Hyundai Elantra 5-door
isn't showing the first post in any topic. Can you repeat what you said? A 5-door Elantra, isn't that the wagon? Are they offering the wagon at all in the 2001 year? I haven't seen any at dealers or on the road, just the 4-door sedan with the XG300-style grille and large taillamps.
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At any rate, I have to disagree with your assessment of Hyundai. They have caught up to the competition in terms of initial quality and their reliability in the long run is also comparable. I chose Hyundai over Kia because of how much more solid and refined they felt. My 2000 Hyundai Accent was rated higher in JD Power's intial quality survey than many well known cars, such as the Toyota Celica and Subaru Legacy (it was rated in the middle of 200 possible places). The Kia Sportage has been rated dead last 2 years in a row, with the Sephia barely any higher. That is why people are more afraid of Kia than Hyundai and they have good reason to be. However, Kia is making improvements now that Hyundai has taken over. I have had no problems with my car in 11K hard driven miles, which included at least 3 jaunts to over 100mph (my sister's 2000 Honda Odyssey has had over 20 visits to the dealer in the same mileage with numerous failures of important parts). I'm very satisfied with my Hyundai, enough so that I plan on being a return customer. I paid more for my car than I should have and yet I feel like my hard-earned money was well spent. The Accent is solid, refined, and built just as well as any Japanese car. I suggest you actually go test-drive one before claiming they are behind the competition.
Secondly, you can think what you like about my defense of Hyundai, but you couldn't be further from the truth. I am much more educated in this topic than the average jo person. I have been studying cars, all cars, since 1992. I read everything I can about every single one. I am not a "Hyundai man" either. I would buy whatever car I think is honestly the best out there for me. I love all sorts of different cars, including my 84 VW GTI and 84 Mazda RX-7. I have also owned and loved a 93 Mitsubishi Diamante, 87 VW Fox, and 85 Honda Civic Wagon. As you can see, my tastes are very broad. I just have been so pleasantly surprised by the all around goodness of my Hyundai that I feel the need to spread the word and help get rid of the crappy image that they have carried from the days of the 5 grand Excel. My whole reason in being here is to educate people who don't know much about cars to not just look at one source of info and let them know that Hyundai is not the terrible quality car some people would like them to believe. When I bought my '00 Accent, I also test drove the Kia Sephia, VW Golf, Ford Focus, Suzuki Swift, and Daewoo Lanos. I liked all but the Sephia. I got the Hyundai simply because the dealer could get me financed and I was impressed with its solid feel compared to the tinny Lanos, Swift, and Sephia. Since than it has continued to impress me and dispelled any fear I had about buying a Hyundai.
Here's a little interesting tidbit of info: I went to JDpower's website and looked up the mid-term quality surveys. The second quality survey done on the 99 Accent after 1-3 years of ownership was pretty good. They rated mechanical quality 3 stars, which is average, whereas the Civic and Protege got 4 stars and the Sentra and Corolla got 5. However, they rated feature and accessory reliability at 5 stars, the highest, for the Accent and Corolla, whereas the Sentra, Protege, and Civic all got 3 stars. They also rated body and interior reliabilty 5 stars for the Accent and Corolla, compared to 3 for the Protege and 4 for the Sentra and Civic. So, in other words, in most areas the Accent was on par quality wise with the cream of the crop Corolla while mechanical reliability has proven to be competent if not outstanding. The Kia Sephia in the same test got 2 stars in every category. Just thought it was interesting to see Hyundai catching up in the surveys. Guess more and more poeple like me are happy with their Hyundais
Thankfully, these 5-doors all are more "hatchbacky" than station-wagon. I'm 25 with no kids, but I've always driven hatches. I think sedans are weird. All the new 5-doors that don't look like mommy mobiles are giving me hope that one day, I might be able to find my perfect car!
carlady
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Having driven both the '01 Elantra and the Spectra, it seems to me that the Elantra is a far more sophisticated car (although I liked the Optima better than I remember a '99 Sonata-- seemed to have better suspension).
I too am looking forward to the Elantra 5 door, purple night instrumentation and all.
carlady
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News & Views and Hatchbacks Message Boards
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Theories aside, I've been reading the posts in this topic because I'm in the market for a new wagon or mini-SUV to replace my beloved Geo Metro. I'm fairly interested in the Kia Rio, Hyundai Elantra (sedan or hatch) and the Potiac Vibe. I'm glad to see others with similar interests!
I also feel the need to add/respond to a few of the previous posts. With respect to post #7, I couldn't agree more. However, I would add that today's Korean vehicles, since they are very "low cost" new cars, tend to attract younger owners who can sometimes barely afford to make their payments let alone pay for required maintenance. Thus, those owners' vehicles may tend to develop early problems that could have been avoided with proper care. Everyone knows that cars are just machines (like copiers, TV's, your heart, etc.) that require some looking after to keep in top condition. And I might also add (granted, I'm not 100% certain of this, but fairly sure) that J.D Power's survey treats ALL reported problems the same way. Under their surveys a blown transaxle is given the same "weight" as a squeaky glovebox door. So think about reported problems from that perspective.
To poster "csandste" (#13): does the 2001 Elantra really have purple night illumination?!? Cool. VW deja vu!!
Getting back to the matter at hand, does anyone know the estimated MSRP for the Elantra H/B?
It looks really sharp and I can't wait for a test drive. I also like the Kia Rio wagon, but it appears to more of a "no-fills" ride. I dig it but my wife might have something to say about the lack of power goodies. We both like the upcoming Pontiac Vibe, but I don't know if we're willing to wait a year before purchase.
I feel that Hyndai offers more value for the dollar than any other brand and the Elantra is at the top of my list. And Hyundai's generous warranty takes some of the fear out of ownership. However, I am given to wonder: will Hyundai in three or four years move "upscale" as its sales increase, leaving Kia as its entry-level brand? Maybe the time is now to take advantage of Hyundai's value (standard side airbags on a sub-$14k car?).
Anyway, I'll be checking on this forum from time to time. Hopefully I'll get some good information before I purchase. And I totally agree with the person who suggested the hatchback comparison test (get on that one, Edmunds!). And is it just me or have other people noticed the disturbing new trend of naming hatchbacks and station wagons "crossover" vehicles? How goofy is that?
One man's abomination is another man's ultra-practical vehicle.
By the way, I was reading some of your posts in the Hyundai Accent topic and you seem to have had a great ownership experience with yours. Why not stick with it? No sense in parting with a comfy reliable car. In fact, I was very close to purchasing an Accent myself after reading the comments of all the owners. Still might, actually, since it's one of the dwindling number of 3-door hatches left (after the demise of the venerable Metro!).
I tend to keep cars six years, trading one of the two in every three years. 2001 was the year I was seriously going to consider an Elantra wagon, since Honda Marketing has decided to end my long streak of trouble-free Civic hatchbacks.
With the wagon gone as well, the Elantra hatch SOUNDS like a practical alternative; the Kia Rio hatch looks nice, but I understand it's basically a rehashed, more powerful Aspire (no, thanks!), and in any case it'll be several years before Hyundai gets Kia up to their own current quality, unless they just reskin the whole Hyundai line.
With the wagon gone, the Elantra hatch sounds like an interesting alternative. But, gotta see one first!
http://www.hmc.co.kr/kor/cybermall/product/avantexd/5door/exter.htm
I'll post again once I discover they update the English section to include the hatchback info.
JEFF
I'm definitely looking to buy a hatchback sometime in May or June. When I do, I will of course post the details...
Finally, he wagon will return next year for anyone interested.
JK
Thanks for the Korean hatchback pix (a Saab profile at a bargain price!), and for the information that the wagon will be back next year.
NOW what am I gonna do? I want one of each!
- D.
http://www.mundar.com/Thomas/Cars/ElantraGT.html
Tom
Think this has tipped me in favour of the GT. My wife can get the wagon next time!
- D.
Thanks again.
JK
Now, if I could only convince her to drive a 5-speed...
(By the way, davidh: The Civic will return as a 3-door hatch either late this year or early next. Check out the current edition of "Auto World Weekly" for a sneak photo. I'm with you... silly of Honda to kill the hatch just when they are being rediscovered.)
Although I cannot say for certain before seeing an actual car, the rear seats probably will fold down flat.
In the picture I have on my web site, the seat bottoms look like they were folded up before the seat backs were folded forward. Depending on your monitor, you may not be able to see this much detail in the picture.
In the video, the seat backs were folded forward without moving the seat bottoms. The seat backs cannot fold all the way down without moving the seat bottoms out of the way.
cjaccetta,
Does your wife know how to drive a 5-speed? Why does she not like manual transmissions? Maybe you could ask her what she would like to do with the $800 you save by forgoing the AT?
Personally, I hate ATs. Every AT car I have driven I end up shifting manually after about 10 minutes because they never pick the right gear for my taste. The transmission in the last AT car I owned lasted 40,000 miles before needing to be replaced (due to my abuse). After that car, I decided that it was only manual transmission cars for me. Fortunately, my wife agrees with me.
Tom
My Spectra is a 2k1 GS w/5-speed. It is a great handler with reasonable pep - great acceleration in the higher gear ranges.
Bought for practical reasons the honeymoon did not begin for a couple days. The honeymoon continues and I'm still infatuated.
If we go with the Elantra we'll be selecting the A/T on the option sheet. It's easier for us both since we'll be sharing the car. Any idea if Hyundai has corrected the valve defect that plagued the earlier Elantra A/T models? I'd hate to bring the car in for tranny problems...
Also, does anyone know when the 5-door is supposed to arrive at dealerships? I think our timetable would be to purchase in June or July. I've seen several of the new sedans recently, so I know they are in.
Keep the helpful info coming!! This topic is great!
I guess that I should be thankful that traffic here (Central Arizona) never gets bad enough for me to even entertain the idea of owning an A/T.
This is the last thing I will say about M/T vs. A/Ts. We're supposed to be talking about the Elantra GT here. Bad Tom!
Tom
Elantra GT scheduled for April production, available in dealerships in June or July.
Likely a 2002 model.
H.
H.
By the way, for anyone who may have doubts about the quality of Hyundai vehicles, I sat in the Hyundai Accent (2000 model) at last year's NYC auto show and I found the interior pieces were fitted just as tightly and neatly as in a $25,000 Oldsmobile. The interior was comfortable, too. The only other "budget" model that impressed me as much was the Toyota Echo. IMO, Hyundai is showing improvement in its ability to carefully build a car and keep the price reasonable.
On the other hand, I wouldn't be incredibly surprised if Hyundai was taking longer than expected and pushed the release date back a bit... who knows. The fact it'll be a 2002 model would also suggest a later release date.
JK
I really hate my Subaru right now, which is why I'm so anxious!
Leo
Still considering three vehicles; Elantra, Kia Rio wagon and Honda Civic LX. Primary use will be for daily 50-mile round trip commute over secondary and tertiary roads. Vehicle will also be used for bike/ski trips in season (thus the need for a h/b). And 2 or 3 times per year the vehicle will be driven between NYC and Cape Cod. I plan to keep the vehicle for the next 5-7 years.
I'm interested in others' feedback: given the vehicle's intended use, the fact that its purchase will be financed with approx. $2,500 down over 48 or 60 mos., and that reliability, flexibility and economy take precedence over style and performance, which of the three vehicles would you purchase?