Hyundai Santa Fe (2001 - 2005) 2.0 CRTD CDX 5d Owner Review

I needed a car urgently and the previous owner took an offer of £800 a third less than the £1200 he wanted. I went to look planning myscrutiny of the vehicle, like have a look underneath and look at certain things like discs and if theres any cash under the seat when I promptly forgot everything and bought it. It was quite ugly from the front with big bug headlights and a dated grille but from the side it was just as bad, like a trailer with a lid on. Just a tad dated. Very beige inside though unlike nissans of old this had light beige, dark beige and black. The seats are very comfy and heated and get grubby looking very quickly but the leather is tough and durable and unlikely to rip or crack but the colour will fade at the esges making it look like the elbows on a car dealers sheepskin. Everything is electric but then so was the C5 although all the electrics work and have been problem free. It has just passed its mot and needed a number plate bulb and one wiper. The rear wiper is a touch slow but works. The only issue i had wasnt down to the car it needed a handbrake adjustment and ever since it came back the rear shoes squeek a bit on moving off and every time it goes back in the noise stops! It hasnt broke down and nothing has failed so far. Its so comfy Ive slept on the back seat. It has a compass which displays the direction your not travelling in which requires a quick calculation of what the opposite of your direction is but in theory its still pointing towards the right direction but to newcomers to such suv type features i'd prefer it to show the oppisite way. Lots of room in the back and the boot and lots of storage under the seats in quite flimsy drawers also roomy trays under the boot carpets. The back window can open separately to the boot door which on cold days slowly falls onto your head. There is also three sets of lights at the front middle and boot area and a retractable leather style boot cover. There is a few minor rust spots on one wing on mine so at this age paint is failing and the door trim paint has peeled on its upper edge. I find it a really pleasant drive on a motorway its fast enough to keep up and with cruise control you can drive by button in your armchair seats Its fairly quiet too in the cabin and I really like the engine its just a decent quality long lasting machine that will outlive most other engines in more expensive vehicles. At this price reliability wins over performance and its not slow anyway much faster than the new 11 plate 1.4 dci Scenic diesel i had once for example Its a lot of reliable car for 800 quid and with the mot passed it owes me nothing after nearly 2500 miles, its a funny looking thing but appeals to me in true pathos fashion.but i like it and will keep it till its finished. It has a basic cd player and no dab radio. Side airbags mean you cant put seat covers on. Oh the tax is dear thats true but with 12 points now and compared to my insurance at the moment its no big deal.