Well, I took a test drive of a couple of Accents last week, because as a mechanic (ASE certified, US Standard), I was interested in how Korean engineering actually stood up to say, Japanese engineering. To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. I have driven both the European version and the American version of the Hyundai Accent, with both five speed manual and overdrive automatic transmission. The transmission was not the first thing that caught my attention, but it was the element with which I was most disappointed. Due to a balky soft clutch, shifts are slow and, well, just plain bad-feeling. I’ve never felt a weaker gearbox. The first thing I actually did notice about the car was that its ergonomic proportions were absurd. The seats were uncomfortable, and even the smallest detail, such as the turn signal stalk, seemed to be cheaply made. I would not buy a Hyundai Accent, and as far as dependability goes, I cannot say I have much experience with long-term ownership, but I can say that listening to the four-banger’s unhealthy sounding under-hood tone, I should think that that 10 year, 100, 000 mile warranty (US model) will come in handy. Please people, there are too many of these things on the road.