OK if it's all you can afford
Bearings on front shocks died.
Alternator burnt out.
Electric fan seized.
Continual 'check engine' light coming on & revs all over the place.
Reasonably powered.
Reasonable fuel economy.
Poor finish.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 28th October, 2008
Absolute nightmare
The car has broken down (literally stopped on the side of the road) 4 times in the last 2 years that I have owned it.
Gear box problems.
Clutch problems.
Blew a head gasket.
Brake malfunction and replacement.
Oil leaks.
Radiator leak.
Power steering leak.
Faulty fuel injectors.
Replaced fuel pump.
Exhaust replaced.
Air conditioning unit has stopped working.
Central locking has stopped working.
Driver door jammed shut (had to replace entire internal door skin)
Window seals faulty (car leaks and smells after rain)
This car is very nice to drive and feels quite powerful and light to handle.
However, it is extremely unreliable. For the last 3 years I have had to repair the car almost every 6 months and in the last 2 years it has broken down 4 times.
I am currently trying to sell it but the car will not even stay in working order long enough for me to put it on the market!
It is an absolute nightmare. I would strongly deter anyone from buying an Excel or any Hyundai make.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 29th June, 2008
Great learner car, but nothing else
O2 sensor went at 105,000km; $80.
Left thermofan in front of the engine went at 106,000km; replaced with a Davies Craig fan for $100.
Now the map sensor has gone (107,000) and needs to be ordered in. Retail of over $200.
Replaced the battery terminals.
Interior door handle stopped working because of a small clip snapping.
Handbrake is loose and barely works.
Needs a new clutch; $400.
In the year that I have had the car, it has done what what I have needed.
It has been fairly reliable since the battery terminals were replaced as they didn't make proper contact, and made the car not start on many occasions.
When the O2 sensor went, I started getting 200km out of 40L. Replaced it and went back to 500ish per tank, but then the map sensor went and back to the awful fuel economy.
It is very uncomfortable on long trips with uncomfortable seats, a lack of power and the lack of a 6th gear as it revs very high at 110km.
It has had the suspension replaced at some point in time, and has a very rough ride.
The interior is of bad quality and has a few annoying squeaks and rattles.
Very, very sloppy gear shift.
And one of the most annoying things of all that I never thought of when buying it, is that it has no cup-holders!!!
Despite the above problems with the car, it has been a good P plater car because of its lack of power.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 1st December, 2007
If you're after a problem free car buy an Excel
What has gone wrong with my Excel GX?
-Rear brakes were fixed by previous owner.
-New battery.
The previous owner said its been very reliable.
Otherwise nothing.
I bought this as a second run about car I could use and park where ever I wanted as I wanted to take care of my Elantra.
I bought the second Hyundai because as far as I'm concerned I have great respect for the in house Alpha and Beta motors used in the Excel, Accent, Getz and Elantra, Tucson.
When I was shopping around for my Excel I wasn't fussed about mileage. I just wanted an Excel that was looked after and ran fine.
I test drove over 10 different Excels before I bought one. The first one I drove had close to 400,000km on it! but it drove excellent. The only reason I didn't purchase that one was purely because it was PINK.
I spoke to a few mechanics and overall they all said never knock an Excel for reliability. They were a cheap car. but have an extremely robust engine. I even had the Excel commended for its reliability by a security company which told me they have had cars see the life of over 600,000km on them.
Enough of that. This is about my Excel.
I purchased it with 200,000km and only paid $2,500 for it because the registration was due in a few days. The car itself always starts and runs very smoothly. I am servicing it regularly every 7,500km as I want to look after this little gem as much as possible. But with saying that, it does get thrashed a little bit.
When I bought the car I did change a few things.
-Drivers door seal- ripped
-Hatch seal- leaking.
Other than that nothing else has been touched.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th April, 2007
29th Apr 2009, 19:07
I used to own a 1998 HYUNDAI EXCEL GLX, I loved it, got it brand spanking new in 1998.
Only had 3 or 4 problems, the first one was in 2000 and it was the worst. All lights on the car stopped working, they would randomly turn on and flash etc.. and central locking went (that really annoyed me coz I was over 1000k's from home at the time LOL).
About a year later the blinkers went again.
About 7 months ago, the radiator went, and I replaced the exhaust 2 months ago.
Other than that, it's been the best car I've ever owned.
I just got a 2004 Nissan Pulsar LX, and I HATE it LOL.