Used Hyundai S Coupe review: 1990-1996

Hyundai was the first to arrive here and was still finding its feet in a sceptical market in the years until the Excel X3 in 1994.  The S Coupe helped establish the brand with its cute shape and impressive array of standard features at an affordable price.  It represented an important step away from the Korean image of cheap basic transport and introduced much-needed emotion.

MODEL WATCH

WHEN launched there was only a single model with standard power steering, power windows, alloy wheels, a sporty tachometer, colour-coded bumpers and an AM/FM radio cassette player.

Power was delivered by a Mitsubishi-derived 1.5-litre fuel-injected single-overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that put out 62kW of power at 5500 revs and 120Nm of torque.

Though modest, the coupe's performance was surprisingly spirited. It also used surprisingly little fuel.  There was a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, with final drive going through the front wheels.

The single model line-up became two in July 1991. The base model was stripped of its power windows and alloy wheels. The LS retained them and got power windows and tinted glass.

A further realignment followed several months later when the base model was rebadged the LS and the LS became the GLS.  Both had steel wheels and wheel caps as standard (alloy wheels were then an option on both models), and each had a rear spoiler.

A facelift in 1992 brought a new narrow-slot grille, slimline headlights, a small output increase to 68kW and 132Nm, and a hot turbocharged engine with 84kW and 168Nm.

The LS then had power steering, rear spoiler, tachometer, split-fold rear seat, cloth trim and carpet. The GLS also had power windows, colour-coded bumpers, alloy wheels and four speakers.  If you stepped up to the Turbo you also got central locking, fog lamps, sports seats, sports suspension, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

IN THE SHOP

Hyundai build quality was questionable and certainly variable when the S Coupe was launched, so listen for squeaks and rattles.  Also listen for knocks and clunks in the suspension and driveline. The S Coupe's driveshafts are a known problem.  The gearbox can be noisy in the intermediate gears, and weak synchros can make second gear difficult to select.

The engine is a Mitsubishi unit similar to that used in the Lancer and Colt. It is relatively trouble free, though it has been known to crack cylinder blocks. Check around the engine for water stains that might indicate a leak.

The S Coupe was nicely equipped given its low price and included full electrics as standard on some models. Korean electrics were troublesome back then, which can mean trouble today.  Early Korean paint quality was not great and many cars are suffering from paint fade, particularly some of the brightly coloured models.

CRUNCH TIME

THE S Coupe got an average rating in a recent used-car survey, which means its crash performance, both in protecting its occupants and its likely impact on other drivers, was quite good.  No airbags were fitted.

OWNERS' VIEWS

Campbell Laidlaw bought his S Coupe in 2001 with 113,000km on the speedo.  It now reads 215,000, and he says it's fun to drive, handles quite well and servicing has been limited to book services.

Tina Lazaridis drives a 1996 S Coupe and loves the styling, the performance and roominess. It's a great car and very affordable.  M. Hargreaves bought a 1990 S Coupe when it was seven years old with 147,000km on the clock.  She drove it for five years, pushing the reading up to 250,000 before selling it when it became too small for her growing family. It was still going strong.

THE BOTTOM LINE

10/20 Stylish and affordable first car for a beginner, but rising kilometres mean increased risk of trouble.

LOOK FOR

• SPORTY styling still appeals
• SPIRITED performance with good economy
• HOLDS value quite well
• AFFORDABLE first car
• MITSUBISHI mechanicals quite reliable
• AVERAGE build quality
• TROUBLESOME electrics