1989 Hyundai Excel review from North America

Where do I start? For one thing the tiny little engine had an overheat problem pretty much right from the start. From my meager understanding the 'water jacket' on the inside of the engine was made from a different metal than the rest of the engine and as it expanded/contracted due to heat it receded and vital parts of the engine were left uncooled. How hot did it get? The engine glowed visible orange... Changed the water pump, radiator, thermostat, all to no avail. I got to carrying 20 gallons of water with me. The routine: even when it was minus 20 F outside - drive 40-50 minutes, pull over, open the hood and watch the radiator cap dance. With fireplace glove loosen radiator cap. With long stick hit cap, run other direction, turn around to watch geyser of steam and water spout 12 feet into the air. Wait 10 minutes, fill with fresh water, drive 40-50 minutes, repeat.

Also - no power - none. Unable to climb hills of any significance in greater than 2nd gear.

This car was beyond a shadow of a doubt the worst car I have ever owned. Everything about it was cheap and it was unreliable almost immediately. I will never buy a Hyundai again - ever. This car soured me on the entire Hyundai line. Owned it only 3 years, changed the oil with synthetic religiously, maintained it to a fault, and only got 89k before the engine died.

Engineering on par with the 74 Vega, Renault Le Car, and the Yugo.

There is literally nothing good that can be said for this car.