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2007 Elantra 4-speed auto
2006 Civic 5-speed auto
2007 VW Rabbit 6-speed auto
2007 Nissan Sentra CVT
So I ask what are the gear ratios for those trannies?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
VW ratio: 6th gear: .67:1
I still don't know why you keep thinking the 2.0 is outdated; 138 hp & 136 lbs/tq. isn't shabby by any stretch). As mentioned previously, Hyundai targets and excels in what the demographics of typical buyers in the class - safety, features, value, price, warranty; with improvements in fuel efficiency, handling, ride, and comfort, plus an attractive design, in my opinion.
I am not exactly sure why you keep bring up the Rabbit (maybe from your username, perhaps?
Overall, thew new Elantra does its job. I am almost certain it will be a volume seller for Hyundai - 100K+, I think, is conversative estimate.
The problem with the 2007 Elantra boils down to the fact that Hyundai, rather than redesign the whole vehicle, has placed an updated exterior and interior on an otherwise outdated drivetrain.
Its not so much that the HP and torque numbers are dismall, its the fact that the powertrain as a whole lacks refinement (and yes, better performance) when compared to its updated rivals. Hyundai needed to update the engine and transmission with something more competitive for 2007. When your compeitors come forward with smooth reving sporty engines coupled with 5 or 6-speed AUTO's or CVT's, its tough to compete. Back in 2001 (or even when I got mine in 2004), this was acceptable because an Elantra could be had for $11K. Now that same drivetrain will cost you a minimum of 15K.
And the Elantra certainly competes with hatchbacks. At this low price point, consummers are shopping price, not necessarily configuration. No doubt consumers will be looking at the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, VW Rabbit when they shop for an Elantra. Add in the fact that this price point is a favorite among college students and recent grads buying their first new car. Go look on any college campus and count the number of hatchbacks...there's a lot.
I think Hyundai made a wise decision because people, including you, are not willing to pay "reasonable" amount of money for the Elantra.
No wonder the new Accent and Rio also don't have the Gamma engine.
Also, we don't know that the transmission is not new. Kia introduced a new automatic tranny with smoother shifts and greater reliability in the Spectra for '06. It would make sense that Hyundai would use the same transmission for the Elantra, since they share the Beta engine. I think the specs you gave for the top gear on the Elantra are for the '06 model, right? The gear ratios could be changed for '07. Something had to be changed to account for the 4 mpg increase in fuel economy that Hyundai claims for '07.
What I think Hyundai is doing is using the old marketing trick of starting off with a new design but not handing out all the candy at once. A year or so down the line, I think they will bring one or more all-new powertrains to the Elantra.
BTW, isn't the I5 on the Jetta and Rabbit a rather old design? Maybe that is why they can coax only 150 hp out of 2.5L, while Hyundai gets 162 hp from their smaller 2.4L I4.
Regarding your price point, yes, these are all within a few thousands, comparably equipped, but only a small percentage are sold as hatchbacks. The majority buying population tend to go with sedans, as sales data are shown; hatchbacks, I would think, should still be considered as niche (nothing wrong of which), and the competition should firmly stand with hatchbacks vs. hatchbacks; sedans vs. sedans. Further, if price was the argument, then would it be fair to compare a 25K pickup to a 25K car?
~alpha
http://ad.hyundai-motor.com/catalog/avante/popWin.html
I will be requiring a new car for my wife within the next few weeks. Up until now I've considered the following cars:
Hyundai Elantra '06
Kia Spectra '06
Toyota Corolla '06
Honda Civic '06
And with the incredible incentives, the '06 V6 Sonata looks like the value of the year. At 30 MPG hwy its 235hp V6 sounds interesting.
Now that I've spent the last week enjoying the pictures of the '07 Elantra, I've decided I really want one of those bad!!!
What should I do? I was thinking about trying to find a 3 or 4 year old Elantra or Sonata, drive it until the '07 comes out in the fall and re-sell the used Hyundai. If Hyundai offers an owner loyalty when the '07 comes out I would then qualify assuming I bought the new Elantra prior to selling the used one.
Is this good logic or should I consider another option? :confuse:
Craig
Then two things happened: first, my wife suffered from minivan withdrawal (we replaced her Grand Caravan two years ago with an Elantra GT 5-door). And I found a really good deal on an impeccable 2002 MPV with low miles. So I decided to get her the MPV, while I got her GT to drive for the next 2.5-3 years. Then when I went to sell my 626, my oldest son decided he liked the 626 better than my '01 Elantra GLS (leather, alloys, more of a "chick magnet"). So I sold my GLS to my sister and kept the 626.
Sorry for the dissertation, but in short I think your plan is viable. The trick is finding something that won't cost you a lot in repairs over the next few months, and something that won't depreciate a lot. That means if you can find an Elantra or Sonata still under warranty at a good price, that might be a good way to go. Another option is something like a Civic or Corolla, as those cars have low depreciation and are in strong demand with gas prices going up.
The other benefit of buying a "bridge" car is that if incentives aren't too good on the 2007 Elantra right from the start, you can hold onto the used car and bide your time.
You’ll find ESC standard on Sonata, Tucson, Azera and the all-new 2007 Santa Fe and 2007 Elantra.
I don't recall that fact mentioned in the launch or anyplace else for that matter. If true, it would trump all of its competitors in its class.
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/abouthyundai/ourcompany/know.aspx
You’ll find ESC standard on Sonata, Tucson, Azera and the all-new 2007 Santa Fe and 2007 Elantra.
I don't recall that fact mentioned in the launch or anyplace else for that matter. If true, it would trump all of its competitors in its class. End Quote
Well, almost all, if you include in the class the Scion xB. But to be fair, the xB doesn't have Elantra's complement of airbags.
Mark
Electronic Suction Control?
Evacuation Socket Coupling?
Eviscerating Steering Components?
My bad for posting before drinking enough AM coffee.
Whatta noodge!!!
I hope Hyundai USA is not gonna let us down!
I hardly think so.
Thats like the Subaru Baja as the most fuel efficient Pick-Up. It may be, but given its paltry sales vs. that of real midsize trucks, it doesnt matter much, and it sure doesnt seem that the classification means anything real.
~alpha
Actually, Hyundai never promotes the Elantra to compete with the midsize crowd. Every media outlet I've seen points to Civic, Corolla, Senta, etc...
Twits.
Give me a good product that speaks for itself and let me decide using my own mind.
Oh - and thank you for replying!
The EPA size class dividing line has to be somewhere, right?
Since the Elantra makes it into the mid-size class, of course it should be touted. It is a bigger car inside than the smaller classed cars. That is important to a lot of buyers. It is a measure of value to size-conscious shoppers.
If the other manufacturers don't like it that Elantra is mid-sized and that Sonata is large-sized, that is tough for them. Let them design their cars to be bigger inside so they can be more competitive size and price-wise with Hyundai.
And if a shopper does not care about size he can just ignore the EPA size class ratings.
Hyundai is doing a great job at providing roomy, comfortable, well performing cars at very reasonable prices.
Value!
What's wrong with that?
Rather than complain, maybe you should admire what Hyundai is doing. More and more people are doing just that lately.
While I understand a line must be drawn somewhere, the Elantra simply doesnt measure up in fuel economy (the current model, not the revised one whose REAL figures we know not), in comparison to the better vehicles in the class that the Elantra is most often shopped against. The Elantra is mid-pack at best, and I will tell you outright that I am very skeptical of 4 MPG bump in efficiency.
I certainly commend Hyundai for making bountiful strides with their recent vehicles, I just simply don't care for the moinker of most fuel efficient non hybrid midsize....
~alpha
I don't recall seeing Hyundai touting the Elantra as being the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid mid-sized car, that was from an announcement from the EPA. But I think it's conceivable Hyundai will jump on this with the '07 model, given it is more into mid-sized territory than the older model. And is it a bad thing that there will soon be another choice for a car with mid-sized room, high fuel economy (for a mid-sized car), and a lower price than most mid-sized cars? I don't think that is a bad thing.
side looks original(1st gen tibby), and front is consistent with azera's and upcoming santa fe. hyundai is still searching for a design identity, and i think they are getting there.
The outgoing Elantra is clean and classic, inside and out. The new Elantra is following the pack to keep up with the Joneses.
kinda ricy chop, but how can anybody like the last gen elantra over new one?
I particularly like the instrument cluster on the '07 Elantra--a big improvement over the GLS' green gauges, and looks at least as nice if not better than the GT's purple gauges IMO.
That greenhouse sure looks like a Taurus, doesn't it. But also similar to the Azera. I think this car really looks good in silver, unlike some cars that have no interesting lines and thus are boring in silver. The lighter color brings out the character lines.
Yeah, right.