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That's got to be expensive as all get out. Power windows aren't even an option on the Echo either, so the aftermarket version is probably going to look aftermarket and operate with the same precision.
I had a car once with the roll-down type windows and I didn't think it was all that bad. Actually, if power windows had been an option on my Elantra, I probably wouldn't have sprung for them.
And power windows and locks, and keyless entry are all options on the Echo. But that started in the 2001 model year. His doesn't even have a clock though, let alone power windows...
I never said I personally didn't trust Hyundais. I said they haven't caught on in the US as reliable cars yet. Some people say "ewww" still when you say Hyundai to them. They don't with Toyota, even though some of their cars had sludging problems with the engine.
I wouldn't trust the Hyundai as much as the Toyota, I don't think anyone would. Toyotas have a long history of good reliability, save the sludge problem. Also, CR didn't recommend the Hyundai (I thought I read that anyway) because of poor first year reliability. Any truth in that one? I originally tried to find my friend a used ECHO anyway, but the prices were too high. So this was kinda blessing in disguise.
So I never said anything personally about the Hyundai. If I didn't think the Hyundai was a good car, I would not have recommended it to my best friend, would I?
Partial truth. CR only rated the Elantra, Santa Fe, and Sonata in their latest reliability survey. As I mentioned earlier, the '00 Elantra was rated Average, and the '01 Elantra Below Average (not Poor), just a hair below the Average category if you look at the bar chart. The '01 Santa Fe was also rated Below Average (not Poor), even a thinner hair from Average. The Sonata was the only Hyundai that CR said had "poor" reliability. In order to get a "Recommended" from CR, a car has to have a decent showing in on-road tests and at least an "Average" predicted reliability and at least fair crash-test scores.
I know that people don't trust Hyundai as much as Toyota (maybe comes from Toyota selling its cars here and building up a reputation over five decades) and that some people turn up their noses at the thought of owning a Hyundai. Their loss--Hyundai makes some good cars now.
2) 2001 Tiburon... 15 months old, 42,000+ miles, Zero Problems.
Unreliable?
There you have it, Opinon vs Facts.
Opinions come from non-owners, because that is all they can give you. I could(if I had a scanner, or you were here) Show you proof...that = facts, to me anyways.
I looked at 15 Hyundai's before buying one, because I too(like you?) was leery of their reputation.
When I started to see 5 year old Accents with 75,000-113,000 miles on them , running daily w/o problems, and the 1992 Elantra (now has 223,000 on it) at college, running daily, 10 below or 110 above zero, I began to wonder if some of these horror stories were just that. Stories of
( mainly) myth.
They seem to be, judging from what I have just (honestly) told you.
Don't mean to sound gruff, just annoys me... Look at used Hyundais in parking lots or on used car dealership lots., see the mileage, check out the whole car, maybe even go drive one.
Take-Care. At least you said your piece w/o being a negative person, and I congratulate you on that.
Sorry If I came off like a grouch.
hjr2
Hubby's 98 Accent with 60K Miles under its belt - and being driven by a man who likes to drive very aggresively - has had no problems whatsoever.
Reliability? Hyundai has sold me! And this from a woman that once owned an 86 Pony that was a piece of junk. I swore never to enter a Hyundai dealer ever again, but back in the fall of 98, my hubby convinced me to give them one more chance. Am I glad I did.
I now drive an 02 Elantra GT - almost 5K in her first month, and I absolutely adore her!
And bear in mind all the weather we have to deal with up here in Montreal. Only time my Accent didn't start was the day I left the lights on in the parking lot at work.
Purchased a 2003 midnight gray Elantra GLS auto w// package #2 on Friday. A little over a hundred miles on it so far and its great. However, I'd like to upgrade the head unit (mp3 CD player by JVC or Pioneer) and stock speakers (Alpine or Polk coaxials) on it. However, I am getting conflicting info from various sources as to the size of the speakers in the front. Some say 5 1/4", some 6 3/4" and some 7"! Would anyone who has upgraded these audio parts please shed some light onto this confusion? I'd like to get speakers that drop right in without any mods to the doors (cutting, etc). Thanks in advance!
Singled out for praise was the Elantra's driver's seat with it's separate knobs for fore and aft adjustment of seat height ("Best in the business."). They also liked the car's solid structure and strong engine.
Like they said "Hyundai has finally earned a place at the head table."
Resale value or long term reliability is never a concern/factor to them.
For compact cars, they seldom want to test models with auto transmission, even though it's the choice of the vast majority consumers.
When they talk about price, it means MSRP ONLY. So, a Saturn SL1 will be cheaper than a Cavalier, even though in the real world, Cavalier is at least $3k cheaper.
Very inconsistent testing procedures. Two years ago, when Acura TL-S just came out, they drove it to a mountain and claimed it could at least match or even beat a BMW 3-series in handling. A month ago, when they test those cars again, they said TL-S was not even a sport sedan. Within those 2 years, their 0-60mph number for TL-S went from 6.6s to 7.6s, even though the car has the same engine/transmission and about the same weight.
Their conclusions contradict their own testing results. In 1994, when they did a comparison test of family sedans, Accord LX had the lowest skidpad reading (0.74g) by a clear margin. Yet they claimed Accord is the sportiest family sedan.
jjpcat, who cares if the majority drives an automatic? Some of us prefer to DRIVE our cars, not just ride in them. C/D is a magazine for enthusiasts, and to "never follow" their advice is silly. Add it to the mix of information from ALL sources when deciding on a car.
If the steering and brakes are numb though, the car will certainly not "feel" sporty.
On a different note, who would buy Car and Driver if it didn't test DRIVERS' cars? That is just silly.
If you want to know what John Q. Public thinks about the entry-level automatics and family cars that 90% of the population purchases, Consumer Reports or Consumer Digest are much better choices. Consumer Reports hasn't "tested" a stick for about twenty years.
Not true, although they test mostly automatics (which most Americans buy). When CR tests sports cars, they test sticks. I know I've seen a review with stick-shift cars in CR in the past twenty years, e.g. when they tested the Miata and similar cars.
I agree, they're pretty inconsistent.
That is kinda weird. The Protege has won 3 comparison tests in C&D (every comparo it's been in) since it was introduced in 99'.
I'm just agreeing with jjpcat regarding C&D's inconsistency.
Backy said it well. And actually, the Elantra was listed as a 10Best nominee with an asterisk* -- sample not available at press time.
Not ridiculous at all. No need to foam at the mouth and increase the heart rate.
I know there were posts before about the paint chips. I just notice they I have a chiping spot on my hood. It is probably from the bird droppings, but I wash my car at least once month if not more often, and I had never had it happen on any of my cars. The dropping are on the car never more then a week, because I try to get them off, or it rains by then and they come off themselves. I can not wash my car every week or every time I notice droppings. It is not supposed to happend that quick. There is something wrong with the paint. I did not take the car to the dealer yet because I am very busy, but I wanted to know if you guy were able to do something about the. My car is not eve a year old yet (9 mo), and it should not happen. Hyundai should fix it. Let me know. Thanks. Bart
What color is the paint? Some people have reported problems with red and black. I haven't had any trouble with my champagne Elantra in two years, but the car is garaged at night, which might make a difference.