Howdy Folks,

Just bought the Wheels 08 Road Test Annual which has most of the 07 road test in it and a bit about upcoming models. Buy the odd Wheels and Motors and get the rest as hand me downs from a friend who buys them all.

My point is that apart from a very dismissive review in last years Wheels car of the year both of these magazines act almost as if the i30 doesn't exist. They would probably use the argument that it is not a performance model or drivers car but they often speak in glowing terms about vehicles such as the Suzuki Swift and other similar models.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to write a curt letter to them (probably Wheels) expounding our cars many virtues and how many happy owners there are around!
It's got me a bit P'd off ...

Cheers,

Dazz

Dazz,

I think you'd be far better off channelling your annoyance to the enjoyment of your car - who cares what Wheels or Motor think .... :) Nobody's life emotions should be governed by the opinions of others, whether they are right or wrong - you like it ... just enjoy your car!

After driving just about every small diesel on the market, I'm arranging to put a new i30 SLX manual diesel on a novated lease in August, when I hand back my pensionermobile Camry to the company (don't want another Camry, no matter how good that car is ....).

Interestingly, in my initial discussions with the leasing company manager, I quickly pointed out that I wanted the Hyundai i30 even though I believe (initially) I would lose out in resale value after the 3 or 4 year lease period, especially compared to the Golf or Mazda 3 diesels, to which he quickly replied, "ummm ... no, mate, this is one car that will set Hyundai well and truly on the map and it will be highly sought after on the used market ...." - this is coming from an experienced guy in the leasing game, where resale values are important - he specifically told a friend of mine to stick with the Aurion and avoid the Falcon & Commodore, specifically because of resale values. He pointed to Glass's Guide (which I had also researched before), which has just given the i30 (all models) an 80% projected resale rating for a 15-25,000km (1 year old) model. That's on par with the best of the small cars - the Elantra is about 73%. So, the i30 is a different kettle of fish, truly. He also mentioned there have been many customers coming to him requesting the i30 in their leasing packages.

Thanks by the way for your insightful feedback on all matters i30 so far ... it is helping me enormously regards to making decisions on the accessories etc I will need to consider for the i30, especially the unfortunate issue of cruise control not being a factory fitted item on the diesel - I am aware via the other forum topics that Hyundai Australia is offering it as a dealer accessory for about $600-$900, but that's just not a great outcome because factory fitments are the best all the way, especially cost wise.

Anyway pal - enjoy your car, regardless of what some journalist think (BTW drive.com.au has just given the SX the thumbs up).

Cheerio
Red&Green.

Thanks A-O (Hope you don't mind me calling you that)

You're comments hit a cord with me. I went to their web site after starting the thread to get their email address and ended up reading their reviews of the i30. They didn't cane it so I'll forgive them...Good for my soul.

If Hyundai can do something about the supply issues and all those that want them get one... then they might start to take some notice. As a successful salesman for many years I know the value of word of mouth advertising. The word is getting around very quickly about our little cars many virtues.

Thanks again..I really liked the tone of your posting.

Cheers,

Dazz

Oh A-O

By the way regarding cruise control, I have a Mio C520 GPS mounted on my windscreen just to the left of the instrument binacle (think thats what it's called) and on part of the split screen it has a digital speed readout which is easy to keep an eye on.

I have found for a little over $400 it has been not only a great help with watching my speed but also taking incoming Mobile calls via the bluetooth function..and finding my way around as well of course.

Cheers,

Dazz

Great stuff Dazz

I have a GPS myself - albeit one in my phone (Nokia 6110).

The cruise control I believe is different to the GPS in the sense that controls the car to keep the speed ie. I don't have to do it :) - I'm particularly miffed that the diesel version of all things, does not come with cruise control, because diesels with their low rpm torque are perfect for keeping the speed during cruising, especially up (gentle) hills, which often quickly slow a petrol version down.

Anyway, have to live with the dealer accessory - 2 years down the track when it finally becomes standard factory fitment, I would have enjoyed 2 years of cruising .....

Red&Green (no prizes for guessing which footy team I tragically follow ...)

:00000732: :) You don't live across the road from me do you? :) we have a Red&Green over there too, he has been very quite this season, poor fello :57:
Tigers Cheers

Hi A-O

The GPS isn't as good as electronic cruise control but it still gives me some piece of mind.

Have had mixed past experience with cruise. A top of the Range Rodeo dual cab (company vehicle) was very good at staying on the set speed but the Epica I recently rented seemed to be all over the place varying by up to 5km each way.

I like cruise but it's not the "be all and end all" for two reasons...

(1) I always seem to get baulked by slower or inconsistent vehicles

(2) It is not recommended to use cruise in wet conditions as it has been known to cause accidents when the cruise has tried to compensate for slipage etc.

Regards,

Dazz

This post has been edited by dazzling_darryl: Apr 10 2008, 04:42 PM

Hi Again A-O

We took a pix of my GPS in action with my camera phone today (it's not very clear as only a 1.3 MP sensor and was hard for my wife to keep the phone still even at 42kph (notice Speedo is reading about 45kph) Plus it was raining and dark...

As you can see speed is within view without taking eyes off the road.

Rgds,

Dazz

Very noice Dazza!! Dunno about doing 50km/h in a 100km zone though.. :wink2:

Hi BFU,

We took about 8 photos to get a reasonably clear one - got a surprise when I got home and saw what speed I was doing (luckily there wasn't anyone close behind) Think I was just accelerating away from a roundabout or something.

Because I was only sitting on 80 to 100km with two up and air off she sat on 5.1/5.2 L/100km for most of the day (Nice) If you look closely can see 5.1 on trip computer.
Rgds,

Dazz

This post has been edited by dazzling_darryl: Apr 11 2008, 05:45 PM

Wheels and Motor both write too much **** at times, I havent bought either for a very long time.

Everything about cars is available online so why would I pay for a mag when Ive already paid for online connection?

Plus, theres the bonus of video and cars in action.

The only pages I read in those mags are the back pages where you can compare prices, engine config, power/torque output, accel speed, mileage, depreciation value.

The i30 doesnt need a magazine or newspaper to announce how good it is, just take one for a drive and its blatantly obvious.

Its rare that I buy a car based on a review or a commercial, they just let me know that the car exists and if Im interested, its a matter of organising a drive if it lives up to the hype.

This post has been edited by turbo1600: Apr 12 2008, 05:19 PM

Turbo 1600,

I agree with most of what you're saying that's why I only buy the odd mag.

Just find it hard to believe a car as good as the i30 (particularly the diesel - he says being entirely unbiased) is being almost completely ignored.

Whether we like it or not good wraps in these magazines do help to sell cars and it would be good for all of us if the i30 ends up in the top 10.

Cheers,

Dazz

Hi Daryl,

If you don't mind me asking, what is the brand and model of your GPS. I am a low vision driver and don't quite make the minimum in the doc's guide book, so with special testing they have judged me fit to drive. However in some lighting conditions the i30 speedo is a bit hard for me to read, your GPS looks nice and clear and might be just what I'm looking for.

Cheers
Tassie Dave
(In Ulverstone) LOL

Hi Tassie Dave,

It's a Mio C520 and the Speed function is pretty clear I got it from Ryda.com.au good service and good price (It is $100 less than I paid around xmas now only $340 - bargain).

It has bluetooth connectivity for handsfree phone use and generally works well but battery life is poor compared to advertised specs (ok if you keep it plugged in and only use for car.)

Would like to catch up some time. Am catching up with JamieC (from Burnie) in the next week or two.

If I can help you with anything at all let me know via forum or private message.

Cheers, :57:

Dazz

Hi Dave

The MIO & NAVMAN GPS both have good sized screens
for people with vision problems

The MIO's are generally cheaper then NAVMAN

Dave

This post has been edited by I30 Dave: Apr 19 2008, 07:22 AM

Hi Dave1 & Dave2,

Heard mixed reports on the Navman (does it have a speed readout like the Mio Dave1) several apparently don't. Sounds like that is the main function Dave 2 is interested in...

Cheers,

Dazz

I've got the S90i and it does have speed readout

(IMG:http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff273/ypadacars/IMG_5314.jpg)

This post has been edited by I30 Dave: Apr 19 2008, 07:49 AM