Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

chart123 · December 2003

Can anybody advise me what I should be paying
for a 2004 Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A) with 5/AE options package, no trade in and a cash transaction - Seattle area. Thanks

backy · December 2003

Before you do the lease deal with the Hyundai dealer, be sure to call Chase and see what kind of buyout deal they will give you. When the lease was up on my '97 Sentra three years ago, I called Chase and negotiated a lower buyout because the actual market value was less than the residual value in the lease. I bought it a couple of months before lease-end and turned around and sold it myself and made about $200 profit overall. Like your Sentra, mine was in excellent condition so I knew I could sell it pretty easily. You might also ask the Hyundai dealer what they would give you towards an outright trade-in on the Sentra. Don't know about your state, but in MN we pay sales tax on the difference between the new car price and the trade-in, so trading it in can save a few hundred bucks. Anyway, with a couple of phone calls you could determine if just turning the car over to the Hyundai dealer and letting them make the last three payments is the best deal for you.

Re leasing the Elantra, I'd go that way ONLY if the money factor on the lease was good, there was a low/no downpayment, and you were absolutely sure you'll buy it at lease-end (because of relatively high depreciation). Just curious, what kind of lease terms is your dealer offering?

alpha01 · December 2003

backy- For frontal tests, the NHTSA scores driver and passenger side frontal, meaning both front seats. For side crashes, NHTSA scores driver and driver's side rear passenger. Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but I'm not seeing any frontal crash data on NHTSA website for passengers other than the two front occupants.

obsidianblack- between an Elantra GLS with ABS and a Camry similarly equipped, the difference is about 6K MSRP. Even so, they are both 4 door sedans, designed for everyday use, in mass production. I dont really see how the class difference, size, or price matters, since its not like I'm comparing interior room or trunk space. Indeed, Consumer Reports and Car and Driver, et al. do NOT have different criteria for evaluating the handling of differently priced sedans. If you read my posts, you'd see that I have a great deal of respect for the Elantra, and it was at the top of my list when I was shopping. I made the comment I did in comparison to the Camry, because I have experience with it, and it is generally regarded as "softly-sprung" in LE and XLE trim, and it felt to me that the Elantra had less roll control than that vehicle. If you'd like a comparison to the Civic, I can do that as well, as I've driven several of the current generation (I also owned a 94 coupe and my roommate has a 97 coupe). The Civic wins hands down.

Like you said, different strokes for different folks. The Elantra is a great car, and certainly enhanced even further this year with VVT.

~alpha

backy · December 2003

You were misunderstanding me. I was talking about crash test results in general, not specifically frontal crashes.

obsidianblack · December 2003

I'll only agree with you on the $, size, and price class issue vs ride and handling to a certain extent. So how would the Elantra or the "beloved" Sentra stack up against an Acura, Lexus, or Infiniti??
  My point is this and this alone: I think you're being WAY overly critical about this test, that test, and every other test. Bottom line, and I think many other Owners's Club members will agree, the Elantra's a hell of lot of car for the money.
  No hard feelings, tho. You purchased a Sentra and like it and I guess that's all the really matters, right?
  The Civic was just getting broken in when you got rid of it! Money was tight, I know, but had you got it fixed, that car woulda gone another 100K, at least! The old '88 Accord I had a few years back was on it's "last legs' at 189K when I bought it!I got another 30K out of it when I more or less gave it to my son's girlfriend. She drove it another 8 months before it finally went kaput.

alpha01 · December 2003

You need to relax. What is your issue? Ask anyone on this thread and I know they will tell you I have praised the Elantra consistently, as I think its an excellent compact car. I don't know why you need to go and be sarcastic, calling my Sentra "beloved", meanwhile, I have NEVER claimed that is a better overall vehicle than the Elantra, nor have I forced my purchase decision down anyones throat.

My Sentra does not handle as well as any Acura Ive driven, but I could probably outhandle an ES330, Inifiti G20, I35, etc. I did have my Civic fixed. TWICE, for the same thing. The first time, at the dealership, second time, I couldnt afford it, did it at an ind. shop. Never ran the way I purchased it, so I dumped it. Just because your Accord lasted nearly 200K doesnt mean my Civic could. Certainly, that poor experience does not mean I will not consider Honda's exc. vehicles in the future.

I'm done dealing with you. When you have something constructive or fact based to say, I'll be back.

~alpha

lmp180psu · December 2003

If you think alpha01 is being combatative/argumentative here, then you should see what some people on the Mazda/Honda boards get into when trying to defend their choice of cars

He has been very fair in his assessment of the Elantra and others cars on this forum. Despite his choice of a Sentra, he doesn't try to say that Nissans/Sentras are the best car for all people. But with current $2500 rebate on the Sentra, it represents a very good value especially in 2.5S trim.

pat · December 2003

Folks, we are here to talk about the cars not each other. Let's not make this personal.

Thanks.

obsidianblack · December 2003

My apologies to all, especially to alpha01. Happy Holidays to all!!

obsidianblack · December 2003

Hate like heck to drive our new car in these "wonderful" northeast Ohio winters! Whenever we can, we take the old Volvo out onto the snowy, salty highways. Wish we could afford to just leave it in the garage and either find an old car to drive for the winter, or get by on one car. But we both work, in fact I've got two jobs, so one car is out. The only other thing we can do is head for the car wash as much as possible and wash it off, paying particular attention to the underside.
Such is life in snowy climates with a new car!!

wyoelantra · December 2003

I have 5300 miles on my 03 Elantra. So far has been a great car. Best mileage 38 worst 25. Have driven it in wind rain and snow, we have all in Wyoming. I have anti-locks and traction control. Have driven in a foot of snow for miles and it goes great.

backy · December 2003

My '01 GLS, purchased in October 2000, has 25k miles and is in excellent condition (well, it will be once I replace the front windshield). I plan to drive it for 3 more years and then give it to my oldest son for college. However, I saw in today's ads that I can get a $2000 loyalty rebate on a new '03 or '04 Elantra, plus the $1500 factory rebate, plus I have a coupon good for $350 off my best deal at a particular dealership. With all the discounts plus the usual year-end deals, I figure I can get a '03 GLS with package 2 for around $9000, less if I can find one from before the price increase (and I've seen some of those on lots recently). Edmunds.com says the private-party value of my car is about $7100.

So my dilemma is, should I hang onto my current car or get a new one? Some reasons to get the new one are that within a year I'll need to pay at least $700 in maintenance, including new tires; I'll gain three years of depreciation; and the '03s have some things my car doesn't (nicer tan interior cloth and rear-seat cupholders). But it's $2000. What would YOU do?

747pilot · December 2003

WOW...

I just checked the Hyundaiusa web site and they did indeed raise the Loyalty rebate to $2,000.

I currently own a 2004 Sonata but I have been thinking about buying an Elantra GLS for work and other stuff. Between the regular rebates and the $2,000 loyalty rebate one can buy one of these cars for cheap now.

For me I still need to think about it and pay on my Sonata a little more. Hopefully Hyundai has the same offers in a few months time.

For you if you can afford to do it I say go for it. You have owned your 01 Elantra for 3 years now. Nothing like getting a new car. The deals sound so sweet right now it would not cost you that much.

I Figure you lost about $7,000 on your 01 Elantra. Sounds kind of steep but you also have owned it for 3 years. With a yearly cost of $2,333 is really pretty reasonable.

I would say go for it if you can get the new one for the price you want.

I hope this helps!!

backy · December 2003

Actually I got a pretty decent discount on my '01 GLS, considering there was only a $500 rebate on it at the time, so I've lost about $4500 on it in a little over 3 years, if Edmunds.com's TMV estimate is accurate. I suspect I would not be able to sell it for $7100, but would need to go a few hundred under that.

I'll probably take a run up to the dealer this week and see what kind of deal they can do. If they can get close to $9000, especially a pewter car with a package 10 (CD/MP3 audio), I'll probably do the deed. I don't know how long these incentives will last. If there is an upturn in the economy next year, who knows what will happen to the auto market? Then again, after a few months maybe Hyundai will up the rebate on the '04s. Decisions, decisions!

firstcivic1 · December 2003

elantra gls 03/04 vs civic lx 04 there is so much more on the elantra and the price in less. the civic seems a good price in chicago. is the reliability getting better (i got stuck with a early 90's sonata from my parents that fell apart with low mileage) but i can give a second chance. i already own a kia sedona minivan and it is 18 months old with 9k and it sems good. the warranty is so much better than the honda but the civic is this work horse i think.(or have led to believe) i do have some financial issues but could streach to the civic. i need to buy this week or maybe next at the longest and am looking for advice. i will drive car atleast 7-10 years i hope.
thanks in advance for your input

backy · December 2003

Given you are going to drive the car 7-10 years, resale value isn't much of a factor--and that is the Civic's biggest advantage over the Elantra. As for reliability, Hyundais are much improved since that first-generation Sonata. Go out and get the latest Consumer Reports Car Buying Guide (or their Annual Buyer's Guide) and you'll see that they rate the Elantra "Above Average" in predicted reliability--the same rating as the Civic. When Car and Driver compared compact cars in November last year, they rated the Elantra GLS second, just one point behind the Protege (they love sharp handling more than anything) and the Civic LX was fifth, in fact they were quite harsh, calling it "a loser". Earlier this year, Edmunds.com tested compacts and ranked the GLS one point behind the Civic EX, a much more expensive car. The Elantra GLS was Edmund's Most Wanted in its class for two years running before this year, when the Mazda3 came out (a fine car, but much pricier than the Civic or Elantra when comparably equipped).

So if you prefer the Elantra over the Civic, in particular like the way the Elantra drives, then you should not have any qualms about buying it. There are no perfect cars, and neither the Civic nor the Elantra is perfect.

nodule · December 2003

Due to a shortage of cash that I can applied
towards a new car, I think I can only do a
6 year loan on a 2004 Elantra at 165.00/mo.

How many people are doing 6 year loans? Im not
really sure about extending it out that long.
Seems like by the time its paid off in six years.
you're a year or 2 away from a new car anyway, and
the process starts all over again. It seems like
a lease since you will almost always have monthly
payments! Decisions......

alpha01 · December 2003

Perhaps you should instead consider a low mileage, certified preowned used car at a lower price? I think a 6 year loan is a relatively risky undertaking. There will be a long duration where you are likely to be "upside down" on the loan, meaning you owe more than the car is worth. Some people dont mind this, but I personally would prefer to avoid such situations. You need to do what is right for you though. Best of luck!

~alpha

intrepidspirit · December 2003

With the $2,000 loyalty rebate, the 2003's were offered this past weekend @ $6,000 off MSRP by a dealer (all in stock - L.A. Times).

That would bring a Base Elantra GLS with auto transmission to about $8,500...

lngtonge18 · December 2003

If it takes a 6 year loan to get the nicer car you want to own without stressing your budget, I say go for it. The 6 year loan helps free up money for other bills and still have a nice reliable new car. Sure, you will be upside down for probably 4 years of the loan, but if you don't plan on getting a new car within 4 years, you don't need to worry about it. The only time it becomes a problem is when you just can't stand the car you bought and want out of it early on. Then you pay big time. I would also highly suggest getting gap insurance in the event the car is totalled within the first 4 years.

6 year loans worked in my case. I'm only 24 and have both an 03 Tiburon GT V6 and an 03 Mitsubishi Diamante LS in my name (mine and the other half's car). I don't make a lot of money but I can afford to drive some nice cars without stressing my budget on other bills such as student loans and credit cards. Some say 6 year loans mean you are trying to buy something you can't afford. I look at it this way: how many times do you buy a new car and how many lives do you have to live? Enjoy yourself and buy something you think you will love driving for 5 years or more, but make sure you aren't stretching the budget too thin.

backy · December 2003

$6000 off MSRP on a '03 GLS! Wow, I almost wished I lived in L.A. ;-) I talked with my nearest dealer today and he wouldn't even do $4900 under MSRP plus T&L on a 5-speed package 2 (all rebates included), and he had lots of them. In fact, that's about all they had in a '03 Elantra. Tomorrow I'm trying the dealer who sold my '01 GLS to me to see if they'll cut a deal I can't refuse.

BTW, I also drove a '04 5-speed to see if it was worth at least $1000 more than the '03. IMO it isn't, at least not to me. The exterior styling and interior are nicer, but the '04 doesn't drive significantly different than the '03.

nodule · December 2003

Well, I probably will be going back to the dealer
and buy the 2004 Elantra GLS. However, they do not
have the silver with Pkg #2 in stock. They said
they can take one with the cassette player and
replace it with a Sony CD at the same price. She
tells me this radio would actually be an upgrade over the factory
CD player for the same price!
What do you think...should I go for this?

The other option is for them to "locate" a silver
with Pkg 3 and drive it back to dealer, which im
not crazy about. You never know, they could send
some 17 y/o kid who will beat the heck out of it
by the time I see it!

By the way, they are selling me this car for $13752.18..out the
door price, this included taxes, fees....total final price.
Good deal??

backy · December 2003

I don't understand your last post. Package #2 doesn't come with a CD player. Also it is unclear what package you would actually be getting. It's hard for anyone else to give an opinion on whether your out-the-door price is a good deal since we don't know how much of it is taxes, license etc. If you tell us what the price is before any of those add-ons we could give you a better idea.

I just had a depressing experience. I went to the dealer where I bought my Elantra over 3 years ago, to see what kind of a deal they would give me on a '03, applying the $2000 loyalty rebate. First, their best price on this almost-one-year-old GLS 5-speed with package 2, and not in the color I really wanted, was nearly $600 more than what I paid at the same dealership for my '01 GLS with exactly the same equipment, taking into consideration all price increases and rebates. I thought they would be a little more incented to deal than that, given that this is year-end and it was a leftover '03. Second, they lowballed me on the trade-in, a '01 GLS in excellent condition and only 25k miles. Their trade-in offer was $2000 below both Edmunds.com's and Kelly Blue Book's trade-in value. I got out of there pretty fast. Ah, to live in L.A. ...

nodule · December 2003

Sorry Backy, I meant to type Pkg 3-cd player and
cruise control. The price they will sell me the car before taxes, fees, etc is $12807.17.
This is for the 2004 Elantra GLS, Pkg 3.

backy · December 2003

$12,807 is almost exactly Edmunds.com's TMV price for the '04 GLS 5-speed with Package 3 in my area. You might want to run the TMV calculator for your zip code as there are regional differences (e.g CA seems to have lower Elantra prices than some other areas). So if you are getting a 5-speed, that looks like a decent deal. If you are getting an automatic, it's a really good deal.

coambs · December 2003

I am going to be purchasing a 2003 Hyundai Elantra GLS and was wondering how important antilock breaks are? I am going to be moving to Colorado for a few months and didn't know if having these would be an advantage, or if it wasn't a big deal and something that I could save money on? Also, what are mud gaurds? And what kind of other things can I reasonably negotiate on with my dealer for a 2003 model? Floor mats? Trunk cargo net? Thank you very much for your help! It will definitley be appreciated!

backy · December 2003

If you already know how to drive a car in slippery conditions (i.e. brake pumping) then IMO you don't need ABS on the Elantra. I live in Minnesota and do without ABS on my Elantra just fine. It has a smooth, easily-modulated braking action. But if you've never driven in snow/ice and would like the added insurance that ABS with traction control would provide, go for it.

The mud guards for the Elantra are black plastic shields that attach to the back of the front wheel wells and the rear bumper (behind the rear wheels) and help prevent slop from being thrown onto the car. They can help keep those areas of the car a little cleaner, but also in my experience they are a great place for snow and ice to build up. It's a personal style thing. I have body-color front mudguards on my minivan, but I don't like the black ones for the Elantra (for a champagne car) so I didn't get them.

For a 2003 model you should be able to negotiate a lot. I find most Elantras already have floor mats and even mudguards on the sticker, and you'll definitely want floor mats, but if you don't want mudguards just tell them and they may just toss them in free. On a '03 you should be able to get very close to invoice price, before the $1500 rebate. Use Edmunds.com's TMV calculator in the New Cars section to see what a good price would be for your zip code. Good luck!

southpawboston · December 2003

ABS/traction control: i agree with backy. if you're comfortable driving in snowy/icy conditions, and you've been doing it for awhile, you don't need ABS. it's nice, but you don't need it.

mud guards: some people like them, some dislike them. i personally would not live without them, if only because they help (somewhat, not completely) keep dirt and grit from getting plastered on the bodywork behind the wheels. i live where there is a lot of red clay dirt, and without mud guards, the area around the door thresholds (the part of the car you have to lift your leg over to get in) always gets much dirtier, and it can get your clothing dirty when entering/exiting the car.

floor mats: definitely get them. they will collect 99% of the dirt you carry into the car from your shoes, and will go a long way in protecting the carpet from getting wet and dirty. the elantra's mats are particularly nice because they latch into place, which prevents them from slipping forward like so many car's mats do.

cqs · December 2003

I'm looking for a Elantra GT Hatchback in Twin City area, one dealer told me they can sell a Silver GT Hatchback at a price of $100 over invoice plus the rebate, is it a good deal? Hyundai raised the Loyalty rebate from $1000 to $2,000, I just wondering, will they going to increase the current rebate soon, should I wait for a while?
Appreciate any input!

backy · December 2003

Also be sure to find out what the dealer considers "invoice" and compare it to published invoice prices such as on Edmunds.com. I ran into a dealer the other day that considered their "invoice" price to be several hundred dollars above the published invoice price.

As for rebates going up, if this is a '04 GT it's possible the current $750 rebate will go up over the course of next year, as it has done in prior years. But there's no guarantee--it would just be a guessing game on your part.

cqs · December 2003

It's a 04 GT hatchback, I like the outlook of the Elantra Hatchback. I just want the ABS option because of the Minneasota winter. But it has to come with the most options in a package, got no choice. After test drive, I didn't check with their 'invoice' price in detail because I haven't make up my mind yet.
Appreciate your input!
Happy holiday!

backy · December 2003

$100 over invoice (actual invoice) before rebates on a '04 GT is a pretty good deal. Early next week will be a great time to get a good deal--dealers want cars off the lot before Jan. 1. Since it's a '04 it may still have some holdback left, and there are often factory-to-dealer incentives for making certain sales targets, so the dealer could actually make a profit at invoice or a little under. You could always make a lower offer (less than their $100 over invoice) and see what they say. Happy holidays to you too!

747pilot · December 2003

I got a nice Christmas bonus this year so I might be in a position to buy an Elantra sooner then first thought.

I am thinking about getting an Elantra GT Sedan with a 5-Speed with the package 8/AH.

MSRP = $16,614
Invoice = $15,296
TMV = $15,813
Rebate = -$750
Loyalty = -$2,000

I believe the TMV to be pretty fair so I will offer $13,063 after all rebates but before taxes. I believe this might be pretty easy to pull off because my dealer is high volume and they don't second sticker. I got my 04 Sonata LX for a very good price without much hagling.

Only thing that bothers me is some of the dealers are using the factory rebates as a way to boost profits. Most will downright refuse to sell you a car below MSRP if you are getting a good rebate. Since the rebates are factory sponsored it should not make any difference but the dealers would like you to think so. Many people fall for this trick so the dealer will just wait for the next person to come along.

Hopefully I will have time over the next week to go and talk about it. If not I don't see the deals changing radically over the next 30 days.

backy · December 2003

I agree with you on the dealers taking advantage of the rebates to jack up profits. I went to two dealers this week to see what kind of deal I could get on a '03 GLS. The first dealer gave me a price that was MSRP less the $3500 in rebates. I politely explained that I expected more of a discount given that the car I was interested in was a '03 and this was the end of the year. The sales rep brought in the sales manager, and he came down about $800 but not quite enough to get me to pull the trigger. The second dealer said he'd sell the car "for invoice" less rebates, but his invoice price was about $500 more than the invoice figure published at Edmunds.com et. al. This was not nearly as good a deal as the same dealer gave me on my '01 GLS in October 2000, when it was a brand-new model. Now I am wondering whether the dealers have to contribute towards the $2000 customer loyalty rebate. It just seems odd to me that dealers would not be more willing to negotiate on '03 models that they have in good supply, here in the waning days of 2003.

dairyshick · December 2003

I was recently at Motor World in Wilkes Barre, PA, looking for a 2004 Elantra GT hatchback 5-speed w/sunroof. They didn't have that particular package there, but found a black one at another dealer they could trade for. The out-the-door total I would finance after tax,tags, title would be $15,200. That included the 750 rebate, 2000 loyalty rebate, plus the balance of my 2000 elantra AT with no extra options and 44500 miles, which they gave me $4000 for ( I would lose 900). I would also qualify for the $400 college graduate rebate, but I didn't mention that to them yet.
I mentioned the Edmunds TMV of this car, and the salesman blew it off as being just a website that doesn't have credibility. However, I'm not sure if I should expect a price break from the MSRP because it's such a new car and a tough package to get in my area right now. If I should be getting some sort of price break from the MSRP, though, how should I go about getting them to budge on it?????.....The salesman simply just said no when I said I'd like to see it alittle lower on the MSRP.
Please let me know if this is a worthwhile deal.....it seems too good to pass up with the 2000 loyalty rebate despite no break on the MSRP. Also, have many others had the problems with the black paint on their Elantras peeling which some people mentioned in previous posts??

747pilot · December 2003

It would be interesting to see if dealers have to eat part of the loyalty rebate. I really doubt they do though. I don't think many dealers would want to eat any rebate. I believe it is just the dealers using the rebates to boost profits instead of getting the customer a very good deal as intended.

I really don't think I can get a GT Sedan for $13,063 after rebates. I will try but the GT package is rare and more popular. By the time they find the color I want with the options I want they are not going to deal easily. My dealer never has more then 1 or 2 GT's on the lot. However they have several dozen of the GLS's available. It should be much easier to deal on one of these.

2004 Hyundai Elantra GLS 5-Speed Option pkg 6/AF

MSRP = $15,614
Invoice = $14,325
TMV = $14,823
Rebate = -$750
Loyalty = -$2000

I would consider $12,073 before taxes a pretty good offer for this package. I think I will start my offer at invoice minus rebates of $11,575. Dealers always want to charge you more then what you have worked out. So I will start rock bottom. I don't need this car that bad so I will walk if they want more then TMV.

A quick question. I have this thing for rear disc brakes. If I get an Elantra GLS with ABS does it come with rear disc like the GT?

backy · December 2003

Yes, I am pretty sure the ABS option includes rear disc brakes, but to be sure you could ask your dealer or just look at the window sticker of the GLS with package 6--I'm sure it will mention the disc brakes if it has them.

ems1 · December 2003

I have a '02 GLS with the ABS option and it has rear disk brakes. I doubt the '04 would be different. It is basically the same setup as the GT but with a bit softer suspension. It wasn't easy to find but was worth the extra money. I wouldn't buy a car without ABS. Too much ice, rain, snow, wet leaves, etc. in this part of the country.

obsidianblack · December 2003

Nothing looks worse than seeing our new black Elantra covered from one end to the other with road salt! Gotta get to the car wash today and wash it down all over, including inderneath!
Right rear brake started making the "clunking" sound again. Gotta get it back to the dealer and expalin what someone metioned on the forum as to what's happening. Something about brake dust glogging up the adjusters. Hope it's not an ongoing problem!
Those looking for '04's. Curious, do they resemble the '03's at all? Also, couldn't those interested in a new car: I'm sure there's still a few '03's left that you could really get a good buy on. You'd think the dealers would really want to get rid of them now and negotiate a good deal.

backy · December 2003

From the side, the '04s are almost indistinguishable from the '03s. The GLSes have a chrome accent strip in the side trim, and different wheel covers, that's about it. The front and back have been redone, with the front being the most obvious change--it lessens or even eliminates the "frown" look. And there are some interior tweaks that IMO make the interior a little more upscale. But I've driven a '04 GLS and I couldn't tell a difference with my '01. There should be some great deals out there on '03s, but I've found my local dealers to not be quite as interested in a year-end deal as I expected/hoped. Maybe other dealers are more in the mood to deal--like those in L.A. offering $6000 off.

intrepidspirit · December 2003

is still offering a total of $6,000 of MSRP for all 2003 Elantras in stock this weekend. The $6,000 includes all rebates (incl. $2k loyalty).

I believe the dealer is in Riverside...

backy · December 2003

That is $7800 for a GLS with Package 2--incredible! If I didn't live so far from L.A. I'd be tempted to fly there and pick up a new car.

obsidianblack · December 2003

Dang, sure does almost wanna make you go out and buy one is right! $7800!!
  I agree with backy and southpawboston with regards to ABS, mud flaps and floor mats. While I wish it did have ABS, I can certainly live without it. Mud flaps and floor mats are a must, tho!
  Gotta get a bottle of touch up paint thanks to the weather this past week. Was out on the highway and passed two salt trucks just a-flinging out that salt. It splattered the car just as if it was flinging gravel. It left a very tiny chip on the hood! So I'll get the touchup paint and nip it in the bud. Then I'll do as I saw one of the guys at the dealer do, I'll touchup the touchup with a dab of clear nail polish. So he sasy it acts the same as clearcoat.
  Glad to have been able to wash the car today. was in the 50's here.
    Thanks for the info, backy.

hjr2 · December 2003

I looked on the net for a GLS, 04, with automatic,
and (forgot package, #4?... moonroof,cruiser, cd upgrade).

It was nearly 17K. Now, we have Scion vying for Hyundai customers, and Cobalt, and of course, Verona/Aveo's/etc..

Hyundai's are still somewhat less expensive than other cars, but nothing liek thye were when we first got our 99 Sonata.
we saved avg of 6,500 versus the camry or accord of the time(V6) and at least $4,000 over maxima of the time(try getting a 21,599 maxima now).
Tibby's(what I considered the nearest competitor,)comepetitor, the Celica, was 21K msrp. We saved about 5K, before taxes, financing.

Nowadays, MSRP, Tibby;s are still cheaper, but not by 5-6K.

Also, elantra's are only avg on maintainenece, total ownership over 5 year span. Niss,Toyota,Honda did better, and Big 2.5 did worse.
I believe that the timing Belt does NOT help Hyundai with the total ownership costs.

backy · December 2003

Look past the MSRP to real-world prices. The TMV for a '04 Elantra GT is only $14,500, and watch for the $750 rebate to go up when the '03s are gone. Current Hyundai owners can take $2000 off that--an incredible car for $12,500. That car has equipment the Scions of the world can't match, and it is competitively priced to the Forenza EX but has a far superior powertrain. The Cobalt will be a premium-priced compact car according to GM; they will let the Aveo and Daewookis (Suzukoos?) battle it out at the low end.

BTW, the GLS with automatic and moonroof (package 5) has a TMV of about $14k ($12k after the loyalty rebate).

alpha01 · December 2003

Hyundai will want to pay attention to the upcoming Scion tC, which is, to date.. the only Scion that interests me...

~alpha

backy · December 2003

Someday Scions will interest me... when Toyota sees fit to sell them in my area. I think Hyundai has to pay attention to Scion, given their pricing and quality image (rub-off from Toyota). A lot will depend on what Hyundai comes up with for the next-gen Accent and Elantra, which are due out within the next two years.

backy · December 2003

A couple of interesting tidbits about the "greeness" of the Elantra:
1) It is rated by the EPA as the third "greenest" vehicle available for sale in all 50 states, behind the Civic and the Prius. For details see:
http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/all-rank-04.htm
2) Hyundai developed an Avante (Elantra) based gas/electric hybrid, way back in 1999. See the third picture at:
http://worldwide.hyundai-motor.com/innovation/environment/hevmain- .html

iusecad · December 2003

are you sure it isn't eigth? (which is still quite good)

1) Insight
2) Prius
3) Civic Hybrid
4) Civic CNG
5) Sentra
6) Mazda 3 w/2.0
7) Focus w/2.3
8) Elantra

backy · December 2003

Re-read my post, then look at the maps on the EPA page. Note which cars are sold in all 50 states. The ones at the very top of the list are sold in only a few states, like CA--except the Civic. It's not until you work down the list a bit that you start getting to the cars sold across the U.S.; the Prius is the 2nd (after the Civic), followed by the Elantra.

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

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