2005 Hyundai Getz GSi review from UK and Ireland

Squeaky seat belt clasp. Fixed with 3 in 1 oil.

Very early stages as yet, I intend to up-date as I pile the miles on. Had the car 10 weeks, done 3300 miles, no problems. I broke the car in as per instructions, after 1500 miles when I'd thrashed it through the gears a couple of times, I changed the oil and oil filter, genuine parts.

Comfy on long journeys, easy to drive, wife loves it, and fast for a 1350cc. I drive the car quite fast, normally taking it to 4000 rpm in each gear once it's warmed up, sitting at about 3500 RPM in top gear mostly, or more when roads allow. This kind of driving returns about 40-43 mpg, but only since the car loosened up. Third gear is a bit strange, at 40 mph it just doesn't want to seem to pull so hard as one might think. Although once above 50 mph it pulls well enough. If you want to go past something quick at 40 mph or below, you have to go down to second gear and rev it to the red line about 55 mph, up to third and it pulls really well. Fourth and Fifth gears, are like 3.5 and 4.5 respectively, which is good when overtaking going from third to fourth, the car is right in the torque range still. Top gear at 60 mph is about 2800 RPM, whereas on my '02 Punto, 60 mph was 2400 RPM.

The car is great, much better than a Punto. 5 year warranty, first 3 services free (3 years or 30 thousand miles) I'm told the warranty also covers the exhaust! 3 years RAC.

The paintwork needed a good polish after a week or so, I put this down to not getting a good grade of polish from the dealer, it made a good deal of difference to look of the car.

Beyond 90-100 mph the wee car feels light, it will do more I reckon, but it was a windy day. As low as 80 mph, when on an open road with a gust of wind, the car blows off line slightly.

The CD player is very good, it never jumps even on an old farm road. I tested the ABS and boy is it good!

No wonder there are so many smiley faces on the Getz forum, it's a great car.