Good morning,
Wanting to replace our kia sorento with a car that I can use on the street, and do the ocasional rallycross and more occasional autocross. Would stay in the stock class, most likely. So only tires and better dampers as needed. Manual only.
The only reason for less autocross is the great rallycross group nearby that tends to be small. Can do a dozen runs vs 3 or 4 in the autocross. Otherwise like both and the different driving styles.
Need a car that can carry two kids, in booster and forward facing car seats. So need abs and airbags to make me feel better.
Budget $5k or less, unless it's perfect, wouldn't mind if it's $2k either as it's for a third car, but need reliability.
I like that I can get a kia/ hyundai with 150k or less on that budget, that still looks good and is less than 15 yrs old, plus has a timing chain vs belt.
Thinking of spectra, elantra, forte, veloster. Would like a 5 door but they seem to be just north of budget. Same with SX's.
Drove a veloster and liked the vehicle, but had the auto and was sloooww, turbo models can sometimes be found in budget. Interior a little strange but can get used to it. Right side rear door would come in handy for school drop off. Does remind me of a flattened Nissan Juke.
Thoughts?
Thank you
bobzilla to the Korean courtesy phone.
Mndsm
MegaDork
12/28/20 11:47 a.m.
Everything I've ever heard says 2007ish hyundai accent.
Thank you, the 3 door accent may be too cumbersome for kids on car seats but I like it, reminds me of a focus or MINI.
Would like to test drive an accent 5 door 2010+, sometimes they are in my price range.
Bobzilla convincing arguments were a part of why I bought the Sorento, which has needed an a/c line and a rear brake hub (due to abs sensor) in 70k miles.
In reply to NoBrakesRacing :
It may be slightly more cumbersome when installing the seats, but how often will the third vehicle be pushed into kid hauling duty? Low weight and short wheel base Trump just about everything when it comes to rallycross. Tires and a big rear sway bar and you'd be ready to go.
2012-up Acent/Rio hatch. 138hp, 2500lbs, 6-spd manual and I've found several in the $5k range. It's basically a narrower, more practical Veloster. Also, I wouldn't be scared of the auto in that chassis either, is really good for this class of car.
My second choice would be first gen Forte SX. They're getting up there in age/miles now but still a solid chassis. The 2.4 makes torque everywhere. The limiting factor on it for rally-x would be the really short reat suspension travel.
From there, we're getting into the 2007-11 Accent/Rio. They're even older and the parts cannon doesn't have much available but they do use miata/civic size/offset wheels so 15's and 205's are cheap and readily available.
Sorry I'm late, we're short at work so I'm filling multiple rolls.
MrChaos said:
bobzilla to the Korean courtesy phone.
You realize how happy this makes me when it's LITERALLY the first response? I love you people!
In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :
Probably use them with the kids a couple times a week. The difficulty is unloading and loading the 1st grader in car line with a two door. School car lines almost don't stop, it's a jump and roll into your shoulder 
. Having to open the door from the driver's side etc cut him to get out.
I agree that it would do well on course.
Thank you
In reply to bobzilla :
I need to find an accent/rio to test drive, doesn't seem to be many manuals, had one in my sights that sold.
I like the forte sx 5 door, but hard to find. Also missed on one, been waiting until after Christmas to car shop.
Is the rear suspension on the wagons the same?
Thank you
In reply to bobzilla :
Thank you for the search. Some good options.
I do like that Kia blue.
I'm looking locally (dfw), at most adding Austin, Houston since I have family that way.
What to the Kia rio sx add?
On the forte is the bigger motor but not sure on the Rio.
The Rio SX gets you cruise, rear view camera, all the normal stuff and larger front brakes along with 17" wheels on the 12-18. the older versions just got different suspension, fog lights and in some cases rear disc.
2011 Elantra touring
These have always looked too high proportionally, specially from the rear.
A lot heavier for that engine.
'14 accent but auto
Would be worth a look, but looking for manual
In reply to bobzilla :
The mechanical parts could be interesting, the electronics either way.
My wife would like it more with it if she has to drive it.
NoBrakesRacing said:
2011 Elantra touring
These have always looked too high proportionally, specially from the rear.
A lot heavier for that engine.
'14 accent but auto
Would be worth a look, but looking for manual
11 touring is a heavier, slower 2001-2006 Elantra XD. Reliable. Durable. Comfortable. NOT a fun car to drive.
The accent looks pretty beat. 180k miles is probably fine IF they maintained it. If not, you're looking at some expensive repairs (timing chains, trans etc)
2012 accent, but black and over budget
Will be in that area on the weekend, but with kids in tow. Travis County is also in stage 5 etc
I am always amazed at the huge variance on car prices in different parts of the country.
Side question (out of ignorance on my part), but how hard is rally cross on a car from a body integrity and reliability perspective? Again, out of ignorance on my part, I would think that type of use would beat the crud out of a car. Is that possibility a concern to the o.p.?
Big Kia fanboi here, but at those prices you might find some pretty rough cars. Check out the Suzuki SX4 as well, you can get 5-door hatchbacks with a manual and AWD from 2010 on, 150hp too.
They also offered the Kizashi with a 6-speed and decent power and AWD, might be above the price range but they are often orphans that people want to get rid of because Suzuki cars is dead in the US.
You could also look for a base Fiesta:
You can swap in a B-Spec suspension kit and have a passable little hatch. You can also look for the older Focus SVT 4-door:
They are often found in that price range, usually with a lot of miles, but also with a few mods.
Outside the box a bit, the Saturn Astra:
You'll be the only one on your block and a turbo really wakes these up.
In reply to bobzilla
I would look at the accent only to have an idea of I like the car in general.
Trying to find the pricing sweet spot.
Thanks
I had a similar car choice question last spring I think, then pandemic hit and had to change ideas. Funny how that works.
Ended up getting a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a travel trailer, have taken some great trips. Now we have 3 suv's including the grand cherokee , 99 xj and 11 sorento, no need for that many. Had sold a passatt, family member is buying the sorento.
I think Kia/Hyundai should hire Bobzilla.
In reply to NoBrakesRacing :
Well, if you want something from this area I know a guy that ships stuff now and in all honesty buy me a plane ticket home and I'd drive it to you.$5k here gets a lot of car still. Look at the one we just got the wife.
In reply to pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) :
2 things that bother me with the astra and the SX4 (which I also liked a lot) are parts and service availability. The standard Fiesta ... odd bolt pattern, high CoG that isn't even legal for autox. It's just a bad idea.
