'SAPPHIRE' MY HYUNDAI SIII COUPE BEAUTY - YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE FOR ME, YOU SLEEK SILVER BEAUTY, YOU! (Hyundai Coupé 2.0 SE 3dr)

Member Name: totalserenity

Product:	Hyundai Coupé 2.0 SE 3dr
Date:	27/03/09 (353 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: JUST LOOK AT HER - IT SAYS IT ALL. STREAMLINED, SLEEK, SPORTY, SEXY - WHY SHE HAS IT ALL!

Disadvantages: LOW SUSPENSION MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL EVERY BUMP IN OUR GODAWFUL POT-HOLE RIDDEN ROADS...

It was love at first sight, and I wanted her.

She had a body to die for, lines so sleek and trim. She didn't know it yet - but as she stood there in front of me provocatively glistening in the sun; shapely, shiny, and sexy as hell, I was going to have her come what may.
I wanted to feel my body inside hers, know the texture of her dark interior; smell the leather-clad scent of her around me... She was flirting with me, and we both knew it!

'Sapphire' was her name...and posing as a Hyundai SIII Coupe was her game!

Now if you're looking for a technical review on the thousands of revs 'donkey power' or whatever the heck else it's called, then this is definitely not the review for you (I can feel the 'dooyoo' Motor Guide going into an apoplectic rage at the mere audacity of me encroaching upon her hallowed turf, with little or no knowledge about all things technical - plus christening a chunk of metal with a female name; but hey, a lot of us girlies do it!).

However, in a greeting of friendship, before someone mauls me on here, I would just like to say 'Hi' - plus point out I do actually have one of these gorgeous little babies, and have done since late last year!

As some of my fellow dooyoo'ers will now know from a previous review, I suffer with the progressive disease osteo-arthritis of the lumbar spine and surrounding areas. This is relevant because my lovely Hyundai is a Motability car which effectively means Sapphire is leased to me for three years - although a comprehensive 5 year warranty is generally offered on Hyundai's range of vehicles.

Stumbling across the coupe design on the Motability website I immediately fell into carnal lust with the entire shape of the vehicle, the classically striking, unmistakable Hyundai streamlined looks, with her low-slung sassy elongated front bonnet and pert little behind!

Having a retail value of approx £19, 101 (so the Autoworld dealership deftly informed me on my arrival the very next day), I paid an obscenely low deposit for my newly ordered automatic sports car, after having a 20 minute test drive in a brass and cheeky little red model similar to mine.

Knowing full well how I am deteriorating on the health front, after being registered disabled for the past 16 years, I felt the sands of time were running against me; and I so yearned to drive such a gorgeous specimen of machinery before I am no longer able to.

My cars are my legs nowadays, my independence also - so I have to think carefully when making a transportation decision as crucial as this.

The issue for me was how low slung this model is compared to other cars, more ordinary drives, if you will (have had a Fiat Brava, a perky Peugeot 206, two Ford Fiestas, two Vauxhall Astras - and that pesky partridge in that pear tree). However, the fact there are front sports-style seats fitted in black leather to match the interior - both luxuriously heated, and with lumbar support plus seat cushion height on the driver's side, would make it more of a power steered copeable drive.

Advertised as: 'A car that doesn't hide its best features', in my humble opinion the design is eye-catching on my YR 58 model, with 17 inch alloy wheels on this limited edition 2.0L SIII, and climate control as an added update to the usual, 'as standard' air conditioning.

In the Hyundai 'Come look, Love, and then Buy me' super -glossy brochure, we, the potential customers, are told about the car's ergonomically designed interior with its 'blue glow of the instrument panel' (very pretty at night, I can tell you!); the panel itself being elegantly laid out, very pleasing to the eye, and neat and stylish in design, methinks.

My 'Sleek Silver' choice is a lovely fresh metallic colour compliment to the car's overall clean, attractive façade.
In addition the car's interior has little touches of chrome on the fascia and trims (matches my sunglasses, lol).
However, this version of the coupe also incorporates central locking, ABS, and integral alarm and engine immobiliser on the more practical side of the car's useful features.

Internally you find the usual adjustable headsets, airbags at both front driver and passenger points - plus side ones for extra safety; with electric windows controlled on both sides of the 3 doored car. The side doors are frightening wide compared to a 'normal' car and take some getting used to, especially remembering not to throw them open too far, too soon!

Externally dual exhausts, flashly little back sporty spoiler and a riveted-look petrol cap - along with sophisticated double headlights, all add to the fabulous appearance of this luscious-looking car.

On a personal note, I get such a buzz even looking out of my window knowing that she's' mine, all mine'!

As a driver I find the controls neat and well-organized. That said, I miss my Astra's 1 & 2 extra gear options which helped me slow down on steep gradients. Instead i constantly have to ride the brakes in this car, as these options are not incorporated into the design of the coupe.

Storage is quite decent considering the streamlined look of this Hyundai; the usual side door compartments, a lidded middle compartment situated behind the handbrake, additionally two round container holders in-between the front seats (one for my bottled water, one for my Weight watchers sweeties!), plus netted storage behind the front passenger seat.

Needing a four seater car, practically speaking - but lasciviously desiring a gorgeous sporty design, thankfully the Hyundai gave me the option to have both - but at a heavy price to the back passengers, alas.

The head space in the rear, due to the very low-sloping huge back window, is incredibly limiting - unless of course you are transporting two of Snow White's Seven Dwarves, in which case you're alright!
Poor Emo/Goth teenage daughter usually ends up in the back as my boyfriends are generally taller than her 5'6 frame; best mate is a giraffe in human form - her 6'1 height no problem at all being housed in the ultra-roomy front of my sparkly Sapphire, however.

Immensely roomy in the front, it's a joy to be a passenger as well the driver - plus the ability to use the inbuilt cruise control makes it a very easy journey if you're in a lazy mood.

Nevertheless, it's not all good news in this write up, I'm afraid. Despite boasting excellent staying power on the roads - which the coupe assuredly does; as can be expected with a sports model you can feel just about every lump and bump in the road, which can be somewhat tiring at times.

Another tiny quibble is why did Hyundai decide to have the central locking immobiliser key separate from the car door key? My previous vehicle had the two in one integrated flick-up version...less hassle than messing about with two different 'keys', methinks.
Just a wee quibble, as I say, but a valid one.

Nor does the car have automatic sensored headlights, a feature I would have expected from a quality drive such as this one. Rather remiss of Hyundai on this occasion.

Back to the plus's before Sapphire thinks I don't love her anymore - surprisingly plenty of room in the boot, two little side circular hooks to hang shopping and the like off, to stop spillages en-route - even a large net to pile everything under; again to prevent things rattling around in there.
Folding back seats as you'd expect, a stonking great quality surround sound Hyundai stereo system with some great little features such as playing CD's in different musical modes, e.g. Vocal, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and so on - and, most importantly an Ipod docking port!

On introducing Gothy to Sapphire on 17th November 2008, said daughter snarled her lips at Mum's 'mid-life crisis' as she a tad unkindly called my new mechanical marvel...until introducing the natty little Ipod feature hidden within the central storage arm rest to decidedly unimpressed teenager. A speedy change of attitude soon ensued, I can tell you!

One of the coupe's main bonuses for me is both climate control AND a sunroof - fantastic! I'm just starting to enjoy the benefits of being able to either tilt the glass top open, or fully retract to enjoy the odd lovely sunny spells we are experiencing at the moment.
Extra control is given with a sunshade too, a nice touch by the manufacturers to allow more choice to the occupants (i.e me!).

Time to talk petrol consumption then dooyoo'ers, bearing in mind I'm a 'fill her up, then just turn the key, and nothing else' kinda gal - if a tyre goes flat then it's RAC to the rescue! Nevertheless, living on a limited income this was a major concern when considering the purchase of an oversized toy car indulgence; thus I was pleasantly surprised at an estimated 33 MPG, compared to my Astra's thirsty 36.
Remember mine is an automatic vehicle - greedy guzzlers of gas, alas.
The SIII model has a 55 litre tank capacity (Oooh, hark at her, she's actually picked up the 'Owner's Manual' at long last!), and when I win the Lotto the first thing I'll do is fill her up...

Finally, time to talk shop.
How she drives, handles the roads, speeds, etc.
Very well, thank you kindly!

No, seriously, Sapphire loves speed. Well let's face it she's purposely built for it.

If you're looking for a car that leaves the rest standing, then she's your girl!
Now I don't know the 0-60 in seconds ratio, but you can bet your bottom dollar it's mighty fast, babies!
Nor do I know the 'gee gees' speed under her smoothly shaped bonnet, but I can personally tell you she is incredibly quick, adheres to corners like glue, and handles beautifully on an open road! I've never driven a car like this before - being so easy to manouvre is such a bonus for me personally.

All in all, she's a damn sight easier to handle than her female owner is!

The speedometer shows an official 160 MPH, but I wouldn't like to say what this coupe is capable of (ex-boyfriend's a Policeman so I can tell you with certainty you 'never' know who's watching!), she purrs like a kitten when cranked up a notch or three though...

The engine is quiet; in fact I couldn't believe the different in noise levels compared to my old cars' engines, adding to the joy of driving such a machine. The power runs beneath you - it's a potent thing...

Beware though, there is a dark side to owning a stunning car - they become targets, and accordingly, so do you.

Sapphire was keyed outside my friend's house on New Year's Eve by some vindictive, jealous miscreant who, needless to say, was never caught. She had been in my possession for a mere 6 weeks, so obviously I was devastated.
The swine had gouged deep all the way down the passenger side so a re-spray job had to be done.

On the roads as a female driver if I'm on my own I tend to attract a lot of stupid boy racers - or the older idiots as well; funnily enough the latter nearly all seem to drive BMW's.
Must be an ego thing?
As much as I like serious speed and my girl can easily deliver the goods, I tend to let the guys get on with it.
We both know I'm in the faster car, without the machismo needing to be flouted.

All in all then, I can honestly say this is one hell of a ride; style, speed, safety, and sleek looks all conspire to turn this engine into a thing of real mechanical beauty. And I'm told Hyundai's hold their re-sale value better than many vehicles in their class.
Well I don't know about that, and in my case it's not relevant unless I choose to buy my coupe at the end of her lease - but I can tell you I've not had a second's trouble since I took ownership of her...fingered crossed!

I have never felt so passionate about a car before. "Sapphire I love you"! (*kisses*)

Summary: AN OVERBOARD INDULGENCE - BUT IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT WHY THE HELL NOT, THESE ARE ONE HELL OF A RIDE!

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