Just test drove a Hyundai i30 N

"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
02/06/2018 at 14:15 • Filed to: None

It’s amazing. I’m conflicted.

Google image, because dark outside. The one I tested was red.

It’s an impressive car all around, and it blows the Golf GTI out of the water as far as performance and feel is concerned. The sound is addicting, the diff clinically effective and the engine rushes towards the redline like it hasn’t got a turbo. I really liked pretty much everything about it. And then I got into my MR2...

It’s quantifiably worse in almost all aspects, yet I wouldn’t trade it for the Hyundai. Getting in feels like putting on your favourite pair of shoes. Everything is in the right place. The connection with the car is direct, mechanical sympathy is required. It took two years, but I guess I’ve finally realised that my car has had what I’ve been looking for all along: character.

DISCUSSION (16)

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/06/2018 at 16:31

Yes, but the question is, could you see someone trading a Honda Fit for the mechanically similar Veloster N? Not that I’ve been thinking about it or anything...

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/06/2018 at 16:33

I haven’t driven many recent cars, but the ones I did drive had zero character. Even the Focus, which at the time was said to be the best steering car in its segment.

When looking for a fun car I bet it’ll be hard to replace the MR2.

Having said all this, you could try a RenaultSport or a Ford ST.

camarov6rs > Aaron M - MasoFiST
02/06/2018 at 18:05

Veloster was the wrong car I feel for the US market should’ve done the Elantra and given us a mechanically similar I30

feather-throttle-not-hair > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/06/2018 at 19:02

So here’s a weird thing i discovered the other day:

The top version of the Kia Forte 5 can be had with a 6-speed manual and with the engine from the Veloster Turbo (non-N version.)

If they know at all what they’re doing with the suspension, it could make for a very compelling little warm hatch.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Aaron M - MasoFiST
02/07/2018 at 01:30

Yes, without a doubt. Hell, I’d trade in a GTI.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang
02/07/2018 at 01:59

It’s not that it hasn’t got character, it’s just too capable I guess? It feels surprisingly raw for a modern hatch, but I think I haven’t reached my practical car phase yet.

The last RS that interests me is the previous gen Clio with the NA engine, and I can’t really stand the Ford interiors. The new Fiesta seems nice, but they made it look like a B-Max from the rear.

Currently on the “to test” list: Abarth 595 Competizione, Mazda MX-5 and perhaps the 308 GTi. I’ll be visiting the dealer of a small British manufacturer as well on Friday, but I think I’ll need to make a small detour on the Wales trip to be able to test drive their cars.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > feather-throttle-not-hair
02/07/2018 at 02:00

Is that still the old platform? Because allegedly the new one is a lot better, though I don’t know if it’s shared between Hyundai and Kia.

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/07/2018 at 04:36

I can relate. I get bored with cars that are too capable. Most fun is had at the limit, and you can only drive on the limit if that limit is attainable at (somewhat) legal and safe speeds. A car that’s too capable can’t be driven at the limit and is thus relatively boring. Slow car fast! It’s why I like my 205s; communicative, great sense of speed and attainable limits.

If it has to be new or recent you could try a GT86/BRZ as well. From experience: get a manual, the automatic is like driving a Playstation; probably faster than what you could do manually but very detached and not nearly as fun as the real thing.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang
02/07/2018 at 06:06

Doesn’t have to be new, but new-ish (euro 5 if I want it to have some long-term potential). I don’t necessarily need to replace the MR2 right now either, just checking if there’s something out there that fits the bill (I.e. if I find something fun, I’m getting it, otherwise I keep enjoying the MR2).

Will check the BRZ, I only remember the interior being very dark from sitting in it once.

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/07/2018 at 06:11

Why Euro5? You’re not looking at diesels. Is it tax related?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang
02/07/2018 at 07:57

Low-emission zones that are popping up in Belgium, each with its own slightly different rules. Most of them allow Euro 3 petrols until 2025, but I doubt they’ll extend that afterwards, looking at current political trends.

That, and getting something a bit newer would be nice. There’s not a lot of sub-2l 2000-2010 stuff that seems more fun than the MR2. If not for the ridiculous taxes, I would try a Z4 3.0si or Boxster S.

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/07/2018 at 08:44

Interesting that they’re targeting gasoline cars as well. Other places (Germany, the Netherlands) tend to focus on diesels mostly, and rightly so.
Gasoline cars that don’t have a cat but are not yet classics are frequently not allowed in environmental zones either, but how many <30 year old gasoline cars without a catalyst are still driving around? For example, my ‘91 mk2 Golf would be allowed because it has a cat and my 205s would be allowed because they’re 30+ years old (plus, the CTi is getting a catalyst)

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang
02/07/2018 at 09:42

Diesels are even worse off, I think you need a DPF to get into Brussels and Antwerp right now. No exemptions for classic cars either, though you can buy an exemption pass for €300+ a year in Antwerp (max. 10 daily passes a year in Brussels).

duurtlang > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/07/2018 at 09:51

It’s quite sad that there this many different environmental zones in Europe. The EU should just set a few ‘levels’, and a city can then choose one of those levels. It’s currently almost impossible to navigate as a tourist. Also, no exception for classics is just plain wrong.

Will they check if that DPF is actually functional or will you still pass inspection with the DPF internals removed? It’s said to be a very common ‘fix’.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
02/07/2018 at 13:10

I have no clue, but i think it got redesigned a year or two ago. It looks modern and nice.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > duurtlang
02/07/2018 at 13:45

They can’t agree on one zone for Belgium, let alone Europe. I think I prefer the German system, it’s clear for the driver: if you have the correct color, you’re allowed. No need to know the age or emission class of your car.
And yeah, there’s currently a couple of classics stuck in Antwerp, as their owners refuse to pay, so they can’t even take them out of their garage.

No idea about the DPF to be honest. They test actual emissions at the yearly inspection, so maybe?