Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

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Comments

  • pzevpzev Member Posts: 807
    Did the torque change any?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The car I saw didn't have a window sticker on it. I was at the Hyundai dealer today (22,500 mile service) and saw a few '04 GLSes. I think the window sticker said 136 for torque, but I'm not certain. I did notice however that the automatics make only 32 mpg on the highway, vs. 33 for the '03s. Also noticed a hideous (to me) new color, a gold color that looked cheap to me. I'm not fond of the new aqua color either. I hope they didn't ditch some of the best colors from previous years: pewter, champagne, ocean blue, and cobalt blue.

    FWIW, my dealer had to keep my car overnight for some warranty work (the tech had to go to a funeral) so I got a free loaner: a '01 Daewoo Nubria that makes my Elantra feel like a Mercedes in comparison. Oh well, it's free--they don't even expect me to refill the gas.
  • terryj1terryj1 Member Posts: 3
    My 13-month-old Elantra suddenly lost all lights the other night while we were driving...very scary experience. Luckily, they came back on almost immediately. Good thing we were traveling a back road and there was no traffic. Two days later the left turn signal wasn't working correctly, the wipers...I bring the Elantra to the dealer who says the computer can't find what's wrong, that I must bring the car in when the problem is happening. Okay, folks...here's a picture: I'm on an interstate; the lights black out again, and I cause a major pile up of cars. Is that when I call the dealer to run over with his computer?!?! Apparently, I am being unreasonable to expect to drive a safe car. Here's another dealer-ism: "We called a technician in New Jersey (I live in VA) and he said there is no record of any Elantras having this problem." MMMMMmmmm. Any help out there?
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    I will say that intermittent electrical problems can be a real bear to track down. I do think the dealer could check out a few things before he dumped it to the computer. This is the problem today in dealerships. Most have factory trained technicians who know only what the factory wants them to know, as opposed to a trained electronics tech who can track down things using advanced training and logic.
  • jmessjmess Member Posts: 677
    Ya, they tend to follow a trouble shooting chart and if the symptom isn't listed on the chart then it doesn't exist.

    The dealer tech should have checked all the connections to the lights and the light switch along with all the applicable grounds and the fuse box wiring for the lights.

    You also have to wonder if the on board computer even keeps track of what is going on with the lights? Or may be you were refering to an external diagnostic's machine?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    There's a problem in the vehicle's electrical system, so the tech is depending on a computer (which runs on, let's see... electricity!) to give him/her the answer. Hmmmmm...

    I'd say it's time to take this "up the chain", starting with the dealer's service manager. You might also try a different dealer, if that's an option for you.
  • terryj1terryj1 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the replies...my car is at the dealership now. I did move up the food chain to the service manager. His attitude was no better than the service adviser's, but he did talk to another tech in New Jersey and says he will run a couple of other tests today. My bet is that no tests, other than the dealer computer's, were run yesterday. Today they might actually have to use human brain power, and some time, to find the problem. I guess what floored me was the nonchalance; it didn't seem to bother them that safety was being compromised here. Not the inconvenience of say, a radio that wasn't working, or a glove compartment latch.... I'm talking driving down the road at night and suddenly having no lights anywhere in the car!! I also was told that Hyundai prohibited loaner cars; I copied your message, backy, where you talked about getting a loaner car!
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    Today I went to order a set of Dunlops for my GLS, as my wear bars are already beginning to show on the Michelins (34K miles!). Belle Tire mailed me a good offer of six months same (almost) as cash, so I thought I'd take advantage since I don't have a spare few hundred laying around. They ordered the tires, baked in the shipping costs since it isn't a brand they normally carry, and I went home.

    Hmmmm ... seems to me the tire should be available at a much lower price. I looked it up on the Sam's Club website and can save myself more than $100. Needless to say I cancelled the order and will locate them at Sam's. Hopefully the Dunlops will last a little longer than the Michelins, which I have used for years. They aren't troublesome ever, but they don't last long enough either.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    from Wal-Mart. Think they cost me $230 with lifetime rotation and balance. That's less than half what the Michelins would have cost me. The Tiger Paws are far superior. Quieter, better on dry, and much better on wet surfaces. Should wear more as well. Michelin Energys are just over priced junk. They put them on because Michelin sells them for a very low price on the chance that you'll rip one up and pay $150 per tire for a replacement, or layout $600 for a replacement set. Suckerrr....
  • browneybrowney Member Posts: 104
    Just a heads up to those of you out there approaching the 3yr mark for your Hyundai.
    The batteries in these vehicles are notorious for dying in the 3rd year. My 01 elantras died today after 28 months. Hyundai will cover the install and 25% of the cost of the battery. ( a severly marked up battery)
    After almost 3 hours in the service dept, I was charged $63 for a Hyundai branded battery.
    It is a 500 CCA rated battery that Hyundai will replace free for 12 whole months. (gee, wow, should I be impressed? NOT!!)
    I could have gone to Autozone and had them install a 590 CCA, 2 year free replacement, 7 year pro rated battery for the same exact price.

    I did ask for the battery warranty info before they installed the battery. They told me they would get it for me. They did. After they installed the new battery. I told them if I had know I was going to be ripped off I wouldn't have let them put the battery in the car. I was tempted to tell them to put the bad battery back in the car and I would go somewhere else for a good battery and not their junk. But after almost 3 hours and a screaming headache I said to heck with it. I told them they would never get another dime out of me for repairs for that car. They would only do fully covered warranty work.

    Sorry for venting. Overall the car has been worth buying.
  • wesley7wesley7 Member Posts: 1
    Yesterday my dad and I inspected the timing belt on my 1997 Elantra. I removed the top cover and turned the cam drive pulley clock wise to inspect the belt. The car runs fine, but in hind sight I think we probably should have turned the belt down at the crank shaft pulley. Can turning the belt from the cam pulley damage the belt or make it skip a tooth? It looks like turning the belt at the cam pulley would put undue strain on it, from have to turn the motor over. Is there a way to check the timing to make sure the belt has not jumped a tooth? Thank you for your help.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    I stopped at the dealer this afternoon, also their surplus lot. They have plenty of '04 Elantras, all GLS so far. My favorite change is the new textured seat fabric, which looks much better than the current offering. And the grey is a very pleasant lighter shade.

    I also noticed that the black on the inside door handle no longer extends back the full length of the armrest. And the dashboard and console in both interior colors is darker than the door panels (dark grey for the grey interior, sort of an olive brown in the beige interior). I could get used to it, but since the edge of the dash sort of flows into the doors, the color should as well.

    The subtle changes to the gauge cluster are quite nice, as are the vertical vents (not in chrome, thank goodness). I am very glad Hyundai resisted the trend towards satin nickel finishes on everything, which we all know will wear away within a year. All in all, this is a nice freshening. :)

    New Crimson Red is a nice shade (has grey interior), and there's also Hazelnut, which is that sort of gold color from the Accent.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I can sympathize, I learned this lesson with my '99 Grand Caravan, on which the battery died abruptly at about 37 months (3/36 b-to-b warranty on the van). I didn't know it was the battery at the time and the van has an extended warranty, so I took it to my dealer. Of course, the battery was not covered by the extended warranty and after I paid for diagnostic fees and a mew Mopar battery, it was well over $100. If I had known better I could have taken it to someplace like Sears or the Batteries Plus store around the corner and gotten a better battery for far less money. So it's not just a Hyundai thing. BTW, my Elantra is 35 months old and the battery still seems strong (knock on wood).

    Re the '04s, have you noticed Hyundai has added remote locking as a standard feature on the '04 GLS? Cruise is still an option, however, as is a CD--two big omissions IMO for a car that is otherwise well equipped. (The other big omission is ABS as a separate option at a reasonable price, ala the Corolla.) C'mon Hyundai, CD players don't cost that much more compared to cassettes these days. Another option I'd like to see (at a reasonable price) is the CD/cassette unit such as in the Sonata. I still have some oldy-but-moldy cassettes I like to play. I think it would fit the double DIN slot in the Elantra. Last time I checked the dealer price on the CD/cassette combo unit it was $700. I could get a state-of-the-art audio system with a CD changer for less than that.
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    Hi guys. I went to the local dealer the other day and saw a 2003 Elantra sedan with ABS and no sunroof. I wrote the vin # down, to have proof later on, if I want to order a 2004 so equipped. Some of the sedans have GLS emblem and others do not. Anybody knows why?

    Niels
  • jmessjmess Member Posts: 677
    You don't want to do it with the camshaft. Turning the crank is much better.

    As far as an easier way, put the car in gear and roll it forward/or backward. Of course make sure you don't roll the car down you driveway :-) I think this still works with and automatic.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Are you sure ABS was a stand-alone option? The only way to get ABS on a '03 Elantra (or '04 for that matter) is in a package that also includes other options. For example, for '03 there is no way to get ABS and the CD stereo upgrade without getting a moonroof too. You could get ABS plus remote keyless entry/alarm and cruise control for $925. For '04 the packages have been tweaked a bit, and you can get ABS plus CD without getting a moonroof, but the cheapest way to get ABS is to order package 4, which has cruise control and the stereo upgrade--$1075 list price. Other automakers offer ABS as a stand-alone option for much less (and make CD players standard on top of it). But then again, some automakers like Honda make you get a particular (high priced) trim line to get ABS.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Went looking for the elusive '04 GT again today w/o success, but I did notice one other little upscale touch on the GLS: covered child seat anchors on the rear shelf, ala Sonata and XG350.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    On 'newer' 03 models, I have seen ABS/TRAC as a stand-alone option. This was recently though, like back in July when I was car shopping. Also, there is a 'Convenience Package' which includes the remote alarm system and CD player as well. I think there was a revision sometime in the 03 model year. Don't know if Hyundai's website shows this or not, I haven't checked. I know the 'new' way doesn't show up like that on CarsDirect. I have seen 03 GLS sedans with this type of window sticker though.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    And Edmunds.com doesn't know about the standalone ABS/TRAC option on '03 Elantras either.
  • johhujohhu Member Posts: 17
    30K service is due for my 2000 Elantra after 37 months of dependable service. Just made a call to a local Hyundai dealer service department for an appointment and the price seems shocking: $425!
    These are the things they will change or perform for the service:
    Air filter ,Automatic transmission filter(s) ,Automatic transmission fluid,Coolant,Engine oil ,Fuel filter ,Oil filter,Spark plugs change and Tune up.
    The price from the Edmunds maintenance guide is $331.14 ($116.76 parts and $214.38 labor),which is $100 lower than the dealer quote for this area. What do you think? Thanks for your input.
  • pulgopulgo Member Posts: 400
    Air filter, oil filter and oil change, spark plugs: do it yourself if you know how to do it and have a garage or yard.
    ATF, transmission filter and engine coolant: I would go to MIDAS or a similar place but obtain a firm quote first. Make sure they have your transmission filter in stock, otherwise buy it from the dealer and provide it to the shop doing the work.
    As to the "tune up", there isn't anything to tune.
    Make sure all the belts and hoses are in good shape, check the power steering fluid level -ask the MIDAS or similar shop to do a complete visual check of all the fluids and belts.
    Ask for a free brake check. Many shops do this for free if they are doing a tire rotation at the same time.
    By the way, WALMART or COSTCO are inexpensive places do to a tire rotation.
    Look in your manual for things that should be serviced at 30K but I think you pretty much mentioned everything that has to be done.

    I wouldn't spend more than half the amount quoted to you.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    Those spark plugs are platinum-tipped and do not need to be changed until 60K miles. I imagine this is a large chunk of the bill (time consuming work).
  • johhujohhu Member Posts: 17
    Thank you for the wonderful ideas. I will have the 30k service done in multiple 'steps'. Going to Boston this weekend,guess i need to have the oil changed these two days to avoid adding 800 more miles on top of the nearly 4000 miles from the last change. The rest on the list,I will have them done next week.The car still sparks like new after each wash. Now I only parallel park when possible to avoid getting more dings: imagine living on campus with crowded parking lot.One day I will get the dings fixed.
    Good luck motoring!
  • browneybrowney Member Posts: 104
    My 01 elantra has just over 29kmi on it. About 3 weeks ago it started getting 22-23mpg. It has been getting 26-27mpg since new.
    My driving conditions have not changed.
    Tires are kept at 33-35psi and checked weekly.
    I have replaced the oil and filter every 3kmi.
    Transmission was flushed and filled at about 20kmi.
    1 week after I noticed this I replaced the air filter since it was the original and slightly dirty. No change, still about 23mpg.
    Another week after that I replace the NGK platinum plugs with Bosch Platinum. (NGKs=$11ea;Bosh=$2.25ea)
    First tank delivered 27.5mpg. 2nd tank back to 23mpg.
    This make sense to anyone?
  • nickib1nickib1 Member Posts: 1
    hi i have a 2001 elantra with almost 50k on it and with no warning at all the transmission went i like a dummy didn't remember to have the tranny flushed at 30k although the car was in for oil change at 37k and i just assumed if anything needed done the dealer would have told me well they didn't so now they don't want to cover it under warranty saying the reason the tranny went is because i didnt have the flush at 30k i bought the extended warrenty on the car but am not sure what exactly that covers so if anybody could explain that to me i would really appreciate it! i have also had to have the wiring harness replaced due to corrosion at 32k that was luckily covered under warrenty my real question is the dealer told me that because i didnt have the tranny flushed i voided my warrenty but as a courtesy to me they will cover the cost of the parts and i will only have to pay the labor 400+ does this sound like a good deal or should i try to fight for everything to be covered? thanks in advance for any info
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    If you took your car into Hyundai dealers for prior scheduled maintenance and they didn't tell you the tranny needed flushing at 30k, then I think you have a real strong case, since they keep records of maintenance and should have recommended the tranny flush at 30k. What about the servicing right before 37k? You probably had an oil change somewhere around 30k, since the max oil change interval on the Elantra is 7500 miles. If that one was done by a Hyundai dealer (hopefully the same one you went to for the transmission trouble), that would really help. This is a great cautionary tale for people like you and me with cars covered by warranties--they depend on having scheduled maintenance done. I think that's one of the main reasons Hyundai created their long warranty--to encourage buyers to have scheduled maintenance done.
  • terryj1terryj1 Member Posts: 3
    Watch out, folks. If you have a problem with your Elantra and its electrical system, you better make sure whatever is wrong is something that can be detected by Hyundai's diagnostic computer. Otherwise, you get to play Russian Roulette sponsored by Hyundai. My thirteen-month old Elantra's interior and exterior lights will simply die at any given moment. There must be a loose connection somewhere because the lights will come back on, sometimes in a matter of seconds...sometimes minutes. But I haven't been driving by the dealership as this has happened...
    SO..too bad, so sad. What great advertising this makes for the reliability of Hyundai's technicians!
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    Some miles ago, my little GLS rolled 35K, still with no problems. I went ahead and ordered a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2s from Sam's Club for a very good price; they should be on the car by the end of the week.

    After today's car wash, I went to the dealer lot and looked again at the black '04 GLS they had in the main lot (the remaining many '04s are on a supplemental lot). Someone else has probably mentioned this, but the keyless remote entry is now standard, and I noticed that the 5-speed EPA estimates are now 34/26. Also, the new lighter gray fabric is sooooooo much more attractive (I think I've mentioned this before). Maybe the next car will bring me back to black after all.

    Still no local '04 GTs to look over.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Saw a Hyundai (not dealer) ad last night noting $2000 rebates on '03 GLSes. However, today's newspaper ads still talked about $1500 rebates plus $500 loyalty incentives.
  • themanxthemanx Member Posts: 110
    I think they mean you can get the $1500 rebate combined with the $500 loyalty rebate to get to the $2000.

    I just bought an 03 GLS and got the $1500 rebate.

    After rebate, $12150 and had a cd player added!

    ElantraStan
  • johhujohhu Member Posts: 17
    Came back last night from the trip to Boston. Total miles traveled 560 with 90% highway ,and 70-75mph large proportion of the time. Average 31.5 MPG.
    Road surface quality of I-95 is distinguishably different from Boston to NY city,in term of smoothness and quietness. Conneticut is the best, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are similar, NY is the worst. NY has the best road signs, large and also easily readable at night.

    *2000 Elantra, 29100 miles in 38 months.
  • newhartfordnewhartford Member Posts: 49
    '03 Elantra 5M with 4K miles on it. Took a trip this summer - 276 miles nearly all 65+ mph on cruise control. Got 35MPG on the trip. I get 27-30 MPG around town.

    Hope I don't see the drop in mileage after 30K miles as post # 3740 did.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Edmunds.com confirms there is now a $2000 rebate on the '03 GLSes, or 0% financing for 60 months, which is what the ad I saw said. This is a flat $2000, not $1500 plus a loyalty rebate. I don't know if the loyalty rebate is still in effect, but that would be pretty sweet for Hyundai owners. This just started on 10/1.
  • themanxthemanx Member Posts: 110
    Backy, I just checked here at Edmunds and it does say $2000 rebate, but if you read further it does combine the loyalty rebate... I quote this from Edmunds:
    $2000 Cash to Customer start: 10/01/2003 end: 10/31/2003 Get Dealer Pricing
    Restrictions Customer Cash cannot be combined with Special APR. Special APR or customer cash is only available to current Hyundai owners puchasing a new Elantra. Customer cash includes $500 owner loyalty.
    Comments Incentives may vary and are subject to change at any time by the manufacturer; contact your local dealer for details.
    :)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    When I checked Edmunds.com's incentives for the '03 GLS last night, it noted only a $2000 rebate. Now, today, it notes two different rebates: one for $1500, another for $2000 that includes the loyalty rebate. I'm glad they decided to break it out like that because before it looked like there was a $2000 flat rebate. It confused me anyway!
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    Just picked up my car with a new set of Dunlop SP Sport A2s. Dark out, so tomorrow I will double check the inflation. Interesting tread pattern on them. Too bad the Michelins didn't last longer, although they are usually trouble-free.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I know a couple people who have had early wear issues with the A2s. They are good tires, but they only seemed to last 25K miles or so.
  • pzevpzev Member Posts: 807
    I just posted some teaser pictures and info on the Spectra in the 2005 Spectra thread.

    Will this car be using the same platform as the Elantra? Judging from the info I posted it'll use the same VVT engine that's now in the Elantra, so if it uses the same platform doesn't it come down to personal preference on exterior and interior styling? Won't these two cars be essentially the same car or very similar?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Well if the two cars are sharing the same engine and platform, then personal preference and/or interior decor would have to play the part.

    But also, the Kia Rio and Accent use a similar engine, if you look at the specs. In reality, they are different designs. May be the same type of thing here.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Are they going to be built in the same plant? Hyundai built a new factory for the current-gen Elantras, using (of course) Hyundai robots--like the ones uses by MB. If Spectras will be built in a different plant, there could be quality differences.
  • pzevpzev Member Posts: 807
    Good points.

    Not sure if the 2.0 engine with VVT will be the same as the Elantra's. Does the current Spectra use a different engine from the Elantra? They would be better off using the same engines for all their cars, like Nissan is doing with their cars. Might be able to cut costs by sharing engines.

    And from everything I've heard, the Elantra platform is a lot better than the current Spectra's. They would be stupid not to use the Elantra platform.

    And I'm not sure if they are being built in the same factory or not. That's true, there could be some quality differences if they are built in different factories.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The Elantra is due for redesign for the '06 model year. So if Kia uses the current Elantra platform for a redesign of the '05 Spectra, wouldn't that continue to leave the Spectra at a disadvantage to the Elantra (assuming Hyundai makes significant changes for '06)?
  • lngtonge18lngtonge18 Member Posts: 2,228
    Pure speculation on my part, but Kia's new Spectra may be built on the new Elantra platform and be released first. It would make sense since the current Spectra is way behind in terms of chassis refinement and is in the most dire need of a total redesign. I'm sure Hyundai can have it ready for 05 for Kia but there is no need to redo the Elantra early since it is still competitive.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    The Rio has a different engine because it predates the merger. The Optima got the mid-platform updates one year before the Sonata and I would think that the same thing might apply here as well given the Spectra's ancient platform.
  • rbeaudinrbeaudin Member Posts: 14
    Local dealer has agreed to 11,800 for a manual 03 GLS with package 3, and 6,000 in trade for my 01 GLS with 25,000 miles....opinions appreciated!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    It's a decent deal as long as you're not going negative and not paying more in payments for the new car. Whether you want to extend payments out another 5 years for a new car is up to you. I would do it, but only because I like to change cars pretty often.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    According to Edmunds.com, $11,800 for the new GLS and $6000 for the used one are good deals for my area--I don't know about NY. I assumed the old GLS is equipped the same as the one you're looking at buying, and in "clean" condition. I'm not sure why you'd want to trade a '01 with such low miles, however--it's just nicely broken in now, and the '03 is almost unchanged from the '01. You might find out if the dealer can find some way to get you the $500 loyalty rebate; after all, you are a current Hyundai owner and you are buying a new one. I don't know if that will work for a trade-in, but you could ask.
  • ellandryellandry Member Posts: 66
    Im about to hit 1000 miles on it, just wondering when it is considered broken in? Thx
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Officially, 1000 miles is broken in, but you'll notice changes in performance (for the better) after 1000 miles, e.g. the tranny (if a 5-speed) will loosen up a bit, as will the engine, and both acceleration and fuel economy will improve. At least it did with mine, and others have reported that behavior too. I started out in the fall of '00 at 24-25 mpg and now I regularly get 28-30 mpg.
  • ellandryellandry Member Posts: 66
    Yeah mine is a 5 speed manual, still feels kind of sluggish especially in the acceleration department starting off. Thx
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