Anybody seriously consider Hyundai Accent Blue?

[rtom]

The only other car I've been considering (in addition to the 3-door manual LB Yaris) is the new base trim level of the Hyundai Accent, called "Blue". This car is supposed to get pretty much exactly the same gas mileage as the Yaris I'm looking at, and it does come with the Hyundai long warranty. It's also several thousand dollars cheaper, partly because it lacks AC and a stereo. It's also not as cute as the Yaris, and probably not as safe, especially in collisions from the side. However, since I am (1) very frugal, (2) primarily interested in a car as just basic reliable transportation, and (3) never use AC here in New England, I've had a hard time ruling out the Accent Blue completely. I could always add an aftermarket stereo to the Accent Blue.

Just wondering if any other frugalistas have been running the same calculations through their heads.

[specialeducator]

I briefly considered the Accent, but it's the reliability after 100,000 miles that concerned me. Also, it requires replacing the timing belt, which is an expensive maintenance item.

[Black Yaris]

we were looking at the accent as well for the wife, we went with the Yaris only because of reliability of Toyota.... and the lack of reliability of Hyundai/Kia

[YarisSedan]

Hyundai has come a long way but they still got a ways to go.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by rtom

The only other car I've been considering (in addition to the 3-door manual LB Yaris) is the new base trim level of the Hyundai Accent, called "Blue". This car is supposed to get pretty much exactly the same gas mileage as the Yaris I'm looking at, and it does come with the Hyundai long warranty. It's also several thousand dollars cheaper, partly because it lacks AC and a stereo. It's also not as cute as the Yaris, and probably not as safe, especially in collisions from the side. However, since I am (1) very frugal, (2) primarily interested in a car as just basic reliable transportation, and (3) never use AC here in New England, I've had a hard time ruling out the Accent Blue completely. I could always add an aftermarket stereo to the Accent Blue.

Just wondering if any other frugalistas have been running the same calculations through their heads.

I considered the accent when I was shopping. Between not liking it as well when test driving it and timing belt vs. chain piece, I was sold on the Yaris over it.

[YarisSedan]

Originally Posted by CTScott

I considered the accent when I was shopping. Between not liking it as well when test driving it and timing belt vs. chain piece, I was sold on the Yaris over it.

And everyone on yarisworld is glad you did =)

[wooverstone8]

I've considered the Accent myself until I learned about it's resell value.

[ctrj]

You live in Connecticut and NEVER use the a/c in the summer? You are a nuts! I do not understand why anyone would consider buying a new car without a/c. If you decide a year later that you don't like the car, you will have a very hard time selling it.

[rtom]

Originally Posted by ctrj

You live in Connecticut and NEVER use the a/c in the summer? You are a nuts! I do not understand why anyone would consider buying a new car without a/c. If you decide a year later that you don't like the car, you will have a very hard time selling it.

Your're right that I am nuts -- I have a very high tolerance for heat and humidity, and a low tolerance for cold. So why the heck am I in Connecticut? Oh yes, I'm nuts.

Also, I am nutty frugal. I would never sell a functional vehicle -- I'll drive my next car into the dust. So resale value isn't really a consideration for me.

[specialeducator]

Originally Posted by rtom

Your're right that I am nuts -- I have a very high tolerance for heat and humidity, and a low tolerance for cold. So why the heck am I in Connecticut? Oh yes, I'm nuts.

Also, I am nutty frugal. I would never sell a functional vehicle -- I'll drive my next car into the dust. So resale value isn't really a consideration for me.

After 100,000 mile reliability ought to be a consideration then.

[Sidicas]

Originally Posted by rtom

Your're right that I am nuts -- I have a very high tolerance for heat and humidity, and a low tolerance for cold. So why the heck am I in Connecticut? Oh yes, I'm nuts.

Also, I am nutty frugal. I would never sell a functional vehicle -- I'll drive my next car into the dust. So resale value isn't really a consideration for me.

Haha, we have a lot in common.. My Yaris is the first car that I've ever driven regularly that has a functioning air conditioner.. All the other cars I've owned were 12+ years old with A/Cs that broke long before it ever made it into my hands..

Power windows, power locks, power mirrors, and air conditioning are all unnecessary fluff here up north.. Heating on the other hand can be very important as there was one time when I was driving an old Chevy and it was so cold my gloves were so frozen I couldn't grip the steering wheel so I took my gloves off and then my flesh started sticking to the steering wheel (freezing on contact).. Not cool...

That can be dangerous, so definitely having heating is important.

Air conditioning, definitely unnecessary up here in New York..

[rtom]

Originally Posted by Sidicas

Haha, we have a lot in common.. My Yaris is the first car that I've ever driven regularly that has a functioning air conditioner.. All the other cars I've owned were 12+ years old with A/Cs that broke long before it ever made it into my hands..

Power windows, power locks, power mirrors, and air conditioning are all unnecessary fluff here up north.. Heating on the other hand can be very important as there was one time when I was driving an old Chevy and it was so cold my gloves were so frozen I couldn't grip the steering wheel so I took my gloves off and then my flesh started sticking to the steering wheel (freezing on contact).. Not cool...

That can be dangerous, so definitely having heating is important.

In Sept 1996 I moved to Salt Lake City from San Diego. I was driving a 1980 Corolla then, my first car, which I inherited in '92 or so. On the drive up I had two flats ... dumb kid I was, driving 80 mph on bald tires on superhot pavement!

Anyway, unfortunately the heater had stopped working in San Diego, so that first winter in SLC I had NO HEAT at all -- not fun there in winter!

Here's a toast to the future, less glamorous years of the Yaris!

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by Sidicas

Haha, we have a lot in common.. My Yaris is the first car that I've ever driven regularly that has a functioning air conditioner.. All the other cars I've owned were 12+ years old with A/Cs that broke long before it ever made it into my hands..

Power windows, power locks, power mirrors, and air conditioning are all unnecessary fluff here up north.. Heating on the other hand can be very important as there was one time when I was driving an old Chevy and it was so cold my gloves were so frozen I couldn't grip the steering wheel so I took my gloves off and then my flesh started sticking to the steering wheel (freezing on contact).. Not cool...

That can be dangerous, so definitely having heating is important.

Air conditioning, definitely unnecessary up here in New York..

You guys make it sound like it's always winter up north.

For 3-4 months each year, it's 80's, 90's, and even over 100 degrees F with high humidity. And you're saying that AC is just fluff? Without it, I'd be soaked by the time I got to my destination.

AC and a radio are must have's. The only thing as bad as sitting in a rolling sauna is rolling in a dead quiet casket.

[Kal-El]

Anyway, to the OP...

I would also recommend getting the bare bones Yaris. I assure you that in the long run, it is the more frugal choice. Since the cost factor seems to be you most important, getting the car that goes the longer distance keeps you from another new purchase sooner.

I'm saying this even as a supporter for Hyundai (although not enough to buy over Toyota). I know very well that they now build great cars. Something still tells me though that they won't stand the true test of time. Say 15-20 years of good transportation like Toyota's and Honda's.

As for the 100K warranty? Trust me, you won't need the warranty with the Yaris anyway. And remember, it's just engine and transmission covered which easily goes well past 100K on any car anyway (Hyundai isn't stupid).

The Yaris will serve you 300,000-500,000 miles without major expenses.

You'll probably need to replace the Hyundai after 200K.

Spend the extra few grand now.

[kargoboy]

Originally Posted by ctrj

You live in Connecticut and NEVER use the a/c in the summer? You are a nuts! I do not understand why anyone would consider buying a new car without a/c. If you decide a year later that you don't like the car, you will have a very hard time selling it.

I live in FL and only use the A/C when other people are in the car. I'd rather drive with the windows open.

As for the difference between the two cars, if you are worried about reliability,
Hyundai's has gone up and Toyota's has gone down. Really isn't much different between the two. You will get a nicer overall car with the Toyota but if minor amenities and additional safety equipment aren't important to you then save the money & buy the Hyundai.

[ozmdd]

Sounds like you really want the Accent. Nothing wrong with that, just don't expect it to be a Toyota. You can pay now, or pay later; that's pretty much scripture. IMHO, the $2K price difference that you will finance-out over the life of the loan is a better deal than the likely-higher total you will pay in big chunks out-of-pocket or with a credit card at the repair shop after the warranty expires. Not sure what the Accent timing belt replacement costs, but I know that most vehicles run $500-700 in labor/parts, often more. Then there is the clutch, alternator, etc.
If you only plan to own it till something expensive breaks, its probably fine.

[rtom]

Originally Posted by ozmdd

Sounds like you really want the Accent. Nothing wrong with that, just don't expect it to be a Toyota. You can pay now, or pay later; that's pretty much scripture. IMHO, the $2K price difference that you will finance-out over the life of the loan is a better deal than the likely-higher total you will pay in big chunks out-of-pocket or with a credit card at the repair shop after the warranty expires. Not sure what the Accent timing belt replacement costs, but I know that most vehicles run $500-700 in labor/parts, often more. Then there is the clutch, alternator, etc.
If you only plan to own it till something expensive breaks, its probably fine.

Actually there's no question: emotionally I really want the Yaris. But the frugal part of me tells me that if I get the Yaris, then I'm paying a few grand more for largely nonessential items or items I don't use (looks, AC, maybe a stereo). Plus the Accent has the longer warranty, for whatever that's worth. Also, I have enough cash to pay for either one (I'm in my mid 40's), but I work for a company that's not financially stable, so I could get laid off in 2010.

Choices, choices. Today I'm thinking to go with the Yaris but try to live very frugally otherwise!

[rtom]

I wonder if there might be a difference in which car (Accent vs Yaris) would be easier to work on when it gets old? I have tools and some know-how after almost 9 years with a '97 Geo Metro, but the truly useful thing for a weekend wrencher like me is having a good community of fellow car owners for asking questions.

Don't know about difference between the 2 cars themselves, but I can see that the Yris forum seems both bigger and more mod-friendly than the Accent forum.

(Bow to Yaris modders, duck while Accent owners flame)