Get what you pay for? 100K miles/10 year powertrain warranty?

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Sportwagen is a Jetta, competing with Civic and Elantra...the reason I used that example is because the sportwagens are still based on the older Jetta platform, which had a much better interior. The new Jettas have come under a lot of criticism regarding their cost cutting methods (interior has taken the major hit) so I'm not sure the new ones excel there. The Golf admittedly competes more with the compacts rather than the extreme-budget plastic subcompacts, so the Ford Focus, Veloster (arguably), Mazda3, Prius, rather than the Fiesta, Accent, 2, and Yaris, respectively.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I still want a Genesis Coupe

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I've came across a fully loaded Sportwagon TDI, 2010 model, recently. The price tag indicated much else than a "budget car". I am no expert on their trim lines, but usual VW always asks for a premium.

Btw, Elantra was rated #1 compact sedan according to motor trend:

2011 Hyundai Elantra - Best-Selling Compact Sedans - Motor Trend - Mobile

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R-Spec Track w/ manual 6 speed gearbox? How about a Genesis sedan 5.0 R-Spec? 429 hp 8 speed A/T, very solid!

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TDI - commands much more than gas versions, especially on the used market. The base golf TDIs were selling for thousands more than my GTI

Also I'm not hating on Hyundai, I think they're great cars. I cross-shopped the Genesis coupe when I was on the market and I found the base model lacking. There were some simple things in the design that I found to be problematic, most notably the window switches were mounted almost flush with the door/window rather than flat on the armrest. Basically it meant that you had to bend your arm rather uncomfortably to use them. Other little things like that, the upholstry was hideous (though nowhere near levels of the Mazdaspeed 3), ride was pretty harsh and that was without the R-Spec package which is what I wanted, and 19 inch wheels (wtf?) which didn't help the ride and will cost a fortune in tires in autox. I think if one were to get an upper level trim that it could compete very well with the Z and G35 Coupe. I wish they used the 274hp turbo 4 from the Kia Optima in the Genesis, then it would be absolutely awesome and competing with the forthcoming BRZ and FR-S (turbo engine just announced for those). Honestly the Kia Forte Koup is a kick ass car for the money, I seriously considered it.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Yep. I almost bought a brand new 2.0 R-Spec Track with Manual. They made me a very attractive offer. All in all pretty sweet car, but really wanted something a lil bigger... (I shuttle people around quite often, and a coupe is more of an inconvenience)

The sedan is too big. Sat in one, and its gargantuan. Its the size of an S-Class, which is just too big for me (well, right now...)... The W211 E-class that I have right now it just the right size, and fits my needs quite well.

But if I were in the market for a larger car, I would definitely consider a Hyundai. The interior does feel a bit cheap in places, but hey, all cars do today. The Hyundai felt as well built as a Honda or Toyota.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Not saying it's all puff and cream with current model Hyundais, but certainly fully respectable and road worthy.
I wouldn't want one (Genesis Coupe), it's got the gas cap on the driver side, hence I can barely get out of it, if I am close enough to the pump to make sure a short hose will reach into it ....

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Well that is the 64,000 dollar question, They seem to get improved somewhat every year quality wise. I might even consider a new one when their resale becomes reasonable. For an awfully long time you could almost not give a used one away or get hardly anything for them.

The problem curently is trying to acertain when the overall quality will reach honda and toyota standards. They are not there yet in my opinion. They will be if they just keep doing what they are doing.

I do see them surpassing the big three if they have not already done so quality and durability wise. Pricewise they have been increasing as well. For those interested in buying they have always run a very high disount program for a month or so each year.

If they continue with that program is the time to buy one of their products. Curently supply of their best sellers cannot meet demand so it may be history. If I were to guess in their seeking a better car hyundai may drop the rubber timing belt in the next year or two. They are now pretty determined.

Strange but years ago the only cars that the japanese felt they eventually might have trouble competing against where future cars out of Korea. Personally I would not write off the Japanese car industry yet. I have a feeling they are going to pull out all the stops now to regain their previous position.

The improvements in Hyundai were telegraphed a few years ago when the president of Toyota was quoted as saying that he feared Hyundai more than the Japanese competition.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I rented a Hyundai Accent(?) in Dubai. It was tinny and did not give confidence driving at highway speeds. It felt windy and I am pretty sure there was no wind outside.

I was disappointed. I expected it to be better.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

you can get 100k warranty with mercedes when buy when one new under the extended warranty plan. for the price range of the hyundai you can expect the usual somewhat cheap interior etc but their drivetrain isnt bad at all. Ive driven in one and wasnt bad to drive but the interior didnt impress me but not bad to work on

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

Tom apparently the 2012 is much better than it's earlier versions. This constant quality improvement program is noticeable. A this time I would still not buy a new one. I continue to feel there is still better out there for about the same dollar.

I am talking from experience by the way.At this time we own a 2006 kia spectra that is like new and loaded. Paid 2600.00 for it a couple of years back at an auction. With 75k miles. Needed all brake rotors and pads, blower motor, linkage to the heater function switch hooked up, New stabliliser link in the front, A hyudia elantra 2003 that needed front flexpipe for the exhaust, Emergency brake cables, Tires for 1500.00 a year ago with 72 k miles.

Plus a 2003 hyundia accent that the wife totalled in a hospital parking lot accident a year or so ago. Came with twelve additional tires eight of them were brand new. No room for a passenger driving it home from the auction.

Had 24k miles on it with nothing wrong. I purchased it back from the insurance company and will put used sheet metal back on it when I get time.

Decent little car on fuel and as with all their products of that vintage fuel milage is better with the automatic transmissions. It is as Tom mentioned though but fine for the wife grabbing groceries etc. Like many of todays cars out there the crash resistance is questionable regardless of the crash ratings. When you can write a car off that easy in a hospital parking lot accident raises questions. .

Maybe nothing.... maybe something.

When Hyundai came to the Americas, they entered the Canadian market first, then from north to south. I remember seeing Hyundais in Philadelphia before they were marketed in the DC area. So maybe a reason why I haven't seen many on the road in the DC area is that Hyundai hasn't marketed this model car statewide yet.

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

The cheaper interior alone is enough reason why I wouldn't buy a new Jetta. Mine's an '06 and I still get compliments on the interior's quality. I like the "pleather" more than the real thing as it looks and feels high quality without needing all the maintenance of real leather.

But nothing beats MB-Tex!

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.