The Yugo was strictly in a class of its own

Regarding “Hyundai’s hard road” (Feb. 4): Your article makes reference to the low-cost, trouble-prone Excel model as “the Yugo of its day.”

Both the $4,995 Korean car and the $3,990 car from the former Yugoslavia were far cheaper than the Japanese and domestic entry models, and both proved that you get what you pay for (maybe less).

But the Yugo was sold in the U.S. from 1985 until 1992, and the Excel from 1985 to 1994. On a historical level, that’s the same day.

In fact, the concurrent existence of the tiny, primitive Yugo was perhaps the only comfort to anyone who thought he had made a smart purchase in the larger, more modern Hyundai. After all, at least he wasn’t driving (or repairing) a Yugo.

The Yugo will forever be the Yugo of its day. Even a car as misnamed as the Excel cannot take that punch line away.

Christopher Hoffman

Long Beach