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2007 Elantra vs VW Rabbit

2

Comments

  • germancarfan1germancarfan1 Member Posts: 221
    Enough with this. Prove to all of us that a comparable Elantra SE is 3-4K LESS EXPENSIVE than a comparable Rabbit. Please provide a detailed price analysis like I have.
  • acura03gacura03g Member Posts: 76
    If you read the other thread, you'll see that I posted a week ago that I have just purchased a 07 elantra SE auto with 6 miles on it for 16,400 out the door. It may sound impossible to you but quite a few people have been able to get various cars (not just hyundai) for less than invoice.
  • germancarfan1germancarfan1 Member Posts: 221
    I did check. Please provide the post link where you stated how much you paid. I highly doubt that's what you paid since Hyundai dealers haven't even been budging on 2007 Accents and the Elantra hasn't even arrived at many dealerships.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    Enough with this. Prove to all of us that a comparable Elantra SE is 3-4K LESS EXPENSIVE than a comparable Rabbit. Please provide a detailed price analysis like I have.

    I never said Elantra SE. I said if you are going to put the least expensive 4 door Rabbit and compare prices do it with the least expensive Elantra which is not the SE.

    I provided the prices which state that I can get an Elantra for $3,200 less than a 4 door Rabbit. I even provided the place where you can buy them and see their advertised prices.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • acura03gacura03g Member Posts: 76
    pat, "2007 Hyundai Elantra" #1249, 13 Nov 2006 3:47 am

    see post #1250 and 1254. I only went to one dealer last weekend, they had two 07 SEs and a bunch of GLS in their lot.
  • germancarfan1germancarfan1 Member Posts: 221
    I said COMPARABLE models. While we're at it, I can show that an Accent is $20K less than a BMW 3 series.

    Show how an Elantra with Heated seats is 3-4K less than a VW Rabbit with heated seats. Wasn't that the POINT of my topic?
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    There are total 37 brands in the ranking, 19 is the median. SO 23 is 4 place from median. VW's 32nd place is 13 place from median.

    That is meaningless without considering the difference in the measurement data between each place.
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    So, if you had the choice between 2 cars, BOTH with airbags and active head restraints, BUT ONE car has ESP and traction and ONE did NOT, you would choose the car WITHOUT the safety systems? Lovely choice.

    I could reply to this on so many levels, but I'll leave the sarcasm and bullying to you, since it seems to be your area of expertise ;)

    Now, to respond to your statement, I never said I would choose the car without the "safety systems". What I have said in earlier posts, and maintain, is that I would not pay EXTRA MONEY for a car with these "features". I use quotes there because, like moparbad said, I would rather see these as options than standard equipment, so the consumer has the option of purchasing said vehicle.

    And again, I maintain that avoiding accidents is done by driving more carefully, not by having fancy options that drive up the price of the car.

    I would rather get more features that matter to me and my driving habits at a lower price when I purchase my cars.

    Just as an aside, do you actually own a rabbit or other VW? You seem to have a great liking for them.
  • germancarfan1germancarfan1 Member Posts: 221
    Not trying to bully at all, just trying to flush your answer out.

    So, what features would you rather have over safety systems? Which features does the Elantra have that the Rabbit does not have that would entice you to choose the Elantra knowing that it does not have safety systems one could get on a Rabbit for roughly the same price?
  • germancarfan1germancarfan1 Member Posts: 221
    p.s. I own a 93 VW Passat VR6. Not at all reliable (though it does have 160K), but is tons o' fun.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Front Airbags.
    Side Airbags.
    Anti Lock Brakes.
    3 Stars or higher NHTSA ratings.

    The above are my minimum requirements.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Show how an Elantra with Heated seats is 3-4K less than a VW Rabbit with heated seats.

    OK.

    Elantra 4-door SE AT with 16" alloys, heated seats, and moonroof: MSRP $18,445, invoice $17,245, TMV $18,406 (w/o rebates--currently a $500 loyalty rebate)

    Rabbit 4-door AT with 16" alloys, heated seats, and moonroof: MSRP $20,095, invoice $19,216, TMV $20,095 (no rebates available)

    So how can an Elantra with heated seats be at least $3,000 less than a Rabbit with heated seats? Get a deal around invoice, as has been reported already in this discussion, and for good measure get the $500 rebate that people like you and me qualify for.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    I would take the Elantra for several reasons:

    1) Features/Content/Value
    2) Reliablity/Warranty
    3) Quality (Hyundai has made it its dedication and it shows RE: JD Power 3rd place; 1st for mainstream automakers)
    4) Interior design
    5) Fuel Economy

    Etc...

    Other consumers seem to agree with sales figures :)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    I said COMPARABLE models.

    they are comparable models. You just want to use the more expensive trim to minimized the fact that the Rabbit is overpriced.

    I can still get an Elantra for 3-4K less than a Rabbit, plus its bigger and has better gas mileage.

    Its a no brainer.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    Roughly the same price is a bit far fetched, since the $1-2K difference you pointed out earlier could easily steer most buyers into a different class of car at this price. (such as Camry or Accord). But that's not the answer to your question.

    The features I would like are the following:
    Six Airbags
    Active Front head restraints
    PW, PL, tilt steering
    ABS is nice, but not necessary

    The other main importance is comfort, which I believe is where we differ. Performance and "road feel" should be adequate, but neither are the be-all-end-all to me.

    Regarding your post script, your Passat would be much more fun if it were reliable, wouldn't it? (My corolla isn't flashy, sporty, nor does it particularly stand out, but at 175k miles, it starts and runs flawlessly every day)
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    Compact hatchbacks nearing or exceeding the 20k mark is not uncommon. Look at the mazda 3, previous generation civic si, etc. Having asr, esp or or any kind of tracion/stability control is a rather nice feature and i have benefitted from it personally. Just becuase you may know people who do drive like maniacs because they have these features doesn't mean that they are worthless; that is a reflection on the driver not on the feature. Ever see that allstate commercial whre that guy is fooling around with his coffee and despite all the so called 'safety' features his car had he still crashed? The mentioned those features were to improve the safety of the car AS OPPOSSED to a vechicle that is not equipped with them; but they cant make the driver safer. Just goes to show you that you do have to drive carefully regardless of what safety features you have but its no reason to put down a safety feature that benefits the driver!

    This is amazing! Vw makes a car safer and people get UPSET that it has it. My 2 door rabbit came with tracion control STANDARD so i gues everyones argument about having to pay more for it is a little unfounded: the rabbit costs more because i think the build quaility on it is better than the elantra; i sat in one and as much of an improvment as it is over the previous generation, it still had that good ole' hyundai korean cheesiness. The rabbit (althogh to some a little boring) has a wonderfully composed interior and rides very nicely. Rougher than the elantra? Yes, but a much more athletic vehicle. If thats not your thing fine. But it doesn't make the rabbit a horrible car.

    There is a reason the elantra is so much cheaper and alot of it is interior materials. Where do they cut costs people? They are cheaper for a reason.

    Citing all these reliabilty numbers and all that stuff is valid when you really want to get down to who will win the reliabilty war, but until either one of these cars stands the test of time, it means nothing. Both are full redesigns. I know vw has a bad rep, but hyundai is no pioneer in the reliabilty segement. The fact of the matter is that elantra lovers will go to the grave with their dirt cheap, discounted out the butt elantras, whereas veedubbers will love their bunnies even if they have to pay a little more. (i didn't.)

    its always a mistake to argue with a hyundai faithful. sometimes there is just nothing you can do to even present the idea that another car may be better than theirs... :P

    So you are an amazing driver and could care less about traction control. Ok suit yourself. Just don't deny its usefulness when you have never experience a vehicle with it. (i.e. snakeweasel. just read this thread from the beggining and you'll see what i mean. its amazing what you can say in this forum and get people to swallow it; even if its completly untrue.)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    But do we really need such options on compact cars?

    To be honest I would agree with you that they should be options for those who want them. Realistically I see very little use for them especially in a small car.

    Finally, if you want your car to be safer, DRIVE MORE CAREFULLY!

    Traction and stability control will not compensate for bad driving habits. Those with god winter driving habit will rarely engage those options. IMHO a good set of tires and good driving skills/habits goes a lot further than traction and stability control.

    And of course I am talking from decades of northern winter driving experience. I just love driving during and right after a storm on my FWD car and seeing all the 4WD/AWD cars in the ditch. My guess in the future I will be driving my FWD car sans traction and stability control past all the cars with traction and stability control that are in the ditch. :blush:

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    This is amazing! Vw makes a car safer and people get UPSET that it has it.

    Now don't get me wrong, I am not upset about VW having additional safety equipment. I just question if that traction control and stability control is actually worth the extras $3-4K in price.

    it is a little unfounded: the rabbit costs more because i think the build quaility on it is better than the elantra;

    Everyone I know that has a VW has had issues with them. Everyone I know with a Hyundai has had few, if any.

    There is a reason the elantra is so much cheaper and alot of it is interior materials.

    And your source for this?

    its always a mistake to argue with a hyundai faithful. sometimes there is just nothing you can do to even present the idea that another car may be better than theirs...

    Oh and people like germancarfan are unbiased?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    The 3-4 k price increase is not due to the traction conrol on its own. its a lot of things. Having issues with a car doesn't mean that the quality of the materials used is bad. All those vw's with problems still feel rich to the touch and have great interiors. I also know vw owners with no problems at all..and then some peeps who have lots of issues with their hyundai. I'm not going to argue this; we can go on all day. I don't have a source for what i said; its apparent. Hyundai has got to cut corners somewhere; i doubt they are suing sub par componets for their engines and drivetrains, and since the interiors still have that cheesy feel, i assume this is where it is.

    People like germancarfan have their preferences and i don't blame him. You have yours. You can say you are unbiased all you want, but everyone is in some way. You are towards hyundai. Nothing wrong with that but don't call people out on it.
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    Your opinion is anything but humble. This is one arrogant post. I agree that they do not negate the need for bad driving habits, but if its possible to get into a ditch without them... its also possible to do it with them. They are just aids. They are not guarantees that you will never be in an auto accident. Geez why do you need this explained? Your car can have a gazillion airbags but you can still crash the dang thing. traction control will help you out, but it has its limits just like anything else!

    And again; car size doesnt matter. You need to be safe no matter what. I don't even understand the point of questioning any kind of safety feature on a small or large car.

    SKILLS. You may have them. But not everyone has had 'decades of winter driving experience'. SO that would make them welcome additions. (i guess your ideal ad for the elantra would be : the hyndai elantra: no traction control but if you have decades of experience you wont need it. :P )
    Besides even the best drivers can have total control of everything around them. NO amount of experience can deny or counteract that, in my HUMBLE opinion. If you enjoy seeing people in ditches after a storm, then you have a lot more than paying extra for traction control to worry about.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Hyundai has got to cut corners somewhere

    Here's a couple of places Hyundai saves money on the Elantra, vs. the Rabbit:

    * Labor: first, Korean labor is a lot less expensive than German labor. Second, Hyundai is an industry leader in plant automation, so they need little of that less expensive labor to build a car. VW may use a lot of automation also, I don't know.

    * Steel: the Rabbit weighs about 400 pounds more than the Elantra. That extra material costs something.

    * Features: things like seat warmers, traction control, and 6-speed automatic transmissions cost money. By not including features like these (at least not standard), Hyundai saves money.

    Note that none of these savings has to do with the quality of the car or the materials in the car. When a third party review such as that in C/D call the Elantra's interior materials "top quality" and an individual on Town Hall who happens to own the model we are comparing to the Elantra calls them "cheesy", guess which opinion I tend to think is closer to the truth?
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    The 3-4 k price increase is not due to the traction conrol on its own

    No but that would be the price difference between the two cars and given the fact that those two are the only main difference my statement stands that traction and stability control is not worth the additional $3-4 that the Rabbit costs.

    Having issues with a car doesn't mean that the quality of the materials used is bad.

    No but it gives question to the quality of those materials and the workmanship putting them together.

    I also know vw owners with no problems at all..and then some peeps who have lots of issues with their hyundai.

    The Hyundai dealer I do business with also sells VW's. Guess which they have more of in the service bays? Hint, it aint Hyundai.

    I don't have a source for what i said;

    So its just your unsubstantiated opinion and not a fact. OK we know wher you stand.

    its apparent. Hyundai has got to cut corners somewhere;

    I guess that since VW costs less than a Benz VW must be cutting corners somewhere.

    The point is that there may be many other reasons why Hyundai is less expensive.

    VW could be overpriced

    Exchange rates could play a part

    Hyundai may be willing to take lesser profits to earn market share.

    Hyundai may not have the overwhelming socialist burden that VW has.

    Hyundai may have more efficent manufacturing

    Any combination of the above or many other things could contribute to it.

    i doubt they are suing sub par components for their engines and drivetrains,

    Mine is near 140K and its still going strong.

    and since the interiors still have that cheesy feel, i assume this is where it is.

    I have since sat in both the new Elantra and a new Passat within minutes of each other. If the Elantra has cheesy interiors so do VW's.

    You are towards hyundai.

    I own one, I like it, will I buy another one? Who knows. If I do it won't be the Elantra. To be honest my current daily drive is a station wagon and I would like to replace it with another one. Since Hyundai no longer makes station wagons I most likely will not be getting another Hyundai unless I go all out and get the Azera.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    as far as features go backy you are right. Hyundai saves money, so their cars are cheaper. You want these things don't buy a hyundai. The rabbit fills that void quite nicely. I don't care if you would rather go with c/d. They also put rabbit #1 on their list OVER the elantra, and you seemed to question their opinions as a general rule. I think its cheesy. Other people i know (granted just as biased as i am and the way you guys are) said its cheesy. You think its great? Ok. But i think its cheesy. And if i wanted to i could post a "i think the elantra is cheesy so join me" thread. It would probably get deleted :blush: but thats why we are here; to give our opinions. I don't know if i buy your steel story. The rabbit is heavy, yes, but so are most german cars. My old civic was lighter, but was more expensive than my rabbit easily. So that puts that to rest... and if i recall, the hyundai does have heated seats and leather...you cant even get leather on a rabbit but you can get an elantra equipped with one for a lot less...hmmm i guess traction control and a six speed auto are just that much more expensive?
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    it is my unsubstansiated opinion, much like your 'traction control is useless' opinion. Looks like we both are standing! Ha! I would harldy call the passat cheesy, i too have sat in both of them and if thats your opinon fine, but i don't agree with you and i'm pretty sure most people wouldn't either.

    Your dealer issue? I think its funny that the mention how many more problems they have with vw's. They don't sound like much of a dealer, regardless if thats true, but like i said earlier, arguing that point makes no difference to me, but i understand that paying attention to what i post seems to come as unfamiliar to you so no biggie.

    No but it gives question to the quality of those materials Hmmm...this doesn't make sense. I said that the QUALITY of the materials is good regardless if the car is unreliable...just because it MAY make you question their actual quality is a weird thing to say to answer to the original statement: most people agree that faulty sensors and check engine lights and stuff like that were the problem of previous generation vw's, but not the quality of the materials used on the interior and such, which is what i am referring to.

    Why anyone would cross shop the elantra and a much much more expensive passat is a little bizzare too. (insert defending the right to sit and test drive whatever you want. :P )
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    Your opinion is anything but humble. This is one arrogant post.

    tell me how is it arrogant?

    I agree that they do not negate the need for bad driving habits,

    The need for bad driving habits?

    but if its possible to get into a ditch without them... its also possible to do it with them.

    Huh?

    Sorry but so far you're not making much sense, put down the bottle before posting next time. :P

    Geez why do you need this explained?

    Let me explain this to you. I consider myself a pretty decent driver for winter driving. In 3 Alaskan winters and 20 something upper Midwest winters I have never gone into a ditch or even slidded off the road. Even when I ventured out in some very bad weather and at times in RWD cars. I owe this to the fact that I usually have a good set of tires and drive per the conditions.

    That being said how many times would have traction or stability control would have helped me? The answer is few. How many times would it have prevented an accident? the answer is none. Now seeing that it would have minimal, if any, effect on me why would I spend thousands more for it?

    Thats what you don't get, I don't want to spend thousands more for something I can easily do without.

    SKILLS. You may have them.

    Yes and because of that why would I spend thousand more for a car with stuff I really don't need? How hard is that to grasp?

    But not everyone has had decades of winter driving experience. SO that would make them welcome additions

    Fine and dandy, let them pay more for the car that has them, no problem. Just don't go around saying that car 'A' is automatically better and safer because it has them.

    Besides even the best drivers can have total control of everything around them. NO amount of experience can deny or counteract that,

    Again that doesn't follow your argument.

    If you enjoy seeing people in ditches after a storm, then you have a lot more than paying extra for traction control to worry about.

    I don't enjoy the fact that people are in the ditch. I find it "interesting" that people put so much trust into these things that they don't realize that it doesn't compensate for poor driving.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    I think its cheesy. Other people i know (granted just as biased as i am and the way you guys are) said its cheesy. You think its great? Ok. But i think its cheesy. And if i wanted to i could post a "i think the elantra is cheesy so join me" thread. It would probably get deleted

    What does cheesy actually mean in relation to the quality of materials or operation of controls or driving experience or the visual appearance of the Elantra?

    Perhaps you can provide greater detail. Is the Elantra more like a Gouda or an Imsil cheese? ;)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    it is my unsubstansiated opinion, much like your 'traction control is useless' opinion.

    I didn't say it was useless, I just say I don't see $3K of value in something that I might be used once or twice and most likely won't stop an accident.

    I would hardly call the passat cheesy,

    Nor would I call an Elantra cheesy. But since they are both pretty even in quality if one is cheesy so is the other.

    Your dealer issue? I think its funny that the mention how many more problems they have with vw's.

    No actually I think its sad. But it is one reason I won't buy one.

    Hmmm...this doesn't make sense.

    Makes perfect sense. If something has quality issues wouldn't you question the materials being used? Something has to make the car unreliable.

    but not the quality of the materials used on the interior and such, which is what i am referring to.

    But you didn't use interior did you.

    Why anyone would cross shop the elantra and a much much more expensive passat

    Who says I was cross shopping? who says I was even shopping? who says I cannot stop in and look around? I just stopped by to look at a few cars and thats what they had on the showroom floor that I happened to look at.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    materials used.

    oh and definietly gouda. :)
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    materials used

    What do you not like about the materials used?
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    I meant GOOD driving habits. There's your answer to that one.

    The whole ditch thing was to point out to you that your bashing of traction control is a little off balance, being that no one is pushing it like it stops accidents completley. Don't insinuate i'm drunk either. Maybe drinking and typing appeal to you but not everyone.

    Yes if a car has these features it does automatically make it safer. But just the CAR. not the driver. You say your skills negate the need for traction control ok whatev. But just because you don't think t.c. makes a vehicle safer does not mean that it's true. YOU HAVEN"T EVEN DRIVEN ONE with it. No one says they completely prevent accidents, they aid in doing so.

    I just love driving during and right after a storm on my FWD car and seeing all the 4WD/AWD cars in the ditch. My guess in the future I will be driving my FWD car sans traction and stability control past all the cars with traction and stability control that are in the ditch. Are you sure you don't enjoy it? :confuse:

    ...no i question it's true usefulness..

    I seriously doubt that stability control will have any real effect on 99.999% of the owners of these cars

    if this does not insinuate that you think traction/stability control is useless, i don't know what does.

    Again that doesn't follow your argument.

    another typo, i was typing to fast. I meant they CANT have total control. Or did i just finish my bottle? :confuse:

    Thats what you don't get, I don't want to spend thousands more for something I can easily do without.

    I always got it. As i pointed out, the rabbit does not cost more just because of tracion control so saying this was not necessary. I just don't get why you keep bringing up points like this in your defense.
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    its very hard to pinpoint...its just this really big ambigiuous tone of almost being really nice, but just having an overall feel of....well...cheesiness! I"m not saying its the easiest thing to explain. You see alot of it in the new sonata.

    I just think the guages look dated, the steering wheel is very un-ergonimic and although it has lots of space, the hvac controls and the whole center console look very uninspired and the plastics feel very thin. It's just a lot of those little things....
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    Who says I was cross shopping? who says I was even shopping? who says I cannot stop in and look around? I just stopped by to look at a few cars and thats what they had on the showroom floor that I happened to look at.

    but i knew you would say this!! :P

    Oh and snakeweasel...

    I am done with you. Don't bother responding, it will be ignored. :)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    The whole ditch thing was to point out to you that your bashing of traction control is a little off balance,

    First of all I am not bashing traction control. I am just questioning if the benefit equals or outweighs the cost. I don't think there is a $3k benefit in it.

    You say your skills negate the need for traction control ok whatev

    I said that good tires and good driving skills/habits do far more than traction control will do. Given the choice between the two I would take good driving skills and good tires over traction control.

    another typo,

    My guess is bottle. They are not just typos but typing the wrong word(s).

    As i pointed out, the rabbit does not cost more just because of tracion control

    Immaterial since it does cost more and all you are getting for that extra price is traction and stability control. Is it worth that extra cost ($3-4k)? I say no, you may differ.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,290
    but i knew you would say this!!

    Why because I have openly stated that I stop by dealerships just to look around before?

    Or is it illegal to stop by a dealership and look at cars?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    FYI, the Elantra has 3 rear headrests and electronic power steering.

    Since very few cars under $20k have turn signals in the mirrors, I have to disagree that they are an "important" component. Ten speakers are nice, but according to posts in Town Hall, some Rabbits are shipping without all ten speakers. :surprise:
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    mpg7, please check your email.
  • tazerelitazereli Member Posts: 241
    Having followed this discussion. i'd thought i throw in my 2 cents. God forbid we get to the day where we rely on electronic aids to substitute for good driver skill. I have neither traction control nor stability control in any of my cars. I rely on good sense and good winter tires to get me out of most trouble situations. If i see a curve ahead and its snowy/icey, guess what, I slow down! Ive yet to break the coefficient of friction between my tires and the road surface. So stability control hasn't been needed in my driving career. As for traction control, I can't speak to its benefit since I have AWD on 2 of my vehicles and the FWD one stays in the driveway when it snows.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Elantra good on details: Upstages Nissan Sentra, VW Rabbit. This is latest Hyundai model to show improvement as carmaker continues to improve its reputation.

    http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/driving/story.html?id=74d4f74f-92a2-4- 18a-a0aa-920d68438b26
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    CCOTY

    Small Car Over $18,000: Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5

    Graeme Fletcher's choice may have been the Elantra, however, VW Rabbit was the winner of the voting.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Well, intelligent people will disagree from time to time. ;)

    Rabbit and Elantra 1-2, good showing for them both.
  • acura03gacura03g Member Posts: 76
    In my opinion, auto mag reviewers tend to place too much weight on handling because they're enthusiasts. For example, Car and Driver places Rabbit on top ahead of civic and elantra mostly due to its great handling. But most car buyers place much more weight on economy factors such as fuel efficiency, reliability, price. Those are where Rabbit is lacking.
  • percussionistpercussionist Member Posts: 204
    Thanks to all of the comments posted here. If it were not for this particular forum, I would not even consider a VW for my next car purchase. Looking at all the information, however, I will at least go look at the Rabbit for comparison purposes and take it out for a drive to see how it feels when I am ready to buy. I will update after I have done so.

    Remember, being open minded is a good thing! :)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Yes, I think that's particularly true of the Australian review. Although the Civic was touted by C/D for its handling too. Also called out for its road noise. Given a choice between the two, I'd take less road noise given all the bad roads in my area. The Rabbit also had a lot of noise over even small bumps when I drove it--maybe the only downside of its suspension.

    At least Hyundai's engineers were able to placate the Aussie reviewers with the steering tweaks. What I predict will happen is that the U.S. will get the European-spec steering on the Elantra in a GT trim sometime next year--much like the Gen 3 GT and GLS hatch had Euro-spec steering and suspension bits.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    backyYes, I think that's particularly true of the Australian review. :confuse:

    Australian review? Not in this Rabbit vs. Elantra topic.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Sorry, that review was referenced in the following Elantra discussion:

    http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0f9cc0/63
  • ukraguyukraguy Member Posts: 28
    >

    That's what the arrogant Big 3 thought about Toyota & Honda in the past. :)
  • herotakesafallherotakesafall Member Posts: 103
    Anyone get their Motor Trends yet? They had nice long writeups for both the Elantra and the Rabbit. The Rabbit actually got lower "star" scores in several areas, especially "performance." They really ragged on that 5-liter, like most other reviews:

    "The five lacks refinement and feels primitive. It's thrashy and harsh and seems as if it's been pulled from another era. It keeps this four-door from being fun to drive and distracts from the car's many positive attributes."

    The Rabbit got 3 stars for "value" while the Elantra got 4.5 out of 5. The Elantra actually got higher star ratings in most other categories too, but I'm not sure if these star ratings are really meant for comparison between models.
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    they are not the only ones who weigh in performance and the rabbit edged out both of those cars due to more than just good handling, as a matter of fact i think that my 06 civic handled just a tad bit better than my rabbit does, mostly due to weight, so again why i feel like them praising it for its amazing handling advantage over the two is a bit far fetched. While not as fuel efficient, but not terrible either, i have real world experience with both vehicles, the civic very easily costs as much if not more and its to soon to say that the rabbit lacks reliability in the here and now as oppossed to its less reliably previous generation brethren.
  • ben911ben911 Member Posts: 12
    Just to weigh in here. I own a 2007 VW Rabbit 2-door. This car really is a blast to drive and has more power at 80mph in 5th gear than any of my previous cars had in 3rd or 4th. The torque is just great. For anybody to say that the Elantra is more fun than the VW has never driven both. The engine isn't "thrashy." It's "sporty." The growl is awsome. It's such a solid ride. So far no problems at 5000 miles. The MPG isn't the best, but I F-L-Y.

    The civic is a Civic (bland, predictable, around every other corner, etc)... and that's precisely why I didn't buy one. No personality. If you want an A-->B car, get a civic or elantra. Otherwise, if you want a little fun in your ride with conveniences of cars costing a lot more, you can't beat the Rabbit. Email me if you have any questions.

    Ben
  • eldainoeldaino Member Posts: 1,618
    since i have real world experience with both cars, i can attest to the ups and downs of both.

    The civic's ligheter chassis and overall lower stance make it 'feel' like its easier to toss around. Its regular rack and pinion steering make it feel a TINY bit more connected to the road.

    The rabbit acheives the same exact numbers, it just doesn't 'feel' as organic as the civc. Having said that, i think the rabbit, with its elctromechanical steering, has the most fluid and connected to the road feeling of any car equipped with such a steering setup, and the smoothness of it outweighs the civics overall.

    I wouldn't call the elantra sportier at all; if anything the engine is just as thrashy, given that many people in various magazines have referred to it as so in higher rpms, whereas very few have commented on the rabbits 'thrashiness' except maybe on edmunds.(or did they? Maybe its just rabbit haters. :P )

    I like the new civic, and think that it has personality; but its being washed out with the sheer amount of people who own them.

    I plan on keeping my bunny for awhile, and think that the pros on this car (torque, absolute best interior materials, soldidity, mild exclusivity) outweight the pros (at least for me) on the civic.(gas mileage, TINY bit better feedback on steering, high end power and redline.)

    the elantra, civic and rabbit are good at a--->b cars, i just personally like the rabbit for that task more. :)
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