Test Drive: 2003 Accent GT
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Test Drive: 2003 Accent GT
I'm partial to the old Accent GT, it was a cool idea that never reached its full potential nor sold well.
While walking through the dealership today I spied a tiny red GT emblem on a strange looking Hyundai. This brought excitement and hopes that they built a "souped up" Accent.
Disappointment quickly set in.
-The new GT has a factory body kit and spoiler that doesn't mesh well with the lines of the car, it looks like a very large, chunky, plastic afterthought.
-No horsepower boost. 1.6L 16V DOHC and still only 105 ponys under the hood. Same as stock Accent.
-No turbo. Nothing. Nada.
-Automatic transmission.
-"Sports Tuned" suspension still has scary body roll. In addition the car sits very high off the ground. Looks odd.
-Cheap "Performance" Tires. 180/60/14 Kuhmo bargain bin rubber.
-No sunroof.
-Mudflaps cost $60 extra
-Purchase price was roughly $14,000. For another $1500 you could have an Elantra (much nicer car with more options).
I had a few other gripes, but mainly I'm saddened that this car will further hurt the Hyundai reputation. Invariably, someone will buy it, rice it out, and then be laughed at when a CRX HF blows his doors off. 105 HP and autotragic tranny screams "Girly sports car".
~alex
[ January 06, 2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: Alex Something ]
While walking through the dealership today I spied a tiny red GT emblem on a strange looking Hyundai. This brought excitement and hopes that they built a "souped up" Accent.
Disappointment quickly set in.
-The new GT has a factory body kit and spoiler that doesn't mesh well with the lines of the car, it looks like a very large, chunky, plastic afterthought.
-No horsepower boost. 1.6L 16V DOHC and still only 105 ponys under the hood. Same as stock Accent.
-No turbo. Nothing. Nada.
-Automatic transmission.
-"Sports Tuned" suspension still has scary body roll. In addition the car sits very high off the ground. Looks odd.
-Cheap "Performance" Tires. 180/60/14 Kuhmo bargain bin rubber.
-No sunroof.
-Mudflaps cost $60 extra
-Purchase price was roughly $14,000. For another $1500 you could have an Elantra (much nicer car with more options).
I had a few other gripes, but mainly I'm saddened that this car will further hurt the Hyundai reputation. Invariably, someone will buy it, rice it out, and then be laughed at when a CRX HF blows his doors off. 105 HP and autotragic tranny screams "Girly sports car".
~alex
[ January 06, 2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: Alex Something ]
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Joined: Feb 2002
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It does kinda look like a mini Tib....if they would just put the little old 1.8 from the first gen Tib, and second gen Elantra it might could have a little chance with the Focus Zx2 because I see it in the Sport compact series...
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From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Prius 2006 Suzuki SV650S
I'd love to see a beta powered accent put out by hyundai.
Hell, even if they dumped the 1.6L alpha for the 1.6L beta, it would be a HP and torque improvment, and give the accent guys much more room to tune with. Either engine swap or bore the 1.6L beta block and replace the crank/rods.
*sigh* but it seems like Hyundai just doesn't "get" it.
Hell, even if they dumped the 1.6L alpha for the 1.6L beta, it would be a HP and torque improvment, and give the accent guys much more room to tune with. Either engine swap or bore the 1.6L beta block and replace the crank/rods.
*sigh* but it seems like Hyundai just doesn't "get" it.
