I like those cars. They're cheap and reliable. Not to mention the warranty is very good. They're generations apart from its old ancestors from South Korea, the Hyundai Pony, South Korea's first export car.

Back in 1984, the Hyundai Pony was first introduced in Canada, with a 68-hp 1.4L Mitsubishi-licensed SOHC engine, a four-speed manual transmission, an FR chassis built from Ford Cortina parts, and bodywork styled by Ital Design. They were best sellers in Canada, with 50,000 sold. But, they were rust-prone and those plastic heater cores freeze up easily in Canadian winters. Thank goodness I wasn't the owner of a Pony. I'm pretty sure we remembered the trouble-prone Excel from 1986 to 1994, and that was history.

Now, with Hyundai and Kia making cars as reliable as the Japanese competition, I really, really want one so badly, I'm willing to run down to the dealership to buy one or the Bob Barker Studios to play for one. I'll play for the Elantra Touring or the Genesis Coupe, as long as it has a stick shift.