1988 Hyundai Excel review from Australia and New Zealand

The CV Joints required replacing at about 205000km. This was probably due to my erratic driving rather than anything else.

There is a slight amount of rust beginning to develop just above the front windscreen, and on the door on the right hand side of the vehicle, behind the driver.

Otherwise I have been surprised by the reliability of this vehicle.

The model that I own is the most basic five door. It appears a bit odd without the mirror on the left hand side (passenger) door, and the steering, especially in car parks, requires muscles. The four speed manual leaves you wishing there was a fifth gear.

The acceleration in third gear going up anything steeper than a 10 degree hill is terrible. To go from 40kph to 60kph takes around 10 seconds.

It can handle the erratic nature of my driving (e.g. taking a round-a-bout at 60kph).

It goes through about 10L/100km of unleaded on the wide Australian roads. I could probably get 8L/100km if I did not push the car so hard.

Struggles at 100km on the freeway. The engine is very loud at this speed.

It can get really hot left out in the sun. Probably requires air conditioning to make it comfortable.

The heater is very effective, but it is seldom needed.