I think your sarcastic comment would have come across with more moral authority if you hadn't been a bit of a badge elitist yourself in the Holden Monaro thread...
Touché, but i consider that a different situation. In the Monaro's case, we're talking about a company (Pontiac) that i consider to be as bland and indifferent as you can get among American car manufacturers. It's a rebadged car that
loses value because of it. Which makes little sense to me.
My own car, for example, the RSX, doesn't lose respectability because it's badged as an Acura. It's still kind of lame for being a re-badge, but at least Acura is a great brand known for high quality cars.
In this case however, people equate the Hyundai badge to a lack of quality because of...nothing. Because of a stigma that was true maybe 20 years ago, but couldn't be further from the truth today. Hyundai has grown exponentially over the past few years and controls as much market share as many of the so-called "big" auto makers do. They're the world's fourth largest manufacturer. Hyundai has an excellent customer service record and their growth is a testament to their excellent marketing strategy and business process management. 👍
This car was named the 2009 car of the year for North America. That's pretty cool, considering it's a luxury sedan that costs tens of thousands less than the competition. Thankfully critics can get past an "image", especially one that has no basis anymore.
Check out how they're doing when nearly every other manufacturer is struggling and/or going through bankruptcy.
What's even remotely cool about a Hyundai?
This isn't a thread about how good the car may or may not be technically, or how well it's put together, or how clever it's electronics are or how luxurious it is inside. It's purely a vote on 'image'.
Hyundai doesn't have a cool image.
Customer service, one of the best warranties on the market, and affordability.
There have been lots of cars on the Cool Wall that are "civilian" cars. So i don't think it's fair to vote this car uncool because it doesn't look like a Veyron. You need to change the rationality behind your voting. Plus, it's actually quite beautiful anyway. Especially in person. But i guess you can vote on image if that's your approach. I just don't agree with it.
Hyundai doesn't need a cool "image". They are cool because they actually care about their customers and listen to their needs, then fulfill them exquisitely.
Bottom line, this is a good car especially for the price. And just because Hyundai made really crappy cars 20 years ago doesn't mean they haven't grown as a company. If you followed that logic you wouldn't consider any imported cars to be cool today. Remember the first Japanese compacts sold in the 1960/70s and what people thought of them?
