Hyundai Elantra 5-door

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Comments

  • mpgmanmpgman Member Posts: 723
    Took 4 other decent sized adults with me the other day on a 50 mile round trip to eat in the Ironbound section of Newark. None had been in a Hyundai before. One marveled at the dash and the lighting. Another couldn't believe what you get for the money, and was even more shocked when he heard he wasn't sitting in a Sonata. The third loved the warranty. And the fourth thought the car had pretty darn good pick-up entering the Turnpike and passing, given the full load we were carrying. Passed 30,000 miles on the trip. Still love it.
  • dustbaildustbail Member Posts: 34
    Recently returned home to Salt Lake City from a quick vacation visiting family in New Mexico. It’s about 810 Mile (round) trip. We averaged (with car computing and actual figuring) 35.3 MPG. Keeping in mind numerous elevation changes even going from 4,330-7,450 feet and back down to 5,500 feet within 60 Miles.... averaging about 75-80 miles an hour for the entire trip. This was the third time to make the trip since we purchased our Elantra GT in August. The first trip we averaged about 28 MPG the second trip 32 MPG and now we are getting 35! Of course there is always variables. I am getting more and more pleased with our decision to purchase a Hyundai! I have a 2002 Elantra GT with 12,600 Miles. Also using K&N Air/Oil Filters.
  • bash66bash66 Member Posts: 1
    Has anyone noticed a howling sound when driving on the highway in a crosswind? My '03 GT Hatchback makes this awful sound and it only seems to be in a crosswind. Its loud enough that I really have to turn up the tunes to drown it out.
  • zigliflerziglifler Member Posts: 99
    i have noticed this with a strong crosswind also . but it happens so little it is no real bother . it makes noise but it isn't that loud . but it only happens with a crosswind that is strong .
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    I just wanted to jump in here quickly and say that I think the Elantra GT is one of the best-looking small cars on the road. Period. Even my wife likes the look (and that's saying something)!

    As a Subaru, Mazda and Honda guy, I'm not normally a fan of Korean offerings, but let me tell you -- the Elantra GT would be first on my list if I were in the market for something in that price range.

    It's just a great package that exudes the class of a car well beyond its window sticker.

    Thanks! *thumbsup*
  • bnorby1bnorby1 Member Posts: 16
    That noise you hear in a crosswind - I have heard it too, only when I am on the hwy going 75-80 mph...I believe that it is the wind blowing crossways accross the outside driver/passenger rearview mirror.
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    and thanks for the vehicle report. Great gas mileage, btw. Glad to hear your vehicle is serving you well. Happy motoring!

    Revka
    Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
  • mpgmanmpgman Member Posts: 723
    Can anyone explain the automatic locking feature to me? I don't have the manual handy. It seems that when I park the car and want it left unlocked, as when I am in my garage, I always find it locked. Since I am not using the remote, is there an automatic door locking mechanism on some timer? If so, how do you override it? Open and close the driver's door again after you have exited the car? Thanks!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The only "auto locking" feature I'm aware of is when I accidently touch the Lock button on my remote. I've found that it is very sensitive and I frequently touch it just in handling the keys, putting it into my pocket etc. So I often find my car locked when it's left in the garage, even though I didn't intentionally lock it. If there's an "auto locking" feature on the Elantra GT or GLS, I don't know about it.
  • mxo11mxo11 Member Posts: 27
    I think there's actually an auto-locking mechanism (at least): When I unlock the car and for some reason don't get in right away, the car will lock itself after a few seconds. This reminds me of something else: once you lock the car with the remote, you can't get the doors open with the key because the alarm will be set off (and if you start the car, I was told, it will shut down, anyway). The problem I see here is that if the keyless system's battery dies and you don't have a duplicate with you (quite frankly, this may easily happen, for instance, when my wife has the other key), you're stuck! (and on the mercy of roadside assistance). I tried to get a third keyless system but the dealer said the car programming only accepts codes for two keyless systems. (And by the way, they said they charge $200 for a replacement!). Does anybody know anything about this?
  • 5port5port Member Posts: 395
    If you unlock the GT with the remote and dont open any doors within 30 seconds the car will relock itself. This is a saftey feature. If you unlock with the remote and open a door the car will remain open.

      If you never locked the car but leave the keys in your pocket and later find the car locked its because something in your pocket made contact with the remote and caused it to lock (happens to all of us).

       Could be worse...my friend with a Vette has a proximity key. If he is anywhere near the car it locks. He has got to put his keys in the house when he is washing his car.
  • dustbaildustbail Member Posts: 34
    The auto lock feature, if you unlock the car and open any door but the drivers it will automatically lock. I have noticed this with the rear hatch several times that if I unlock the doors and open just the rear hatch and close it, and wait a few minutes the lights will flash and the doors will lock. Some mornings get pretty chilly and I go out and start the car before heading to work and have to manually lock the doors with the key because the extra remote will not lock with another key in the ignition (because of the neighborhood, rather be safe then sorry).
  • gtovritgtovrit Member Posts: 53
    I found this out the hard way-I read the manual while the alarm was going off. The alarm will sound if you try to open the car with the key after it has been locked with the remote. If you open the car, put the key in the ignition, turn it to on, and wait 30 seconds, the alarm will stop and you can start the car.
  • joffficerjoffficer Member Posts: 169
    open the hood for whatever reason... now put the keys in your pocket (and let them lock the car without you knowing). Now close the hood. That was a surprise to me! I did learn how to reset the alarm, though.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    to silence the alarm.
  • meow722meow722 Member Posts: 1
    Being the owner of nothing but Honda's since 1987, it was hard for my husband & I to even consider another make besides Honda. Well, after doing alot of research all over the internet, and reading up on other Hyundai owners, we decided to purchase one. All I can say is WOW this is one hot looking car (Chianti Red=beautiful). Everyone says it looks like the old SAAB. Honda can not match the features that this car comes with, (and if they did it would cost you another $5,000.00 on top of what you pay). I have been driving it for 2 weeks now & I LOVE THIS CAR. Thank you Hyundai.
  • mpgmanmpgman Member Posts: 723
    I lost a remote. Had to pay about $140 to get a new one. Correct on only being able to code two at a time. When you lose one, you have to reset both to a new code. Personally, I find the auto locking to be a pain. And...I always carry a spare.
  • otoluvaotoluva Member Posts: 196
    is $200 over invoice a good price?
    Thanks for any input.
  • codata99codata99 Member Posts: 123
    Do you know what the list price is for the remote??
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I just checked, and there's a couple of Elantra remotes for sale for $15-20. I bought a remote for my Grand Caravan that way, and the only problem was that I didn't check the part number carefully enough and got one that didn't work with my van. Fortunately that mistake only cost me $7. I bought a second one (after checking for the right DC part number) and got it for about 1/3 the price that the dealer charged me. And it was brand new and works great.

    P.S. I know $140 is a lot of money, but that kind of expletive is offensive to some people... like me.
  • mxo11mxo11 Member Posts: 27
    Backy,

    How did you program the code for your new remote? Did you get it done by the dealer? ($$$???)

    Otoluva, I think paying ANYTHING over invoice is too much. I would get a print out of Edmunds' TMV and start looking around, based on that price. Just be patient and firm!
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    To meow722- Congrats on your new Chianti Red Elantra GT, and thanks for sharing your story. We look forward to hearing more about your ownership experience. Happy motoring!

    To otoluva- As mxo11 suggested, check out the TMV (true market value) pricing tools in our New Vehicle Guide. This will give you the average price (not lowest) others are paying in your region. Also, please note: TMV pricing does not take into account Manufacturer-to-Consumer rebates. So be sure to check Edmunds' Incentives and Rebates section to see if there are any consumer discounts available in your area. You'll want to subtract that amount from the TMV. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your purchase.

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
  • dustbaildustbail Member Posts: 34
    http://www.keylessride.com

    Is a website that sales OEM Keyless Entry's. Some can be programmed by overriding the system, others have to be programmed by the dealer. In the case of NEWER (2001 and Newer) Hyundai’s require they need to be programmed by the dealer but the remote would run $44. I imagine that the additional $100 would be for programming. Unfortunately the $140 price is about right.
  • codata99codata99 Member Posts: 123
    All it takes is to hook up the scanner and push a couple of buttons. 20-second job. If you are mechanically-inclined, you can do it yourself w/o using the scanner.
    .
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The GCS remotes are self-programmable if you have at least one working remote; instructions are in the owner's manual. Too bad Hyundai can't make it that easy (and cheap). Maybe if you bring the car in for other service and ask nicely, the dealer will give you a break on the programming since it is so simple. Worth a try anyway.
  • dustbaildustbail Member Posts: 34
    I was looking at Hyundai's WebTech and was able to locate the following for the 2002 Elantra.
    http://www.hmaservice.com/webtech/iindex.asp?id=394882833#_394882- - 833
    It tells how to set the codes by removing the center facia panel and pulling out the ETACS CM on that there is a code saving switch that needs to be placed at "set". It doesn’t appear any major tools are needed with exception to removing the facia. If that doesn’t work then the dealer would need to use HI-SCAN. I personally haven’t tried it, nor have I needed to. I just stumbled across it in recent reading.
    Megalomaniac should be able to confirm if pulling the ETACS CM our for re-programming works or if the HI-SCAN is needed
  • mpgmanmpgman Member Posts: 723
    Upon checking, it was $126 and not $140, but same thing. Had the dealer do it, Just blew a headlight. How much do they run? Shouldn't happen in less than 2 years without heavy night driving, should it?
  • rlenihanrlenihan Member Posts: 8
    I've had my GT about 8 months now and am very happy with it. However, this winter I've noticed that the inside of the windshield (and side and rear glass) frosts up almost every night. I've had this happen occasionally with other cars, but with the GT it pretty much happens whenever the temp dips below freezing (which is every day here in New England). I'm wondering if maybe I am doing something wrong with the temperatare ventilation settings. I've tried different settings (recirc / no recirc, etc) but I haven't found a pattern.

    Anyone else notice this behavior?
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,385
    I was directed here after posting in the Elantra forum on the Sedans board... glad there is a forum for the GT.

    My story is this: I need to get a car because of a job change that requires a commute each day. I was looking at the usual suspects: Accord, Civic, Corolla, Grand Prix, Mazda6. None of them were exactly what I wanted: either the car was nice but a bit pricey, or the price was right but I didn't care for the vehicle.

    Last week I was driving home one day and passed a dark blue Elantra GT hatch. I had never seen one before and something about it appealed to me visually. I think it was the resemblance to some Saabs of past years. I have done some preliminary checking on the net and haven't found anyone saying anything bad about it - in fact, many are raving about how great it is. I never would have thought I'd be considering a Hyundai before, but I am.

    I'm working my way through the postings here, but if anyone here has specifics to add I'd appreciate it. I'm a big guy so for any others out there like me, how are the accommodations? Any particular weaknesses to be aware of?

    I'm in Canada and I've discovered a couple of differences between our GT and the American offering. Leather is not standard up here, and the warranty is not as long. Interesting.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    If you are still browsing this forum, I would like to ask you a few questions, and congratulate you on your GT purchase.

    1) Was your price of $13,375, including the 1000 rebate or was there one at that time? If it was, it is still a great price for a car with style and features. In May 2002, I was helping a friend look at a GT at McCafferty (Auto, sunroof, no abs) for $14,900. At the time I thought that was a fair price (about 150 over invoice, but it seemed too easy to negotiate on that price (Maybe now I can see why, considering the deal you got). As it turned out he ended up getting a used 99 Maxima.

    2) Also, who was the salesman you dealt with? ( the one we dealt with was very friendly and easy going, but can't remember his name right now)

    3) Did you shop anywhere else , and if so what was your experience compared to McCafferty? We went to a couple others but none were very helpful. Advice to anyone in the Philly area, DON'T GO TO NORTHEAST AUTO OUTLET!!! I live right across the street from them( no kidding) and decided that since they were so pompous, the 10-15 mile drive to McCafferty was worth it, and they couldn't beat the price or the interest rate. By the way the same car we test drove (pewter) was still there a month after we were there. LOL!!!!

    I am asking this info because I am thinking about a GT sedan or hatchback sometime after I get out of school in May( hence my username), and would like a contact to make the process smoother. It would be great if it was the same guy we dealt with. Thanks!!!
  • lovetosavegaslovetosavegas Member Posts: 73
    I bought a GT for my wife a few month ago and she is very happy with the car. Also I really like it my-self. The pluses are room, features, quietness, no vibration, adequate power, sporty suspension, price, styling, comfort, warranty. To summarize I don't know a car of a better value, beside maybe Oldsmobile Alero, after 8 grand of GM discounts, rebates:) Keep in mind that every Elantra owner is probably biased, but owners of other cars maybe more subjective. For the problems, that some people experienced, go to elantra's problems and solutions forum.
    Things that I would like to see in this vehicle are(not in that order):
    1. Better quality paint(doesn't match my Passat's)
    2. Reinforced rails, on which front seats are moving forward/backward. Elantra is not recommended by CR because of offset crash worthiness. I think those rails are the culprit - they are too thin. When looking at the place where rails are attached to the car floor, you will see why seat may come off if another car will hit Elantra from the side(the metal is very thin where rail is bolted to the floor).
    3. Lights for the rear seats.
    4. Something that would prevent passenger seat-belt buckle rattle against the trim, when seat-belt is not in use.

    The issue #2 is probably something I would wish the most, the rest doesn't bother me.
    The only 2 other cars, that I considered when I bought GT, were Mazda P5 and Toyota Matrix. Similarly optioned they were costing 3-4 K more and I didn't see anything in those cars that was worth it.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I agree with your wish list, except "paint like a Passat". Now c'mon, you're comparing a $14,000 econobox to a $25,000 near-luxury sedan. I'd like to see thicker paint too, but making it as good as a Corolla's would satisfy me. Overall, the paint has held up pretty well--better than on my minivan, which attracts scratches like a magnet.

    Re the seat rails, there was a thread recently in the Hyundai Elantra board about the seat rails. It got a little heated and was terminated by our Host, but an interesting tidbit from it was that apparently the seat rails have been redesigned for the Korean-spec Elantras (Avante XD) to make them longer and to increase their tensile strength. I am checking with HMA to see if there are any plans to put those parts on the U.S. Elantras (which would make the parts available over here for current owners, assuming they fit), and I'll let you know what I find out.

    Re the seat belt buckle, I've learned to take care of that little annoyance by just reaching over and straightening the belt so the buckle points towards the seat, or by pulling on the belt so it's draped over the seatback bolster. It's become automatic with me over the nearly 2-1/2 years I've owned my Elantra. I heard that some owners have glued felt patches on the B pillars of their GTs to deaden the noise from the buckles.
  • apple02apple02 Member Posts: 2
    I've had my GT for 1 year and it has about 8000 miles on it. It has always had poor shifting and terrible gas mileage. The dealership says everything is fine with it. It is an '02 automatic. I am not a hot-rod driver and do a larger percentage of freeway over city driving. The postings re: gas mileage that I've found didn't mention whether they were standard or automatic and I'm wondering if this is what makes the difference. I'm getting 19/20 - 23 mpg; I had expected much better when I bought the car. I want to love my car as much as most of you seem to, but with bad acceleration/shifting and bad gas mileage I'm thinking I didn't really get such a good deal. So, how's your gas mileage and is yours a standard or automatic?
  • jimpimmsjimpimms Member Posts: 81
    On my last tank of gas, I got 22-23 mpg. That was all city driving; plus it's been a brutally cold winter in New England. Normally, I get 27-33 mpg in mixed driving.

    As far as poor shifting, there are at least a couple of TSBs that address that problem. I recommend that you find another dealer. My local dealer, 5 miles from home, although convenient, is grossly inept; I drive 60 miles to a competent dealer when I need service.

    Perhaps someone should start a new thread, rating dealerships, if that's allowable. I suspect, when Hyundai first began to sell cars in the U.S. in the '80s, they weren't too careful with their dealer selection criteria. Of the horror stories I've read or heard, nearly all have been dealer-related (rather than manufacturing defects).
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Since it was broken in I've been getting around 29 mpg on my '01 GLS 5-speed in mostly around-town driving, with some stop-n-go, with a light foot (i.e. I don't rev it past 3000 rpm very often). It has dropped down to 25-26 mpg in the cold (below zero) weather we've had lately, but all my other cars did that too.
  • kiltedfoolkiltedfool Member Posts: 18
    Cross-posting to the problems & solutions board as well

    I just ticked 3,000 miles on my 03 GT this last weekend (actually hit 3,050) and it's time to at least do an oil change, I need to check the owner's manual to see if it's a recommended dealer stop.

    My big question is I recall in one of my slogs through the longer Hyundai boards, there was some sort of problem with the oil plug/threads when doing oil changes? I usually just use Jiffy Lube, since I have to spend less time, both in general and in fending off additional charges, but is this a concern? I don't really want to have to schedule a bloody oil change with a Jiffy Lube right around the corner from me here at work, but if it's a significant risk I'll go to the dealer and slap them until I get a reasonable charge.

    Anyone?

    KF
  • 5port5port Member Posts: 395
    Oil change snafu in a nutshell:

       A steel oil plug in an aluminum oil pan means an overly zealous mechanic can strip the oil pan. A couple of oil changes after purchase I noticed the service dept was overfilling my engine (way above the full mark). This sparked me to buy the Fumoto oil change valve and do changes myself. With the valve you install it once and never deal with the threads again.
  • gpagpagpagpa Member Posts: 55
    just noticed a couple small dents in the passenger side door from other parked cars. What can be done other than bringing to body shop which would cost more than I would want to pay? The dent did not break the paint, but eventually it will right? I have some touch up paint, but should I wait till the paint is broken? Also saw some infomercial call the Ding King, where you can just twist a know and pull out the dent, does this work, you have to glue it to the dent and twist the knob? Or should I just let them be?
  • gpagpagpagpa Member Posts: 55
    Nearing the 7500 mile mark, I know that this is the first legitimate mile marker listed in the owners manuel calling for an oil change, did mine at 3000, but is everyone rotating the tires at this mileage marker? This is listed at the dealer as a "to do" at 7500.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    who used a Ding-King rather than the wands. Worked the dent out just fine. The $30 charged was half of what the competitors wanted but the cost of a Ding-King. So I bought one that I used on a Cavalier. Just got a ding on the side of my Elantra so will try to work it out with the Ding-King when it warms up.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    A body shop is the place to go, but you don't have to pay alot if they have the "paintless" dent removal system.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    PDR has worked great for me on hail dents; I had it done professionally though.

    Why change oil at 3000 miles? Hyundai recommends 3750 for "severe service", 7500 for normal service. I do it at 3750 and rotate tires at 7500.
  • gaelsguygaelsguy Member Posts: 17
    Well, thanks in great part to this board, I tested and bought an '03 Elantra Hatch, Auto, Moonroof. My first choice was a Pontiac Vibe for the utility. Sad to say, it was underpowered (as in no poop at all! And the noise penetration from outside was too much. The Focus just plain scared me away after reading the boards, though it drove nicely. So many discouraged and angry owners though and the recalls. If I could have gotten past the look of the Aero, it might have challenged my final purchase. With just a week under my belt, I can only say that I am very satisfied. Oh, It is Chianti (or Burgandy if you prefer) in color, (like meow722's car is). I love the color. They only had 1 at the dealer and none at my local Daytona Beach Fl Hyundai. I felt bad that in order to get the car home from Orlando, I had to drive defensively, that is go with the flow, at 70mph at times. Can anyone tell me what the three metal tabs at the inside back of the car are for?. Look down just inside the hatch and you will see them. I got the door locking all figured out and have read the owner's manual front to back. By the way, it is a well written manual, another sign of a company that cares. All in English too!! amazing ah? More when I get some miles under my belt. Owning is Beleiving!
  • zigliflerziglifler Member Posts: 99
    congrats on your car , i think u will be very happy with it , i know i am happy with my 02 :)

    the tabs are anchors for child seats . its that simple :)

    good luck
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    and congrats on your new '03 Elantra! We appreciate hearing the details of your purchase, and look forward to hearing more about your Elantra GT. Happy motoring!

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
  • donl68donl68 Member Posts: 31
    I know the tabs that gaelsguy is speaking of. Are those really for child seats?? They seem really far back to be for child seats. Whatever straps the child seats have would have to go all the way back to the back of the hatch area. I thought they were just cargo tie downs.
  • jacobi1jacobi1 Member Posts: 32
    Well, it's been almost 9 months, 52000 km's(33000 miles for the US drivers) and a cold Northern Ontario winter. The Elantra GT has stood up well with minor problems:
    -Molding on inner rear hatch came apart(fixed with a little adhesive at the dealer)
    -some minor rattles(hatch area), not much anyone can do. I did find that the spare seems to loosen a little after a while. I put a an old blanket under the tire so it cushions and absorbs sound
    -only major issue is the front end, seems to be some knocking in the front end when I turn - I can feel it through the steering column? I'm taking it in next week to have it checked out
    -gas mileage isn't what I expected, a little much but bearable...

    Overall, I still enjoy driving it. I just can't wait for the nice weather(possibly soon???) to get it out and wash and wax and take for a cruise...
  • gaelsguygaelsguy Member Posts: 17
    As Don168 writes, the tabs are too far to the rear (all the way back) to be anchors for the child seats. Today I was wiping the windshield off when one of the wiper blades slid off-- only it wasn't a wiper blade. It was a plastic blade cover to protect the real blade during shipping, I presume. What attention to detail. I also discovered in the main fuse/relay box they place a little fuse-puller-out tool. Wow, it's the little things that impress me. Of course, the fact that the dealer left over 60 lbs in the tires and failed to remove the wiper covers tells you that they charge $$ but don't do the job. Thanks to this board, I knew about the tire pressure laps and corrected it when I got home. I had meant to bring a pressure gauge with me just to zing the dealer a bit. I wonder what else they did not check? Perhaps it is better that they kept their hands off. I looks to me that the factory did it's job just fine. 409 miles and working towards getting the break in done with. "Need anything at the store Honey?"
  • gaelsguygaelsguy Member Posts: 17
    I took my GT to have the windows tinted (I live in Fl.) and the man looked out and said "Is the Saab yours?".......
  • gt_fangt_fan Member Posts: 159
    The metal tabs are indeed child seat top anchors. I've used them with my two kid's car seats since I bought my GT 14 months ago. Since there's no rear shelf like what you'd find in a sedan, that's really the only place to put them. There are even cutouts on the front edge of the cargo cover for the straps to travel through. The problem is that the straps run right through the middle of the cargo area, taking up a lot of space. I replaced the straps with a couple of those quick-release cargo tie down straps so I can easily disconnect them to load large objects into the hatch.

    I also bought a couple of those newfangled child seats with the L.A.T.C.H. (or Isofix) system. They use hooks that attach to the metal loops down inside the crevice between the cushion and seat back. (That's what those little white plastic buttons on the seat are: to tell you where the loops are.) With this system, you don't use the seat belts to attach the child seats to the car, and the seats are held in much more securely.

    My problem is that we're expecting a third kid in a few months. I test fit the GT before I bought it to make sure that three child seats will fit, but there are only Isofix loops for two. To get the two seats on the outside to slide far enough outwards to squeeze the third seat into the middle, I can't use the loops. I guess I'll have to use the seat belts to hold them all in. Of course, it could be twins. Hello minivan!
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