Conference terri::cars_uk

	Bonjour,

	I've spent a month in Korea (South K, that is) in May 1991. 
	I tested a few cars. That was a great experience. 

	Up to the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul, South Korea was a third
	world developping country. The Games had a tremendous effect on 
	local industry and economy. Before that they hardly had roads 
	(proper roads, I mean, with tarmac and all). So they had no need 
	of performant and comfortable cars of the type we have here.

	I don't know how differently built are cars produced for the domestic
	market and the ones produced for exportation. All I can say is that 
	cars I drove there were of poor quality. They looked "cheap" if you
	see what I mean. When you see a Korean car from a few yards, it looks
	pretty much like a US/japanese hybrid. It's a style I don't like
	but that's personal. Anyhow, they look well built. When you get 
	nearer, they do look cheap, like toys. The inside is a copy of rich 
	and cosy US cars, all in plastic and pretending to be leather. 

	When you start driving it, you immediately remember the days when
	you were a kid and you would visit your grand-father down in the 
	farm and he would let you drive his tractor. That's the kind of 
	impression. With a much advertised Hyuanday sports car, I could
	barely reach 85 mph on the motorway!. 

	There are 2 car constructors in SK: Daewoo (which builds a local
	version of a Vauxhall Astra) and Hyuanday. There's another one, 
	but it's in fact a Mitsubishi/GM subsidiary. In Korea, they don't
	need to have cars with good performance because the people there 
	can't drive (I'm not being racialist; it's a plain fact; I could
	talk for hours about their driving schools; I've been to the most
	important one in Seoul for sheer curiosity, and it's been one of
	the most hilarious experience in my life...).   So one thing:
	BAD PERFORMANCES.

	Other thing: Korean cars are of POOR QUALITY. The thing is, one of
	the most important thing in SK is to "look rich". So you seldom see
	cars of more than 1 � years. People change their car every year. And
	they don't sell the old one. It goes to the breaker's yard. So cars
	are expected to last 1 or 1 � year maximum. You can't call that 
	"quality".

	Now, once again, cars built for the local market and cars built 
	for exportation are certainly different. To which extent? That's
	the question. I'm keen to know

		Cordially,

				Pierre 

    
    	In Finland only Korean car available is Hyuandai. Hyuandai Pony
    	was tested properly; 100 000 kilometers in various conditions.
    	
    	Result: it was like any japanese car, so it was suprisingly 
    	reliable. 
    
    	Pony is based on older Mitsubishi Lancer.
    
    	
    	Hannu

    
    Hyundais used to have a poor reputation for longevity, but build
    quality is up now and their cars are probably worthy challengers to the
    likes of Nissan's Cherries and Micras.
    
    Personally, I think the Coupe S is a very nice looking car, but, as
    someone else said, performance is very dull for a supposed 'sporty'
    car.
    
    Mark

	Don't know anything about the MVi but.........

	"What Car ?" magazine [GB] in a group test, placed the new
	Hyundai Lantra above the current saloon leaders - Cavalier
	& Sierra. 

	The Lantra visually & dynamically transcends any previous 
	Hyundai model. It's certainly one of the best lookers in the 
	saloon class, and comes with a 16 valve DOHC engine (admittedly
	a Mitsubishi-based engine, but far from being a dated one).

	Haven't heard about the MVi, but if it's anything like 
	the Lantra, it's worth checking out. Also, the Lantra has
	exorcised any remaining Build Quality ghosts, on the contrary
	its build quality was one of the criteria that decided its
	"What Car ?" group test victory.

	mike.

    Anyone tried the S COUPE MVTi??
    
    Anyone had a quote...
    
    this is another one on my list to test drive as the performance 
    figures look good for a car <11K and it has all the extras like
    power steering, lecky windows and a leather steering wheel 
    (something I had convinced myself I wasn't going to be able to 
    have any more)
    
    
    xtine

    Have you looked at the MPG?. I did, the 1.6 16v comes out at about
    24MPG urban (don't have the book to hand). 
    
    My Rover 1.6 16v is 30+ urban.
    
    Richard

    Thanks for the info.  She who must be obeyed has decided against it, 
    mainly on grounds of build quality  (her perception)  personally I
    didn't think it was bad for the price.  I think what realy put her off
    was the comment from the salesman  "People used to look on them in the
    same light as Ladas but not any more" She had a Lada for 6m as
    temporary transport, need I say any more?
    
    
    Guy
     

    Dont belive anyone will read this as I saw this 3 yers too late!
    
    However:
    
    I actually have a Hyundai Lantra and have done since I took over the
    lease from someone leaving the company last year.
    
    Spec:
    Hyundai Lantra CDi 16V
    Electric Everything
    Air Conditioned
    Automatic (4 Speed box with power mode and overdrive de-select)
    etc eyc
    
    Taxable Allowance (UK) is a measly �12500
    Cost on the car scheme �3152
    
    My Comments:-
    Loads of luxury and build quality up to the standard of any jap car.
    Driveability:- I would not get an automatic again, They are great in busy
    traffic but the torque converter and I don't often agree on when to
    change gear. I often manually override the gearbox.
    I think these cars suffer from the stigma of "one of the cheappie's".
    
    Final comment:
    I remember when Honda's first came into the country and were stupid
    little 600cc joke boxes, but look at them now. Hyundai have some real 
    goodies coming out in the future and wil probably be as good a player
    as anyone a few years on.
    
    Regards
    
    Tim S
    
    PS Its due up for replacement now and there's sod all out there of
    equal value for money from Vauxhall or anyone else.
     
    
    

    �Dont belive anyone will read this as I saw this 3 yers too late!
    
    Tim, perhaps you don't understand how VAXnotes work.
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    Royston