A mate of mine's looking to possibly get one of these. S or T plate with 50k-ish miles ideally. He's budgeting 3k. Has anyone on here got any experiences of them? Owned one before, problems to look for, weak points etc. I'd imagine as Hyundais they'd be pretty bullet-proof?

This is the original Mk1 coupe, not the facelift or new model. Am I right in thinking the F2's just the same as the SE mechanically, but with nicer alloys some body styling and a jump of one insurance group?

Or anything else of note in this sort of range - reliable, reasonably swift, decent ride/handling and something a bit different were the criteria

Thanks,

Steve.

There is a few differences to the F2. The cams are change din the engine to give a few more BHP. Rear spolier and some interior bits IIRC.

MSD built the F2 and F2 Evo in Milton Keynes for Hyundai from SE spec cars, delivered brand new from the factory and then went out to dealers. I worked there for a short while doing much the same thing on the Vectra GSi.

I bought one brand new when they came out (F2 not the F2-Evo) and it was great. Really nice spec, got everything inside. Only thing wrong with mine was the front headlight didn't seem to sit propery (didn't appear to be secured!) and every couple of weeks i had to 'pop' it back in as it had wriggled about a cm loose.

Mine was black with black interior S628*** Nice car!

The F2 Evo may have had a few engine tweeks but the F2 didn't although it was the top of the range model with a body kit and a nicer interior (and obviously ltd edition).

F2 is COMPLETELY same mechanically, the F2 Evolution is a bit special though.

Neither is particularly quick though :(

I looked at the F2 when I sold the Teg. Bought an Astra SRi instead.

The Hyundai just wasnt practical enough for what we wanted. The possibility of creaks and rattles also put me off a little.

Took one for a test drive and was reasonably impressed.

Cant help thinking it looks like its got a bit too warm and melted in places though.

The handling and performance aren't in the same league as (for example) a Toyota Celica but overall I think it's a pretty decent car, certainly worthy of consideration. It's a nice shape which has dated reasonably well, but the OEM alloys should be replaced as they are tiny and make the rest of the styling look crap !

I had an F2 Evolution before the Octy, and I loved it I had it for a year and had no problems with it at all.

My brother had the Mk3, it was great, went ok built well & he did nearly 40,000 hard miles in 18 months, with nothing going wrong.

I think Hyundais these days are very reliable mechanically and electrically. it is just the fit and finish of trim and interior items that occasionally needs "adjustment"

Cheers guys, didn't know so many 'regulars' would have Hyundai experiences

Nothing's that's been said is too surprising, did expect the interior to come in for some criticism, judging on the pics I've seen...

Cheers for the clarification over the spec differences, it was my understanding as well that it was only the F2 Evo that was slightly different engine-wise. Do you think its worthwhile spending a bit more for an Evo? The ones locally I've seen are a 98S F2 with 58k and the cambelt's been done, silver on Trader for 3250. Or a silver 99T F2 Evo with 60k for 3895. Doesn't mention a cambelt change and that's a trader too, so seems quite cheap (maybe too cheap)?

Might go along with him for a look at both of them anyway

Cheers,

Steve

Coupes have cam chains not cam belts And get the evo as it's nicer

I drove a R-reg Lantra GLSi hire car, it was nice and revvy, with a quick gearshift. I'd imagine the engine/gearbox are similar.

The lift-off oversteer was fantastic too!

Coupes have cam chains not cam belts And get the evo as it's nicer

Oh right, cheers for that. What's the maintenance situation with a chain then?

Steve

I can't remember exactly didn't have my coupe long enough to find out (slight argument with a shogun ) Try http://p205.ezboard.com/bukhcsmessageboard I used to be a member there

What about Mazda MX-6s? Anyone know anything about them - experiences good/bad/indifferent?

Steve

They the ones that look like an elephant has sat on them??? My mate had one and it was ok. Just the ususal over priced Mazda dealings that's all.

Hyundai coupe looks ok.Does it really need two big exhaust pipes though? Thought they weren't exactly rocket ships.A 2.7 V6 that roughly about matches the Octavia vRS?

There is no denying the Gen 3 (facelifted) is a beautiful looking car. It is the Gen 1 F2 that he is on aboutthe Evo version came with a magnex 6x4 oval pipe (I had one on mine ) They aren't rocket ships no but neither are certain smog throwers. They drive very well, if my memory serves me right porsche where involved in the suspension design.

Yeah, the v6 model does look nice, introduced on the 3rd generation of the coupe. About 170bhp IIRC and quite torquey, would prove a nice choice if he had that amount of cash

It's the 2nd gen that comes off worse, I think the version either side of that look great - who did they get to design the mess that is the front of the car?! :eek:

Not sure on the exhausts myself either, and as said above he could always bang the Magnex system on it if he so wished

Steve

Like the latest one, but the one before looks like it was designed by a school-kid. The wheels look ridiculous inside those arches!

I'd go for a Corrado or 200SX if I was in a similar position.