Hyundai Veloster: The GTI Is Back, and It’s Built by Hyundai

0001 said:

The Hyundai is ok for what it is. I assume you were teasing for readers with the GTI is back statement, as this thing is not a GTI. Not even close. No comparison.  There is a lot more performance value in the GTI at its price, which is still incredibly cheap for what you get. Add in maybe 10,000 inexpensive and readily available aftermarket upgrades for every system of the GTI vs essentially zero for the Hyundai, then start looking at resale value, and it just cannot compare. Different cars, for different things, not even remotely the same.

Youre right. Hyundai's don't throw the CEL nearly as often as repairs are much cheaper. 

EDIT: I believe a BAZINGA is appropriate here.

pheller said:

or lifted to compete with the Subaru Crosstrek. 

P Heller

Lol. Not likely. Mazda’s awd system is a nuisance compared to the crosstreks system. 

Did the rear window get fixed? Thing was making me seasick the 2,000 miles I drove one; ooo an NSX! Nope, it’s an odyssey. Look a mazda6; Nope it’s a cx7. Etc...

FWD and no LSD?

We had someone who autocrossed a first gen Veloster locally and I liked it. I thought it looked cool and the three door thing is perfect for me as a dropping off the kids thing now that they do all of their own buckling. 

I don't think the GTI comparison is inappropriate, it's been the class leader for a long time. The Veloster is a little bit smaller than the GTI and 300lbs lighter too. (wait a minute, isn't a base Malibu in the 3100lbs range? :) ) If I was looking for something in this class, I'd definitely take a look. I think its looks alone help to differentiate it in a positive way and it sounds competitive in most of the other ways that count.

Why are we talking about CUVs in this thread? :)

I like the new Veloster a hell of a lot more than I thought I would, but I'm surprised the Elantra GT Sport is being overlooked as much as it is. Same platform and drivetrain but with more space. I am curiously watching Hyundai's incentives on them as they may soon be trading hands for less than a Veloster despite having a higher MSRP new.

It's a shame that the Civic Sport is so decontented relative to the competition, it is definitely the drivers' car of the bunch but is also sorely missing features I appreciate in a DD. I'm curious to see where the new Corolla XSE hatch comes in on the value spectrum.

We recently drove the Elantra GT but, sadly, our test car didn't have the big brakes, big wheels or the "good" rear suspension. Plus it was an automatic.

I asked (nicely) that Hyundai consider adding one to the Florida fleet that's so equipped. I'm with you: Color me intrigued. 

You mention that you want to try a 245, any ideas on how much tire might ultimately fit given wheel creativity? 255? 275? 

In reply to Bob the REAL oil guy. :

Hyundai does win the warranty battle for sure. They are relatively inexpensive to repair. However, so are Volkswagens; just did a quick look and every ranking I can find places Hyundai as more expensive to repair than VW on average, and less reliable than VW as a brand. No comparison, not the same.

mazdeuce - Seth said:

You mention that you want to try a 245, any ideas on how much tire might ultimately fit given wheel creativity? 255? 275? 

Honestly, that just seemed like a good first step. I was trying to keep the OD close to stock. 

0001 said:

In reply to Bob the REAL oil guy. :

Hyundai does win the warranty battle for sure. They are relatively inexpensive to repair. However, so are Volkswagens; just did a quick look and every ranking I can find places Hyundai as more expensive to repair than VW on average, and less reliable than VW as a brand. No comparison, not the same.

I spent 13 years slinging parts, finding the cheapest parts for used cars. I couldn't disagree with this more. Only thing worse than the VAG group were Merc's. Wait, Jaguars. They were always more expensive. 

David S. Wallens said:

mazdeuce - Seth said:

You mention that you want to try a 245, any ideas on how much tire might ultimately fit given wheel creativity? 255? 275? 

Honestly, that just seemed like a good first step. I was trying to keep the OD close to stock. 

255/40/17 is only a 25" tire...... 

If only it came in RWD or AWD.
I'll take a BRZ instead.

It looks better than the previous version but I'd go with the Elantra Sport to get 4 normal size doors..

In reply to David S. Wallens :

If you find yourselves in central Illinois you can borrow mine for an afternoon and test it (Manual Elantra GT sport).  

0001 said:

In reply to Bob the REAL oil guy. :

Hyundai does win the warranty battle for sure. They are relatively inexpensive to repair. However, so are Volkswagens; just did a quick look and every ranking I can find places Hyundai as more expensive to repair than VW on average, and less reliable than VW as a brand. No comparison, not the same.

Please tell me you're just trying to punk us?  Do you really believe that VW reliability is on par with Hyundai? 

In reply to Klayfish :

Every time I find myself attracted to a VW I remind myself that they have been dogged by four class-action lawsuits in the past 25 years over catastrophic timing component failure before VW's recommended replacement:

• Early 90's: VR6 timing chain guides
• Late 90's: 1.8T timing belt tensioner
• Early 00's: 4.2 timing chain guides
• Early 10's: 2.0 TSI timing chain tensioner

While all manufacturers have their issues, the fact that VW has been sued four times by owners experiencing catastrophic engine failure due to poorly-engineered timing components, and the fact that they seem to keep making the same damn mistakes...I would love a GTI but I just can't bring myself to roll the dice.

In reply to pointofdeparture :

This is all I have to say about VAG products.

In reply to Mark_42 :

If only they made something red and called it a genesis coupe for nearly the past decade. 

In reply to Bob the REAL oil guy. :

I don't even know what I'm looking at.  Is that some sort of pinball machine?

In reply to pointofdeparture :

toyota has been sued more.

Bob the REAL oil guy. said:

In reply to pointofdeparture :

This is all I have to say about VAG products.

The most unbelievable thing about this is that a large committee of people collectively agreed that they had a problem where this was the simplest and best possible solution most likely to meet the project goals and result in the lowest customer dissatisfaction with the least probability of failure.  Meaning they had worse options, imagine what their second choice looked like!

"Hey Günter, did you see they figured out how to let timing chains slide along plastic reliably enough for production?"

"Hans, that's very interesting! Use four chains and make sure that every single inch of every single one is rubbing against plastic. Throw in some sharp curves with no pulleys, too!

"That's, uhhh, are you sure?"

"Do EEEEEET!"

That's one of the most horribly amazing pieces of automotive engineering I've ever seen. I can't look away. I kind of want to buy one.