Everybody has a different idea of what they want or need in a vehicle. Some want a big V8 truck, but either need or can afford a small hatchback. Others would like a sports car, but either need or can afford family sedan.
I used to have a nice 2-door Thunderbird Supercoupe, loved it. But when my son came along a two-door car with a crap load of horsepower just didn't work, so we switched to a smaller four-door sedan. Getting a baby seat in and out of the back of a two door with power seats can be a pain in the butt, so practicality won over.
I do miss my Thunderbird.
Anyway, on the upside, what I got was much cheaper on gas and insurance and I have had it for almost eight years, so it has done me well. My son is getting bigger and maybe in a few years I might be ready to get back into that sports car.
If you want a powerful sports car but know what you need is a family sedan that is good on gas, has a bunch of features and lots of safety options you need to consider the newly
designed Hyundai Accent.
This version of the Accent not only looks better than the outgoing model, it has more power and better gas mileage as well.
With 59 miles per gallon on the highway and 41 around town this thing basically sips fuel. Now, although it may only have a 1.6-litre engine, it does put out 138 horsepower, which is quite good for that small an engine, by North American standards, that is.
However, if you still want that sports car you have to look at this practically. You could call it planning for the future. If you got an older sports car right now you never know what you might be getting, it might fall apart, it would have worse gas mileage than the Accent and you may have to either pour money into it, or you could buy a new one that you know really can't afford.
So, get the Accent now, pay less for insurance and with the gas-sipping engine and under 20-grand price tag you can save over the years, especially as you move up in your job, and when the time comes you can buy that Hyundai Genesis coupe you wanted.
Anyway, the accent, event though it only has a 1.6-litre engine gets moving quite well. The version I drove had a six-speed manumatic transmission, which was way smoother than anything you would normally expect in a car of this price. Tapping up and down on the shifter the gears changed with ease and whenever more power was erquired, a few quick taps on the shifter allowed me to get moving as I needed.
The look is less rounded and sportier than the previous version, and although no one would call it a sports car it does like to be thrown around a bit.
Adult passengers have plenty of room in all seats and the rear passengers get adjustable headrests for more comfort.
The driver gets a height-adjustable seat and steering wheel controls for the stereo and cruise control.
Safety seems to be top of the agenda for most car manufacturers these days and Hyundai is no different offering side and curtain air bags, alarm, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution with brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and vehicle stability management. A couple of years ago you would have been lucky to see front airbags and antilock brakes on a car of this price.
Although it may be seen by some as a minor item in any vehicle, the dead pedal in the Accent was in the perfect position for my bogey ankles. Having had surgery on both ankles I know I could drive the Accent on a long trip without any discomfort, and that for me is a big thing.
Hyundai has also included some comfort items like air conditioning, tilt wheel, keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, AUX and USB jacks with mp3 CD player.
For those who want a sports car but can't afford one the Accent is the perfect vehicle to invest in for that sports car down the road.
For those who want a comfortable sedan with a bunch of options, excellent gas mileage and even better price you need look no further.
However, if this version of the Accent is still a little out of your range and you are just starting out on your career path, you can get into the base model with manual transmission for just over 13 grand. Just think how happy your pocketbook would be with that. You get a damn cheap, brand new car with a gas tank that you only have to fill once a month.
Vehicle type: 4 door sedan
Transmission 6-speed manumatic
Engine: 1.6-litre four cylinder
Horsepower: 138 @ 6,300
Torque: 123 @ 4,850
Mileage: 6.9 l/100 km 41 mpg City 4.8 l/100km 59 mph hwy
Price: $19,594
