1994 Hyundai Excel CXL from North America - Comments

I had to replace my timing chain at 100,000 km. This was under warranty.

I had to replace my front boots at 100,000 km. This was under warranty.

I had to replace my brake pads at 140,000 km.

I love my Hyundai Excel CXL.

It is very economical and exceptionally reliable. At 180 K km. I still get 48 miles per gallon! Beyond the scheduled maintainance items I have not had a speck of trouble with this vehicle.

The front seats are very comfortable. Every passenger that has been in this car will attest to this.

The heater is exceptional on those cold, wintery days.

Dear Excel owner,

Obviously you are one of the lucky ones who didn't get stuck with an oil burner. I do think it is time that you stepped up to a Honda (95) or a Vigor!

I now have 190,000 km. on my Hyundai Excel CXL. I plan to take it to the mountains on three skiing trips this year. I will put in excess of 10,000 more km. on the car by the time I turn it over to my daughter. It does not burn any oil, continues to get about 48 miles per gallon, and is still going strong. My brother (who is a master mechanic and keeps my gem going) just installed new belts and a timing chain. I also just put on new tires which makes my Excel ride as if it were brand, spanking new. This great little piece will keep my daughter (and her friends) going for a while. I will be sad to let it go but will really enjoy driving something with more... stuff. Maybe my daughter will let me borrow her car once in a while!

The Excel CXL now has 200,000 kilometers on it is still going strong. My daughter now drives the car and hopefully will take good care of it. We just had the ball joints replaced as one of them was wearing out - not bad for a little car with all these miles on it. The car still gets around 48 miles per gallon, burns no oil, and starts every time. My daughter loves the car and takes it everywhere. She should have it for a long time to come.

Hi,

I've just been given a 1994 Hyundai Excel. My brother in law has driven it for about a year and really like it although he bought another car and is passing it on to me. But I can't seem to find rear brakes for the car. You being a Hyundai owner, I wanted to know where you buy your brakes from? Please email me at a_2112@hotmail.com.

Thanks!!

48 miles per gallon? I think that's from the European "gallons" being a little more, isn't it? I've never been able to clear 36 mpg with an Excel, but I agree, it's still a great car.

I bought a used 1994 Excel that had 125,000 miles on it for next to nothing (less than $500) and thought it was a great bargain. After 10,000 miles more the 4th cylinder blew. The engine was clogged with oil and coolant sludge. I decided to have a used engine installed and paid $1200 thinking it was good to keep this car because of the great gas mileage. The car ran GREAT after the used engine was installed, until it caught on fire on the freeway the same day I paid the mechanic. He probably made a major mistake -- needless to say, looking back, it was not a good idea to invest ANY money on repairing such a cheap car to begin with. This car is not meant to last forever. I ended up buying a 1989 Acura Integra with my refund from the mechanic and a used Acura is a totally different animal in terms of the quality of the engine, transmission, etc. Moral: don't bother investing ANY money repairing an old Excel; better to just junk it and get one of the higher quality used cars (like a Honda) that are out there and are meant to last forever. Also, it is so important to get the coolant system flushed on the Excel in order to avoid internal engine problems -- that's what did my car in.