advice - I have gotten mixed reports on the Coupe. Nice looking car but.........

Thanks - Gerry.

P.S. Wondering if the insurance will be similar? Must check that out tomorrow....

golfbgud

Anyone got a rough price on getting a Timing Belt done on a 2004 Hyundai Coupe 1.6??
Thanks.

Eoin

There might be a loading on the Hyundai, purely because it's a coupé. I just got quoted an extra €90 to change from a 2.5 petrol saloon to a slower 1.9 diesel coupé. Only your insurance company can answer for sure though.

Anyway - if she likes the coupé, then why not? Neither car is particularly quick, and I think that the VAG reliability is overstated. I think the 2002 Audi A3 is a very boring looking car; I might get slated for this, but I think the Hyundai is a far nicer car - even if it doesn't have the performance to go with the looks.

jaffa20

Did you say 01 audi a3?:)

golfbgud

jaffa20 wrote: »

Did you say 01 audi a3?:)

Yes - its a 2001 A3 (no remote locking which is disappointing - I hear that came in 2002?).

Alanstrainor

There is no way i'd even consider a poverty spec a3 over the coupé, especially since she likes the hyundai to start with. Those A3s are very boring looking cars tbh.

Blazer

suspensions are crap though in the Coupe...boneshakers they were nicknamed and this was by people that owned them...
At the end of the way I'd rather have a comfortable car I can drive for hours rather than a better looking car which would leave me crippled

monkeypants

Check the seating position out. The Hyundai in my opinion is quite low and there's not a lot of head room. Take a ramp too quick and she'll have a new sunroof...

L-M

monkeypants wrote: »

Check the seating position out. The Hyundai in my opinion is quite low and there's not a lot of head room.

The seat position is fairly low, but the sister who is tiny can drive it not a bother, and her boyfriend who's 6.5 owns it, and it's his second in 8 years and he never complained about head room. The back is a different story though.

I'd pick the Coupe ten times over, but I'd be buying a 05 one, with the facelifted headlights and half leather as standard (nicer than full leather IMO).

ocj

I'd go for the coupe, Ok there's no head room in the back. But a nice car to drive. The OH has one and there very easy to service too.
I think we got a quote in swords for a Timing belt and it was around €450.
So got it done in Newry for about € 250. We were heading that way with the car anyway.
Problems with the car were a leaking power steering pipe and a faulty door actuator .
These were covered by Hyundai as it was bought in the uk and they had a 5 year warranty as to here which was only 3

golfbgud

ocj wrote: »

I'd go for the coupe, Ok there's no head room in the back. But a nice car to drive. The OH has one and there very easy to service too.
I think we got a quote in swords for a Timing belt and it was around €450.
So got it done in Newry for about € 250. We were heading that way with the car anyway.
Problems with the car were a leaking power steering pipe and a faulty door actuator .
These were covered by Hyundai as it was bought in the uk and they had a 5 year warranty as to here which was only 3

Power steering pipe was recently replaced due to NCT failure. I hear the AIRBAG light is a common fault if seats are moved regularily? Also window regulators.

Thanks.

golfbgud

What are they like on petrol? I would assume the A3 has the edge?

Wossack

golfbgud wrote: »

What are they like on petrol? I would assume the A3 has the edge?

you're reaching now...! :pac:

L-M

Wossack wrote: »

you're reaching now...! :pac:

o.O

EPM

golfbgud wrote: »

What are they like on petrol? I would assume the A3 has the edge?

1.6 VAG lump in A3 is as thirsty as a 2 litre to be honest. Can't keep juice in the things unless driven like a granny all the time.

golfbgud

eoin wrote: »

There might be a loading on the Hyundai, purely because it's a coupé. I just got quoted an extra €90 to change from a 2.5 petrol saloon to a slower 1.9 diesel coupé. Only your insurance company can answer for sure though.

Anyway - if she likes the coupé, then why not? Neither car is particularly quick, and I think that the VAG reliability is overstated. I think the 2002 Audi A3 is a very boring looking car; I might get slated for this, but I think the Hyundai is a far nicer car - even if it doesn't have the performance to go with the looks.

Good point on the Insurance - just asked her to ring ahead and check - we will see!......

golfbgud

Sc@recrow wrote: »

suspensions are crap though in the Coupe...boneshakers they were nicknamed and this was by people that owned them...
At the end of the way I'd rather have a comfortable car I can drive for hours rather than a better looking car which would leave me crippled

Agree - felt very hard on test drive in comparison to A3. Noisy too. Although the tyres are low profile so not really expecting a "luxury" soft drive!

Liam_Flag

How much does she have to spend?

golfbgud

Liam_Flag wrote: »

How much does she have to spend?

5K TOPS.

Want trouble free driving without having to cover NCT, TB replacement etc......

She currently drives a 1,4 3dr Honda Civic. Bout with 18k miles, now has 57k. Nothing on a Honda but it's now a '97 car. Never gave me any trouble....

L-M

So i texted him to find out his mpg.

He said he gets around 600km for a tank which is around 48litres.

It my head that works out at an average of 35 mpg. That'd be long spins mainly and short spins included.

Edit: He also bought it new in 05 and now has 135,000 on it, with little or no trouble!

jaffa20

golfbgud wrote: »

What are they like on petrol? I would assume the A3 has the edge?

Mine is fairly good on petrol. Getting around 38-39mpg on mixed driving.

golfbgud wrote: »

Yes - its a 2001 A3 (no remote locking which is disappointing - I hear that came in 2002?).

Mine has central locking. Dunno where you read it didn't come in until 2002. Personally, i prefer the audi a3 over the hyundai coupe but i'm biased. I'd also mention the mx5 to your OH to see what she thinks. I just bought one and it's great little car to drive. Depends if the two seater suits her though.

Also if you want to look at my audi a3, just let me know. It has nct until january and it has just been serviced recently. Timing belt was only done last year around 125k miles and the car has caused me no problems whatsoever.

monkeypants

Limerick man wrote: »

The seat position is fairly low, but the sister who is tiny can drive it not a bother, and her boyfriend who's 6.5 owns it, and it's his second in 8 years and he never complained about head room.

I sat in the driving seat of one a couple of years ago and I couldn't get my hand in between the top of my head and the roof. I'm only 5' 10". Can't recall what year the model was.

Tea 1000

The 1.6 A3 really is pants. I don't know how Audi managed it, but they've sucessfully made a petrol engine sound like a diesel with that one, and it's thirsty and gutless to boot.
The Coupe isn't quick either, but I'd go for that before the 1.6 A3. Reliability on both should be fine. Interior of the Coupe is crap, exterior of the A3 is crap.

-Corkie-

The mate has a 01 A3. I wouldnt be gone on it now. I would be looking at the hyundai. It got a really god review on top gear a few years ago. Hammond said it was a nicer and better car than the lexus sc430....

mcwhirter

Neither buy something else and love your life.

the old model A3 is pretty rubbish looking at this stage.
same for old model hyundai coupe.

other options...? - alfa 156? renault megane (the one with the big ass)?

bazz26

I'd check out the Ford Puma too. Fiesta underpinings so cheap to run and lovely to drive. 1.7 litre version is lively.

Something like this:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201024198432349

golfbgud

Performance:

According to Parkers:

Audi A3

MPG 39
0-60 10.6 Secs
100BHP
Top Speed 117MPH

Hyundai Coupe

MPG 37
0-60 11.5 Secs
103BHP
Top Speed 115MPH

So the A3 is more economical and faster with less BHP than the Hyundai?

Alanstrainor

golfbgud wrote: »

Performance:

According to Parkers:

Audi A3

MPG 39
0-60 10.6 Secs
100BHP
Top Speed 117MPH

Hyundai Coupe

MPG 37
0-60 11.5 Secs
103BHP
Top Speed 115MPH

So the A3 is more economical and faster with less BHP than the Hyundai?

The difference between the two is negligible tbh

golfbgud

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The difference between the two is negligible tbh

Yep - I agree. There is a difference in the Insurance Groups (UK Data).

A3 Group 9
Coupe Group 8

Still waiting for feedback from her own Insurance here...

L-M

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd check out the Ford Puma too. Fiesta underpinings so cheap to run and lovely to drive. 1.7 litre version is lively.

Something like this:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201024198432349

Plug for a friend,

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1263301

The car is spotless and the mileage is genuine too!

Great fun to drive, those Puma's. Ride is a bit harsh though!

golfbgud

Ford Puma is not an option (I'm told).....:)

golfbgud

Going with a '04 Coupe to keep the peace!

L-M

golfbgud wrote: »

Going with a '04 Coupe to keep the peace!

Have you it bought? They facelifted the coupe in 05 and it's much nicer IMO...

http://s2.desktopmachine.com/pics/Hyundai_coupe_04_1600x1200.jpg

http://images.autoexposure.co.uk/AETA49986/AETV82455294_1.jpg

golfbgud

Limerick man wrote: »

Have you it bought? They facelifted the coupe in 05 and it's much nicer IMO...

http://s2.desktopmachine.com/pics/Hyundai_coupe_04_1600x1200.jpg

http://images.autoexposure.co.uk/AETA49986/AETV82455294_1.jpg

Yeah - I realise that OK but my budget is already over the mark and stretched. It would cost at least another grand to go '05.

golfbgud

Hmmmmm.

Have the car 9 days and got a call from the wife on Thursday night to day she was stuck in a high rise car park with the weekly shopping and the car won't start! Engine turning but no spark. Towed away to Main Dealer on Friday. No car for the week-end.......

Great.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Fook :-/

Was it a private or garage sale?

golfbgud

Garage - 6mths warranty.Their problem, Their bill.

Got some speel about keys not being coded properly by immobiliser blah blah blah. Will know better when I get it back (when being the operative word).

Herself not happy....no car 5 days.

Liam_Flag

golfbgud wrote: »

Garage - 6mths warranty.Their problem, Their bill.

Got some speel about keys not being coded properly by immobiliser blah blah blah. Will know better when I get it back (when being the operative word).

Herself not happy....no car 5 days.

Sure she didn't leave the lights on and they're taking you for a ride?

golfbgud

Positive on the lights - I was there myself to check that very thing!

Anan1

Liam_Flag wrote: »

Sure she didn't leave the lights on and they're taking you for a ride?

How could they be? The car's under warranty.

golfbgud

Anan1 wrote: »

How could they be? The car's under warranty.

Car is currently at a Hyundai main dealer (not the garage where the car was purchased - dropped there by road assist people).