2002 Hyundai Getz
Keen Australian drivers have long shown a preference for European cars, chiefly due to their superior handling dynamics. The Hyundai Getz was the first model from the South Korean giant to be designed specifically with the European market in mind and it began a new era in Hyundai sales.
When the Getz arrived in Australia in September 2002 it received a good reception from the motoring media. However, sales were slow to start with; it seems the bosses of the company at the time got carried away with the Euro image and felt they could charge almost European prices. It didn’t work. Early in 2003, prices of the Getz were slashed and sales increased pretty quickly.
These are tough little cars with a good reputation on the used-car market.
The Getz has a tall, cab-forward look that stayed much the same in appearance for close to 10 years. There are rubber protection strips on the doors and bumpers to combat the rough and tumble life of being parked on the street in European cities – Aussie streets too, for that matter. Smart people in crowded suburban areas sometimes use the Getz as a family car.
That’s because the extra height of Getz’s isn’t there for style, it provides extra interior room as the occupants sit closer to upright. There’s space in the front seats for a pair of full-sized adults, with room in the rear for two or three pre-teen kids.
2006 Hyundai Getz
The boot is reasonably large for its class. There’s the usual split-folding rear-seat backrest to increase carrying capacity.
Getz is sold with three or five doors, with most buyers opting for the added convenience of back doors.
Some earlier imports of the Getz had air conditioning as an extra-cost option to keep the price down. Hyundai soon realised this wasn’t acceptable to Australia buyers and later made it standard. So don’t assume that air is fitted, try it for yourself.
The first imports had a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine but from March 2003, Getz was offered with the option of a smaller 1.3-litre unit. To keep performance reasonable this engine was mated to a gearbox with lower ratios than the 1.5-litre. On the open road the 1.3-litre Getz can sound a bit busy in the engine department, around town it works nicely.
Hyundai installed revised engines with capacities of 1.4 and 1.6 litres in October 2005. At the same time Getz received a facelift and tail tuck to give a neater look. Safety was improved, with the addition of ESC and additional airbags.
Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic throughout the range. The auto does cause a noticeable loss of performance, but we’ve felt worse. The automatic also increases petrol consumption, so is probably better suited to owners stuck with the drudgery of heavy-duty commuting.
There are plenty of Hyundai dealers in Australia. Though they are chiefly in the major metro areas there’s a fair representation in the bush.
2006 Hyundai Getz
Spare parts prices are about average for this class. We don’t hear many complaints about parts being hard to get, though it may take a few days for them to be shipped out if you live a long way from the beaten track.
The makeup of the Hyundai Getz is simple and a good home mechanic can do a lot of the routine work. Leave safety related items to the professionals. Get yourself a workshop manual before attempting anything other than basic work.
Insurance charges are usually in the low-medium range and don’t seem to vary much between the major insurers. It still pays to shop around, though. As always, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples when getting prices.
Getz benefits from Hyundai’s long five-year, 130,000 kilometre warranty. That warranty should transfer to you when you buy a used one within that period. If in doubt, contact Hyundai directly for details.
Many of these little Hyundais began their lives as rental cars. Look for a Getz with a lot of kilometres on the clock. There are pluses and minuses when buying an ex-renter: servicing will usually have been done by professionals and on time. But some may have been thrashed and/or crashed.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Check servicing been done on time, not necessarily distance, as oil can sludge up with lot of short runs.
Check for excessive wear and tear inside the Getz cabin. Don’t forget the boot in case it has been used to cart rough and/or bulky items.
Uneven tyre wear, especially at the front, can indicate hard driving. Or it may be that the suspension is out of alignment, probably because a wheel has thumped a kerb. Scrapes on the front wheel rims and the corners of the bumpers are a sign of misuse,
Body damage, or repaired panels, could be a problem in any city car. Sight along panels for signs of a ripply finish. Look for paint that doesn’t quite match from panel to panel, for paint on glass, badges or rubber seals.
An engine that smokes when worked hard and/or is hard to start when cold could be due for an overhaul.
Gearboxes that crunch when you change down fast could likewise be due for major repairs. The frequently-used three-two downchange is usually the first to suffer.
Automatic transmissions in the first generation Getz may not change gears correctly and/or are noisy.
CAR BUYING TIP
The internet is becoming an increasingly useful tool for finding information from car owners on problem areas. However, disgruntled owners may provide information that’s deliberately misleading.
