Hyundai Coupe

It was billed as the Korean Ferrari when it first appeared in 1996, and since then the Coup� has been instrumental in bringing about a change to Hyundai's fortunes.
Designed in-house by the firm's California-based styling team, the original Coup� combined the cheap and dull Lantra saloon platform with looks that made rivals seem bland. What's more, the company's engineers tightened up the driving experience to give an inkling of a sports car feel.

Auto Express Car Reviews

February 2003

It was billed as the Korean Ferrari when it first appeared in 1996, and since then the Coupé has been instrumental in bringing about a change to Hyundai's fortunes.
Designed in-house by the firm's California-based styling team, the original Coupé combined the cheap and dull Lantra saloon platform with looks that made rivals seem bland. What's more, the company's engineers tightened up the driving experience to give an inkling of a sports car feel.
Those early models are now revered by enthusiasts, although a controversial facelift in 2000 lost much of the car's original beauty. The Coupé has a good reputation for reliability, but is not without its quality problems. Here's how to avoid picking up a bad one.
Checklist
* Before doing any in-depth research, try a Coupé for size - tall drivers simply won't fit inside.
* A few owners have reported premature rusting around the sunroof housing and tailgate, so check both these areas for rot. Solid colour paint is prone to fading and cracking.
* Manual gearboxes don't like be-ing used hard. Check all ratios engage smoothly and without crunching.
* Early Coupés have an appetite for headlight bulbs - and a cure has never been found. Keep a spare handy.
* Some cars suffer electrical failure, leading to window and sunroof faults.
Glass's View
The introduction of the new Coupé has hit values of the older model hard, says Glass's Guide, and the earliest examples are now available from as little as ΂£4,000. That makes it a bargain, but don't expect cars to hold their value particularly well. The Hyundai is not as well built as some rivals, and there are a few concerns about reliability, so buy only the best and keep on top of servicing.
My Hyundai Coupe...
When Adam Rowland needed a car that looked good and didn't cost the earth to insure, it wasn't long before he headed down to his local Hyundai dealership. Adam, 37, has run all sorts of vehicles, but the Coupé has provided trouble-free motoring for the past two years. "I've had it serviced at a main dealer ever since I bought it, and I've had no problems," said the software engineer from Cambridge.
Adam's 2001 Hyundai is a facelifted example, and although the redesign was criticised by many fans, he likes the controversial styling. "People either love or hate the way it looks, but I love it, especially the headlights," he said. He's less pleased with the 2.0-litre engine's 137bhp, though, and feels that the Coupé needs more poke. "I'd like a car with a bit more performance, and the Hyundai badge doesn't have the best image in the world. But if you can get over that, it's a great machine."
So Adam's Coupé fulfilled the brief of being stylish, swift and insurable, with reliability thrown in as well, but he won't be buying another. "I never get the same type of car twice in a row, because I like a change. But I have been quite happy with the Hyundai and I would recommend it anyone."