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And if you want sportier handling, there is a 30min ~$150 mod that really makes it corner flat.
Jim
It's the largest in its class (compact)... to the extent that for the purposes of fuel economy testing the EPA calls it a mid-size.
When I first test drove it, I was luke-warm on the handling, but once you get to know the car it really is a pleasure to drive. If you're handy, you can quickly improve the handling by upgrading the rear sway bar from the stock 15 mm diameter bare to a 19 mm bar from the Tiburon GT for about $100-150 (for dealer parts- or maybe even less if you can find one at a junkyard). This is the mod jlflemmons is referring to. It tightens up the rear body roll significantly. If you want to go that route, let me know and I can tell you everything you need to know (you can email me through my profile).
When I bought, it came down to the Elantra 5-door and the Spectra5. I bought at the model year end last October and the Elantra 5-door is not as common as the Spec5, so I had to drive to the next county to buy my Elantra. The trade-off between the Elantra and Spectra which are very close mechanically (Hyundai owns Kia) is that the body style is a little different (I prefer the Elantra), and the Spectra isn't quite as well-equipped for the same price.
I personally think the styling on the Elantra is better in a "classic" sense than the Spectra. I parked next to a Saab 5-door hatch yesterday, and except for the grill they two cars compare very favorably, style-wise.
To be honest, I would have happily bought either car, but I think the online community for the Elantra is a little better established which is one factor in its favor for me.
i looked at kia too and while i know the guts are the same and it's the same company, but something about the spectra seemed inherently inferior to the hyundai.
Now, a local dealership has an '05 5-door, but only in GT with sun/moon roof combo. Basically it's the tricked out version, that I wouldn't really ask for.
Is there anyone out there with strong feelings one way or the other? If I can get a good deal out of this, there's no reason not to go with all the extras, especially if some of them are more useful than I might think.
Thanks.
That is exactly where I was in October when I bought. I decided that leather really wasn't such a good idea in the Texas heat (when I took a test drive on a 100 degree day!), alloys- I wish I had em and I'm looking for opportunities to pick some up, but only if I can get a good price, fog lamps- I just put in some aftermarket ones that look very OEM:
And purple gages? I think I like the GLS green better anyway.
I really like the sport cloth interior that is in the GLS 5-doors that have a grey interior.
Agreed! You can't find it in the brochures, but it looks like this:
The picture quality is bad; you can see the image full size here.
And you can further tighten up the rear end noticeably by replacing the Elantra rear sway bar with the one of the 03 Tiburon GT, which increases the diameter from 15 to 19 mm, a very siginficant increase in stiffness. If you go to some of the Tiburon forums people upgrade their Tibbies and sell the bars there, probably for $50-80. You can get one brand new from the dealer, including the bushings, for about $120. If you buy your car new, it is a very simple upgrade to do yourself- six bolts and you don't even need to jack up the car if you can shimmy under it. (If the car has seen a few winters, the bolts can be difficult to loosen.) If anyone is interested in this mod, I can answer any questions; email me through my profile.
Can 04 elantra handle +48mm offset..?
I did some research, I'm thinking 45mm is max..
but not quite sure..
I read that the radio was supposed to have a remote included, but being used, it has somehow disappeared between the original owner [Hyundai USA] and delivery to me. Any idea as to how I can get a replacement? The dealer acted clueless as to the existance of a remote for the radio.
I had asked if there were two keys for the car and was told yes, but I guess that didn't include two remotes for keyless entry :mad: I guess that's my fault for not specifically asking about two remotes as well. Anyway, I found one on eBay for $15, but it will need to be programed by the dealer. Any idea as to how much that might cost or if it's possibly programmable by the owner?
We bought this just to use as a 'run-around' car in town, but so far it's sure a lot of fun to drive.
I take it the stereo you're referring to is the Kenwood with MP3? I don't know about the remote for it, but if you don't have one, here's a link to a pdf file for the Kenwood Owners Manual. (And yes, the manual does mention a remote, although the manual is for several models so the remote may or may not work with your stereo.)
I looked a little at the Kenwood site, and it looks like this is the remote that goes with that series of stereo- only $12.95! (+$4.25 S&H to my zip code)
Things have been going well on a personal basis, as well. I don't need or want to go into a lot of details, but I am on disability and have been living with relatives. On July 1 my cat and I are moving into our own apartment. While living with relatives was almost a necessity during some health crises, it sure will be nice to have my own space, my own kitchen, my own everything. I am looking forward so much to the move. I haven't been just sitting around moping, though. I took classes and am now an official weather spotter for the National Weather Service. I have been taking classes and last Monday took and passed a test to get an amateur radio operator's license. Now when I get some equipment together, I can become a ham radio operator. It ties in with the weather spotter thing, too, in that Cedar Rapids activates a radio net of weather spotters when threatening weather approaches. Some of you probably saw the pictures of the tornado that hit Iowa City only 23 miles away. So, I'm hoping to get involved with the local radio club which is also involved with the weather spotters or more precisely, a lot of the members are part of the weather spotter net. Anyway, things are going well and looking up for me for the first time in several years, and it sure feels good. My Hyundai and I are having a ball. My silver Hyundai is probably the best purchase I've made in a long time. If and when it comes time to get another vehicle, I'll probably get another Hyundai. I'm just THAT pleased with the car. Thanks to those of you who offered opinions and suggestions while I agonized over my new car purchase and which car to buy. My best wishes to all and hope that you all have a great summer. I'll be checking in from time to time if I'm not out chasing tornados, lol, or playing with my 3 grandsons.
Now if that is not proof Red States are getting preferential supply and demand treatment!
NY (Upstate, the REASONABLE cost-of-living part) is pushing 3.19.
My younger brother lives just south of San Francisco in Los Gatos/Valley region.
He pays 3.59 - although he's now deciding "rail" is not such a bad deal these days.
I never thought I would say this, Iowa, but I actually ENVY your 2.75 a gallon!
Seriously!
but onto my Elantra 5 Door... I have a GLS hatchback that I bought in December and I am absolutely in love with the car. My previous car was, if you're not willing to scroll up, a 2003 Mazda Protege 5, which I loved. after about six months of owning the Elantra, I must say that I love it too, perhaps not quite as much, but it's easier to live with when it comes to comfort and also fuel economy. While the seats in the PR5 were comfortable and super supportive, the Elantra's seats are undoubtedly the best I've experienced. I absolutely love the tweed upolstery in the GLS 5 door. The ride in the Elantra is significantly less turbulent, which I never minded much in my Mazda-- I expected it to be that way-- but my wife claimed the Mazda made her carsick, because it was so bumpy and rough.
The Elantra, I feel, strikes a very nice balance between ride & handling, with an ever so slight balance towards comfort, but you know, as much as I was in love with the handling abilities of the Mazda, I realized that ultimately driving back & forth to work each day--which is 90% of what I do with the car-- handling seldom means much. I mean I certainly couldn't drive some American boat with limp steering that wallowed all over the road, but ultimately... I may, one day, put the Tiburon stabilizer bar on when I actually have a little money & time to throw around, but for the time being it's cool.
The Elantra is also ROOMY. The PR5 was as well, but the Elantra more so-- of course, my wife and I are both pretty small folks. Having had a PR5 and an Elantra hatchback back to back, I doubt I will ever go back to a car with a trunk. It's hatchbacks and wagons from here on out.And, good grief, I now have split loyalties-- Mazda & Hyundai.
As for handling, you can make a very substantial improvement by swapping out the rear sway bar for the one off the Tiburon GT. It's a drop-in mod since the rear suspension geometries are identical. I've written up a guide on the whole sway bar issue here. For about $100, a BIG improvement. Frightfully easy to install on a new Elantra too (harder after it's seen some winters).
#4846 of 4847 i'm a bright blue dot in a very red state by wonderwall May 17, 2006 (8:23 am)
Replying to: sonatabean (May 17, 2006 4:44 am)
I had that problem once, too: I lived in Ohio from 1968 to 2003.
Between the mindset and soccer moms driving Chevy Suburbans to the Dairy Queen (and then having the gall to [non-permissible content removed], [non-permissible content removed], [non-permissible content removed] about gas when it hit $2.10 a gallon!), I finally decided to move Blue cuz I just had enough.
Glad you like the car: I've been in love with the GT Hatch ever since it came out. SADLY, we bought a matched pair (I know - we're sickos) of 2000 Sonatas (GLS V6 models) right before all the $$$$ issues and petro issues went insane nationally.
Had we waited just a wee bit longer, we could have had the Elantras instead.
I just hope the MPG promises and the hatch continue in the new bodystyle, because I have my heart set on that particular configuration.
I personally think the styling on the Elantra is better in a "classic" sense than the Spectra. I parked next to a Saab 5-door hatch yesterday, and except for the grill they two cars compare very favorably, style-wise.
I am so glad to read that - THAT is the very same thing that struck me about the Elantra GT fastback.
I really like the classic looks of both the outside *AND* the dash-interior layout. Classic is classy - ever notice how one can see the parallels between, say, the interior of a 1974 Mercedes-Benz and a 2006 Mercedes-Benz?
All this off-the-wall digital crap and weird "center pod" layouts irks me. Especially given this is nothing new, in reality: the year I graduated high school (1986), my Mom bought a Lincoln Continental which had a digital dashboard (yes, you teenyboppers among us: digital is NOT new!).
At first, the entire family wanted to drive her car because it was "Star Trek" and "Cool."
Soon, as the shortcomings of techno-gizmos-as-entertainment grew rather obvious, she was more than willing to let everyone else drive her car.
Perhaps my 30-something age is showing, but I frankly like "classic." It's clean, simple, easy-to-read, easy-to-use, and is often intuitive.
I hope those traits about Hyundais do not change anytime soon.
BTW, I parked next to a co-worker yesterday with my Rally Red '04 GT 5-door (he has a Mercedes SUV). I just had all the dings removed and had just washed it so it was looking good. He remarked how "fast" the car looked (I told him it wasn't that fast) and was floored when I told him I paid $13k for it, fully loaded, plus T&L. But he has the big bucks (owns a multi-million dollar house for example) so he won't be buying an Elantra anytime soon.
But he has the big bucks (owns a multi-million dollar house for example) so he won't be buying an Elantra anytime soon.
Backy,
Don't be so sure in today's economic climate. I'm currently still in the training phase of a medical career . . . but more than one post-residency, post-internship Doc I know is practicing the "two car" phenomenon.
Namely, (1) he daily driver (say, a Civic or Corolla or, in the case of one faculty member, a well-schemed Camry Hybrid) given what it costs today to buy, insure, run, fuel, and maintain a car . . . add in wear-and-tear, damage, and depreciation and the picture looks even worse, and then (2)the "fun car" for the weekend/pleasure/social events (like an MB Convertible or some such indulgence).
I've actually been going 'round and 'round and 'round with this kid over in the "Future Corolla" section who essentially thinks Toyota owes him a Corolla-baged Lesux IS-250.
Given (1) the kid likely can't even pay his own cellphone bill and (2) his folks will likely be buying him his car, I've been gently (of late, NOT so gently) suggesting he spend some time in a place called "reality."
While I am a Hyundai owner and am seriously on the prowl for the Elantra, I have also been considering other options such as the Corolla.
If the Corolla weirds out on design to appeal to penniless teeny-boppers, though, Elantra will be it for me.
I'm in debt and I still have a ways to go: for me, cheap wheels RULE!!!
I could spend a lot more for cars than I do. If someone looked at my W2 they might ask, "Why do you drive an Elantra??" But I am a practical kind of guy, and I don't like throwing money into a depreciating asset like a car when I could put it to use in so many other ways, like retirement money, college funds, charities etc. I like the Elantra 5-door because it is just the right size of car for my needs, is comfortable and even fun to drive, is versatile, it has all the creature comforts I need (actually the GT has more than I need), is economical with gas, has the long warranty, and it didn't cost much up front. And, as my friend said, it "looks fast".
I wouldn't mind driving a Mercedes. I would mind paying for it, and for its gas (this was the V8 SUV).
Yeah - me too.
ESPECIALLY a V8 SUV.
That is just like putting money on a grill, soaking it with lighter fluid, and setting it ablaze.
The straight-six S-class sedan would do me very nicely, tho!
Unless, of course, he's going with Premium, in which case all bets are off.
Meanwhile, back at the forum topic, I still love my car.
The funny part is, per his complaints, this is the most pain-in-the-butt, unreliable, temperamental car he has ever owned.
Secondly, I don't think that the electronics that reports mileage works well. When the tank is full, I am told that I get 33 mph. As it gets past the half way mark, it is down to 22 mph, and if I drive further before filling, it goes down even more.
Have called the dealer twice. Am always told that it is still in the break in period and I should drive a few thousand miles more. It makes me unhappy with the car in general. Any suggestions?
However, have you tried the old-fashioned method of estimating milage by filling the tank, setting the trip odometer, using about half a tank (or more) of gas, re-filling the tank, and then dividing miles driven by gallons filled? In other words, not trusting the computer?
It could be that there's a bad sensor or something that's causing the problem.
Here is something to try. Find a stretch of level highway, 55-60 mph speed limit, light traffic (so you can cruise without hitting the brake). Reset the computer and drive for several miles at the limit, using as light a touch on the pedal as you can to maintain speed--keep the revs as low as possible. If you do not get at least low-30s on that run, something is wrong with the car.
BTW, 26 mpg seems low for a Corolla, even for a 12 year old one. You might look at your driving habits and see what you might do to squeeze out better fuel economy--e.g. do you stick to speed limits, accelerate gently, use a light foot on the gas, anticipate stops and keep your foot off the gas as much as possible, keep the tires inflated to at least the recommended pressure, etc.
Just have a question. I phoned my local Hyundai dealer's service dept. and inquired about how much the 15,000 mile service and inspection would cost providing there were no other problems. The service manager said about $200. Does this sound about right?????? It seems high to me but then I haven't had a new car nor had one serviced at a dealer in a long time.
Question: does your plan satisfy service requirements of the warranty?
Another thing to consider eventually is the timing belt replacement. How are you going to handle that one? It is expensive to replace, but if it breaks the engine is trashed.
I thought that was good info for anyone considering a used car. (A used car with 65K could, provided all service was performed, be worth a little more than the same make/model/year with only 55K).
Got home and read the owners manual: "For the first 1200 miles, don't drive faster than 55 mph."
Any comments how this may have hurt my new car. Anything I can do about it?
great car, btw. If it would have been a rental I would have been very happy with it.
Anyway, you can't turn the clock back now so don't worry about it.
I did my best to keep it at 55 for the first 100 miles (and even then didn't always succeed), but after that, I just gave up. But I did work on varying the speeds for the first 1200.
55 mph? I'd be roadkill on some of the freeways around here at that speed.