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2007 Hyundai Elantra

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Comments

  • priv8warriorpriv8warrior Member Posts: 13
    750 lbs without trailer brakes
    1500 lbs with trailer brakes
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    Thanks priv8warrior.

    Niels
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    It may do it - it may even do it safely. But it's not good for a car that light to take on the task of towing anything other than itself on a routine basis, and if you want it to last, I'd avoid it. Just M.O..... :shades:
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    We do not tow very often, do not use 5-gear and it is only small trips (the trailer has brakes). On longer trips it is not worth it. But if you look at the tow ratings for similar cars in Europe, it is about 2 to 2 1/2 times as much. I think the lawyers over here have something to do with it also.

    Niels
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Maybe so. But here's an example of what can happen when tow ratings are ignored. :)

    http://tinyurl.com/3xgfrs
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    OH, no question the lawyers are controlling your load ratings for maximum risk management (of Hyundai), but I'm just saying, your car isn't built with the overload capacities that a car with a towing package would have, like heavy duty brakes, cooling and transmission and oil cooling. If you really want to tow something, get a truck of some appropriate size to do it. That's what I do, and I recommend it. In all ways, it's safer. ;)
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    I am sure it would be much easier to tow with a truck, rear wheel drive and truck frame etc. But I read about the tow ratings on european cars compared to here. So for the last 15 years I have been trying to prove, that we do not really need all those big trucks in this country. I have towed a light colapsible camp trailer with a Saturn an Escort and now our Elantra. Since most pople only need a truck once in a great while the rest of the time you can drive a smaller car and save imported oil. I am just stubord I guess.

    Niels
  • theplain53theplain53 Member Posts: 4
    i can e mail you pic of my 2002 elantra gt with 17 in koeing absolutes, they look hot
  • g_designerg_designer Member Posts: 18
    I bought a input cable from Radio Shack to connect my iPod Nano to the car.
    It sound kind of like its in mono. I don't here much stereo separation as compared to when I play CD's. Do I need a "special" cable? Thanks for any input.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Some other owners, and reviews, noted that a cable came with the car. Did yours come with a cable?
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    mine did not come with the car, hyundai mailed it to me shortly after i bought the car.
  • butterflytiffbutterflytiff Member Posts: 26
    I am a little confused. If the car has mp3 capability and an aux spot it was supposed to come w/ a cable? What for?
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    the mp3 capability is for playing mp3s burned onto a CD. The cable is for plugging a satilite radio or mp3 player directly into the radio.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I got to drive a 2007 GLS with 17k miles on it courtesy of Hertz this week. Took it up from NYC into upstate NY and western CT. Drove it for 3 days, about 160 miles, on a little more than 1/4 of a tank. Even with 17k rental miles on it, it was tight and rattle free, and the interior had held up well--just a couple faint scratches on the inside driver's door (too much hard plastic there). I was reminded how much I like the Elantra's smooth, quiet ride. It absorbs all but the biggest bumps well, and is nearly silent cruising at the NY/CT speed limits (55-65 mph). I do wish the GLS had the telescopic wheel like the SE though--I found a nearly perfect driving position but wished I could move the wheel towards me a bit. Also FM radio reception was poor. I don't know if it was because I did most of my driving in and around the hills of the Brewster/Somers area. The heater was great, warmed up in about 1 mile on mornings of around 30 degrees. I like the intuitive, smooth, precise-feeling HVAC controls.

    Before I got to the Hertz lot, I thought, "It would be nice if they gave me an Elantra." And they did. :)
  • mariogpmariogp Member Posts: 20
    I find it hard to beleive that there is no warning light for "low winshield fluid"

    Am I missing something here.. or this the way it supposed to be.
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    Somebody help!, I am at a crossroads at what to get-Elantra vs Honda Civic, Honda Fit.., I test drove an Elantra 5M, and auto 4,07 model GLS. I like the way it rides and handles, my only concern -does the engine have an ANNOYING howl,hum buzz or whatever you call it at speeds above 65, If so is it intrusive to the point where I would not want the car? Right now I am so close to getting the Elantra but I don't want to find out about these things later on. I could test drive it once more but the highway is about 8-10 miles from the dealership! Most of the major car mags/sites mention this and some find it can be a major minus. Owner reviews hardly mention it at all--what gives?
  • cyberfybercyberfyber Member Posts: 14
    Before buying my Elantra I read up on this and had seen a number of folks complaining about this noise. To be honest.....no. I had noticed some bit of noise during the first 1000 miles but eventually that went away. Maybe these are folks complaining during the 'breaking in' phase?

    My Elantra is pretty quiet methinks....BUT, I've gotta say, it stinks going up hills....which is another complaint you might've come across.
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    Did you purchase the automatic or standard? They say the standard 5sp. tachs higher at highway speeds than the automatic. Right now I'm eyeballing a 07 Limited 5sp. manual with all the gadgets -sunroof, leather interior, 200watt stereo w/6cd changer, heated seats,etc.. for the starting negotiating price of 20K They have scotchguard for 765 dollars! and pin stiping for 75 or so!-thats coming off. I can probably negotiate down to the mid 18's and then negotiate a trade in. However all that is not going to happen until I know about the noise factor, and then my next decision maybe another post- Manual or auto which is better? Thanks a lot for replying.... macsan2701
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    If the noise concerns you that much, you really need to drive it for yourself on the highway to be sure. I haven't found a 5-speed to test drive yet, but I've driven several automatics on the highway (mostly GLS rentals) and they are very quiet even up to 80 mph. But as noted, the automatic revs lower in top gear than the 5-speed.

    Also... if you normally have the radio on when driving, be sure to turn it on during your highway test. The radio may mask any engine noise. I have a feeling the engine noise on the 5-speed stands out because otherwise the car is very quiet.
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    We rented a 2007 automatic Elantra for 10 days, and it sounded fine on the highway. Why wound you scotch guard a car with leather interior?
    Niels
  • mrcellusmrcellus Member Posts: 52
    Where are you located? I think a loaded 2007 elantra at the negotiating starting price of 20k is entirely too, too much - now a loaded 2008 elantra maybe but that is too high for the 08' also. A loaded 07' from the Texas area to the Cali area and New York area I have seen many of these cars go for 17.5 or so on the limited even lower for the se (07). I would not want you to over spend although its your currency. For that price you want to start at you might as well get the 08 sonata or the azera. Good luck.
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    I'm located in Mobile Alabama. They even admitted it was a starting negotiating price .You know how they treat you at first-as if you're clueless. Little do they know that i will be armed with more exact pricing info from sites like this one and others like KBB to get within the correct MSRP . About the leather,and scotch guard > It was on a GLS where I saw an extra sticker posted next to the MSRP sticker with items like upholstery protection and pinstripes etc.. stuff I am not going to pay for.They had a ADM sticker of some sort that bumped it up, I'll have to go back and check it out better. Thanks for the reply....
  • cyberfybercyberfyber Member Posts: 14
    Hello Macsan,

    to answer your question, my car's an automatic.
  • whatstar1117whatstar1117 Member Posts: 5
    We have not found engine noise to be an issue in our 07 Limited auto in normal driving. In a recent 2500 mi road trip we cruised at 75-85 in exceptional quiet for a subcompact. Under hard acceleration above 45-4800 rpm engine noise becomes apparent but that"s pedaling pretty hard.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    FWIW, the 2007+ Elantra isn't a subcompact, but a compact outside and mid-sized inside. :)
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    Hello again... I'm starting to think the 4at will be just fine on the hwy. I'll take both out to the highway soon. You know,I live in Mobile Al. and I have not seen many Elantra SE's on the dealer inventories within a 60 mile radius ..They were mainly GLS's with one or two Limiteds and a couple of SE's in Pensacola Fl. Here in Mobile theres a nice quicksilver Limited 07 manual with gray leather and all the extras on the showroom floor looks nice.. 1000$ rebate too.Too bad its not an auto if I go that way.

    I also test drove a 08 Honda Civic LX manual 5spd. today. My observations:

    Sits lower than the Elantra a minus for me anyway , Engine is revy and smooth throughout its rev range to redline, although I seldom need to go to redline. a plus, The emergency brake handle digs into my knee when my leg is at rest on the gas pedal. Annoying, a minus.The road noise is excessive IMO surprising and disappointing a definite minus. It handles wonderfully, steering precise to the point of being touchy if not careful still a plus I think the Elantra has less road feel but its still precise enough for me.I did not like the dash layout I like the Elantra's more...more traditional ( hey I'm 52 YO I like analog!) Back seat area with 60/40 split is better than Civic LX's one piece with no center armrest. I'm going with the Elantra.....for now anyway!
    PS . FWIW I also drove the Honda Fit Sport 5 spd man. I like it more than the Civic LX 5 spd. .
  • priv8warriorpriv8warrior Member Posts: 13
    I have a 2007 SE 5M and although at times it seems like there should be another gear, there is by no means any annoying noise. Engine revs about 3000 RPM at 70 MPH averaging 32 mpg combined city and hwy (summer).
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    Thanks for the reply, I FINALLY had the opportunity to drive an automatic GLS today on the highway. I did not see what all the fuss is about in some of these car mags. The noise level inside was very quiet. I was doing 80 and taching about 2900rpms with no noise from the engine but a mild hum, very nice. Compared to the new Civic , it blew it away in quiet and comfort. Plus..The emergency brake lever on the Civic dug into my right knee... very annoying ( a deal breaker)! I was surprised at how noisy the Civic was on the hwy. The Honda Fit which I also drove was quieter and smoother on the highway IMO.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The Fit was quieter and smoother than the Elantra, or the Civic? I've driven all 3 on the highway and to me the Elantra (AT) was far and away the quietest (and smoothest riding), with the Civic 2nd and then the Fit (the Fit was pretty noisy IMO, with engine noise (MT) and tire noise mostly.
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    Thanks for the reply. I agree, out of the three I found that the Elantra was the most quiet, it was very nice i"ll admit. I meant to say I preferred the Fit to the Civic even in the noise dept. I drove them in separate highways, one(Civic) was busy and with more traffic than the other. The Fit auto was driven on a stretch of I-10 that was relatively smooth and long...and on the same stretch as the Civic..so that probably affected it .... However I didn't like the driving ergonomics of the Civic ( weird dash to me) and the fact that the emergency brake handle dug into my right knee!
    Right now I'm deciding between a Fit Sport Auto or an Elantra SE auto and so far the Elantra is neck and neck with the Fit.
    Elantra: 1. Larger vehicle , more comfortable on long trips
    2. Better warranty
    3. More features ie armrest, dead pedal, lit mirrors etc..
    4. Reliability has gone up according to CR
    5. 14 Gal gas tank vs. 10.8 on the Fit

    Fit: 1. Great handling , more fun to drive
    2. Great cargo flexibility
    3. Smooth high revving Vtec engine
    4. I like the way it looks! ( compared to the relatively plain Corolla like look of the Elantra) I drive a PT Cruiser .. so there ya go!
    5. Slightly better gas mileage

    I've seen your name in the Honda Fit forums, do you own both? Which do you favor? My primary family car is a Chrysler T&C EX . Thanks .........Macsan
  • dovid2dovid2 Member Posts: 90
    Mac, if you can wait a while, Hyundai is coming out with a very good-looking Elantra hatch / wagon that goes by various names at this point. I think you can find pictures on this board. The cargo room should beat the Fit, and the looks also.
    By the way, I DO NOT want to restart the discussion on what a hatchback is compared to a wagon. That is just tedious!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I don't own a Fit now and would not buy the current Fit, mainly because of an uncomfortable driving position for me. But the next Fit, due here next fall, looks like a winner and I have put my name first on the wait list at my local dealer for a 2009 base Fit AT. If it turns out I don't like that car, another option is the Elantra Touring (the wagon/hatch mentioned above) or a couple of others I'm considering.
  • macsanmacsan Member Posts: 27
    Yeah , I heard about the Elantra Hatchback due out in March perhaps... I heard it keeps the same engine (beta II) as the current Elantra. Not a bad thing. I've also seen pics of the newly redesigned 09 Honda Fit Sport on Car and Driver magazine . Its supposed to have more HP. (122) and is slightly larger--not much. It retains the 1.5 but is tuned for more H.P. and Torque.
    My trade /sell will be the PTC and its an 03 with 34K on it. I can wait .. my wife however, maybe not! She'll be driving it to work. (I'm a new SAHD!)... help! I'm goin crazy!
  • whatstar1117whatstar1117 Member Posts: 5
    Quite right; a compact midsize. I know there is another dicussion of Elantra vs Civic but I gotta throw in that after our disapponting experience with our 2002 Civic ( our 6th Honda), our only decision was chosing between the Sonota and Elantra. Both are great cars and huge values.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    I'm looking at they new 2009 Corolla XLE 1.8 vs the 2009 Elantra and Elantra Touring.
    If you drive high mileage, you want comfortable adjustable seats, comfortable armrests, nice stereo, a smooth and quiet ride, good mpg and low maintenance.

    I plan to drive about 15K a year with at least 2K of that a year coming from a few long road trips and I'd rather not have to rent a more comfortable and quieter car for trips.

    How does the new Elantra compare with a 2009 Corolla?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwXbGc-t2qg

    I'm concerned about the Elantra being a buzzbox at 75 mph on a 6 hour freeway jaunt because of the 4-speed automatic (which, unfortunately, the new 2009 Corolla XLE also has). Even if it were as quiet as the 2009 Corolla XLE, the resale of a used Hyundai will be tough.

    I'm considering the new 2009 Touring with USB, that should be released early this year. Will the 2009 sedan with USB be released early also?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Don't be concerned about whether the Elantra AT is a buzz box at 75 mph on the highway. I've had it (GLS) up as high as 80 and it was still a quiet car. The AT is geared to rev pretty low when cruising. If I recall it was only at 3000 rpm at 80 mph--pretty good for a 2.0L I4. I've seen some reviews that said the MT gets raucous above 70, but I haven't found a MT car to drive yet.

    The easy way to see how quiet the Corolla and Elantra are is, of course, to drive them, preferably on the same course, back to back. :)

    I've found the sedan to be a very pleasant travel companion, in town or on the highway. I've found it matches your description (in bold) pretty well (can't vouch for low maintenance yet, but the maintenance costs on the two prior-gen Elantras I've owned were very reasonable).

    I've rented several of the new Elantra sedans since the fall of 2006. The only thing I really wish it had is the driver's seat from the 2001-6 Elantra. That seat had dual height adjusters and adjustable lumbar support. The Touring is supposed to have a lumbar adjuster, but I'll bet it will retain the single height adjuster ala the sedan. The lumbar adjuster will be a nice add. I wonder if the sedan will get it for 2009?

    One thing to keep in mind about the Elantra sedan is that, at least for 2008, only the SE has a telescopic wheel, and also ESC. The telescopic wheel might be important to help find a comfortable seating position. The Touring is supposed to get both features.

    I doubt that the 2009 Elantra sedan will be released early, since the design originally debuted in the fall of 2006. Recall that Hyundai released the prior Elantra hatch after the sedan also, then the they sync'd up in future model years. The Elantra Touring is due out later this month according to Hyundai's announcements at the Chicago Auto Show. Also, I haven't heard any official word that the 2009 sedan will get the USB port, although I'd be surprised if it doesn't, at least the SE trim. It's possible that Hyundai would add the USB port to the sedan as a running change for 2008 MY--they did some tweaks to the audio controls and sound system on the 2007 Sonata during the model year, so it's possible.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,590
    (can't vouch for low maintenance yet, but the maintenance costs on the two prior-gen Elantras I've owned were very reasonable)

    I'll back you on that one, my 2000 wagon is pushing 150K and so far I have paid just for routine maintence. The only other issue was a cracked exhaust manifold at 120k+ that Hyundai replaced free.

    I will also state that I have taken the wagon on a few 1000+ miles in one day trips and found it more than comfortable enough. I would suspect that the newer ones would be at least as good if not better.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • cyberfybercyberfyber Member Posts: 14
    Hi, I've misplaced my maintenance schedule for my Hyundai 2007 Elantra.

    But I know there should be something for 7500 miles. Might someone be able to tell me what's supposed to be done at that point?
    'and if it's all even necessary?

    I vaguely recall there be a suggested oil change for 7500 as well. If I'm correct then why would I do that if I'd already done it at 6,000 miles?

    Thanks in advance.
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    I read someplace that the Elantra Touring will have 8-way adj. driver seat. I wonder if they call the lumbar adj. 2 of those. Backy you stated that you were told at the Chicago auto show that the Touring should be out later this month? I can't get a straight answer anyplace. Hope you are right.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    No, I read a report from the Chicago Auto Show which stated the 2009 Elantra Touring would be out later this month. But that could mean it will start being available, and maybe not in all areas.

    I really don't know how marketeers figure the "ways" on the driver's seat adjustments. My 2001 and 2004 Elantras were said to have "8-way" adjustable seats. The adjustments were:

    1. Fore/aft
    2. Seatback recline
    3. Forward cushion height
    4. Rear cushion height
    5. Lumbar support
    6. Headrest up/down

    So where does "8-way" come from? Now in the marketing blurbs for the Elantra Touring, they are talking again about "8-way" seats. But from what I can tell, they will have fewer adjustments than the old Elantras:

    1. Fore/aft
    2. Seatback recline
    3. Cushion height
    4. Lumbar support
    5. Headrest up/down

    Unless maybe they are counting the headrest fore/aft (?), which would make 6 total adjustments. But 8?? :confuse:
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    You can look it up here: Maintenance Schedules, Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins. :)
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    Each "way" counts separately.
    Not fore/aft as one way; it is 2 ways.
    1. Fore
    2. Aft
    3. Recline back
    4. Unrecline etc. and so on.
  • cyberfybercyberfyber Member Posts: 14
    Thank you pat for that link. But I'd finally found at least the main manual for my 2007 Elantra and it mentions a bit more than what's mentioned there. Soooo, I called two different dealership's service dept's and they said it would be totally fine to hold off until 9,000 miles to do all those other things considering how my last oil change was done at 6,000.

    I mention this all just for anyone else who might curious.

    Forgive me for my own lack of knowledge since it's my first time ever owning a brand new car. :blush::D
  • tenpin288tenpin288 Member Posts: 804
    Here's another site to check out:

    Hyundai USA Owners Personal Website

    If you register there, you can have access to all pertinent info on your Elantra. You can view maintenance schedules, record service work done yourself or other shops, and even download the owner's manual in electronic form. It's a nice feature available to Hyundai owners. ;)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Then I guess I drive a car with a 12-way driver's seat:

    1. Fore
    2. Aft
    3. Forward seat cushion up
    4. Forward seat cushion down
    5. Rear seat cushion up
    6. Rear seat cushion down
    7. Seatback back
    8. Seatback forward
    9. Lumbar in
    10. Lumbar out
    11. Headrest up
    12. Headrest down

    We'd best not pass this along to the Hyundai marketeers, though, or else they'll be talking about the 10-way seats in the Elantra Touring. ;)
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    I don't think that the lumbar and headrest adjustment are counted in the total number. My 2004 GT has 8 adjustment but also lumbar and of course headrest adjustment. I also read that the touring will have shiftronic. Great.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    They generally don't count headrests and lumbar except in some cars that have power headrests.

    Power 6-way power seat is forward, back, tilt up, tilt down, straight up, straight down.
    8 way power is the previous six ways plus the backrest recline and unrecline (a 6-way power seat has manual adjustment for the recline and 8-way has power recline).
    Each way you can move the seat is a "way."
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    "Way" too confusing.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    I have a correction for the first 6 ways of a power seat.

    1. Full seat forward along track
    2. Full seat back along track
    3. Front of seat bottom up
    4. Front of seat bottom down.
    5. Rear of seat bottom up.
    6. Rear of seat bottom down.

    8-way power seats add:

    7. Backrest recline back.
    8. Backrest return towards upright position.

    10-way power seats add headrest up and headrest down control.

    It is basically the amount of directions you can push the power adjust buttons.

    Count the waysimage
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    I am sure glad we got that straighten out. (Ha,Ha)
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