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Comments
Niels
You are gonna have to test drive them...but I would add, if you enjoy driving, the 5-speed is the superior choice.
The auto is "ok" but it is not very smooth, it hunts and pecks a bit, and zaps precious hp away from an engine that is just powerful enough...robbing a few more away is harsh. I wanted an auto, but after driving both, I just couldn't do it.
I live in Phoenix and have to run the AC all the time. The 5-speed with AC on drives like the auto without the AC on...put the AC on in the auto and you really start to feel the car drag. For those rare days here when AC isn't needed, the 5-speed drives almost sporty.
Had my GT in the shop last week and snagged a Sonata for the day. It was nice, but when I got back in my GT, I realized how much more sporty and sure-footed the GT is compared to the Sonata (I4 engine)...very happy with the GT.
First things first, it did strand me at work. The car had no juice.
Good things:
Called the roadside assistance, got a jump and was able to drop it at the dealer - no charge (thanks Hyundai).
The dealer kindly gave me a loaner Sonata to use for the night, since it was closing time.
The dealer also address two less-severe issues (cracked, leaking, coolant hose and the window tape issue) as well as performing the 7,500 mile check up.
Complained about a blown tweeter resulted in two new ones being installed...sounds much better without the buzzing on the guitar parts on my favorite CDs.
Asked about upgrading to the OEM stereo for the '04s...that ain't gonna happen at the prices they charge, maybe I can snag someone's when they go After-market.
Overall, my service was handled great. No complaints or problems. I did get stranded, but the Hyundai service was perfect and they kept me going with barely a hiccup. Can't complain about that.
I am concerned about the battery issue. Phoenix-weather seems to eat batteries...guess I should budget in a new battery for next year, since it is certain to go out right after my 2-year warranty on batteries expires. This one died at almost exactly the 1 year mark.
Installation is pretty straightforward. They recommend temperatures over 50°F. Believe them. To ease installation, I recommend that you thoroughly clean the upper inch of the window, as well as the weatherstripping, then wipe silicon lubricant on the weatherstrip, the outside top 1/2" of the window, and the WeatherFlector's microchannel flange.
My GT doesn't have a sunroof wind deflector; the Sonata does. Since I can't detect any discernible difference with or without it, I honestly don't see the need for it. There's a small mechanical windfoil that activates whenever the roof is slid back. It seems to work well enough.
the way it is with the GT. It was not hard. good luck.
Niels
Anyone ever buy a soundproofing option from a dealer or came up with creative ways to reduce the noises from outside?
If you lift up your cargo carpet, you will see just how thin the carpet is and how there is no insulation. You could place a sheet of Dynamat under your rear carpet, covering the entire area from the back seat to the back of the cargo area and you will notice much less noise coming from this area. Dynamat can be stuck permanently in place by pulling off its backing. However, I would just cut it to fit your hatch area and place it under the carpeting, that way you can lift it up along with the carpet when you need to get to the spare tire. Dynamat doesn't like to bend much so it's easier to keep it as a flat panel anyway.
I have used this product in my 00 Accent hatchback and my 03 Tiburon and in both cases the amount of noise coming from the back end was greatly reduced. You can buy Dynamat at stereo oriented stores, but I would do a search online and find a cheaper price. It would cost about $100 to insulate your hatch area.
http://www.tcinternet.net/users/backman5/p1010050.jpg
http://www.tcinternet.net/users/backman5/p1010051.jpg
BTW, the GT in the pics is exactly the one I am picking up tonight--well, not the same exact car of course, but same color and options.
I think Hyundai will make the smart choice and keep their good seat adjusters. Over the years they have retained the best features and added better ones to their cars. Besides, doesn't the Spectra still have roll-up windows and no A/C? Or am I mistaken?
My only wish is that Hyundai would decide on a "face" for their cars and a different "face" for Kia-branded cars. To me the Spectra looks like a big brother to the Accent (pre-facelift), and the new Tucson looks like a little brother to the Sorrento (with that chrome strip through the grille). Too much mixing.
The GT will keep my '01 GLS company in the garage. The bad news is, the GT will be my wife's car (with automatic). However, she said I can drive it from time to time. ;-)
So, Hyundai will probably go to a less complicated system with the next Elantra. It's possible to have comfortable seats without having 2 loose knobs making it wobbly here and there.
If Hyundai uses the same seat design on the next Elantra that Kia used on the new Spectra, I have purchased my last Elantra. The widely adjustable driving position is one of my favorite features of the car.
This may be an obvious statement, but i am not sure of what you mean by the seat buckling...my seat has never "buckled" if buckling means that it semi-collasped. If it means that the seat shifts positions, then perhaps this will help ya out. It may be a result of the seat was not being locked in place when you adjust the seat distance. If you ever wanted to have a good time, adjust the seat while you are coming to a stop. Its like a roller coaster ride. When i adjust the distance of the seat, i usually give the seat a quick jerk by my body movement to hear it lock in place. Otherwise, you will notice a little movement when in motion.
Well, the good news is my family and I picked up our Rally Red GT with automatic and package 8 tonight. This is one beautiful car, which IMO simply cannot be beat for the money. It will be my wife's daily driver, but she let me drive it home. :-)
Now the bad news. It started when we pulled into a restaurant parkiing lot for dinner. I noticed a couple of small dings on the driver's side C pillar. No big deal, easy PDR job, but not what you want to see on your new baby. Then during dinner I thought some more about the mileage on the car--about 60. The car was supposed to be delivered from about 250 miles away. I also noticed there were some minor scuffs on the lower door panels--not real bad, but like the car had seen its share of passengers.
After dinner, I went back to the dealer to talk with the sales manager. He saw the dings and said "no problem", come in on a Monday when the PDR guy is there and they'd take care of it. Then I asked him about the mileage on the car. At first he said the car came from Rochester. Now, I know where Rochester is and it's more than 60 miles from this dealership. Finally, he came clean and said the car belonged to a dealer in Rochester but had been used at the local Auto Show. (You know those pictures I posted recently? That's my car.) Now I was beginning to get miffed. Who knows how many thousands of people sat in my car (wearing the seats), slammed the doors and hatch etc? I asked him if the car was ONLY at the local Auto Show, and he said yes. Then to placate me he said when I bring it in for the PDR work, he'll have them re-detail it.
When I got home I looked at the window sticker and got more upset. It indicates the car was delivered in Chicago expressly for auto show use. The build date is 10/04. Who knows how many auto shows (including Chicago's?) this car has been in? What I am most upset about is that the sales manager flat lied to me during negotiations, telling me the car was coming from a dealer in Madison or North Dakota, never mentioning the Auto Show(s). I never would have paid the $150 transport fee for an auto show car (which as it turns out was never transported all that far, at least not by my dealer).
This dealer has a three-day, 500 mile no-questions-asked money back guarantee. I am of a mind to go in on Thursday and demand my money back, unless they make a concession or two. I like the car, but there are other GTs out there and other dealers. What would you do? Am I overreacting?
I would say, that if the dealer takes care of your post sale problems, you like the car and you got a good deal, then keep it.
I think I would be upset too, but I am not sure it would be worth giving it back, especially if there are no problems with it. With only 60 miles on the speedo, it is still new.
Keep us posted!
ElantraStan
My rental car while my car was being fixed was a Chevy Cavalier. UGH!
I have to say the Cavelier has more low-end pull and gets the same mileage as my Elantra GT. Other than that, it's more appliance than car. The stereo is also much poorer than the Elantra's.
My car is supposed to be ready to be picked up tomorrow...I can hardly wait! Missed not having my GT!
I tried internet buying and I was very pleased cause they do not try to squeeze every last cent from you. They get their compensation on quantity sold. So they want you in that car and they want you to write a superior rating on their cust. service survey.
Just a caution to others, what is the dealership that you went to backy? Lets not let others fall into the bait and switch. Under business law, i believe it is the responsibility of the customer to inspect prior to purchase. But it seems like the dealer lied about the product, so that defense is available to you i believe. <-i'm not a lawyer, just someone that paid some kinda attention in business law class. let me know if i am twisting the law.
Keep us posted on your decision... at the very least the dealer owes you some serious freebies if they truely care about their customers.
Seriously, many car show cars do get the 5-year old treatment, people flick the switches, steal the radio buttons, yank on the fabric, whatever.
I would ask them to make it right, or make it go away. Sad thing is, it may be a great car even with its abusive beginnings, but it shouldn't be costing you "new" car prices.
The other argument is that if you return it, they will just pawn it off on the next customer, hoping they don't catch the issues before the return guarantee.
In some ways, you might end up lucky that it had a few dings to alert you to its history.
I took my GLS in for an oil change and a squeak in the clutch pedal today (of course, it didn't squeak for them--probably not warm enough yet.) When I picked my car up, I talked with the sales manager about my new GT. For those who were wondering, this is Denny Hecker's Rosedale Dodge/Hyundai in Roseville, MN. I explained my complaints, and he said that he didn't know the car was an auto show car until after I had picked the car up the night before and he had reviewed the paperwork. He thought it was a dealer's car from Rochester. Since there is a chance that is true, I set that aside and asked what he was willing to do to make me happy and continue as a loyal customer. After some discussion, he suggested free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years/36,000 miles. (They offered me that package the night before for $499.) I figure that's got to be worth at least $3-400, since it includes the big 30,000 mile service, so I accepted his offer. I'll go in on Monday to have them take the dimples out of the C pillar and pick up the warranty papers--and my jack and toolkit, which I found out were not in the car (I expect they removed them for the auto shows). Then I went home and waxed every last square inch of the car, as I always do with my new cars--door jambs, rocker panels, everything.
So why did I decide to keep this auto show demo car? First, it's exactly the color and equipment I wanted. I haven't found any others like it in town, and the $500 Auto Show rebate expires in a few days. Second, other than the small dimples and a couple of smudges on the door panels, I haven't found anything wrong with the car. The paint is one of the smoothest, glossiest finishes I have seen on almost ANY car--almost zero trace of orange peel. The seams are perfect. No rattles anywhere. No wind noise. Tracks straight, no shimmy. Got 38.2 mpg on the drive home last night, with an automatic on a new engine. Besides, have you ever seen how meticulously they care for the cars in an auto show? Applying more spray wax every couple of hours, etc. The radio panel and HVAC knobs were taken off, the power was off, and the wheel and shifter were locked, so there's only so much damage people could do. Even the mats weren't used in the auto show, and the carpet doesn't show signs of wear. The leather looks fine (maybe it's "broken in".) And if a car is in an auto show, it means it's indoors and not sitting on a lot somewhere getting snowed on. Maybe that's why there's no trace of even fine scratches on the finish (or they buffed it real good). And it only has 60 miles on it, vs. 250 if they really had delivered it from Madison or ND. So maybe I overdramatized my disappointment. Just a little. No Emmy, but I did get a consolation prize. ;-)
As far as Denny Hecker's goes, look at the positives: they did give me a very good deal (IMO), the salesman was very pleasant to work with, the finance/upgrade folks were laid back, and they were concerned about making me happy and offering what I thought was an equitable solution for my angst. And they have very nice shuttle drivers who take me to and from the front door of my downtown office building whenever I come in for service. And free slushies and popcorn. So all in all not a bad outfit.
ElantraStan
Seriously, I'm glad you are a happy camper with the dealer and reached an agreement. Are you sure you didn't show him your post here in Town Hall? That alone should have earned you some power <grin>. How bad would it have been for the dealer if you posted that the were unwilling or uncooperative?
Good deal all the way around.
PS - My husband was reading this and wondered if you got the "demo dolly" from the auto show as well. doh!
I didn't see any "demo dollies" at the Hyundai display, but what they did have were some uniformed (tan blazers) corporate Hyundai people who were very knowledgeable about the cars. A nice change from the usual local staff at auto shows, like at the Mazda display ("Uh, I just started this job so I don't know when the Mazda6 Sport Wagon will be available.")
Still wondering though if the shift console is supposed to be illuminated... maybe one of those auto show goers stole the light bulb! ;-)
Congrats on your new addition. I think I would have taken a car show car myself if I could have gotten the Blue metallic with sunroof and ABS, manual transmission...
As it is, my 2003 Chianti Red 5-speed with sunroof (no ABS) has been a good car. No regrets having choosen it over any of its competition. Have a few minor complaints and surprises, but overall, I think this is as good as my Honda Civic during its first year and has alot more bells and whistles.
First thing I had to do with the Honda was trash the AM/FM radio and put in my own aftermarket stuff. The Elantra's radio, while not amazing, is perfectly fine and didn't require an immediate upgrade, which makes me happy. I am tired of spending another $1000 on stereo equipment just to make the car an enjoyable environment.
My AC is much better than the old BMW.
The seats are comfy and I like having leather.
It is always a surprise to new friends and coworkers when they get in for the first time that...as they say: "This is a Hyundai?!?"
Then I tell them what they cost and I know they can appreciate the good deal.
Niels
I'm waiting for my 3 to come in and getting second thoughts. The Elantra GT has seats that are more adjustable than the 3. There seems to be more legroom in the back. The Elantra also has heated mirrors, a trip computer, courtesy lights on the doors, door locks that open automatically. A longer warranty and less expensive wheels/tires to worry about.
The 3 is more stylish/fun to drive, has a bigger glove compartment (with a lock), better colors, more powerful.
So what do you all think... is the almost loaded Mazda 3 worth almost $4000 more than the Elantra? I went to test the Elantra GT today... but the saleman couldn't find the tester, and it was late. I have to make a decision this week.
One thing you didn't mention is that the GT has a larger cargo area with the rear seats up than does the 3--so a little more utility there. Also, the GT's doors don't automatically unlock. It's just that they don't automatically lock to begin with.
I am skeptical that the price difference is only $4000. Edmunds.com has the TMV of a 3s 5-door with automatic (didn't know if you were getting a stick), moonroof/CD changer, ABS/side bags, leather, and MP3 player as $20,414. I think that's a little pessimistic because I know at least one dealer in my area that will do $500 less than that, no questions asked. But say it's $20k. With current incentives on the GT, and some good negotiating, you should be able to do invoice on the GT before rebates, which are currently $2000. That puts the GT (automatic, package 8) at around $14k. The main thing missing on the GT that's on the 3 would be the CD changer--you could add that aftermarket for $300. The GT has traction control, which can come in handy.
Good luck with your decision--let us know how it goes.
I'm disappointed in that the 3 had a gov't test just released of 4 stars when there are other small cars with 5 stars and Mazda made a deal out of saying Volvo had input on the design. I'm also a little miffed that the Canadian version of the 3 has heated mirrors, but not the US version. That's bee ess. The 3 also has no seat bottom cushion adjustment which makes it a little less comfortable than the Elantra IMO.
What I meant by automatically unlocking doors is that when you pull on lever, it unlocks, something I like.
So... tomorrow I will test the Elantra GT. I loved the way the 3 drove... so I will have to see if $5000-$6000 more is worth it.