Reliable bargain buy
Alternator required reconditioning at 96,000 miles.
Great little car, reliable and easy to drive.
Hammered up and down the motorway daily and engine still performs great.
Surprising cabin and boot size for a small car.
Recommend this car to anyone looking for a second car or runabout.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th July, 2005
Ignore the badge, it's a great run-around, and very reliable
I had the Crankshaft Position Sensor replaced, as sometimes the car wouldn't start, (although it would ALWAYS start eventually) I suspected this was actually a bad connection, as fiddling with it always started the car, but I had it replaced anyway, which cost around £30.
This car is great fun to drive around. It’s not the most refined car, or the quietest, but the controls give lots of feedback (my model does not have Power Steering) you can be confident in what the car is doing because of that, this is something I absolutely love, and when driving more modern cars I hate the numb, anesthetized and downright boring feeling they have! Some may find the clutch a little on the heavy side though.
The engine is a 1.3 (1341cc) Multi-Point Injection, 12-Valve SOHC engine. It is pretty fast for its size, sounds great when you rev it high (from 4000rpm on-wards) and is pretty quiet down low (below 3000rpm) It produces plenty of torque low down (peak at 3000rpm) and responds very well to throttle inputs. You don’t have to put your foot far down to make it start responding, it’s brilliant around town. The only problem is that it lacks overtaking power on A-Roads, and Motorways / Duel-Carriageways; when a Van or other vehicle is doing say, ~50MPH on an A-Road and its only straight for a little while, you won't be overtaking them, needs a good straight (unless you enjoy taking risks!) and you’ll need 3rd Gear for definite and your foot to be on the floor. But when you do overtake, the engine loves being revved; peak power is at 5500rpm and it sounds brilliant.
Interior is quite cheap looking! Its gray or black plastic everywhere although the layout of the buttons is quite easy to get the hang of, nothing is in a silly position, although it may take some getting used to. Indicators and Lights are on the right-hand stalk on the steering wheel, Washers and Wipers are on the left, Rear-washer and wiper is on the centre console! Weird! And the Electric Window switches are between the seats, behind the handbrake, which I find a bit weird, but many other cars are also like this. Steering wheel is quite large, but makes parking easier as it has no Power Assist. Seating is OK, drivers seat has height and lumbar adjust, as well as the normal reclining etc, but I would prefer it to be a bit more ‘buckety’.
Boot space is big, and if you fold the rear seats; I have managed to fit 2 mountain bikes in there with bags, helmets water bottles etc so its pretty good.
My car typically does around 35mpg, not brilliant, but I’m not that gentle to it! and I mostly do town-driving rather than long steady cruises. So you may get more mileage out of it than me.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 5th February, 2005
A superb car for the money
Nothing machanically has gone wrong with the car as yet. So far the electric window wire on the drivers side has worn away which now needs fixing. Also the clutch squeaks as you press it which can be a little embarrissing. Apart from that the car has been sound. All other faults have been my own fault, IE, Induction kit fitted has disrupted the computer a little making it a little jumpy below 3000 revs. I'm getting this fixed at Rally Tec. Also the metal bracket behind my CD player cut one the wires of the CD player shorting out the ignition fuse.
So far I have been very pleased with this car. I changed the wheels from the original 175/65/R14 to some new alloys which are 195/45/R16. These new wheels hold the road a lot better. Before with the old wheels I would aqua plain over the smallest puddle, plus they hated going round bends in the wet, even when going slowly. The new wheels stick to the road. It's a great engine with capabilities far above my friends cars of similar engine size. The car can easily handle upward slopes in 5th gear going 20mph with no struggle. My computer needs re-tuning after fitting a pipercross rally induction kit, replacing the old filter system. For some reason the car does not mix the right air to fuel when it's hot and running below 3000 revs. It's only a problem if you put your foot down, and then it only jumps a little. The car is very economical. The car proved that it didn't need an Ecotec valve to save it petrol. (Ecotec - valve that mixes more air with the petrol increasing performance and saving petrol due to less wastage) The looks of the car are lovely. I bought the yellow one which I believe is the best colour. All in all I am so pleased with this car that in a few years time when I change it, I'll make sure that it's another Hyundai (Hyundai coupe 2.0l maybe )
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th April, 2003
I bought my 1998 Hyundai Accent MVI a few weeks ago. The last person to own it let dogs travel in the car with her! So as you can imagine the interior needed a little TLC!
Well, I've cleaned up the carpet and seats and replaced the handbrake lever which had been chewed to pieces, and its now looking good inside.
The exterior is in good condition for a car of this age (nearly 10 years old). I have to say, these Hyundai's do not rust easily. There are a couple of knocks and dents to be looked at, but nothing major.
The thing that impressed me most about the car though (apart from it's looks) is the way it drives. My car has covered over 82,000 miles and the engine is still as sweet as anything and pulls nicely, though I have to say the handling isn't great, but hey you can't expect everything from a 9 year old sporty hatch now can you! A few squeaks here and there whilst driving around, but all in all a fantastic looking and reliable car.
Thanks.
What a bizarre comment. Handling has nothing to do with age. A 1967 Porsche is going to handle better than a 1967 Ford LTD.
Hyundais are made for soft rides, and for drivers who do not take corners fast.
Well I gotta agree with most of whats been said, I got mine last week for a project to custom and its fantastic... its roomy, smooth, sporty and quite quick :) I'm loving it, got most of my plans for it sorted and already started on the interior. its like a blank canvas so much potential, I have no idea why I dint buy 1 sooner.
As for the comment about handling!!! mines fine still has standard wheels at the min, but they hug the road fine. and I put it in corners pretty quick and I have no problems, sticks to the road like glue.
Mines only done 55G's and the engine is sweet, but what you expect... it is a Korean car after all lol.
Peace out and much love to all the MVi owners.
18th Feb 2006, 10:39
Excellent, informative review. I have been offered a fantastic deal on a 1.3i Accent and was in two minds about whether to go for it, but thanks to you my mind is now made up. I'm pleased you mentioned the car's ability to fit bikes in the back, as I was also looking for somewhere to put mine! Thanks very much mate.