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Hyundai Accent

624 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2012 at 7:51 PM

You are in the Hyundai Accent Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Accent, Coupe, Hatchback

Messages Page 62 of 63

#605 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [windgrace] by imaginary

Jun 10, 2011 (9:07 am)

Replying to: windgrace (Jun 09, 2011 10:50 pm)
Only time will tell how much the new 2012 Subaru Impreza costs. But in terms of the worth compared to a FWD vehicle like the Fit or Accent, it's worth the money; just that bit more for an AWD vehicle that gets comparable or even BETTER MPG, has about the same reliability rate, low repair costs, it's totally worth the extra money. The price just can't be beat for Subaru's AWD, the better and impressive MPG (27/36 city/highway), and their reliability. The 2012 Subaru Impreza gets better MPG than the SX4, and the Subaru AWD system is better overall to say the least.
 
Total cost to own (especially repair costs), I'd pick a 2012 Subaru Impreza over a 2011-12 Suzuki SX4.
 
The Toyota sudden acceleration issue was mostly due to driver error as it always has been. I'm sure some people on this forum will argue against that though (in favor against Toyota). At any rate, if you're that worried, you should familiarize yourself with how to stop your car if you have a sudden acceleration problem.
 
Either way, AWD or not, you still should think about purchasing a good set of winter tires after you purchase the vehicle of your choice. No matter how sophisticated and powerful an AWD system, your tires are the ones that touch the snow or ground. In short, FWD with winter tires > AWD with all-season tires; FWD with winter tires < AWD with winter tires. Oh and I'm also in the same boat as you, albeit with a lower down payment. If I had that much money as a down payment, I'd go with purchasing via financing through a (low interest rate) loan and buying the 2012 Subaru Impreza. I wouldn't try to foot the bill with a used car and repair costs no longer covered by the warranty. Especially if I'm going to college. I can afford a steady payment, I could probably not afford a sudden huge repair cost. I feel more secure with the warranty and lemon laws in addition to knowing I'm the first and only owner.

#606 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [imaginary] by windgrace

Jun 10, 2011 (9:54 am)

Replying to: imaginary (Jun 10, 2011 9:07 am)
Yes, the 2012 Subaru Impreza looks like an incredible upgrade in terms of mpgs. The new Legacy was a similar case, and Subaru managed to drop the starting price of the new Legacy by several thousand dollars. I doubt that a drop like that will occur with the Impreza, but it might be worth waiting and seeing what kind of price a base model with automatic would run me when it does come out. I know nothing about Suzukis...I think I'd rather buy Hyundai over that. Growing up, my mom had a Ford Taurus from the late 90s that has really soured the entire brand for us.
 
I've been reading a lot of articles about Toyota since the 'sudden unintended acceleration' incidents started occurring, and it does seem like driver error is really at fault. It's just, as mentioned before, re-sale value and buying used cars right now makes absolutely no sense vs buying a new entry level vehicle from Honda or something. I also priced a new Fit vs a new Accent, and the price is only about $800 more for the Fit. As impressive as the new numbers coming from Hyundai look on paper, I think Honda still has a far superior product.

#607 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [windgrace] by backy

Jun 10, 2011 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: windgrace (Jun 10, 2011 9:54 am)
Since you are looking at mid-sized cars, another one to consider, new or used, is the Fusion (and if used, the Milan also). I know you can find them used for well under $15k with low miles. They are also good deals new, with some pretty big discounts. They are reliable, get good FE with the I4, and have a nice blend of ride and handling. You might find a better deal on a used Milan than Fusion because Mercury is dead (Jim). But you can get service on it from any Ford or Lincoln dealer, and IMO the Milan looks better inside and out than the Fusion.
 
Another one to check out is a 2009-10 Optima. Has all the safety equipment and the same I4 powertrain as the Sonata, but a bit smaller than the Sonata and a little crisper handling. And since it's a Kia, the resale value should be less than for a Sonata or most anything else.

#608 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [backy] by windgrace

Jun 12, 2011 (8:08 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 10, 2011 12:39 pm)
I have thought about the Fusion before...however as I mentioned before the thought of getting a Ford gives me the heebee jeebies, considering I grew up with a late 90s Taurus that spent more time in the shop than driven. Literally was a fixed or repaired daily car. However, talking to friends and neighbors with Fords from 07 on they seem to really love their cars. I agree the Milan is much more attractive...but can you get one with a 4 cylinder? I'm not interested in 6 cyl, because fuel economy is much more important to me. There would be no issues getting the vehicle serviced now that Mercury is dead?
 
Yes, my original question would apply to Kia as well as Hyundai. How do people feel about Kia as a brand and in terms of longevity of owning a car compared to a Honda or Toyota how do they hold up?
 
Also keep in mind, being 20-21 means my insurance is way up. If I could get away with $12k or less, I'd much prefer it. Give me more money in the bank and save me on insurance. Does anyone have any idea when used car prices are expected to drop? A year ago I could have gotten a Fusion/Milan/Optima with <35k miles for $10k....

#609 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [windgrace] by backy

Jun 12, 2011 (8:21 am)

Replying to: windgrace (Jun 12, 2011 8:08 am)
You can get Milans with the I4. As I mentioned, you can get servicing at Ford or Lincoln dealers. The Milan is the twin of the Fusion except some exterior and interior details.
 
Kia doesn't have quite as long a quality rep as Hyundai but has made huge strides in the past few years in product quality and reliability. And since they share major mechanicals e.g. some powertrains with Hyundai, those parts will be just as reliable as on Hyundais.
 
If anyone could predict with any accuracy when used car prices will drop, they would be able to make themselves a lot of money (and would probably be spending most of their time in Vegas vs. on these forums).
 
Don't waste your time lamenting over what was. If you need a car now, find the best one you can within your budget. There's good cars out there for under $10k. My 22-year-old son just bought a 2007 Accord SE with stick for about $9000 + T&L. It had 90k miles on it but they were "highway" miles and the car was in great condition, and it drives like new. He also got low insurance rates from Progressive. But he lives in a small city in Iowa and he's 22, not 20-21, so that helped him.

#610 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [backy] by windgrace

Jun 12, 2011 (8:32 am)

Replying to: backy (Jun 12, 2011 8:21 am)
Yes, I just did a little search online and I managed to find an 08 Fusion with 1-owner history and like 50k miles for $11k. I also found an 01 Camry with 2-owners but clean Carfax and like 53k miles for $9500. I guess my question is a 08 Ford more reliable than that 01 Toyota?
 
Surprisingly, I have yet to find an Optima or Sonata worth looking at less than $14k around these parts...
 
Did your son buy the Accord from a dealership or from a mom-n-pop shop? Are those shops even worth looking at? I will be turning 21 in October and I'll have 3 years of clean driving coming up in August, so my insurance will be going down (thankfully) but it's still insane! Granted, I am under my mom's for now and I'm paying $120/mo for about $500k coverage...I couldn't afford that on my own for sure!

#611 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [windgrace] by backy

Jun 12, 2011 (10:56 am)

Replying to: windgrace (Jun 12, 2011 8:32 am)
The Accord was from a store specializing in used cars. The store was worth looking at, for him. Remember, you're buying a car, not a dealership.
 
I'd go for a '08 Fusion rather than a '01 Camry if it were my choice. Fusion has more safety features, better handling, and hasn't had ten years of use. It still has a little powertrain warranty left also. The Camry might have been driven a lot of short trips, which is harder on a car than driving on the highway.
 
My son found out that paying for his own insurance cost a lot less than keeping him on my coverage. You can get online quotes from some companies... you should check that out if you haven't yet.
 
I found several 2009-10 Optimas from dealers within 100 miles of me with 20-40k miles for under $14k, on cars.com. You must live in a higher-priced area than I do.

#612 of 624 Re: College student buying first car...Hyundai? [backy] by windgrace

Jun 16, 2011 (11:39 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 12, 2011 10:56 am)
I have found an 08 Altima with 100k miles at a dealership that has 1-owner, no accident Carfax and routine maintenance performed that's been sitting on the lot for 3 months. I know nothing about Nissans, and from reading reviews on this sit it looks like it gets pretty good reviews but I'm noticing a lot of transmission complaints? Is there a recall or something? Might be able to get it for $10k OTD price. Missed an opportunity to nab an 04 camry xle with similar history, 70k miles and a $11k price tag.

#613 of 624 buy new over used by benjaminh

Jun 23, 2011 (10:13 pm)

Imho. You know from the get go how it's been treated. And you have the full warranty. The first 5 years of a car's life are the best parts, I think, and so if you get a 5 year old car you've lost those golden years.
 
I'd go with the Hyundai, even though I'm a Honda and Mazda owner. I think the Accent Hatchback now looks like a really good car for the money. Can you drive a manual? That will save you 1k right there.

#614 of 624 i would get new by omardeth

Jun 24, 2011 (2:19 pm)

I have driven Hyundai's since 1995. A 95 Accent , 02 Elantra, and a 05 Elantra . I still drive the 05 . I put 147k on the Accent before i gave it to my son when i brought the 02 . He proceeded to hit every thing with it . Air bag deployed and side swiped a car . The car was a trooper ... it still ran for 40k and was running still , with ice cold air still , when he sold it and bought my 02 from me . He pretty much did the same to that car and he is still driving it .
 
My 05 has 147 k on it now and I am itching to get a new car . It runs great still . I would jump in it and drive to the right coast, I am on the left coast , at any time . They have all been the most reliable cars I have ever had .
 
Now as for the New accent , they are nice but the new body style means they are in short supply and you will not get a deal on one , The Elantra is the same . They are pretty hot sellers at the moment and you won't get a deal . As for the Subaru , if you are worried about cost how can you even look at them . They are hard at best to touch for under 20K new . Don't take this wrong , I am not saying don't get one of the Hyundai's , I am just saying you might get a better deal on another car . The dealers aren't selling them for under or much under msrp at the moment .
 
I would say look at the Kia's . The Soul can be had for about 15 or even a Forte . They are both in your range and they also have a great warranty . Being you are a college student they should be covered for the whole time your are in college . That alone is worth something . At least to me it is .
 
But don't listen to me , look for yourself . You will be driving it not I...

Messages Page 62 of 63

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