2005 Hyundai Getz GSi from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

On the verge of buying. Interested in the Getz. What is it like for space inside? How does the boot compare with others, such as a punto or Yaris (which is tiny)? Are parts readily available? I'd greatly appreciate a reply if that's not a problem. Thanks.

In my opinion...yes> The Getz is roomier than most people would expect, the boot is much larger than Yaris, Fiesta and Swift, though less accommodating and versatile than Mazda 2, Honda Jazz and A-Class Mercedes. I bought a fantastic yellow 3 door Getz in April 1.5 manual after testing many cars within a couple of thousand dollars of it's price and was convinced to go for it. I read many reviews from experts and owners as well as owners of various cars at service stations to confirm my decision. Now I have my own experience that I can share and it has been an extraordinarily good one... in fact it's been excellent. I do think highly of this car and think it offers a lot for what it is. Small economical basic, but safe transport. MORE 4 LESS!!!

Now three years on. My wifes wee Getz is still going like a bomb! It's now done 57 thousand miles, all of the miles have been put on at above average speeds and revving the engine always to around 4000 rpm once warm. So far there hasn't been a single major problem with the car!! There are two small niggly problems at the moment, there is a clicking sound coming from the rear brakes on light braking forces, this goes away when you press the pedal harder. I checked over the brakes myself, and I'm fairly sure that it's just a bit of rust behind the 'hold-down' pins. The reason I did the job myself is cause the local dealer is rubbish! (I live in the very North of Scotland) It's fortunate that in my early years I worked as a fully trained motor-vehicle engineer in a large dealership. The other wee problem is a hissing noise only on the very first time you take the car up to about 15 mph. I haven't traced it yet, and the dealer deny's EVER hearing it! I think it's the ABS kicking in for the first time above a certain speed. The ABS works fine, I give it a small test before going onto the main road every morning. (I live up a farm track) Generally the car is fantastic, it returns about 43-45 mpg, but the wife and I drive it quite hard. The paintwork is very chipped at the front, but no more so than my 'S'-Type. I was disappointed with the paint until I saw the front of the Jag as well, it's mainly cause paint is all water-based now. (I don't drive close to the car in front) The Getz still has all it's original parts on it, I'm getting about 20 thousand miles from front tyres, and 40 thousand from rear tyres, I think it has Bridgestones on it. Oh yes, it does have a couple of other problems, when it's really cold, aye about -10 to -15 degrees C, I get a momentary little rattle from a tappet. This is only when the car is due for an oil change. And the rear number plate lights need a tap to get them to work, every time! We've gone camping with the car down to Cornwall, 700 miles in the one go, and I'm nearly 50. No problem with comfort. Last year we took it to france, again distance doesn't seem to make a comfort difference. My wife says that on long distances she gets a bit of road-noise, so I gave her a couple of ear-plugs that I use for my Motorcycle. It really is a great car, the best of the small cars. I have a close friend with a 1.4 Jazz, he reckons he can't keep up in any way. I've clocked 115 mph. As long as the new Getz has the same performance and is as reliable I'll be changing to it. I was going to change this year, about now. However the car is going so well, and the wife really likes it, there seems little point especially as it's still got nearly 2 years warranty left!

Back for another update. Car now has 63k miles on the clock, still going well. Unfortunately the exhaust started to blow at the front pipe whilst on holiday last week. The front flexi pipe, from the cat, to the first join cost a whacking £172!!! I couldn't get the pipe fitted any cheaper anywhere, I tried the internet and all sorts of options. The Getz 1.1 is easy to get the parts for, but as soon as you say 1.3, most things are difficult to get! Course the check-light came on the dash for the Lambda sensor, and even with the exhaust replaced and the car running fine again the check-light remains ON! Again, a new lambda sensor is £140, and no-one seems to do a replacement for the 1.3 Getz, only the 1.1. A real bloody nuisance, and expensive! I'm told the diesel is really expensive for exhaust parts as well! Not happy about this at the moment.

It's a Hyundai, what did you expect? Although I have to say I am surprised the parts are apparently expensive for such budget/bargain basement segment cars.

I too own a Hyundai Getz, bought from new. It's the 1.6 sport model, It has done 49000 miles, and my exhaust has also broken at the flexi section below the manifold. I was quoted the ridiculous price of £235 from my local Hyundai dealership just for the short length of front pipe. My warning light also came on at the same time, and is still on now!!! (I am a little bit worried about the price to replace the Lambda sensor, so I hope my dash warning is not present once a new front pipe is fitted). It seems Hyundai have not released the pattern for the pipe, so you can't find them at sensible prices at high street tyre and exhaust centres.

But on the whole this has been a superb little motor, very quick and reliable, with good build quality too!! I would definately say as good as most European marque equivalents, probably better than anything French!!! (sorry to say it, but I've never had luck with any French cars, including the brand new models I've owned.