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Comments
The dealer gave me a story about how other dealers would soon be charging over MSRP, and how I would be extremely lucky to get even MSRP for this car. They first told me there was a $500 dollar rebate, but 10 minutes later found out that the rebate doesn't apply to GT's. I took about 2 hours of haggling, and at one point actually backing out of the dealership, before I could get a price I was happy with. I got my beautiful red GT for about $700 under MSRP. I think that at least at this time TMV is wishful thinking.
I only have two complaints so far. Even before my test drive the Check Engine light was on. They said this had something to do with the pressure inside the gas tank and that the car was safe to drive. They will be fixing it next week. Also, I can't seem to get the CD player to accept a CD. Hopefully these will be minor inconveniences.
The mechanic that did my first oil change was a Honda mechanic for 10 years. In fact, right across the street from Planet Hyundai is Planet Honda where he had previously worked. He said that Honda's were getting worse (for mechanics) and he was tired of working on them. He transfered over to Hyundai and he and I spent 45 minutes on their computer while I showed him all of the GT stuff and the comments on Edmunds. He had no idea the car was coming out. He says he LOVES working on Hyundai's and that they are getting better and better. He argues a lot with the Honda mechanics because they think he's crazy for defecting. One argument they had was about the check engine lights. It is very common to get a shipment of new cars with the light on, it's not a bad thing. Out of 100 Hondas, PHonda had 3 lights on. Out of 100 Hyundais, PHyundai had 4 lights on. The Honda mechanics were pretty impressed.
As far as the CD player goes, I would be a little peeved. I would take a CD with you when you test drive the car but only if you are planning on buying that particular one. I take CD's with me when I look at stereos for my home. I don't care if Bruce Hornsby sounds good on a player. How does BT, AIR or Peter Gabriel sound at full volume?
The purple guages are really neat and the leather seats are comfortable. aside from that the interior from the drivers seat looks like the GLS. One thing that I'll have to get used to is the view out the back - there's not much of one. The window is blacked out except for a rectangle right in the middle. It 's just very small, but probably normal for hatch back drivers.
The seating surface of the back seats lift up as mentioned in post 258. It is very easy taking about 2 seconds on a side. When the back headrests are removed the seat back does fold down FLAT to produce a very nice cargo space.
Another dealership just called me and two just rolled off the truck. One of them is silver (my first choice) so I'm going to do some more snooping.
The weather improved on my way to see these cars so I tried out the A/C, some hard cornering and actually looked around the car without getting soaked. I agree that the GT is quieter then the GLS - It's almost spooky. It also corners well and has pretty good response (not as good as the sentra SE). Other things: The body side moldings are black, not color matched. The hatchback cover is carpeted plastic. I had an inch of head room in the back seats. I'm 5'5 with a really long torso, probably like a normal 5'8-5'9 person. If you're leaning back, there's no headroom loss with the sunroof because it dosen't come all the way back. If you're leaning forward, you lose about an inch.
Finally, the view out the back wasn't nearly as weird the second time around so I think it is easy to get used to.
Dan
P.S. Hyundai at least changed the picture of the GT on the website when you choose BYO, it's now a blue beauty!
By the way, I'm in Colorado (Boulder County) and the only dealership so far in my area that is carrying the GT was in Golden at Planet Hyundai. There was another post from someone in the Colorado Springs area south of Denver (about 2+ hours from me) and that poster had 5 GT's in his area. Sounded to me like they were moving west to east as far as shipments.
I drove the red one. Immediately noticed the 4-wheel disc brakes, grabbed harder than the GLS. Ride was a little firmer than the GLS, not uncomfortable but definitely less suspension travel. Drove through several cloverleafs and it seemed just a tad steadier than the GLS. Salesman claimed the hp was bumped up to 145 for the GT--of course it is not. Also he did not know that the rear seat cushion folds forward, so I showed him how. Other than that he was pretty knowledgeable about the car.
Miscellaneous observations:
* I don't know what all the fuss re the rear window is about; I was able to see out just fine. (The window sticker created a huge blind spot to the left rear, but after we show off to our friends and family we can remove it...)
* Quality control was good except for an annoying squeak in the driver's B pillar.
* Leather upholstery felt slippery. The cloth provides better grip in the twisties. I wonder how it would feel at 20 below in January? No wonder heated seats are popular. It looked good, however, and the matching armrest cover and door trim was a nice touch. I remember seeing something about black being the only GT interior choice. I'd like to see a tan interior with the leather.
* A real nice touch are the seat belt locks built into the rear seat. I've never seen that before. They are plastic clips attached to the rear seat back to which you attach the seat belt buckles, to keep them from flopping around when you fold the seat.
* They have borrowed the international model's grille for the GT. Looks a little more aggressive than the GLS's, but has that V-shape at the bottom that I'm not crazy about.
The sticker of a 5-speed with moonroof, ABS, and mats would be about $15,750. That seems reasonable given all the content, but since there's no rebate and limited supply I'm probably looking at $6000+ out of pocket to trade in my 7-month-old GLS with 4000 miles for a GT. The GT is a slick piece, but I think I'll hang on to my GLS and my $6000. I've got the Caravan for hauling anyway.
Anyhow, I will have to check the GT out. The first car I ever owned back in 1981 was a Toyota Corolla hatchback, and the GT's looks remind me of it a little. Never thought I'd own another hatchback, but I keep hearing that this is the next "hot" catagory of car, perhaps overtaking SUV's in popularity (once people realize that they get most of the benefits of an SUV in a hatchback/wagon, plus things like better gas milage, ride and safety). If hatchbacks do become "hot", I would think this would help with resale value.
As for the commercial, it ran on MTV of all places. Two office workers alone in a buiding grab the bosses leather desk chair and go tooling around the cubicles goofing off. The boss catches them and makes a comment about enjoying leather or something, then we cut to the parking garage where the goof-off workers get into "their own version of leather", a silver GT.
Not sure what kind of statement Hyundai is trying to make... I guess they're promoting the idea of getting a luxurious leather interior for under $14K. I know in my case, leather is probably the last thing I'd look for... in fact, I kind of wish they offered cloth as an option.
If what he said is true; they can charge whatever they want. I'm going to have to wait awhile.
145 HPS!! thats the craziest thing i've ever heard. it would be cool though....
On the other hand, there could have been a serious increase in interest during the last eight days...Still, that dealer makes me wary...
I'm with you, bri70...if dealers want to charge a premium for the new GTs I may just save some bucks and buy the discounted GLS. Heck, I'll use the money I save to buy a roof rack for my bikes!
Good luck.
Which vents? The outside ones?
Re the fuel door being partially painted--my GLS' door is fully painted inside; the GT shouldn't be any different. At least that's an easily correctable problem. Makes you wonder about the quality checks though.
I've noticed on my GLS that a pretty good flow of air comes through the vents with the fan turned off. I think this may be a "feature" rather than a flaw, and I have noticed this behavior on other cars also. Because the heater is so fast to warm up, it hasn't been a problem for me. (In the winter, I shut off the outer vents.) In fact, I've taken to treating the no-fan setting as a super-quiet way of ventillating the cabin in moderate weather.
Thinking back, I'm not exactly sure what 15 pre-orders mean. I assumed leaving that meant they had 15 customer orders (seems like alot). Now I realized it could mean that they ordered 15 cars. Anyway I agree with you and I am suspicious of that number. The salesperson did try to make me make an appointment to see it.
I test drove a 5 sp GT yesterday. I went to the Van Nuys, Los Angeles dealer where Edmunds bought their long term test Elantra. They said they had 3 and sold 1. No abs in the 2 left. The salesman was ok, not too pushy...but definitely showed he wanted to sell a car to me. Anyway, I'm sorry to say I wasn't terribly impressed. I drove a 5 sp in Cardinal Red. I still felt the power was a little weak even when revving up to 4000. However, it did rev very easily, as opposed to the automatic. Because the drive was short, I asked to drive a regular elantra automatic so I can get a comparison back to back. The auto definitely didn't rev as easily...but even when the GT revved, it didn't feel like a lot of power. I also did a little swerving on a not-so-busy section of the test drive, but found only a slightly better roll control in the GT. But both went over a dip nicely...no rattle, well damped. Also, I actually didn't like the purple gauges as much as I thought...it wasn't that cool, it was TOO purple. Headroom in the back was not great...my head touches the roof and I'm only 5'6" with a very long torso. (I didn't try the headroom in the GLS.) And lastly, the hatch definitly makes for a smaller view to the rear. I tried to pull the rear cushin forward from the loop, but couldn't budge it. Should I pull up instead? Overall, I am reconsiding getting the GLS and save some money...cause I don't need the leather and I can't get ABS anyway. If I can get ABS, I think the safty of ABS is worth paying more.
I also think that the GT is a tough sell when you can currently get a GLS for $2k - $3k than MSRP for a GT. Not that the GT is necessarily a bad deal at $14k, but if you can get the almost the same thing for thousands less, it makes you hesitate before buying it. It certainly has made me stop and think whether I really need a hatch.
Erik
I'm gonna pop by there in hopes of seeing a GT. I'll see if I get the same info you got. Hope you're enjoying your Elantra!
CJA
Thomason in beaverton and milwaukie have the GT's.
Floridian
Bottom line: I can only tell you of my experience that happened awhile back with a salesman that is not there anymore. I would go with my gut instinct.
Someone suggested using Carsdirect.com and see if the dealership can beat it. If I do decide to purchase another Hyundai (or any other car for that matter) that is the route I am going to take. Carsdirect prices seem great.
Good luck.
The dealer that was supposedly trying to get a manual GT for me hasn't written back, so I guess no luck on that. I don't think that there a lot of these cars around. I don't get. Why bother releasing a model and then produce only a handful.
Carsdirect.com does have good prices (usually right around Edmunds' TMV price), but unfortunately do not offer the GT yet. Anyone contemplating a Mazda Protege 5, however, Carsdirect.com does have those for a little under MSPR.
It seems to me that Hyundai is one of the industry's quickest when it comes to product redesigns. This car company is just starting to hit its stride.
I stopped in at a local dealership (Beaverton OR) to take a quick look at a GT. They had 2 in stock, one auto and one 5 speed. I looked at the 5 speed; it had no options. Beside the mfg sticker was the dealer's markup: $2500.00. Can you beat that? Who would be so desparate for a Hyundai? The GT is at the top of my list, but I'm in no hurry.
Erik
ALSO WANTED SOME FEEDBACK FROM CURRENT OR KNOWLEDGEABLE ELANTRA OWNERS CONCERNING RELIABILITY. IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A LONG WARRANTY, BUT I'M HOPING I'LL NEVER HAVE TO USE IT EXCESSIVELY. ARE THERE ANY WIDESPREAD ISSUES ON THE ELANTRA, (IE: FOCUS TRANSMISSIONS, ROTORS, ETC...) WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE FOCUS WAGON, BUT NOT MUCH OF A GAMBLER MYSELF. THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES AHEAD OF TIME.
hope this helps, if i'm wrong, please correct me.
My one-year-old 2000 Elantra has been just fine in the reliability area. No problems. Of course, it's not the same vehicle model as you are considering (mine is a 2000 GLS Wagon). Nevertheless, the motor, drive train and other mechanical bits are mostly identical, I believe. Regarding transmission choices, I like the 5 spd unit I bought much better than the auto tranny equipped ones that I test drove. I think the difference in performance (and fun -- I love to shift!) between the two is night and day. But hey, that's just my opinion. If you decide to get the GT, I hope you enjoy your new Elantra as much as I have mine.
DB
It is certainly typical that this extra cost is past on to the consumer. Seems to me it should only be on cars that are shipped to California dealers, or as has been stated above, maybe the handful of states that adhere to their standards? Virginia has never impressed me as a state that was really pushing the emissions thing, Maryland maybe? Oh well, we go on....
I'm leaning toward a Tiburon or GLS also, as I can't find any GTs in Virginia or Maryland to even drive yet. Locally, a base GLS with auto/mats,etc. can be had for $12,000 plus t/t. That is a bargain that is hard to pass up. I do however agree with Edmunds that they need to start adding a CD PLAYER in these cars as standard. I don't know anyone who buys cassettes, do you guys? Wake up Hyundai!
Regards,
JM
Fitzgerald Auto Malls (www.fitzmall.com) in Gaithersburg, Maryland is selling GTs on their web site for *below* invoice! Last time I checked they had two listed.
JDA