[matt_greg]

Current owner of a '20 PP, definitely recommend the car. The safety equipment on the '21 would be nice as it makes a not-insignificant insurance difference here in NC. Also, not sure what part of IN you're in, but I grew up near South Bend and wouldn't want to try driving this car there on stock tires between Thanksgiving and late March. Personally, I've really enjoyed the mechanical connection of the manual but I know the resale value of the DCT will be better. Plus the DCT uses dual disc clutches as opposed to the manual's single disc, making powershifting much safer for the system if you're interested in tracking the car.

Speaking of tracking the car, the Tire Rack facility outside South Bend has a cool test track that they used to have open to the public occasionally through the SCCA up there. I don't know if that's still the case but might be worth looking into if you're local!

 

[matt_greg]

I agree the safety equipment on the '21 would be nice but I've not had it for the past 25 years so i'm sure I'll get by. Don't think it will make a difference on my insurance either here in Indiana. That and my agent is a relative so I'm well taken care of!

I do plan to daily drive the car (though we have F150 with all wheel drive for when it's really bad) so I would either put all season tires on it or more likely pick up a set of 18" wheels and some snow tires for Thanksgiving through April. I plan to keep the car long term so not hugely concerned about resale (otherwise I'd probably look closer at a WRX/STI or a GTI). I know the DCT is better on paper but both the wife and I prefer a manual and this is supposed to be a FUN car!

I'm over in Fort Wayne but get up to the South Bend area every now and then. Never been on a track on 4 wheels and don't really have the bug right now but who knows maybe I will if I get a VN...

Sounds like you're in the market for the right car then. The bug gets pretty strong the first time you shift from 2nd to 3rd around 6k with the exhaust open. These cars love being driven hard.

I got out the door for just over $29k new in late September after speaking to basically every Hyundai dealer in the Charlotte area. I think it's more than reasonable to expect you could do at least a little better than that now for a new '20 on a dealer's lot.

 

[matt_greg]

I used some of the money I saved by going with a 2020 on putting paint protection film in the entire front end and roof. The paint on modern cars is water based and very soft, prone to easily chipping.

This is especially an issue for Hyundai from what I hear. I'm at 7500 miles and already have a chip on my driver side door handle that bothers me every time I open it. Highly recommend the PPF on high-touch areas of the car and wish I would have done it. Also might as well spend some of those savings on bottles of wheel cleaner since you'll have to scrub them down after every drive.