Monday 25th October 2004

Hyundai embarrassed by breakdown

Loan car death brings security out in force

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Hyundai was left with egg on its face after a car lent to the Independent's motoring editor, Sean O'Grady, broke down at London's Canary Wharf in the rush hour. Given that this is one of the most security conscious locations in the UK, the result left him surrounded by security guards, police -- and diesel fuel, which the Elentra car had dumped all over the road.

And, as O'Grady reported, you can pick up a similarly-specced,  if slightly used, motor from one of the major manufacturers for about the same price -- or a heavily-discounted new one.

The final ignominy? One of the security force members called the car a "bit of a pony" -- Cockney rhyming slang for pony and trap.

More here: http://motoring.independent.co.uk/features/story.jsp?story=573531

[dans]

Erm

"A bit Pony" rhyming slang for "crap" not I think for "pony and trap"

I'd have to agree, what a heap of junk.

[cdp]

I think the 5 year warranty is an attempt to improve their dismal resale values.

People have finally worked out that cheap new cars tend to become even cheaper used.

[toppstuff]

In defence of Hyundai, they are in fact very reliable cars in general. Every maker has had such a thing happen at some stage !

Hyuandai have a 5 year no quibble warranty, and they have a good repuation for reliability.

The Hyundai Getz I had as a courtesy car from a bodyshop was a perfectly acceptable and competant small hatchback. Better than a Clio or a Corsa I thought.

Problem is that British buyers are brand snobs. There is no way that a Corsa is better than a Hyundai Getz, but most people would still pick the Corsa because of prejudice.

So are they a heap of poo ?

I'd say not. But a Corsa or a Vectra, now they really are poo....

[Wacky Racer]

toppstuff said:

In defence of Hyundai, they are in fact very reliable cars in general. Every maker has had such a thing happen at some stage ! Hyuandai have a 5 year no quibble warranty, and they have a good repuation for reliability.

Agreed....

I am VERY happy with my coupe, no problems whatsoever in the first seven months........

(Not that I would expect any, anyway)....

[joospeed]

the hyundai coupe outsold the fiat coupe in italy, a country that knows a thing or two about style and smelly water.

it's a very *nice* car

[Road_Terrorist]

Apparently they are easy to fix, one comment from a local mechanic here was "its so well laid out, its almost like they expect it to break down..."

but that was the older model though

[tuscanboy]

Wasn't one of their early cars called a Pony

[Wacky Racer]

joospeed said:

the hyundai coupe outsold the fiat coupe in italy, a country that knows a thing or two about style and smelly water. it's a very *nice* car

And I haven't had to be without it 3 months whilst the engine has had to be rebuilt after 5,000 miles....