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Hyundai Elantra 5-door

19091929496

Comments

  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    I walked into a Pontiac dealer one Monday and handed them the keys from a Firebird that had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

    I figure a real car thief would look at that and think set-up before walking away!
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    It doesn't match the color of the trim on the doors.

    That's funny... it does on my 05:

    image
  • iowaelantraiowaelantra Member Posts: 58
    Doohickie

    I'll have to double check on the seat and doors. My first reaction to your pics is "yes" same thing, but I'll check and let you know. Am back in good ole CR, Iowa. Actually, the car I bought wasn't totally brand new. It had never been titled but had been used as a loaner for people having their cars worked on. I'm sure it is already through the breakin period with 7K miles on it. Anyway, I filled up before I left Council Bluffs and when I arrived in Cedar Rapids (roughly 250 miles) my gas gage read half full. I think the Elantra has the same size tank as the Escort did. With the Escort, I would fill the tank til the gas was just about running over, and by the time I would get to Council Bluffs or vice versa the low gas light would be on and gage so low that I was sweating whether I would actually arrive at destination. To arrive home and still have half a tank left surprised the dickens out of me. I have half a notion to go fill it up tomorrow just so I can see what the actual milage was. On the way home I discovered that my Elantra has TWO trip meters. Discovered that strictly by accident. Will be interesting to sit down with the owner's manual and see if there are other surprises waiting for me. The Edmund's guys didn't like the sound systems in the Elantra very well. I have no complaints about the sound system. It suits my tastes very well. Well, anyway, I'm back home again and tomorrow I'm back to being nanny for the grandson, so probably will not get to drive much for the rest of the week. Will save money on gas, anyway, as it is now $2.19 here. It dropped down as low and $1.85 and then started climbing again. By the way, for you guys and gals that live in the more northern climates......we had lightning and thunder storms here last night (Jan.2). That doesn't happen very often and there is no snow on the ground. Have a good week all.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Two things I found out after I got the car that I thought were cool: 1) Heated mirrors that turn on with the rear defroster; 2) The lower bin on the center arm rest will accept a standard square box of tissues.
  • iowaelantraiowaelantra Member Posts: 58
    Finally got to take a good look at the seats and door. Yes, Doohickie, I think they are like your pics. The outer parts of the seat are a darkish gray or charcoal color while the inserts in the center of the cushion and the back are a blueish/gray mixed color kind of thing. The same theme sames to carry over to the door panel just as in your pic. I was aware of the heated mirrors and the lower bin will also hold cd jewel cases. I think the seat belt keepers in the back seat are kind of nifty, but wish the ash tray was replaced by a cup holder. There are no cup holders in the back seat. Oh well, I don't really plan on having many people in the back seat. Otherwise, I like what I got.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    It's too bad we don't get the fold-down rear armrest with integrated cupholders that some markets get on the 5-door. :(
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Backy - The GLS 4-door sedan also gets the fold-down rear armrest in other markets. Just look at the Korean or International Hyundai websites, and you'll see what we're missing here in the USA. It's not only with Hyundai, but others as well.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    OK. I have the brochure for the '05 Avante XD, and it shows the rear center armrest only in the 5-door models. Also note how the new Accent gets the armrest. So I guess we'll have to wait until the '07 Elantra to get one of those. Maybe it too will have 8 cupholders like the '06 Accent does. :)
  • dovid2dovid2 Member Posts: 90
    I'm sure you'll find all kinds of neat things. Mine's an '04 and they seem to add things as they go. I particularly like the sunglass holder, the damped glove box door and the spring-loaded ashtray.
  • 5port5port Member Posts: 395
    There was a thread in 2002 on this Elantra GT forum about all the little things Hyundai thought of on the GT. david2 hit on some (BTW two things you mention are on my 01). Things like:

    Coin box has rubber matting to keeps coins quiet

    Rubber matting on console horizontal surfaces to keep things from sliding.

    Elastic strap on the rear of the glove box to hold insurance papers.

    Inner door handles are soft padded

    etc.etc...

    ------------------------------------------------

    Things you may not know:

    GT steering is 3 turns lock to lock vs sedan 4 turns.

    GT steering rack is half hard mounted to the car vs sedan soft mounted.
  • lightfootfllightfootfl Member Posts: 442
    Is there any difference in the "5 door" and the "GT" and the "hatchback"? or are they all the same.?? :confuse:
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The GLS 5-door and GT 5-door (or hatchbacks if you prefer) differ in some trim items, e.g. the GT has leather-trimmed interior (including steering wheel and shifter), alloys, foglamps, purple gauges, rear spoiler, and custom floormats standard. The GT also has a blacked-out grille. They have the same powertrains, suspension, tires, 4-wheel disc brakes, and black exterior trim.
  • lightfootfllightfootfl Member Posts: 442
    Thank you, so I think from what you are saying that they (5dr) are basically the same mechanically, but not cosmetically. Is that correct? I appreciate the fast comment in return. I have been drooling over "the idea" of buying something like either this Elantra 5dr, or the Sonata V-6. (Another whole bucket of differences) I have been trying to read all of the different comments re the Elantra and Sonata and for the past 2 months have been just about ready to do something...just don't know what. :)
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    Backy is right on. In this instance, the GT is basically a content-enhanced package. There may be a slight difference in the suspension, but not enough to be a decision maker.

    Now, if they would put that V-6 in the GT ....

    :D
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    5port wrote: "Coin box has rubber matting to keeps coins quiet

    Rubber matting on console horizontal surfaces to keep things from sliding.

    Elastic strap on the rear of the glove box to hold insurance papers.

    Inner door handles are soft padded"

    These small detail items, and more, are also included on the 2006 Elantra GLS 4-door sedan.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    In some model years, all 4-doors were GLSs and all 5-doors were GTs. For more recent years, this is not the case, but they did change it again for 06, where a third trim level was added that is only available on the 4-door version and is more of a luxury upgrade.

    I prefer the term hatchback myself, but I tend to use the term 5-door with respect to the Elantra because that is what Hyundai calls it.
  • synthesynthe Member Posts: 2
    I am considering a 2006 Elantra GLS 5-door to replace my current 1994 Buick Regal. I'm a big guy, 6'6" and about 240lbs, and so far in my test driving (or sitting) of other sub-$20k cars nothing seems to have been made for anyone over 6'2" or larger. Is anyone here in the "taller" category and could tell me whether this would be a car I should even consider? Thanks!
  • wonderwallwonderwall Member Posts: 126
    i'm a very small guy - 5'7 and 135 lbs-- but i would imagine the elantra hatchback would be pretty good for someone tall. i have to pull the seat up pretty close and headroom seems pretty good. i've had a couple of tall passengers who've said it was better than my mazda protege 5, which i had at least one person tell me was a car for dwarves...
  • mackenzamackenza Member Posts: 2
    I know this is probably not exactly an objective audience for my question.... but I'm thinking about getting a 2006 Elantra GLS Hatchback with automatic transmission. What do you think? Do you like it? Is the mileage good? Do you like / love the way it looks?

    Does the silver / black / champagne exterior color look good for the Hatchback?

    I live in Madison, Alabama and there's only 1 Hyundai dealership here and they don't have a hatchback to go look at. So I really need your opinions.

    I'm selling a 2001 Honda Accord 2 door which has been just fine, it's just that now I have 2 kids (ages 4 and 6) that I need to drive around and it's kind of a pain getting them in the 2 door.

    Yes, I know it's a bunch of questions, but I appreciate any input.

    Thanks,
    Andy
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I think the Elantra GLS 5-door is a good choice for a family with two small kids. The only better choice might be the Civic 4-door, based on safety and fuel economy, but it's not nearly as versatile as the Elantra 5-door and costs a lot more.

    With my '04 5-door automatic, I get upper 20s to low 30s in around-town driving and mid-to-upper 30s on the highway. But that is with a light foot and minding speed limits. My wife doesn't have as light a foot and gets 20-25% less than that. Winters reduce the mpg a bit, but winters in Minnesota are a lot colder than what you get.

    Personally I really like the looks of the Elantra 5-door. There are very few fastback-type 4-door hatchbacks. It reminds some people of a Saab.

    I think the car looks great in black, but it's a devil to keep clean and it tends to show scratches. I have a '01 Elantra in champagne and I like that color, but not on the sportier 5-door. I think silver is a good choice. It is a "cool" color (important down South), doesn't show dirt or scratches as much as a darker color, and it comes with a special two-tone cloth interior that is unique to the GLS 5-door with grey interiors.

    You definitely want to find someone who has one of these and see and drive it before you buy. Maybe you could take a weekend trip to Birmingham and drive one?
  • mackenzamackenza Member Posts: 2
    thanks.

    I also think it's a little "Saabish". I drove the 4 door at the local dealership. Probably not much different than the hatchback, right? Yes, I though about the Civic as well, but the Hyundai warranty is much better and so is the price.

    Thanks for the input,
    Andy
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Actually, the 5-door IS much different than the GLS sedan, in two important ways (not counting the hatchback):

    * The 5-door has the same sport-tuned suspension and steering as the GT. Much different feel than the GLS or Limited sedans.

    * As mentioned, the 5-door with "grey" interior has a special cloth not found on the sedan.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    I'm 6-2 and my son is 6-5 and we both do pretty well in the Elantra. This assumes to an extent that you're used to riding with bent knees. But all told, this car is *far* more comfortable for me than my wife's Taurus. Although most times considered a compact, the EPA actually views the Elantra as a mid-size for the purposes of fuel economy ratings. So for a compact car price, you're getting a pretty good sized car. If you want more room in a small economical package, you may want to look at a Scion xB (the boxy one).

    Gas mileage in general seems a little better for manuals than automatics. I've had the car since October and have tracked every gas tank. I've averaged about 25.5 mpg with a low of something like 22 and a high of 29.8. This is mixed city/highway. I was hoping for better. I've heard several people say that the mileage improves at 5000, 10,000 or even 12,000 miles of breakin. So I'm still optimistic.

    The car has the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty (60,000 full warranty), but I've heard that there are lots of exclusions and that some dealers try to use technicalities to get out of doing warranty work. My best advice is to keep meticulous maintenance records, use OEM oil filters (there is a Technical Service Bulletin saying that some aftermarket filters can contribute to engine knock), and make sure if you get an auto tranny fluid change, you use the Hyundai-specified fluid (garden-variety Dexron or Mercon can cause damage to the AT).

    As far as performance, the car has more than enough get-up-and-go for around the town.
  • iowaelantraiowaelantra Member Posts: 58
    Hi everyone,

    I'm going to address some questions by others, so bear with me. First of all....I'm located in the central part of eastern Iowa. Today the temperature hit 52. Not at all bad for a Jan. 12 in Iowa. People out in parks playing with the kids, wearing light jackets. Unbelievable, isn't it?

    Got my first complete fill to check the mileage. The first half of my tank was interstate driving and the last half was city/town driving. Cedar Rapids is 120,000 approx. in population, so our traffic here moves along at a fairly good clip. We don't have the gridlock type driving that some of you in larger cities might experience or the very slow city driving. My first tank computed at 31.4 mpg. I'm very pleased. For those of you who didn't read my earlier messages, I bought a 2005 GLS hatchback with 7,000 miles on it. I'm the first owner, previously it had been used by the dealer as a loaner. So, I'm figuring the initial breakin period was completed. My second tank is going to be pretty much city driving, so it will be interesting to see how it does.

    For the reader in Alabama, I agree, take a trip and find a dealer who has the hatchback in inventory. I love mine to death. It handles well, it rides well, the sound system is fine for me but others might have some complaints. I love the hatchback and am soooooooo glad I didn't get a sedan. Just last weekend I took my youngest and married daughter out to look for a computer desk. She is going back to college and needed to have a computer upstairs so she could do school work and keep and eye on her two hoodlums at the same time. LOL. We found a desk all boxed up and low and behold, we flipped the back seats down and the box slid in neat as could be. Take the extra effort to locate a hatchback and take it out for a drive. I think you will love it.

    BTW.....was in Iowa City, Ia the other day and spotted a Saab hatchback. Couldn't believe the similarity. Just about had an accident doing a triple take. LOL. Just kidding.

    Someone was asking about color. Mine is the Sterling silver. I didn't think I was going to like it that well, but it's growing on me more and more. I initally thought I wanted black or the Tidalwave blue. I'm kind of glad the car I ended up with is the Sterling.

    Happy driving to all.
  • iowaelantraiowaelantra Member Posts: 58
    Hi again,

    Now that I've got the long message out of the way, I have a shorter one with a question. I'd like some suggestions as to how everyone takes care of the outside of their Elantras. Any specific recommendations as far as car wash product and waxes or polishes are concerned???? Should I steer clear of the commercial car washes and just hand wash or what?????

    Doohickie......how is your son doing? Is he adjusting to the small city life here in Cedar Rapids? Must be quite a change for him. If he is the 6'5 son, did Coe recruit him for basketball? Go Hawkeyes, Go Cyclones, Go Panthers.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I think hand-washing is best, but for people like me (and you) who live in cold climates, it's hard to avoid car washes in the winter. I use the "soft cloth" washes and have had good luck with those.

    I use a detergent specially formulated for car washing (many options there). I have used Meguiar's wax/polish products for the past many years and like them, especially the Gold Class wax that leaves a really nice shine and is easy to apply. But I think the main thing is to wax the car often enough to make sure it is still protected, i.e. when water no longer beads up. For me that is 3-4 times a year, or more often if it's a nice day and I have nothing to do and I want my Elantras to look sharp. :)
  • synthesynthe Member Posts: 2
    I just wanted to follow up on my question about legroom on the 2006 Elantra. I went down to the dealership and sat in a 2006 Elantra GS 4-door (not the 5-door or GT) and while there is enough leg room, the central console hits my right calf in just the wrong way when I sit in a relaxed posture. I also sat in a 2005 Accent, and while it's actually a smaller car, the console was different and I had no problems sitting in that. I guess the 2006 Accents are coming in a couple months so that is on my list to test drive.

    When I was talking to the sales guy at the dealership, when I asked if he had a 2006 Elantra GT I could sit in, he said that the model had ceased production early, since with the Premium package it was at the same price as a Sonata and most people went that route instead. Of course, I tried sitting in a Sonata also and had the same legroom problem, so no loss to me, but thought y'all might be interested.
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    I think your dealer was bs'ing you about Elantra production trying to get you to buy the Sonata from him since he didn't have any Elantras in stock maybe. I see lots of 06s around here in ads and stuff.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The GT has the same kind of seat (except in leather) and center console as the GLS sedan, so I don't think you'll find any relief there. Interesting how the smaller Accent fits you even better than the Elantra.
  • abracapokeyabracapokey Member Posts: 2
    My husband and I are looking to trade in our '98 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon for a smaller wagon/hatchback with better mileage (and automatic transmission). It needs to be reliable, and comfortable to drive--and our budget wants it for under $18,000 after incentives (under $16? even better!). We don't care about "sporty" or "cute/pretty/fancy", altho we don't want a car we'd find ugly, either. We'd prefer ABS brakes; ABS with traction control is a major plus after having AWD so long. After living with used cars for many years, we love the Hyundai/Kia warranty and reputation for quality.

    With the current incentives for 2006 & 2005, the Elantra 5-door is looking like it could be our best choice. We have also considered the Kia Spectra 5 and the Scion xB, but we didn't like the comparatively loud xB engine and hard seats (the rest of it was pretty nifty, tho!), and the Spectra can't match Elantra's incentives. We tried the Suzuki Aerio SX for the AWD option, but didn't like its high emissions, loud engine, and low hatch cargo height with the shade cover in place. Right now, the Elantra seems to be winning by a nose; if it weren't for the final price difference because of incentives, however, the Spectra might be the leader instead.

    But then I read that a major Elantra re-design is due for 2007, including engine changes as well as interior. Does it make better sense to put off the whole decision until we can compare the new model? Is the price likely to go much higher? Do we know enough about the new model to make a judgment either way?

    I almost put this question in the 2007 thread, but I wanted to hear from owners of the 2006 & 2005.

    TIA for any insights!

    Abbie
  • doohickiedoohickie Member Posts: 949
    Based on your requirements, I would go with an 06. If you look at current pricing, the new 06 Accent costs almost as much as the Elantra, and all Hyundais seem to go up a bit in price as the new model is introduced. If you think you will buy the all-new 07 for the same price as the 06, I think you'll be disappointed. If you buy the 06, you're getting a mature design that, if you care to look around, has massive support online in terms of owner forums where the car's quirks are well known and solutions and/or preventative measures are documented.

    I think the 07 Elantra will be a great car as well, but the hatch version may not be released at the same time as the sedan, as is the practice with Hyundai/Kia, so you may have to wait for your hatch.

    In your price range you can get a fully loaded 06 Elantra. I don't see any reason to wait.
  • abracapokeyabracapokey Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for these comments! We were already drawing the same conclusion ourselves: there really is no reason to wait, especially when the '07 will be an unknown.

    We're hoping we can get an '05, which will drop the price with incentives even further. From what I've read, there were no significant (to us) changes between '05 and '06. Fingers crossed! :D

    Abbie
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Right, the only significant difference between '05 and '06 on the GLS 5-door is that cruise and the 6-speaker CD stereo are standard for '06, so the list price with those features is a little lower than for '05 (but incentives are more of course). Also, for '06 ABS/traction and moonroof are offered together in the only options package, so maybe ABS will be easier to find on the '06s, if that is important to you.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Here is a good lesson: when the weatherpeople say "It's treacherous to drive out there, stay at home unless you absolutely have to drive!", it's a good idea to listen to them.

    On Monday we got about 10" of heavy wet snow--which compacted on the roads, making many of them skating rinks. I told my DW, "Don't go out this morning, it's really bad out here!" So she proceeded to go to the post office, about 1/2 mile from our home. On her way back, she took a sharp curve too fast and slid very hard into the curb. The right front alloy wheel on our GT was shredded, with a big chunk of the rim peeled away at a 90-degree angle. Miraculously, the tire remained inflated. So she drove home and called me later to tell me she had a little accident and damaged the "wheel cover." I tried to explain to her what an alloy wheel is and asked my oldest son to look at it and tell me what it looked like, but he wasn't too clear.

    When I got home, I was shocked at what I saw, figured the alloy wheel was toast, and called the nearest Hyundai dealer to see if they had one in stock. They did, just one! My lucky day! So I drove over there and noticed that I had to hold the wheel at a 60-degree angle in order to make it steer straight. Not good. I limped into the dealership and asked them to check it out.

    Next day I learned that a control rod needed to be replaced and also the tire, total work of about $900 with the alloy wheel. They also told me that they didn't have an alignment rack :surprise: and that an alignment was needed to determine what other damage there was. :confuse: So I decided that I didn't want to put just one new tire on a 2-year-old car, and that I could buy four new tires with a lifetime replacement warranty at a local tire shop for about the same money as two of the Michelins ($140 each). So I told the shop to replace the control arm and toss the alloy in the back, drove over to get the four tires replaced (Kelly H-rated tires, about $330 including lifetime rotation/balancing/repair/replacement), and headed over to a shop that could do the alignment.

    Today I found out that a strut and other components need replacing, about $600 worth. So I cried uncle :cry: and called my insurance ($500 collision deductible). The parts aren't available in town, so it will be a few days before I get the car back. Another big storm is coming tonight, so my DW will have no car to drive tomorrow. :)

    At least I got four new tires out of the whole mess, which are quieter and will last longer than the Michelins, plus I'll never have to pay for another rotation or balancing.
  • 5port5port Member Posts: 395
    Backy,

    If its any consolation she's not the only one. My friend did this same thing in a snow storm with his Suzuki Esteem and ended up with about the same size bill. Its amazing how much damage you can do by just sliding into a curb.

    This lesson reminds me of my first new car in the 80's. I just HAD to check the oil level at +10 degrees F. When I pulled the hood release it came off in my hand. My first thought was "why couldnt I just wait till it was warmer".
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    I know you think this isn't possible, but a friend was in Houston last week on a job interview. He wrecked his car. Walked into a dealership and bought another car. Wrecked it later that day. Got a rental car. Bingo, wrecked it that night. Found a hotel and hunkered down until the karma passed! Actually, if you have driven in Houston lately you could so understand how this could happen to an out of town visitor in downtown.

    Three wrecks in less than 24hours. ouch.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Did he get the job?

    (Did he want the job--in Houston?)
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    Still waiting to see. The interviews were down there, but I think the job will be in Central Texas. This guy deserves all the good. Did two tours in Iraq and retired from the military after 20 years. The last tour was exceptionally tough as he was in and around Bagdhad pretty much for a year.
  • gary045gary045 Member Posts: 81
    Feeling a little more pleased with my Hyundai's quality, mpg, and standard features today as I pass a gas pump at $2.59 a gal. Was thinking about trading in for a trk...gulp

    Most fuel efficient cars. Elantra is number 10. Not too shabby for such a low cost vehicle. Might have to wax it tomorrow. lol
    http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml
  • gary045gary045 Member Posts: 81
    tornadoair.com and turbanator.com make great claims.

    More Power: Are you looking for more power from your wheels? Whether you have a stock or aftermarket intake system, the Turbonator will add up to 35 horsepower to your vehicle.*

    Better Gas Mileage: The Turbonator allows your engine to burn fuel more fully and efficiently, resulting in MPG gains as high as 31%*. It pays for itself in no time.
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    In short: It doesn't work.
    I think Popular Mechanics did an expose on these things and said the turbanator was so poorly made they were afraid pieces would be sucked into the engine. And even then, they saw no improvement with it installed.

    Update: Yep, it was Popular Mechanics August '05. They tried two of the vortex units from two different manufacturers. The turbonator looked good, it was the other one that looked like it would come apart. At best, there was no change. At worst, they lost 20% power on a dyno. Great article, covers all sorts of gizmos.
  • gary045gary045 Member Posts: 81
    Thanks jlflemmons. It's hard to tell who's telling the truth nowadays. The claims did seem a little outrageous.
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    The auto manufacturers have buckets more money for R&D than the "inventors" that come up with these miracle fuel saving devices. Now, if I were GM (or Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Hyundai, etc...) and I could come up with a method of improving gas mileage 20%, with a substantial increase in power, all the while lowering emissions, they would be screaming from the rooftops that their vehicles had that advantage over everyone else's.

    Think it through; if a Tucson got 40mpg while a Rav4 got 30 or a CRV got 28, and it could out perform either of the later, and pass emission tests like 2nd grade math, who would be selling the most small SUV's in North America???
  • dovid2dovid2 Member Posts: 90
    Interesting they consider the Elantra mid-size and the Sonata large cars. I know they have large interior volume but I thought they would be classifeied by the exterior.
    I thought the classification of the Bentley and Aston-Martin as compact & subcompact was quaint.
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    We went on a road trip this weekend. checked the gas mileage on the computer at 65 mph. 32.5 mph we usually get a little better, but then I noticed we had a head wind. tried drafting behind a big rig it went up to 38 mpg then we had a flat, and I had to put the donut on and was restricted to 50 mph, gas mileage went up to 45mpg, quite interesting how speed lowers your gas mileage. we had 35000 miles on the original tires so had them put a set of kumho's on since one was ruined anyway. they shake a bit and after some miles will probably have to have them re balanced.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Why wait to have the Kumhos balanced? When I got new Kumhos on my '01 GLS in late 2004 I had the fronts balanced by the tire shop that installed them and they were smooth as glass, until a year later and I rotated them. Then I had a little vibration at high speed so I had them balance the fronts, and now it's smooth again.
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    Backy. I just thought that a re balance would be more effective after the new tires have seated in a bit. Don't know if that is true though.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Maybe so... I'm not an expert on tires. I just know what worked for me.
  • tsgeiseltsgeisel Member Posts: 352
    I'm in the process of hunting down a new car, and hadn't realized that Hyundai made a 5-door Elantra.

    Would you recommend it? What are things I should watch out for?

    How's it handle? How's the storage space in it? I'm also looking at a Spectra5 - has anyone done any comparisons with that?

    Thanks.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I recommend the Elantra 5-door. I own the GT model and it's a solid, versatile car, a great value and fun to drive. It also is relatively unique in the low-end hatchback world with its fastback styling.

    It has a sport-tuned suspension compared to the Elantra sedan, so it takes curves a little flatter. But it's no sports sedan/hatch. Interior room is very good for a small car. It is EPA rated as mid-sized car, and there is good room in back for two adults. The rear seat folds flat so there's a lot of storage space, and the load floor is relatively long compared to some other hatches (unlike most hatches, the Elantra 5-door is the same length as the sedan).

    So go take it for a drive. Try out the Spectra5 also, which is similar in some ways to the Elantra (same engine) but it's a wagon style so it has a taller load floor, albeit shorter. But IMO the Elantra is a better value, e.g. GLS 5-door fully loaded with ABS/traction control, automatic, and moonroof is under $16,700, which is less than the Spectra5 (which has bigger, alloy wheels though). The other thing I like about the Elantra vs. Spectra5 is the Elantra's driver's seat is more adjustable, i.e. seat height has two knobs for adjustment vs. a single lever.
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