Hyundai Elantra 5-door

rtarta

I just got a new silver GT on the 10th. I got a pretty good deal, A fully loaded 5 speed with the ABS traction control and moon roof for 15100, and that included the shipping(I did not pay an advertising fee). They already had put on some unwanted accessories otherwise it would have been about 15000, but I still got 675 dollars below MSRP. At first the dealer tried to say that since Hyundai makes low price cars the dealer mark up is not that high. Then I pointed out that this model had a mark up of over one thousand dollars. After that he tried to say shipping was 695 dollars(NOT) try 495. So after all that I showed him my copy of Edmund's TMV guide, and the deal was done 5 minutes later. Since I did not finace through them and I told them that I was not going buy any thing else, I avoided the F&I guy. If you do your home work you should be able pay at the most Edmund's TMV, regardless of were you live.

esto

Congrats on your new GT! Did you have any trouble finding a 5 speed with ABS/traction
control? I've looked at dealers' online inventories here in the Portland OR area, and there's
not one like that to be found.

Erik

cmulqueen

Hi everyone. My fog lights do not turn on using the 2nd setting (the setting where only the fog lights should turn on). However, they do turn on with the 3rd setting (along with the headlights). I haven't called the dealer yet, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what the solution is. Will they have to take apart my steering column?
Thanks.

lngtonge18

But I believe all factoy fog lights only work when the headlights are turned on. It's illegal in some states to use the fog lights without the headlights on. So, I don't think you have anything wrong.

vocus

The 2001 Mazda Protege I had did the same thing. I took it to this place called Audio Connection in MD and they rewired the lights to work with either the parking light switch or the headlight switch (either position) for like $25. Call around, maybe you can get a similar deal where you live.

silver_bullet

Virtually all factory fog lights ARE wired to work only with the low beam headlights, and not work with the high beams or by themselves - at least in the U.S. If you think about it, this makes sense. Fog lights aren't a fashion accessory, they are wired and aimed to do a specific job.

rtarta

Of the the all dealers I went to, they only had a total of 5 GT's between them all, and I'm sure I lucked out on the 5 speed ABS, because it was the only one out of the 5 with that setup. Most of them were automatics without ABS.

cmulqueen

I live in Virginia, and I'm not sure of the laws. Maybe it is illegal to have fog lights illuminated without headlights, and so the dealers have to modify the switch. (According to the manual, they should come on by themselves on the 2nd setting). However, I see cars every day that have only fog lights illuminated. I'll ask the dealer. Thanks for all the input!

vocus

I know someone who lives in Virginia, and they said they are illegal. Maybe that's why, but I would ask the dealer just to be sure.

lngtonge18

Excuse the interruption to everyone else. Vocus, I'm a bit confused as to what you own now. I thought you just bought an 01 Protege ES not too long ago after trading in your anemic 99 DX automatic, but have recently seen you mention owning a Jetta 1.8T. What happened to the ES? The Protege forum is too darn long to even begin to read through. I was just curious if you had problems with the car or just got bored with it. Thanks.

qhuy00

I was wondering if anyone has tried to upgrade their sound system for their Gt yet and wanted to know how easy it was for them if they did it themself. Also, what are the sizes for the speakers for the Gt? Thanks.

crayneri

Newspapers this week in Miami are advertising 0% interest on Elantras now also. In fact, they put the 0%logo on every car (except santa fe). Any info on this?

sparkymark

First the the recent issue of fog lights. Just walked out to my '01 GT and tested. Parking lights, no fog lights. Low beams, fog lights. High beam, no fog lights. This must be the factory setting.

I'm at 2 weeks and 1,000 So. Cal. miles and love my GT. Having a horrible time with dealer. Two weeks and I'm still waiting for an owners manual. They couldn't find it at time of delivery. Dealer is being a jerk about it. Called the Customer Assistance center and they were great. Sending out the full kit.

Question. When I turn the heater rotary switch to floor/defrost or defrost, the AC comes on. Since I don't have a manual, don't know if this is normal. Can anyone tell me? Do I have ghosts?

My first post was a while pack, so as to pricing, got a 2001.5 GT, auto, no ABS/Traction/Moonroof for 13,000 out the door.

Best to all.

lngtonge18

Don't worry, it's normal. All Hyundai's and many other cars automatically turn on the AC when you switch to defrost mode. My 84 GTI, 97 Altima, 00 Accent, and 02 Lancer all do it.

vocus

Traded the 01 ES for an 02 Jetta T on 11/3. Always wanted a Jetta since they came out, so I took the plunge.

jessie9

Funny, I just posted about our new 02 GT somewhere here in edmunds..........uh...don't know where it went. Nor where I am. I love our shiny new car.......pd 14990 for it, and it seems so worth it. I have one concern and was wondering if anyone else can give me any info or might understand what I'm talking about. the trunk. I do love it. But, the floor board thing in there seems so flimsy, like it really couldn't take any weight. And the seat backs in the trunk don't look quite "finished." The felt-type material bunches and kind of just flaps around. In my camrys, this material is bolted down and much more taut. It actually looks as tho the material was cut wrong where it hangs loose on the sides. Is this a common thing, or should I go complain?

tarfin

Jessie you posted in the Meet the Members (Elantra) thread.

I'm going down Saturday to test drive a GT. Already have the financing lined up so if all goes well this could be a new owner next weekend. =D

jmj777

Just bought an 02 GT and I love it. Got automatic, the sunroof and ABS/trac. control upgrades. Automaticaly comes with mudflaps, mats cargo net. Paid $15,400 cash. Friend from work also bought the same car with same exact options, and paid $14,800. He financed his thru Hyundai. Seems like I probably could have gotten a better deal if I financed and then prepaid loan immediately. Too bad I didn't talk to him before either of us bought. Can't complain though, fabulous price either way. Would have paid more for it. Question: Planning to have installed an aftermarket remote start by local established electronics retailer. Told by dealer that this may void warranty if elec. problem arises later. Should I be concerned ?

vocus

Just make sure the installation is covered under a warranty before you get it done. Most of them have lifetime warranties. The dealer is right too. Any damage caused by that, and Hyundai will not pay for the warranty repair.

chrisgt1

Hi guys finally I got my 02 GT 5speed with abs,sun roof,mud guard,mats,net and dest MSRP $15,945 I paid $14,734.83 + tax + Tranf plates $53.00 No advertising fee at Nemet motors
Bad experience with 1- Plaza Auto Mall put a deposit could not find the car gave a hard time to credit my deposit wait 10 days., 2-Valley Stream Hyundai salesman Larry want to charge $ 330.00 extra for advertising fees tall me I will never get the car for that price (above) and that we think that we are so smart with the internet this prove that he was wrong do you research. I have been reading everything I can find about elantra gt good and bad and I think its the best buy around I used to own a 2000 accord ex v6 nice car boring, elantra gt exiting its a little of everything sporty, family, cargo above average feel very solid I predict that 5 years from now it will have the same respect as Honda remember all the car company start from the botom and hyundai its going up to fast.

tralfaz

Lngtonge18 thanks for the info re: AC/defrost. But I don't understand the purpose for this. Aren't we losing gas mileage due to the AC being on? I haven't experienced a quicker or better defrost because the AC is on. Does anyone know why this feature operates this way?

vocus

There is no way to defrost without AC, unless the temperature is below freezing outside. The AC compressor comes on automatically when you put the mode in Defrost. I don't have a GT, but that's the way most cars out there work.

esto

tralfaz, you should experience quicker/better defrost with the A/C on due to the A/C drying
the air. That said, I would sure like to be able to control the activation/deactivation of the
A/C system when air is coming out the windshield vents! I hate systems that think they're
smarter than me.

Erik

csandste

(unlike my Cavalier which mandates AC (unless you split between defrost and floor vents), question, since the purpose of defrost is to remove moisture, why would you want the AC off in this mode? Hyundai gives you the choice, but defaulting to AC would seem logical.

esto

I like driving with air coming out the windshield vents; nothing to do with defrosting the
windshield. But I would like to have that air without the A/C on. Are you sure you can turn
the A/C compressor off? I remember someone saying they checked into this and even
though the A/C switch was off, the compressor still ran in the defrost setting.

Erik

backy

Just push the A/C button to turn it off if you don't want dehumidification in defrost mode. The compressor does not run when the A/C is off.

jmj777

Does this thing have any functional purpose, or is it just supposed to look cool ? ps thanks Vocus for the input on remote starter, will roll the dice and go w/ after market unit.

fern88

Hi All,

Just want to say thanks for all the info on the GT. I've driven the automatic a few times and I think i'm going to get one. I'm just debating a few things. Pewter or Black? Auto or Stick? I'll be driving through downtown LA 3 times a week and I'm going to be stuck in traffic so the automatic seems better. Also, do any of you recommend a dealer in LA area? Thanks!

revka

You may also want to check out Edmunds' New Vehicle PowerShopper. Good luck.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards

nosey1

I wanted to replace the silver antenna mast on my pewter GT with a black one. I bought a universal black mast at Radio Shack but none to the screw adapters will fit on the GT. Does anyone know where to get a replacement black mast that will fit?

rtarta

My GT make fast buzzing sound around 80mph. It's not a constant sound, so I think it might just be wind noise. So I was just wondering if anyone has noticed the same thing in their car.

gtjill

Hello! I got a new GT about a month ago. Black 5 speed w/everything but anti-lock breaks (they didnt have a 5 speed with anti-lock breaks.. just automatics) Not a single problem with it so far. I just hit 3,000 miles yesterday

I live in Massachusetts and have now driven in the snow twice. It handles in the snow really well. My last car was a Jeep wrangler with 4wd, so as you can imagine this is just a *bit* different. The tires will spin a bit on go.. but i guess i have a lil of a lead foot too

jim7heaven7

Well folks, I laid the money down for a 5 Speed Elantra GT. I wasn’t going to get the GT. I had asked for a 2002 Sonta LX fully loaded, but I decided to test drive the Elantra GT and a SantaFe LX. The SantaFe was ok but I am not much of a SUV person so it was a pretty easy decision. I had test drove a GT before but it was automatic and decided to give the 5 speed a try and boy was I impressed. This car is meant for a five speed. I drove it down trough some twisters and she begged to go faster, I even smoked a 2000 Tibby on a straightaway. I was hooked after the test-drive, this car has everything I need, Sports ride and Hatchback functionality. I bought the Cardinal red 2002, with mud guards, spoiler and moon roof with wind deflector for 14900. I just love this car, I have been averaging 26mpg and I haven’t even broken the engine in yet and those were mostly city miles with some highway driving in between. This car has pickup, but I want to keep the revs down until fully broken in, I spun the tires from first to second and had to back off the gas when I passed and big lumbering SUV. I have also been getting allot of looks from people in this car, there are not many around my parts. Before I started test driving these cars I looked at getting an Acura RSX type S, good car and fun to drive, but not enough room and the insurance would have been high. The Elantra GT is the perfect car for people who want performance and functionality, plus a good amount of cargo and passenger space. My wife also loves the car but has to learn stick before she can drive it. All those folks who want to get this car definitely get a 5 speed there is a night and day difference between the auto and stick.

P.S. Love that VDO dash.

fern88

Thank you Host and jim7heaven7. I think I'll go test drive the stick and see how it feels.

shado4

The following is a true story.

I live in an apartment complex. About a month ago I bought a pewter 2002 Elantra GT. Being the type of anal person who likes to keep an eye on my things, I made a point of parking the car within eyeshot of my apartment windows.

One week after I bought the GT I began to notice that a girl who lives in my building was taking a keen interest in my new ride. She would look at it, walk around it, peer inside. No problems, right?

Well, it's not exactly a problem, but suffice it to say that there are now 2 pewter Elantra GTs in the parking lot outside my apartment building. Yep...she went out and bought one from the same dealership I did. The main difference between the two is that I have the moonroof and the girl bought hers without.

Sigh...I so much wanted to NOT see my car everywhere I go. Maybe the styling of the GT is attracting a lot more people than I thought.

mpgman

Brought my 2001.5 GT into Freehold Hyundai in NJ for an oil change and to get the check engine light looked at. (Suspect it went on because a Jersey gas station attendant didn't tighten the cap properly). First visit to this dealer after transferring from VA to NY for work. They called and said that someone put an oversized aftermarket oil plug in and stripped the threads to the pan so they couldn't do the oil change. They told me I needed a new pan for $450 plus labor. I told them that Hyundai certified technicians were the only ones who had laid hands on the car since it was new. 10 free oil changes and a free 15,000 mile servicing were part of my deal. The car has 17,500 miles. No sane reason to pay for an oil change so long as I had access to the dealer in VA. I said this should be covered under warranty. They said no way, since it was someone else who did the damage. I said Hyundai did it. They said dealers and the manufacturer are two separate entities. I said I could care less about your corporate structure, just stand by your work and your America's best warranty. They told me I had to get the VA dealer to own up to doing the deed. I said, "Really, like someone from here would if the situation was reversed?" The dealer in VA is closed until Monday. They did all of the servicings on the car and I have the receipts. I expect the VA dealer to tell me they have no idea how this could have happened. For all I know, the car came this way from the factory. I've complained about oil spots on the garage floor for some time, but the VA dealer said it was a bad left front axle seal and replaced that at the 15,000 mile servicing. Assuming that the VA dealer punts, I guess I have to call the national 1-800 number, open a file, and state my case. Am I missing something here or are these the hoops I should expect to have to jump through?
Hyundai's reputation is on the line here as far as I am personally concerned.

shado4

Bummer.

Sounds like it's the VA dealer's service department fault. That or the NJ dealer is trying to get you to pay for something that's not needed. Can you take your car to another dealer or independent mechanic to verify the stripped oil pan?

If the VA dealer has done all your prior oil changes and you have the receipts to back it up then I believe the fault is with them, not Hyundai. The only way for an "aftermarket" item to get on your car after it's built is for someone else to put it there. Maybe the mechanic made a mistake and grabbed the wrong plug after your last oil change. Stranger things have happened.

If anyone can PROVE that an aftermarket item caused damage to your GT, then Hyundai has no legal responsibility to make reparations. However, if that so-called aftermarket item was indeed installed by Hyundai at the time your car was built, then Hyundai is responsible for the subsequent damage. Good luck trying to blame Hyundai for making this kind of mistake.

Question...why didn't this problem show up sooner? I would think that an oversized oil plug would have caused more than a few eyebrows to be raised during your FIRST oil change. You would think that certified Hyundai technicians would be able to spot the discrepancy the first time around.

Whatever the cause, good luck to you.

Doug

backy

My Hyundai dealer has what they call a "Customer Representative." She is supposed to be the one to call if there is ever a problem with the dealership or Hyundai that owners need extra help with. If the service manager in VA doesn't fess up right away to the oil plug snafu, and your dealer has a CSR, that's the first person I'd try. Then the general manager/owner. THEN Hyundai.

bri70

Hi folks. I have been offered by a New York dealer a 2001 Elantra GT automatic with moonroof for 14500. Too much or just about right?

urbanzephyr

Bri70 - Hard to say; seems high to me. You can get used car prices now for GLS elantras, and that should let you get a feel for what a GLS is (add in the options a GT has). At minimum that would give you something to negotate with. Meanwhile I have had dealers offer my the moonroof free on 2002 GT (not that they meant it of course). One question is does it have the GT suspension or the softer GLS suspension that many of the earlier ones have. It seems that red 2001 are way too common.

desg

This sounds most strange. So what if the thread has been stripped this is very common - did it myself on a car years ago. All you normally do is cut a new thread and fit the correct oversized plug. What is the big deal and what is their reason for wanting to replacing the pan??? The cynic in me says they are looking for some $$$'s

The options under the warranty are normally to repair or replace. I'd consider a repair to a damaged or faulty thread on an oil pan and a replacement plug to be acceptable.

cjaccetta

Tought break, mpgman. Yours appears to be one of those nebulous "grey area" warranty cases in which it is difficult to determine when and how a problem occurred.

Sounds to me like the VA dealer inserted the wrong size bolt during a previous oil change. If they are the only ones to have changed your oil since you've owned your car, and you have paperwork to prove this, you may have a leg up in establishing at least their partial culpability for the damage. And what the heck was the VA dealer using to re-install the drain bolt? An air wrench? How did they *force* a larger bolt into a small hole?

Good luck in your efforts. Look at the bright side: you could have lost all your oil while driving and wound up paying for a siezed engine.

bri70

Actually, that is a good question. The dealer swears this GT has the sports suspension.

How can I tell the difference just by looking at the car. Is there anyway to tell?

backy

Look at the window sticker; it will say "Comfort suspension" or the like if it has the non-sport suspension.

mpgman

Thanks for all of the advice. Don't want to prejudge this until I talk to the VA dealer. I agree that this should have been picked up sooner, unless it happened at the last oil change. I have been complaining of driveway spotting so this could have been the real reason. I have an 800 number for Hyundai to start a file if all else fails. Curious that the Jersey dealer did not ask for any money to order the new pan. Cost is around $440. The selling dealer (Fairfax Hyundai) did the first oil change and their sister dealer (Alexandria Hyundai) did the rest. Will keep you posted. Got a laugh when the Jersey dealer asked if I had noticed them using the wrong plug. Said I might have if insurance regs didn't prohibit me from being there.

All out there....make sure the tether doesn't get trapped under the gas cap when you tighten it...mine did and it tripped off the check engine light. Refastened it, drove for a bit, and it went off.

sparkymark

Comments above made me dig out the sticker for my 2001.5 GT. Clearly states "Sports Tuned Suspension". So bri70, I would ask to see the sticker if they have it or do a readout on the VIN. That should tell you which suspension this GT was built with.

Now at 3+ weeks and 1,300 miles. No problems beyond the seat back release that is still stuck in the down position.

I too noticed the shifting issue, although not as severe as others. The past couple of days it has really smoothed out. I think it just takes the fuzzy logic a thousand or so miles to learn your driving habits.

Still getting lots of compliments and gawks from other drivers at my Cardinal Red GT. I'm in Southern California and commute to/from Orange County 4 days a week. Still have only seen one other GT out there on the road. It's kind of a nice ego stroke to feel that unique. And the way "Ellie" is breaking in, I feel kind of smug as I see all of the same old Civics and Corollas looking about as unique as a Ford Pinto in 1972.

Happy Holidays to all!

chrisgt1

I decide to wax my gt before winter hits in NYC and the car is cover with salt. I put two coats of wax (mothers brand)wax, entire car including door jams all painted surface that I can get on it and be able to removed, that is when I found two rust spots one on the hatch under, on the right-hand side on the edge the other was on the left passenger door, to see it you open driver door look at the top edge corner. I took care my self by apply wax remover second apply rust conversion primer touch up paint and clear. Both rust spots was aprox. 1/8" not easy visible to find. I recommend that every body wax the cars personally including door jam and when buffing out the wax look at the area you are working on it. Those spots they mist lack of the finish tough Has this happen to anyone else and where? Even that I only have 2 weeks and only 350 miles. I love this car more than ! can say.

mpgman

Grab hold of the folded seat back and slam it upright the full lenght of its travel. The depressed button should pop right up.

desg

G'day,

I'm about to buy a new car - the lease runs out on existing car in early February - so I've been doing a lot of online comparisons (ain't the web great) The Elantra Hatchback made it onto my short list in pretty quick time.

I decided this time I wanted something about the 2 litre size and preferably a hatchback - especially as I cart around things like computers a lot so the large rear opening is real practical and I don't want a wagon. I owned a Ford TX5 in the mid 80's (really a Mazda 626 Hatch) and found it practical although it was not a good car in many respects.

I haven't really comparied it to cars like the Civic, Mazda Protege or Corolla because I see the Elantra as a bigger car - both in size and engine, although the base Elantra we get here competes very strongly with the Corolla on price and engine size. I see it in size more like a Mazda 626 or Opal Vectra - the Vectra in dimensions is almost identical, the thing is in local currency the Elantra is about $12,000 cheaper than these two vehicles. I've started pricing the Elantra and have a range of AUD 22,500-23,980 at current exchange rates this is about USD 11,700-12,500. the car's list price is $23,980, These are the price with all on road costs paid for. The ony other cost is insurance.

A noteable point is that we get different spec cars here to the States. We get the Elantra in GL (1.8 litre) and GLS specs (2 litre) in both sedan and Hatch and the Sedan and Hatch are identically priced, although the hatch gets rear discs thrown in. Basically the difference between your GT and our GLS as I can work it out is:

- no leather
- no VDO (Purple) instruments
- no cruise
- no trip computer

We seem to get though:

- rear disc on hatch
- fog lights on GLS
- Power Radio mast on GLS
- alloys on GLS
- radio/ CD combo on all Elantra

Out of the above list the only thing I would really like is cruise control - a very handy thing in this country, which I might get after market.

The difference I've seen here between the 2001 and 2002 cars are minor - different alloy wheels, a different radio/cd unit and rear mud flaps now standard. All of the cars here have CD units no cassettes on any Elantra - I am busy copying all my cassettes to CD's now

If you want to see what Australian specs cars are like look at www.hyundai.com.au

I'm almost certain I'll buy the hatch in January, colour is likely to be Elm Green and it will be an automatic (a manual in the traffic here is a chore). We have very few factory options, metallic and mica paint are extras as is an abs/passenger airbag option. I have test driven the car and it seems like a pretty nice vehicle and certain the other vehichles I've looked are not worth $12,000 more - btw dealers here don't hold stock, really only have a few cars in their yard and maybe one or two registered for use as demos, Hyundai holds most of the stock centrally and dealers draw on this as needed.

My father has had 2 excel/accents and has a great run out of them, the first was not a fancy car - I'd call it good honest transport - a '94 model. The one he has now is a '99 model you can really see the improvements and it is quite a pleasant little car to drive, not real fancy but quite comfortable and practical - I have borrowed it to cart a monitor home that wouldn't fit into my current Mitsubishi - despite it being a relative largish 6 cylinder sedan.

Thanks for listening

carguy62

Nice story. I know what you mean about having a unique vehicle, but take it as a compliment that she admired your taste. I don't know what your social status is...but a female neighbor with the same car....this may be a perfect opportunity ;-).