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Comments
"First off, what type of care and maintanence have owners been doing on the leather seats. I would like to keep them looking good for as long as possible and have heard that Lexol products are a good choice for that. Any comments?"
I have also heard good things about Lexol products, although any good brand two-step product (cleaner and conditioner) would be satisfactory. I think that the trick is to treat often -- especially the most used seats.
Regarding the pinstripe ... go back to the body shop of the dealer, and ask them to remove it. They likely put it on and they could remove any mark left by buffing it out.
Is it peppy? Smoothe shifting.? Every review I read has avoided mentioning the Auto because they have the manual.
Auto's are easier to sell also.
wmoses - thanks for the input, my wife's brother is a mechanic so I think we'll do it ourselves sometime so at I know that we're being careful with it. It's not that I don't trust the service dept at the dealer but I figure that if I can do it myself at least I know it's being done right.
pw_eastside
Couple of questions.
How do i know I got the 2002 model. Sales guy says that if you see a 2U in the vin number then it is a 2002.
I bought the floor mats. They only say Elantra on it. Is this a canadian thing only?
Can anybody tell me how to install a new antena. I'm not much of handy man.
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/45757/article.html
Now I admit it is for 98,99 and 2000. But that is a poor track record. esp. if this years model is nicer. I'm sure the Insurance company will use that for comparision. What else do they have to go on?
No offence ment.
Anyway, I know I saw somewhere it is well liked by thives,
http://carpoint.msn.com/advice/windowshop.aspx?contentid=4020249&src=windowshopping
This shows that the frequency of claims is about twice the average for Tiberon.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to testing the Gt and am leaning toward buying if the tranny is half decent.
I got rid of the stock antenna, its so ugly, and replaced it with a stubby one I bought on eBay and it looks so much better. They could have at least made the stock antenna black. All I had to do was twist off the stock antenna and twist on the new one. If you do this be sure to take the rubber O ring off of the stock antenna and put it on the new antenna.
Also, the mats in my car say Elantra GT. Maybe they just gave you mats for the GLS thinking you would not know the difference.
I went to Pep boys and bought the "Universal Replacement Antenna" for $7.99. This is a 17 inch black fiberglass rod with wire rapped around the outside and covered in vinyl. It happens to mount right on the adapter that comes with the Euro antenna so you can only use this one with the Euro adapter. The base of it has a nice brass connector with a spring that presses down on the stud as you tighten it (nice design). Reception is much better than the Euro and it looks more Euro that the Euro. I'll post a picture when I get home tonight.
The URA antenna in the picture is a stiff, 17 inch fiberglass rod wrapped with wire. It would never make it.
I have both of them and I prefer the URA from pepboys. I use a car cover and have to remove the antenna every night. They both fit in the driver's door pocket. The reception on the URA is better, looks better(IMO) and is easier to put on/take off. The URA can only be used with the Euro adapter or it wont fit on the car. The adapters that are supplied with it do not fit the GT.
Best of luck to you... sounds like a good price. I got my Auto GT with everything plus a spoiler for just over 15k. Make sure they don't try to give you a higher interest rate (if you go with their loans). My dealer tried to sneak in a rate 2 points higher then average until I got up and started to leave...... they promptly dropped to below average rates
My hazard lights button is not red, like in the picture in edmunds photo gallery. The CD player looks a little different too. I'm still happy with the car. I have no regrets so far.
This is really my first brand new car. I also own a 97 ford escort, bought it used. I never took care of it in terms of cleaning it or looks. Figured it was a cheap car why waste the effort.
But after buying the GT, I feel like keeping it looking pretty all the time, even though it is not that expensive.
I'm going to drive down to Windsor, Ont. and buy the ZainoBros car care kit. Hear it is remarkable and may eliminate going to car wash so often.
The changes for Korean 2003 Elanatra are as below;
- 2.0 VVT engine for selected models (1.5L engine is prominent in Korea)
- Solar control windshield
- New alloy wheel design
- Chromed rear garnish (the plastic piece over license plate)
- Red tinted tail lamp cover(like honda odyssey)
- New fabric seat pattern
- Available beige interior
- Improved seat support (what does it mean?)
- Available Aluminum pedals (with sports package option)
The VVT version of current Beta engine has only 2hp gain over previous 141hp. I have told current Beta 2.0 engine has 148hp but it was wrong. Hyundai has corrected its output to 141 for 2001 MY.
Hyundai is expecting to install all new 4-cylinder Theta engine(with variable valve timing) for 2004 Elantra. Theta engine will be high-revving engine. Rumor says the redline is 7800(I still can't believe it.)
Hyundai also has plan to provide Theta engine for Tiburon but it will be after the quality is refined with Elantra for a while. (But Tiburon GT with V6 "Delta" motor will not expect to have change. Only Tiburon with 4-cylinder "Beta" motor will be affected, but maybe in 2005 MY.)
I was planning to wait for 2003 Elantra GT. But now I decide to go to dealership for 2002 stocks. I don't want to pay extra money for such a little change(both in appearance and in performance.)
iokadia.. My GT is a 2002 and my hazard button is not red either. My CD player however looks just like the one in the gallery. There is a board on here about Zaino under the maintenance section. I use Zaino and the shine you get is awesome, I can't say enough about that. I am satisfied with Zaino and will be adding more layers this weekend and doing my father's car as well. He saw how mine looked and wanted some for his car too. I am not sure about it eliminating going to the car wash. I still have to wash my car. Good luck with the Zaino and remember apply thin coats!
dolph... That is an excellent price. I paid 15.4 for the exact same car but it took me a month to find it and I was getting worried because my lease was coming to an end and I had not found a new car yet. They eventually found the car I wanted but it was in another city about 50 or so miles away. Given that it was difficult to find, I did not haggle much on the price. I think your price is below TMV also. Go for it.
jofficer... I am currently using Zaino leather products but I too have heard that Lexol was great too. I will be trying that when my Zaino runs out. Does Lexol have different types of conditioners and cleaners or just one?
I am looking to install a blaupunkt car receiver and an in-dash cd changer. Has anyone done this? If so, would like to hear from you.
Also, I used to have a whooshing/whistling noise from the AC every 5 minutes or so while I had in on and driving. Anyone else have the same problem?
Thanks
<http://gwebworks.com/elantra_gt/garage2.shtml>
As far as the squeal in the AC I had it when mine was new. Now at 8500 mi my AC is quiet and efficient. Some people had the dealer replace a valve in the AC with no effect. My advice is to stay with it for a while, it may disappear.
its really a matter of getting different rims and tires...i switched for 205/45/17s and am very happy...more road feel, and noise... but more stable than my sister's 2002 GLS with my 15's...car is not light feeling as in my fathers 1995 accent...
that thing is soo fun to drive over 70 because you get the feeling your doing 100 with all the road noise and engine noise...
not so with GT or GLS for that matter... the 01 and later elantras are more solid feeling than the 99, more wight and more insulation...very acceptable quiet at speed...
I was just wondering how everyone feel on the highway at around 70MPH and over - my GLS is light and tends to be taken by wind easily and it bothers me. I like to feel in control of my car at high speed . So what do you owners think about your GT's performance over 65MPH?
While the GT and the GLS do not differ significantly in terms of weight, there is a big difference in terms of steering, suspension and aerodynamics. This makes for a very stable and a pretty quiet ride at those speeds.
Performance is very nice at those speeds also since you are close or into the sweet spot of the power band, depending on what gear you are in. I ususally drive between 60 and 80 mph on the freeways here and all it takes is a quick stab on the gas at, say 65, to overtake and before you know it you are doing 80 and still not feeling as though you are going fast. And this is on the stock 15inch Michelin H-rated rubber that comes with the car.
Best thing would be to take the car for a test drive and judge for yourself.
Gas Mileage: When I left for my trip, my gas mileage was around 19 mpg of mostly city driving. I also have a bit of a lead foot, have a tendency to accelerate too quickly and my a/c is usually on, so that's pretty good gas mileage for me. After the trip and at 10,000+ miles, my gas mileage is between 28-29 mpg.
Highway Driving: This car does great on the highway. It was way too easy to speed. Like wmoses, I would overtake a car going about 75 and, next thing I know, I'm close to 100. This was while driving through South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana where hardly anyone seemed to drive below 80. My mom was with me and she usually nags me to slow down, but she didn't notice our speed. She had no idea at all that we were going that fast. I did have a little problem in a couple of areas with very gusty winds, but the good handling on my GT got me safely through.
Comfort and Roominess: It still amazes my friends how much I can put in this car. I moved recently and I was able to load a full-size 8-inch thick futon mattress plus boxes in the back with the seats folded down. During the July road trip, I had one other adult passenger, two 50-lb dogs, a large cooler, dog supplies, 2 small suitcases, folded dog crate and miscellaneous shopping bags and overnight cases. Absolutely none of the windows were obstructed, the dogs had plenty of room to stretch out and move around and we humans did not feel claustraphobic. We were all quite comfortable for the entire trip. I did all the driving and my back didn't bother me at all. I like that driver's seat. Cruise control saved my cramping legs.
Complaints: Only one. My a/c emits an unpleasant doggy odor. I'm sure it's from having the dogs in the car, but I haven't figured out how to get rid of the smell. I also experienced the fuel gauge problem after one fill-up during the trip, but it was ok by the next fill-up. I made sure to screw the gas cap on tightly the next time and that seemed to do the trick.
Conclusion: I love my car!
I still have the A/C whistle/squeal. I though maybe it would go away (hoped), but it's still there. Only seems to be while driving, especially when accelerating. It's not loud, but it's annoying.... SHOULDN'T be doing it. The first time I had it to the dealer they tightened the belt. That seems like bs to me , because I thought the A/C runs off the sepentine belt (with the tensioner)! I've heard of a few other Elantra owners with the same problem, and no fix. One owner said they returned the car under the lemon law! Anyway.. it's going back.
Jeff
Ron
No reason such a vehicle cannot easily do a trip, especially these days with the improvements that have been made in cars. The only things really noticable is that the acceleration is a little slower and the fuel economy better
On another subject, I'd like to replace my radio antenna with a black steel one. Does anyone know of a source for these? I don't want the short rubber euro-antenna or glass replacement.
Thanks,
Ron
On another subject, I'd like to replace my radio antenna with a black steel one. Does anyone know of a source for these? I don't want the short rubber euro-antenna or glass replacement.
If you don't mind the length, why no try and get a genuine Hyundai mast for, say, the Tiburon. I believe that it is black with a wire wrapped all around it. The trouble with simply getting a universal aftermarket mast is that the screw in adapter might not fit. The Elantra GT mast base screw is a larger diameter than most aftermarket adapters.
Drivers & Believers Garage
I do have a question/comment. The dealer only filled up the tank to half (forgot to ask that a full tank and touch-up paint be in the contract, duh), so I filled it up this morning. I was surprised that the nozzle only seemed to go in half way. The path into the tank is at a different angle that the pump nozzle, so it can't seem to go in any farther. It looked weird to see the rubber safety collar sticking up in the air instead of over the opening. It still filled fine (took 8 gallons)and shut off fine. Is this normal?
Thanks,
Ron
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
It was cool, the guys looked surprised, and I told them they should make a commercial about it.
Anyway, 18,000 miles on the GT and still love it.
Will probably be trading in my wifes 2001 Elantra GLS on a new FWD LX Sante Fe next month...
Tomorrow I'm taking it into the dealer for a look. I remember someone having the expansion valve changed (with no results). Any other ideas I can ask the mechanic to check?
Thanks, Jeff
I remember reading here about a drain plug (?) that will avoid this happening. can someone please refresh my addled brain?
The solution you are looking for is described on the Garage Page of my Elantra GT website http://gwebworks.com/elantra_gt
I installed the valve with the nipple and works great.
F106, or F106N(w/Nipple)