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Comments
"modern engines don't have little pieces of junk floating around and there's no such thing as break in oil."
Well I will have to disagree on you with this one. I have changed oil and seen, felt grit in the oil. Very tiny metal particles, as a matter of fact. This from an engine that performed very well, so it is not a matter of internal bits breaking off, or anything like that.
Consider this ... most (all) tranny pans have magnets, usually in the lowest corners. What is that for if not to trap metal filings?
When there are metal surfaces wearing against one another, there will be small pieces of metal produced, hence an oil filter or a tranny fluid filter and magnet. How small -- that varies. When the engine is new and tight, it would likely produce more waste as the engine wears in, after which time it should become insignificant.
As for the matter of oil changes and leaving oil in for varying amounts of time ... I read a lot of posts about oil breaking down in viscosity and so forth, and that being the main reason why people would change oil at certain intervals. I have not read about people changing oil because it is getting dirty and full of contaminants, such as the by products of the combustion process getting into the oil. Acids are produced, and in spite of it being in a corrosion resistant substrate, can't be good for the engine. Someone mentioned the oil being a bath for the engine and I agree with this.
One can't change oil and filter too frequently, from a wear and care of engine point of view. Now from a cost POV, that is a different matter.
Personally, I like to change it twice during the break in period (before the book says to have it changed once) and then after that I like to change it every 5000 miles. I also prefer to change my own oil -- cheaper and done right (oil plug gasket, torque wrench, hot engine, level surface).
I've been reading the postings here regularly for a few months and I have never been so confident or informed about a new car purchase before. From the rattling of the passenger-side seatbelt (which some seem to think comes from inside the passenger-side door), to the awkwardly placed arial antenna, and average MPG, I know exaclty what to expect. I will be buying my own GT within three months. Thank you very much to you all.
As I said, I'm buying my own GT very soon and I haven't begun to talk price with my dealer yet. I haven't seen much about price on here (maybe no one wants to see that others got a better price). For those of you that have purchased GTs, how closely does the Edmunds TMV price come to the prices you all have negotiated? I'm looking at the GT with the traction control/ABS/sunroof package. If anyone can give me a general idea about how close they came to the invoice price (with options) or to the Edmunds calculator, I would be very grateful.
I'm assuming it was a manual, but could that be? My auto takes more than 10 seconds to get to that. That is a big difference.
As far as the amount of oil to use in an oil change, I simply add 3.5 quarts, replace the filler cap, run the car about 15 seconds, wait a couple of minutes for the oil to settle, and then read the dipstick. I keep doing this and adding more oil until it is full. I've changed my own oil this same way for MANY years.
Fram filters are crap, for sure. I have heard this from MANY mechanics, a couple of whom were good friends of mine. They definitely use cheap materials. One time when I did use Fram oil filters, after my 1990 Plymouth Laser Turbo died, the Plymouth dealer told me that he would rebuild the engine this one time, but, if I continued to use Fram oil filters, he'd not cover any future warrantied engine repairs.
I'd have to agree with some others about the radio reception being a bit weak. Our Protege definitely pulls-in stations better. So did my previous autos. I personally think the head unit in this car is one of it's few downfalls - the sound quality is very good, but radio reception is adequate at best, and I continue to have intermittent problems with the CD player. I'll probably install my old Alpine CD/Tuner within the year (it's 10 years old and works as good as new).
Good luck to all with your GTs!
"I was browsing HyundaiPerformance.com boards and noticed someone mentioned that Motor Trend got an Elantra GT to run 0 to 60 in 8 seconds flat."
It was not Motor Trend -- they have not seen fit to test the GT. It was MotorWeek on PBS.
They tested a manual (5-speed) GT without ABS and got 8.0 secs. from 0 - 60 mph and also got an excellent fade-free 124 ft from 60 - 0 mph (without ABS). I have these numbers and the review on my yet-to-be released GT website.
Maybe this weekend ...
I beat the TMV by $800-$1000 for a car similar to what you are looking for--I did buy a MY 2001 in 2002 but there is virtually no difference between the 2001 and 2002. At any rate, I think you can get a great deal with a little homework and persistence
I have offered a spreadsheet to a few folks here to help their research--has a nice breakdown of prices/options as well as a monthly payment chart. Email me at dmarzo1@hotmail.com and I will be happy to send it along to you
One other question: My insurance company asked if the car had daytime running lights. Is it fair to say the GT has them since you can essentially leave the lights in the on position permanently (and they will turn off automatically when you remove the key)? Or does the term "daytime running lights" connote something else?
Thanks
Dave
Dave M
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
Mind you, I didn't check how much was in each quart bottle before I put the oil in the car. If there was a few ounces extra in each, then it could well be a 4 quart capacity.
My conclusion? The manual is probably right, since it is likely reporting the completely dry capacity of the engine. When we change the oil, there is likely a few ounces still undrained from the engine.
Next change will be at the scheduled 7500 mile maintenance.
I put on a Bosch Premium Filter and used Exxon 10W-30 SL grade oil.
"One sour note- why would the dealer give me the keys to a GT for a test drive, and not make sure there was some gas in it? I get in, and the gas light is on!"
I once took a BMW 328is for a test drive and when the drive started it was low, and by 1/2 way through the drive it had gone down close to "E" and the fuel light was on. I had to stop and put in $2 worth of gas just to get back to the dealer. When I got back they apologised and promptly refunded my money no questions asked. Needless to say, the car was a blast to drive. That is probably why the gas went down so fast. :-)
Glad to hear that you settled on a deal for a GT. I know you will be happy with the car. My dealer didn't give me quie a full tank. They gave me $10 worth of gas. Better than nothing.
You mentioned in the "what did you pay?" section of the owners club that Hyundai has a loyalty program. Do you have any more info on that? Or do you know where I could find more information? I have not heard anything about a loyalty rebate except on the XG300 (or 350).
Thanks, DW
Sorry for any confusions.
Regards
Dave
Prices: Glad MMB2002 got the dealer down from 17K, that is way too much. However, you have to remember that the final sale price involves many factors. After the dealer considers their profit and local availability, you also need to consider extras like wind deflectors, mud flaps, floor mats, and especially the trade-in. Dealers will often make up for low profit on the new car by reducing the amount of your trade in value (they can come up with all kinds of reasons for a low trade-in price). Of course, you can usually get a better price if you sell your current car yourself, but depending in transportation needs, that may not be an option. From experience, I always recommend that if you are going to trade, keep the negotiations separate. Lock in an agreeable trade-in price first, then discuss the purchase price. That helps to keep the whole process a little more simple. At that point, prices you see at sites like Edmunds are a good starting point for the purchase price negotiations.
There is an ingenious little spring-loaded vacuum tube (like from your 5th grade science class) that attempts to give a constant-velocity to the glove-box if left to grop open. You can see the string that attaches it at the upper right rear of the glove box. All of the interior lights that I looked at were pretty much just lens, bulb, and contacts, which served as support for the bulb.
I think what made this car different from others I've been able to see is the obvious and complete attention made towards reducing costs. Not to say it is bad, because if it works, then it is better. I suppose a plastic gas pedal works fine, as well as the the other stuff.
By the way, the radio sounds pretty nice if you turn the bass and treble way DOWN! The satellite radio is incredible as well. If anybody is considering putting it in, contact me and I'll give you some suggestions so you won't have to gut the entire interior to do a nice installation.
I love this car, but I wish it had more horses!
The Elantra GT looked a bit puny in the pictures I saw, but I decided to swing by the local Hyundai dealer on the way home. They only had one in Rally Red. I wasn't impressed with the colour, but everything else was just perfect for my needs with lots to spare. The salesman talked me into a test drive and that pretty much made up my mind. I'm used to a having a zippy car with my 16V Scirocco (even if it is ancient) and the Elantra GT exceeded my expectations. It felt strange driving an automatic, but it was a fun drive overall. I was still going to wait and see what the Matrix has to offer, but after doing more research about the Elantra GT and reading close to 800 posts on this board, I'm definitely going to get the GT.
This is my first new vehicle purchase, so I'm feeling a bit like a fish out of water. I'm also a rather petite female, so I feel like I'm at a serious disadvantage when dealing with sales people or mechanics. I'd prefer to buy my car via the internet so I don't have to do in-person haggling but is it bad karma to not give the local salesman a decent shot at meeting my price expectations? I have a feeling that he's going to have a hard time finding the car I want: Cobalt Blue, ABS/moonroof and automatic. I was told that they had to trade with a dealer in Wichita, KS (I'm in Central Illinois) to get a Chianti Red with moonroof for their last GT customer! I'll probably let the local guy have a shot, but he better not think he's going to sell me that car for $16K. Should I start my offer at invoice price?
By the way, the Elantra GT, Protege 5, and ZX5 really are about the same size. If you were concerned about the size of the vehicle (and infering safety from that I assume), maybe you should have gone up to a mid-sized sedan or wagon?
and my impression was that the Elantra GT had the most interior room. I had
my upright bass along, to see how it would fit, and it fit the most comfortably
by far in the Elantra GT. However, as sem_key notes, the sloped back could
be troublesome for tall objects.
Erik
andil1: Thanks for the lead. I actually did some hunting today and it looks like several dealers within 200 miles do have that car and I think I do mean Carbon Blue. It must just be that Chianti Red that is really hard to find. Wish me luck on getting a good price!
How do I love my GT? Let me count the ways!
Jacky
I balked at the extra price of the moonroof ($600). I used that as a bargaining chip. I asked them to find me one w/o moonroof...which prob is impossible.So I kept telling them that I really didn't want the sunroof. The car listed for $15,500 and was bought for 15,242. That was the same price as the invoice they showed me.
Try to figure that if it's a popular model they won't deal that much. And if you're going to keep the car for a long time $100 or $200 isn't that much (I'm not saying it's not a lot, but if you really like the car, go for it).
I have a 110lb Lab who is fine in back seat. The car if great to drive and I hope you enjoy it.
P.S. We also have a Santa Fe that's tops!
good luck
"Edmunds doesn't have the luggage capacity for the GT, but I found a site that says it's 18.2 cubic feet. The Focus ZX5 is 18.6 cu ft and the Mazda Proteg5 is 19.8 cu ft, but both of those definitely looked smaller than the GT."
They are both smaller than the GT. The luggage space on the GT, seats down, is 28.3 cu.ft (brochure, various reviews) and 18.2 cu.ft seats up. This means nothing until you actually bother to take the headrests out, flip the rear seat cushions forward and fold the rear seat backs down. The space becomes enormous, and with the wide hatch opening, hauling furniture or a large TV is not a problem.
Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try tomorrow when I fill up.
Still lovin' the GT!!
http://www.gwebworks.com/elantra_gt
I invite all members here (and elsewhere) to join in the associated mailing list on the web site. Unlike this one, it is email based, and allows for a freer flow of discussions. The list is moderated.
I will be making changes to the website as time goes by, and will be only announcing those changes on its mailing list, or on the website itself.
One of the things to be implemented, is the "Garage" page, where fixes such as the fuel door fix, and others can be documented. More details will be posted on the web page. See you there.
It took weeks and weeks of badgering, but it finally paid off. We got our car last weekend and so far love it. The irony is that we started looking for it so long ago, that we were really looking for a Cobalt Blue model. The color change took us by surprise. The Carbon is nice, but not as bright as we would have liked for safety purposes.
* I just blew out my left-side front speaker cranking "Hundred Mile High City" by Ocean Colour Scene. Bummer. I'll check to see if replacement is covered under the warranty.
BTW - in reference to being "better off with a Geo Metro": I sold my 1993 Metro when we bought the GT. The Metro was the best darn car I've ever owned. It never failed to start - not once - in seven years, even after being COMPLETELY buried by a snowplow in 1996 (only the antenna was visible). My only hope is that every other car I own will be as reliable as the Metro was. I still miss it every day. Don't diss the Metro!!
Happy Motoring!
Risa, I don't think you can go wrong with a GT. It really does feel and perform like a much more expensive car. Before I bought mine, my wife was pushing me to get a huge and expensive Dodge Intrepid because she thought we needed a "large" car for our expanding family. I've always liked smaller cars and really wanted a hatch to carry my greyhound around. The GT is the only late-model hatch I could find that was big enough for our three car seats (the Saab 9-3 is too narrow). After I demonstrated to her that you can indeed squeeze three child safety seat in back she relented, but was still pretty dubious about buying a small Korean car.
That changed when she had a chance to drive it a few times. She liked the fact that it handled a lot like the hot little Nissan Pulsar she had when she was single. It's also a lot easier to park than her Durango. The last straw was when a kid getting out of his slammed Honda in the parking lot commented "Cool car!" to her. There's nothing like a compliment from a stranger to change your preconceived notions about a car!
Anyway, I've got 1600 miles on mine now (Carbon Blue really is the best color, IMO) and couldn't be happier.
as for colors . i really liked the carbon blue also i think it is the best color . but it is very very hard to find and after calling dealers from chico to la in ca i couldn't find one . there doesn't seem to be many Gt's period being shiped . each dealer had at most 4 on there lots if they had any at all . some only had 1 or 2 01's and no 02's . i think hyundai didn't expect the damand for them . if u want a gls there a lots on each lots , but gt's ? maybe 4 at best . i got a chanti red one instead (burgandy) it was my second choice and i am happy with the color . but i agree the carbon blue looks the nicest. i would have waited for a carbon blue but i wanted to buy before sales tax went up on the 1st of the year
i have 2k on mine now and i had the fuel door problem but the dealer replaced the spring and it fixed it . but i noticed last nice that the cruise sometimes gives me static with some am radio stations . has anybody else noticed that ? i live in sacremento and was listening to a sf radio station . sf is about 90 miles away and maybe being it is a far away staion is why . it doesn't mess with the local am stations .
Well, that same brother-in-law called me this morning to excitedly tell me that he saw two 2003 Tiburons on display while driving by Route 22 in Northern New Jersey. Judging from his enthusiasm I suspect he is entertaining the idea of getting one himself.
IMO, Hyundai has turned the corner with the release of the Elantra GT and the 2003 Tib. They are now a respectable car company among knowledgeable/fairminded people.
"Nice website! Your GT looks very nice. Is that the factory spoiler for the GT?"
Thanks to all who like my new Elantra GT website. To risa5 -- I know that there is a dearth of material on the web for the GT, especially for people interested int the car. I intend to change that starting with my website.
Regarding the spoiler -- that is a factory spoiler. There was some question earlier on this forum as to what car it was from, and based on the other factory spoilers, it is most likely a Sonata spoler if it is not actually a GT spoiler. Whatever it is, I like it the best of the ones I have seen. If people are really interested, I can find out directly from the salesman.
Meanwhile, I hope to make an addition to the Garage page tonight. I will add photos on a bit of maintenance that I did a couple of weeks ago.
The spoiler is available here from dealers unfortunately no pictures have been posted on it.
The hatchback configuration is pretty popular here, in fact the price of the hatch version was put up $1000 on Jan 1st
"The hatchback configuration is pretty popular here, in fact the price of the hatch version was put up $1000 on Jan 1st"
Thanks to you and my Canuck compadre for the compliments on the website. I made the first entries in the Garage Page last night.
I am not surprised that the price has started to increase. As a matter of fact, one reviewer migth have put the bee in Hyundai's bonnet when he suggested that the car could be priced closer to $20k and still be a good buy. Hyundai knows precisely what it is doing with this aggressive pricing and warranty. I have watched the prices and the quality and the name recognition grow over the years as a Hyundai customer and they are doing exactly what the Japanese had to do in the 70's and 80's to get where they are today.
Hyundai even has its sights set on overtaking VW in North America this year, and from all indications it is possible. VW is not in the same sales mode as Hyundai, and I think that once more people realise that good quality can be had for thousands less, then why throw good money away.
Now is the best time to buy a GT I guess.