• Our Opinion

• Buy with Confidence

• Legal Disclaimer

Our Opinion

Our Opinion

We Like:

Pleasantly styled, spacious, cheap...

We Don't Like:

... cheap, that is, in every way - starting with low quality and working its way down to woeful comfort, refinement, construction, durability and image.

Hyundai launched the Excel onto the Australian market in 1986. It marked the South Korean manufacturer's entry into Australia via Bond Motor Corporation. The Excel did not have any outstanding engineering or styling features. It was aimed at buyers who wanted a small four-seat car which was reliable, cheap to run and, above all, affordable. The Excel proved to be a package the budget conscious buyers wanted. Sales gradually increased to the point where it became the biggest selling four-cylinder car on the Australian market.

The second generation Excel was released in April, 1990, and remained on sale until superseded by the troublesome X3 from October 1994 to July 2000. It was available with two levels of equipment, LS and an upper level GLS. The GLS was well equipped, considering its new price, with electric windows, AM/FM radio with electric aerial and power steering.

The Excel had a major update in late 1991. The update included much-needed firmer suspension and revised interior trim. External changes to the front panels and bumper gave the Excel a more rounded appearance. The four-cylinder, 1.5-litre engine with multi-point fuel-injection is closely related to that used in contemporary Mitsubishi Lancers. The Excel uses a less complex eight-valve cylinder head while the Lancer uses a 12-valve version. A five-speed manual transmission was standard equipment while a four-speed automatic transmission with a locking torque converter was available as an option. Under-car mechanicals are conventional small car front-wheel drive - MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front and torsion beam axle with trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. Fuel consumption for a manual transmission will range between 8 and 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres in normal suburban use. Highway use will return 7.5 to 8.0L/100km. For everyday use the engine performance is good. Highway performance is adequate but limited by high transmission ratios and Excel's relatively heavy mass. Plus it's a chore to drive due to the excessively unpleasant gear shift. Brake, steering and suspension systems perform their respective tasks adequately but nothing more. The Excel's suspension and tyres place modest limits on roadholding abilities, with below-par dynamics being the outcome.

The Excel may be conservatively engineered and uses proven components, but durability and reliability aren't really strong points, particularly as they age. Body and interior spare parts are common in junk yards, while mechanical bits should still be easy to get from your friendly Hyundai dealer. Either way they should be inexpensive, reflecting the overall quality ethos of the Excel.

The Hyundai Excel GLS only really makes good sense with its hatchback versatility and good equipment levels if it's absolutely dirt cheap and in excellent condition. Otherwise, people who want little more than basic transport but are not interested in the latest and greatest technology should check out a used Japanese car instead. Or keep saving.

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Check the car's value and determine how much you want to pay. Use the Completed Listings search option to get an idea of how much a similar model has sold for recently.

• Check if the car is covered by eBay Australia's Vehicle Purchase Protection.

• Ask for a test drive or consider getting a History Check or a Vehicle Inspection if you can't inspect the car yourself.

• Read the description carefully. If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs. Classified Ads are not covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• Cars listed by Sellers with a feedback rating less than 0 are not covered by a Vehicle Purchase Protection program.

• Some car dealers may have a low feedback rating because classified ads do not generate ads. But they will have a icon next to their user name.

• Depending on the car, some car dealers provide a limited warranty. Do they offer a warranty on the car you are buying? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, you may be covered by the Vehicle Purchase Protection program

• Vehicle Purchase Protection: When you buy a car online through eBay Motors, you may be covered for up to $20,000 of FREE Vehicle Purchase Protection insurance*.
  
  * Terms and conditions apply.

eBay Australia Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.

The content of this guide is licensed from GoAuto © 2006