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Comments
The warranty includes 24-hour roadside assistance for the first 5 years you own the car. They should tow it to the dealer for you.
Ah, because it's been so long since I've had a car under warranty and because I don't peel out at green lights, this never occurred to me.
I guess you have to read the fine print in order to know what the warranty covers. Is there some general principle or theme by which I can have a fairly accurate expectation of what will be covered and what will not?
Thanks,
John
Wow, a 200-mile free tow! Only problem then is that they probably aren't going to tow it back to where I live. In that case, I'd have to take a bus or get a friend to drive me 200 miles to retrieve my car. Or, perhaps, I could ride up in the tow truck, but then I might have to stay overnight in a motel, etc.
There are two car dealers in my little town--a Toyota-Honda-GM dealer and a Ford-Mazda dealer. The safest bet might be to buy a car that one of them would service under wanranty. Or I could risk buying a much better-priced Elantra.
Please correct me, if I'm making some erroneous asumptions here.
Thanks,
John
I think the Hyundai Roadside Assistance will tow to a dealer OR an "authorized service center", so perhaps a local shop is included in that description.
* Crash tests - The IIHS is very tight-lipped about their tests, before they publish them. But the NHTSA "leaked" the fact that the IIHS did new crash tests when they published a recall on the '04 Elantra back on April 30:
DURING AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS) OFFSET FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL SPILLAGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF FUEL TANK DAMAGE CAUSED BY CONTACT BETWEEN A VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR AND THE FUEL TANK. THE VAPOR TUBE HOSE CLAMP EAR WAS FOUND TO BE MISPOSITIONED AND FACING TOWARD THE FUEL TANK.
I called the IIHS to see if they would just tell me when the results will be published, and they said "we don't release information directly to the public." So I guess we'll have to wait until they decide to release the results. The NHTSA frontal score for the '04 Elantra improved from 4 stars to 5 stars compared to the '01 model, so that is encouraging, as are the 5 stars/4 stars scores for the NHTSA's side crash tests on the '04 Elantra.
FWIW, I would never buy a car for which the warranty was a big plus and the nearest dealer was 200 miles away. That's just too inconvenient for me. Even getting parts so that a nearby mechanic could do the maintenance (which BTW does not void the warranty) might be a challenge.
If the Elantra is undrivable for a reason covered by the warranty, I think they provide you with a loaner car for the time it is being fixed. I am not certain about that, but I think that is correct.
Seriously, though, I would avoid getting a Hyundai this time if I were you. I would give you the same answer no matter what car it was, though. 200 miles each way is too far.
Granted, you don't have to get your normal service performed at the dealership, but it would be a pain to figure out how to get to and from the dealership if your car broke down (even with the included roadside assistance).
So, maybe it's time to move... ; )
Another weird thing is that the discussion in the Owner's group says this discussion is in the Hatchbacks board. But when I go directly to the Hatchbacks board and list discussions about Hyundai Elantra hatchbacks, what do I see? "Hyundai Elantra GT - 5 door." Shouldn't it be the same title, no matter how someone gets to it? That would be a little less confusing.
Karen S, you could have left it as just "Elantra 5-door" ... but how did you know you were ahead of your time?
Although you suggest this with a smiley, you really do have a good point. Furthermore, car dealerships are not the only things lacking in the boonies.
Would it be an extra expense, if they used the suspension in the GLS sedan?
As you say, it’s too bad I didn’t test-drive a GT in order to make a direct comparison of the suspensions and steering, etc.
I don’t know if the dealer had a GT demo on the lot, but in any case, I wasn’t interested in the GT, and wanted to focus on the cars I was interested in possibly buying.
Re the GLS 5-door’s suspension, you ask “Floaty compared to what?” Good question.
My experience was that it was floaty, period. If you want a comparison, then okay, the GLS 5-door’s suspension was floaty compared to everything else I drove that day—namely, the Honda Civic Si 2dr hatchback, Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Sport Wagon, Mazda i sedan, Scion xA 4dr hatchback, and Scion xB wagon. If you have driven any of these cars, and find that the GT 5-door is not floaty compared to these cars, then chances are good that the GLS is floaty compared to the GT. In other words, since the GLS 5-door was floaty compared to everyone of those cars, then if any of those are more floaty than the GT, it sort of follows that the GLS 5-door would be floaty compared to the GT. (If A > B and B > C, then A > C.) The possible flaw in this logic is the subjectivity of the experience of floatiness.
“FWIW, I would never buy a car for which the warranty was a big plus and the nearest dealer was 200 miles away.”
FWIW, I think I need to give this point considerable weight. Of course, not only is the warranty (and roadside service) a plus, but so is the price. Is what I could do with the $5,000 to $7,000 I save worth a few long, inconvenient trips? How likely or how often is the need for warranty work going to come up? I suspect it will at least once, but not often.
I’ll pose this question as a separate post below.
Question: With what frequency have you experienced drivers of Elantras had to have work done on your car that had to be done by a Hyundai dealer?
Inquiring minds and potential buyers want to know.
Thanks,
John
The 05 GLS 5 door has the rear disk brakes and minus the leather seats, I am not sure if there is any other difference. No spoiler and not sure about ABS.
I think the 05 GLS may be the sleeper on the lots prices at $1K less than the GT!
ElantraStan
No mechanical problems so far and we've had the oil changed at a local shop, so no need to see the dealer since the purchase.
It's not the same suspension as in the GLS sedan--if Hyundai's window sticker and all the press I've seen on the GLS 5-door can be believed. If they are lying about the GLS having a "sport suspension" and "sport steering", I guess someone will file another class-action lawsuit and buyers will get a debit card. ;-)
Based on the cars you compared, I can see why you might think the GLS 5-door is "floaty" by comparison. All of these cars are known for firm rides--VERY firm in some cases. I am a bit surprised you found the Elantra floaty compared to the Civic, however. Also, did you drive them in the order you stated? Because the Scions have perhaps the firmest ride of all. I've heard their ride described as "bone jarring." The Elantra (based on the GT) has a firm but compliant ride. Its ride has been compared to "fine European sedans" by the likes of R&T. I find it a great compromise for the weather-ravaged road surfaces of my part of the world. Now, the GLS sedan's suspension is definitely "floaty"--I own a GLS sedan and a GT 5-door, so I know there's a big difference. However, the GT was not available when I bought my GLS in the fall of '00. I find the GLS sedan fine for around-town commuting, but it's not a car I'd prefer for driving the twisties. If I buy another Elantra it would be either the GLS 5-door or another GT.
As for warranty work--I've owned my GLS sedan for four years and my GT 5-door for seven months. There was only one time for either car when I had to make a special trip due to a problem with the car--when the check engine light came on in my GLS. Turned out to be a bad O2 sensor that took one hour total time to diagnose and replace. But the nearest dealer is six miles from me. If it were 200 miles, it would have been a great inconvenience. All other work has been done by the "severe service" schedule--because of the short trips I make and because I don't put many miles on my cars. The main problem I've had is that some little things, like fixing a squeak, have taken multiple visits due to mistakes made by the service tech. One squeak in the clutch took them THREE visits to get right. I think that is the main risk you run by being 200 miles away from a dealer--if they don't fix something the first time, it can mean multiple trips. No biggie if the dealer is a few miles away, and offer free shuttles to work and free rental cars (as mine does), but a major pain and expense if they are hundreds of miles away.
The other thing to think about is the risk of having maintenance done by someone other than a dealer. If you do that, you need to keep really good records, for ten years (length of powertrain warranty). Otherwise it's possible Hyundai could reject a warranty claim because there is no evidence that required service was performed. By having all required service done by my dealer, I don't have to worry about that and we all know who is to blame if something gets messed up during a servicing.
As for the value of the Spectra's SACs--have you compared the NHTSA's crash test scores for the Spectra/Spectra5 with those of the Elantra? The Spectra did a little better than the Elantra on rear head injury scores, but the Elantra fared better in other measures and scored higher overall on side impacts (and frontal impacts for that matter) than did the Spectra. Shows that SACs are good but not a cure-all.
If the GLS 5-Door is indeed the same suspension as the GT then I'll probably go for it.
For ~$15k I can get the '05 GLS hatchback automatic, Sport Suspension, ABS and upgraded stereo. That's damn good.
I was considering the Kia Spectra5, but after I add ABS and side-impact airbags it's $2k more!
Now I only need to test drive it.:)
All our info, therefore, appears to be consistent with the GLS 5-door having the same suspension as the GT. All the more reason to be interested in it, IMO.
I’m about ready to buy, but I would like to see and test-drive the model before I do—which means another long trip, I suppose.
Already had to have front wiper blades replaced at signing and waiting for the rear blade to arrive at dealer to be replaced= they had no 20005 blades., But worst of all, on the way home from signing the deal, the CHECK Engine light came on ,back to the dealer tommorow, for repair, checked fuel cap it was loose but after tightning it light still is on?it was raining out maybe condensation got in cap? Who knows All I do know this is the first NEW car we have owned that the CHECK ENGINE light has come on with only 212 miles on it. Not a very good start for what We thought was A really nice car.
Let us know what you think about the Spectra5 vs. the GLS 5-door, especially in ride/handling.
It is going to be a few months before I actually buy, so I'm hoping by then Kia will start offering incentives to compete with the Elantra.
I do wish Hyundai offered cruise control as a seperate option, I don't really need it, but I wouldn't buy a car without ABS at this point.
There was no warranty work done on it. One recall - rear brake lines adjustment was done with the oil change at ~9K miles. The only rants I had so far are
1. Paint is kinda thin, though on my 2005 GLS it looks thicker
2. In cabin rear-view mirror buzzes sometimes on the highway - it goes away after I move it a bit.
3. Mirror covers that are inside the sun shades fell out. Looks like the plastic that is holding them in is too thin and it broke. I don't know if I should ask Hyundai to fix it under warranty. Forgot to mention at the last oil change.
So everything is pretty minor. I was so satisfied with the car, so I bought one for my-self last week.
Happy motoring and vote wise
On the fuel cap, don't get despondent too quickly. It can take awhile for the check engine light to reset. The loose gas cap was the likely culprit, especially if the engine runs fine. Be sure to tighten the cap at least 3 clicks. This happened to me once with my '01 GLS (my DW didn't know about the 3 clicks and did me a favor by filling up my car), and it took several days for the light to reset. It only reset after I called the dealer to ask whether I should bring the car in. They said to wait another day or two, and sure enough, the next day the light went out.
There was no warranty work done on it. One recall - rear brake lines adjustment was done with the oil change at ~9K miles. The only rants I had so far are
1. Paint is kinda thin, though on my 2005 GLS it looks thicker
2. In cabin rear-view mirror buzzes sometimes on the highway - it goes away after I move it a bit.
3. Mirror covers that are inside the sun shades fell out. Looks like the plastic that is holding them in is too thin and it broke. I don't know if I should ask Hyundai to fix it under warranty. Forgot to mention at the last oil change.
So everything is pretty minor. I was so satisfied with the car, so I bought one for my-self last week.
Happy motoring and vote wise
delivery on it, the check engine light was already on. Not an auspicious beginning,
but the car has proven to be extremely
reliable despite my wife's maltreatment
of it for 4 years. Very little in the way of warranty work, and the tires and brakes lasted
60,000 miles. I was impressed.
So I bought a 2004 GT and in 21,000 miles, the only problem has been a loose hood release.
They confirm the GLS has the GT's sport's suspension, and they raised the incentive to $1250 this month. I think my purchase will be sooner than later for me.
Perhaps I should wait until Hyundai decides to pay us for driving the cars off the lot.
Thanks to everyone for your responses.
--John
I took out a 2002 GT (gold colour) that was fully loaded (leather, mon roof, abs - all of which are optional here in Canada), and well, here is what was wrong with the car:
-noticed rust around the front grill
-shredded weather stripping inside the doors
-the tape between all the windows was wrinkled and cracked
-a lot of dull scuff marks on the body
-the privacy cover was missing from the hatch
-the hatch would not close properly after 5 attempts
-there was a loud chattering coming from the dash while driving
-the cargo bay was covered from head to toe in pet hair
Basically I decided that there were too many things to address on this car and since it was coming from a Chyrsler dealer I figured they probably would not be fixed right...however the sale guy still insist that I consider it and went and got the sales manager (icky). I mentioned my list to him and he said "well sir it *is* a used car you know". At this point I told him that I knew that, however it certainly was not cared for properly. I should have asked him why they had used cars on the lot that were not detailed...oh well...
Anyway....I have not given up hope yet...I still may find a good used GT...but there are also a lot of other vehilces I am now considering.
Yes, it is a shame, isn't it? It's also unfathomable why a dealer would put up a car for sale in that condition. Probably just came in on trade and they thought they could unload it without fixing it up. But if a car looks that bad, I would wonder what kind of maintenance the car had received. Like you, I would pass on it.
I just finished giving my two Elantras the "pre-winter" treatment: wash, wax (everything), lube hinges, silicone on the weather stripping, etc. My GT is not quite eight months old so it still looks new, of course (except for a few little dings). The Meguiar's Gold Class wax I used really put a nice shine on it (Rally Red), and on my '01 GLS (champagne). The GLS just turned four, and even though it's been through four Minnesota winters (including a lot of road salt) there's no signs of body rust and the weather stripping is like new, as is the paint. There's just a little rust on the thin pillar between the windows on the driver's side rear door, under the tape. I will have it taken care of when I bring it into the dealer for its 30,000 mile service in a few days. I am expecting (hoping) they will take care of it under warranty.
I am comparing against other vehicles...and have seen some real honey's but I keep coming back to used GT's.
Just because it has a low-resale value doesn't mean it's a bad car. What it means is that brand recognition hasn't caught on yet. This should start changing for Hyundai now that it's getting high marks for reliability. Kia falls into this class as well.
Personally, I'd rather get a new Elantra. The prices are so cheap and you'll get the full 10yr warranty. As you've noticed, people tend to drive them into the ground, so even a car 2-3yrs old will have more than the average 10k a year on it.
being that Hyundai is a popular rental car supplier, they will never have great resale. Look at any car that is common to rental fleets and tghey tend to have poor resale compared to competitors.
that, and the loss of the big 100k warranty makes the old school "hyundai's are junky car" crew just avoid them.
my friend criticized my choice when i bought the GT. 20+k later it has been pretty good, the few minor issues were fixed and most of them were not specific to Hyundai (battery, oem radio).
would i buy another...if i was making a decision based on the same criteria i used, i wouldn't buy anything else. I wouldn't mind a bit more zoot...or a lot more fuel efficiency. (I seem to have gotten one of the GTs that can only average 24 mpg in mixed driving, something I could achieve in a V6 Honda Accord.) But in general, this has proven to be a fine car.
my friend still wouldn't buy one.
That might be generally true, with the exception of Toyotas. There's lots of Corollas and Camrys in rental fleets, and their resale it pretty good--a testament to their reputation for long-term reliability, built over many years, and the fact they are good cars. If Hyundai demonstrates long-term reliability over the next few years, I think we'll see an upturn in resale value even if they continue to grace rental fleets.