Horserace? Don't Bet on Hyundai
kris
10-30-2002, 10:13 PM
Horserace? Don't Bet on Hyundai
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
BY STEVEN OBERBECK
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
In the movie, "My Cousin Vinny," the character Mona Lisa Vito states an immutable fact of the automotive world.
"A Corvette . . . could never be mistaken for a Buick Skylark."
Vito might have said the same of hot rods and Hyundais.
Except, as it turns out, thousands of Utah Hyundai owners now are pondering the same question gear heads everywhere ask when they climb behind the wheel of a roadster: "Exactly how much horsepower do I have under that hood?"
The answer for many Hyundai owners is not enough to lay down rubber in all four gears -- and perhaps a bit less than bargained for when they bought their small Korean coupe.
Enter two proposed class-action lawsuits filed in Utah's 3rd District Court by Robert J. DeBry & Associates, a law firm perhaps better known for its medical malpractice, slip and fall and dog bite-type cases.
Over the past nine years, Hyundai Motor America's promotional materials have overstated the might of some automobile engines by an average of 4.6 horsepower. And for DeBry, that is enough to ask that every affected Hyundai owner in the United States be awarded enough money to soup up their cars to the promised horsepower -- along with $25,000 each to punish the automaker for exaggerating its product's peppiness.
Hyundai is resigned to fighting the suit, but points out it shared the problem with customers in the first place. "We made a mistake and let our customers know about it," spokesman Chris Hosford said. "But there were never any safety or reliability issues involved."
Hyundai is offering five years of roadside assistance coverage to those who own 1999 model year and earlier vehicles. And for those who own newer models, the company is offering to extend its new vehicle or power train warranties.
For DeBry's clients, though, that proffered compensation apparently cannot make up for the fact that when they step on the gas, their cars fail to leap forward but instead chug along.
They want cash.
But there are those who wonder whether the car owners are the type of drivers who worry about horsepower when they buckle themselves into their mean machines. The power of most Hyundai engines range from around 100 to 140 horsepower -- not exactly muscle-car territory.
Certainly, no one has ever asked Kindig-It Design in Salt Lake City to put a supercharger on a Hyundai. And they are not the type of cars that most drivers even want to try to make look fast.
"Well, we've painted flames on a lot of PT Cruisers and GTOs, but so far we've never painted them on a Hyundai," said Mac McLaughlin of Hot Rod Ink in Salt Lake City. "Of course, that doesn't mean we wouldn't if someone asked."
steve@sltrib.com
http://www.sltrib.com/10302002/utah/11847.htm
© Copyright 2002, The Salt Lake Tribune All material found on Utah OnLine is copyrighted The Salt Lake Tribune and associated news services.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
BY STEVEN OBERBECK
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
In the movie, "My Cousin Vinny," the character Mona Lisa Vito states an immutable fact of the automotive world.
"A Corvette . . . could never be mistaken for a Buick Skylark."
Vito might have said the same of hot rods and Hyundais.
Except, as it turns out, thousands of Utah Hyundai owners now are pondering the same question gear heads everywhere ask when they climb behind the wheel of a roadster: "Exactly how much horsepower do I have under that hood?"
The answer for many Hyundai owners is not enough to lay down rubber in all four gears -- and perhaps a bit less than bargained for when they bought their small Korean coupe.
Enter two proposed class-action lawsuits filed in Utah's 3rd District Court by Robert J. DeBry & Associates, a law firm perhaps better known for its medical malpractice, slip and fall and dog bite-type cases.
Over the past nine years, Hyundai Motor America's promotional materials have overstated the might of some automobile engines by an average of 4.6 horsepower. And for DeBry, that is enough to ask that every affected Hyundai owner in the United States be awarded enough money to soup up their cars to the promised horsepower -- along with $25,000 each to punish the automaker for exaggerating its product's peppiness.
Hyundai is resigned to fighting the suit, but points out it shared the problem with customers in the first place. "We made a mistake and let our customers know about it," spokesman Chris Hosford said. "But there were never any safety or reliability issues involved."
Hyundai is offering five years of roadside assistance coverage to those who own 1999 model year and earlier vehicles. And for those who own newer models, the company is offering to extend its new vehicle or power train warranties.
For DeBry's clients, though, that proffered compensation apparently cannot make up for the fact that when they step on the gas, their cars fail to leap forward but instead chug along.
They want cash.
But there are those who wonder whether the car owners are the type of drivers who worry about horsepower when they buckle themselves into their mean machines. The power of most Hyundai engines range from around 100 to 140 horsepower -- not exactly muscle-car territory.
Certainly, no one has ever asked Kindig-It Design in Salt Lake City to put a supercharger on a Hyundai. And they are not the type of cars that most drivers even want to try to make look fast.
"Well, we've painted flames on a lot of PT Cruisers and GTOs, but so far we've never painted them on a Hyundai," said Mac McLaughlin of Hot Rod Ink in Salt Lake City. "Of course, that doesn't mean we wouldn't if someone asked."
steve@sltrib.com
http://www.sltrib.com/10302002/utah/11847.htm
© Copyright 2002, The Salt Lake Tribune All material found on Utah OnLine is copyrighted The Salt Lake Tribune and associated news services.
Moppie
10-30-2002, 11:27 PM
Its one of those stupid only in America stories!
And clearly the writters has never seen a Hyundi WRC car, or the 2.0L Accent wagon sold in the Asia Pasfic Market.
And who the hell cars about 4hp? Sounds like a bunch of whining American Honda owners.
I bet they would have a field day in Japan.
Toyota has for the last 10 years been overratting the HP of thier 1600 4age 20v and super charged engines, and thier 2.0 VVL 3sgte engines, while underratting the HP of cars like the Supra.
Nissan is well know to underrate the hp of the Skyline GTR's, and in NZ with the 200sx, and old SSS Sentra.
And Honda Japan has always erred on the conservitive side, except on the NSX where they have admitted to underratting its true HP.
And clearly the writters has never seen a Hyundi WRC car, or the 2.0L Accent wagon sold in the Asia Pasfic Market.
And who the hell cars about 4hp? Sounds like a bunch of whining American Honda owners.
I bet they would have a field day in Japan.
Toyota has for the last 10 years been overratting the HP of thier 1600 4age 20v and super charged engines, and thier 2.0 VVL 3sgte engines, while underratting the HP of cars like the Supra.
Nissan is well know to underrate the hp of the Skyline GTR's, and in NZ with the 200sx, and old SSS Sentra.
And Honda Japan has always erred on the conservitive side, except on the NSX where they have admitted to underratting its true HP.
YogsVR4
10-31-2002, 10:31 AM
This is another story of a law suit that is going nowhere. Anyone can bring suit for whatever they want before a judge and call a press conference on it. It doesn't mean that the judge wont throw it out because its stupid.
Moppie - give it a rest :rolleyes:
Never pay again for live sex! (http://showmewebcam.com/?p=1) | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! (http://showmewebcam.com/?p=3) | Chat for free! (http://showmewebcam.com/?p=5)
Moppie - give it a rest :rolleyes:
Never pay again for live sex! (http://showmewebcam.com/?p=1) | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! (http://showmewebcam.com/?p=3) | Chat for free! (http://showmewebcam.com/?p=5)
ci5ic
10-31-2002, 06:42 PM
WTF is the deal with Utah lately?!
Ssom
10-31-2002, 08:53 PM
Originally posted by ci5ic
WTF is the deal with Utah lately?!
It's a strange place.....:(
WTF is the deal with Utah lately?!
It's a strange place.....:(
ci5ic
10-31-2002, 09:03 PM
Originally posted by Moss1O6GTi
It's a strange place.....:(
"On second though, let's not go to Utah... 'tis a silly place"
http://www.game.uk.com/guideto/python_grail5.jpg
It's a strange place.....:(
"On second though, let's not go to Utah... 'tis a silly place"
http://www.game.uk.com/guideto/python_grail5.jpg
Moppie
10-31-2002, 11:54 PM
Originally posted by YogsVR4
Moppie - give it a rest :rolleyes:
Sue me :finger:
:D :D :D :D :D :D
:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:
Moppie - give it a rest :rolleyes:
Sue me :finger:
:D :D :D :D :D :D
:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:
speediva
11-01-2002, 12:00 AM
Originally posted by ci5ic
WTF is the deal with Utah lately?!
LATELY??? What has EVER been the deal with Utah???
WTF is the deal with Utah lately?!
LATELY??? What has EVER been the deal with Utah???
Jimster
11-01-2002, 12:01 AM
We here at FIAT/Alfa Romeo/Lancia- will quite happily tell you- what you see is what you get :)- can't speak for the wankers over at Maserati/Ferrari though :rolleyes:
And what the hell is 4 bhp gunna do anyway?? :rolleyes:
fuckin morons :rolleyes:
And what the hell is 4 bhp gunna do anyway?? :rolleyes:
fuckin morons :rolleyes:
kris
11-01-2002, 07:28 AM
Originally posted by saturntangerine
LATELY??? What has EVER been the deal with Utah???
Like dirty PA is any better. :rolleyes: :flipa:
LATELY??? What has EVER been the deal with Utah???
Like dirty PA is any better. :rolleyes: :flipa:
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025