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suprf1y
suprf1y Reader
6/16/09 9:16 a.m.
Per Schroeder wrote: I just wish there was an aftermarket for them so I could justify one as a project car.

No aftermarket is what makes it fun. Anybody can bolt on parts.

I've liked those cars from the beginning.

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury HalfDork
6/16/09 9:51 a.m.
Per Schroeder wrote: Ok, maybe when the current generation hits 3k or less. That won't be long, as I'm already seeing them at 5-7k.

yesss!!!

WLB
WLB New Reader
6/16/09 11:31 a.m.

Back when gas was $4.00+ per gallon we rented an Accent for a trip from Indianapolis to the Gulf coast. It was perfect for two people, quite comfortable, and my wife couldn't decide to bring home a wrought iron table and 4 chairs for the back porch like she did when we made the same trip a year ago in the Suburban.

skierd
skierd Dork
6/16/09 4:15 p.m.

I've had a hankering to turn an Accent SE into an HS car. On paper, they're very similar to the regular Mini...

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/16/09 4:22 p.m.

hmmmm spec accent race series?

Appleseed
Appleseed HalfDork
6/16/09 5:33 p.m.

One more reason I love this forum.

Per Schroeder
Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director
6/16/09 5:39 p.m.
skierd wrote: I've had a hankering to turn an Accent SE into an HS car. On paper, they're very similar to the regular Mini...

Yes, but it's going to wind up coming down to suspension tuning. The MINI was actually engineered to slalom/transition well—spring and anti-roll bar rates were actually optimized to make it fast through a slalom. The Hyundai....not so much? That said, would make a fun FSP car.

Buzz Killington
Buzz Killington Reader
6/16/09 9:20 p.m.

+1 for liking the way they look. good to hear they're reasonably quiet on the highway. wish they were a little bit lighter, though. that's why i'm looking forward to the Fiesta so much.

skierd
skierd Dork
6/16/09 9:21 p.m.

Except for being 2-3" taller (can't remember) its dimensionally nearly identical to the Mini and $7000 cheaper. The Accent SE was designed to have better handling, to the point they used a different steering rack to give it quicker steering. Hyundai put some effort into this one... The problem is more the funky VW-ish rear suspension than anything else, but I'm still certain someone could make the car cone dance well in stock. There's room for decently sized R-comps in the fenders fwiw, I've measured. I just can't/couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on one so far else I'd do it. Maybe once I get out of school?

Then again, the V6 tiburon is also in HS. That car, for its size, handles extremely well and certainly out powers anything else in HS. The only thing I'm not sure about with the tiburon is how wide tires can be on it to fit under the fenders without rubbing on stock sized wheels.

Bobzilla
Bobzilla HalfDork
6/17/09 7:40 a.m.

^ THe Tib V6 has always been underpowered and overweight. 3000+lb empty car with 171hp and a terrible torque curve is not something to brag about. It's a cruiser.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/17/09 8:35 a.m.
Per Schroeder wrote: I dunno, I loved the Kia Rio that I had as a rental car recently. I just wish there was an aftermarket for them so I could justify one as a project car.

Perhaps if major car magazines (hint hint) did articles on their potential, then the aftermarket would follow! Kia and Hyundai both have several models that could really be the next 4th Gen Civic with a little encouragement.

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury HalfDork
6/17/09 8:50 a.m.
pinchvalve wrote:
Per Schroeder wrote: I dunno, I loved the Kia Rio that I had as a rental car recently. I just wish there was an aftermarket for them so I could justify one as a project car.
Perhaps if major car magazines (hint hint) did articles on their potential, then the aftermarket would follow! Kia and Hyundai both have several models that could really be the next 4th Gen Civic with a little encouragement.

yes please

Bobzilla
Bobzilla HalfDork
6/17/09 9:41 a.m.

Maybe I need to drop my Elantra off at GRM headquarters for the week we're on our cruise..... let them "test it out" and see what there is.

CrackMonkey
CrackMonkey HalfDork
6/17/09 10:12 a.m.

So, does anybody know the specific differences between the Accent and Accent SE?

The only differences listed on the Specs page are a short shifter and "sport tuned" suspension - but what does that actually mean? Springs? Shocks? Anti-roll bars? There is no mention of a different steering rack. $5300 is a lot of money for a set of springs and shocks.

CrackMonkey
CrackMonkey HalfDork
6/17/09 10:17 a.m.

A little more research, these appear to be some other differences between the base and SE...

  • Sport-tuned suspension (still can't figure out what this means)
  • B & M Racing Sport Shifter (M/T)
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
  • Air conditioning
  • AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack and 6 speakers (vs basic 4 speaker)
  • 16" alloy wheels with P205/45R16 tires (vs 14" steel with P175/70R14 tires)
  • Fog lights
  • Power windows & door locks
  • Power outside mirrors
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
  • Driver & passenger illuminated vanity mirrors with covers
  • Remote keyless entry system w/ alarm
  • Tinted glass with windshield shade band
  • Bodycolor mirrors and door handles
  • Rear wiper
  • Metallic interior trim
  • Front seatback pockets
  • Tilt steering wheel

Of the list, the only non-performance item that's a must-have is the A/C.

petegossett
petegossett GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/17/09 10:39 a.m.

As I recall, the SE got different swaybars(maybe added a rear bar???), not sure about springs.

I do remember being disappointed in the shifter...

neon4891
neon4891 SuperDork
6/17/09 10:47 a.m.

Down side to the SE is that it is a $5k price jump from the base. But OTOH we arn't exactly a bunch that buys new very often.

Any ways, how much weight can you drop by pulling the rear seat?

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave SuperDork
6/17/09 10:51 a.m.

That white concept car is hot. Love it every time I see it.

GTwannaB
GTwannaB GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/17/09 11:20 a.m.

I am not 100% sure but I think the 2007 SE had four wheel disc brakes. 2008 and later Hyundai cheaped out with rear drums, too bad they could have a budget GTI on their hands.

poopshovel
poopshovel SuperDork
6/17/09 11:51 a.m.
DILYSI Dave wrote: That white concept car is hot. Love it every time I see it.

Big +1. Weird how we seem to have the same aesthetic taste. (puts on flame-proof suit...) I think the wagon LOOKS better than the Protege 6...and the new WRX.

pres589
pres589 New Reader
6/17/09 12:36 p.m.

It'd be nice to be able to purchase the base or GS whatever, the low cost versions, and still be able to add a sunroof when spec'ing one out. I don't know how badly I want 45 series tires or if that shifter is really worth the cost, et cetera that comes with the SE.

Per Schroeder
Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director
6/17/09 12:40 p.m.

I'm in the opposite boat—I dislike the weight of sunroofs and don't fit that well in cars that have them.

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave SuperDork
6/17/09 1:23 p.m.
Per Schroeder wrote: I'm in the opposite boat—I dislike the weight of sunroofs and don't fit that well in cars that have them.

+1

jstein77
jstein77 HalfDork
6/17/09 1:43 p.m.
4cylndrfury wrote: <blockquote I

yes please

My goodness, that is a really good looking little wagon.

pres589
pres589 New Reader
6/17/09 2:47 p.m.
Per Schroeder wrote: I'm in the opposite boat—I dislike the weight of sunroofs and don't fit that well in cars that have them.

I miss having an easy way to get the heat out of a car, get a little wind through the thing, and I'm 6'5"; I've never really had a problem with sunroofs. I dislike having to run air-con to stay comfortable and have found the sunroof to be a nice compromise.

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