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Comments
Mats: My mats act exactly the opposite: the little hooks grab the mats so well, I have trouble getting them off the floor.
Paint: My '01 (champagne) paint has held up very well so far, and had been through many car washes (the brushless kind of course!) with no trace of a scratch. I did apply Meguiars Clear Coat Wax this fall before the snow fell. Some posters have reported that the darker colors, especially black, tend to scratch more easily. Don't skimp on the wax! And watch out for the killer car washes with the brushes.
Gas: Again, I seem to have a weird '01 Elantra, as my gas gauge is deadly accurate. By deadly I mean when the needle touches the "E" bar, and BEFORE the low gas light comes on, there's just a tad more than one gallon left. And as all the Civic fans will tell you, that won't get you very far in an Elantra. When I fill it, there's almost no room left after the auto-filler clicks off (I found out the hard way, tried to squeeze some more in there the first time and saw it pour out the side.)
Remotes: I got my second remote in the mail today, and scheduled the setup next Wednesday. The letter with the remote made it clear that two remotes are all that will work at one time--but a third remote can come in handy when they get lost (I know, my beautiful wife has lost both remotes for our Caravan). Once again, looks like I have a weird Elantra--another poster said his dealer took all day to set up his second remote, had to remove dash panels etc. My dealer told me it would take ten minutes. Nevertheless, I'm hiding these remotes from my wife.
I have 3000 miles on it now and am totally amazed that the oil is as clean as new, it is actually hard to see it is sooooo clean.
It starts, moves and stops. It cools and heats well also.
In my opinion, it is an excellant buy and performer for the money. Until the other folks wake up, the resale value is not the greatest, BUT then again, it is a lot less up front in price too, so it may be a wash, I hear this isnt so.
I dont live in my car and dont want to have to either. For a vehicle to sit in the parking lot while I am at the office, why buy anything else? Its only going to get dinged and rained on etc so why even consider more??
01 elantra with auto was 12,500 for me.
As for the comment the woman made, who knows what her problem REALLY is??
Good luck deciding,
Tony
Floridian
Floridian
I went to the 2001 San Diego auto show yesterday, and I saw the Hyundai Elantra, and I really liked it's look, it's price, it's roomy interior, BUT, I thought the beige cloth pattern was not too attractive. The rep at the display told me that many people have said the same thing. She said it's either that interior, or the gray, which is not as bad, but I would prefer a lighter color inside my car.
I went to the auto show thinking I would like the Mazda Protege, but that car kind of let me down with it's smaller-than-I-expected interior, and it's tinny sounding doors. The Hyundai caught my eye, but my wife and I are still hung up on that interior pattern. Anyone else notice this, or is this just something you get used to after awhile? I really with they had just a plain beige interior, without that ugly pattern.
thanks
Focus: I've driven several Focuses (Foci?) as rental cars. It was that experience that led me to cross the Focus off my list. Here's my impressions of the Focus (note that this is based on the SE, non-Zetec, and automatic):
* Uncomfortable driving position, for me. This problem has been reported in some reviews in auto mags also. May not be a problem for everyone, but take a long test drive. My Elantra is much more comfortable in comparison.
* Nice handling--I think the best feature of the car. A little crisper than the Elantra.
* Ride is not bad, but not as smooth as the Elantra. I haven't tried holdling a full cup of coffee while driving over railroad tracks, as in the commercial, but I don't think I would want to.
* Good base stereo--sounds better than the Elantra's base unit.
* Pretty roomy back seat, but I think the Elantra's is actually roomier (with front seats adjusted for 5'10" driver).
* Acceleration not that good, but not a fair comparison to the Elantra since mine is a 5spd, 140hp and I only drove the Focus with auto and base engine. Check out the ZTS 5spd.
* Poor fit and finish and overall quality. This is what turned me off most of all from the Focus. Every Focus I drove, some brand new, some with 10K miles, had rattles and/or loose trim pieces falling off the car, both interior and exterior. Doors sound tinny when you slam them. That, plus the stories I had heard about poor quality on the Focus, was the clincher. The Elantra in comparison has excellent fit and finish inside and out, and the rental Elantras ('00 models) I've driven were always tight and rattle-free. Throw in the price differential between the Focus and Elantra (would need to get a ZTS to have a comparable car), plus the Elantra's warranty, and it was no contest for me.
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/Jedlicka/Hyundai/Elantra/2001.asp
Actually, if you know anything about the car already, you probably won't learn much from this review.
It brings up two questions for me, though. First, he claims the Elantra doesn't offer traction control. I thought it was available with the package 5 (ABS brakes, etc.).
Second, he says that the 5 speed revs at 3400 RPMS at 65mph. Is that so? Sounds pretty high to me. Anyone with the 5 speed find this to be the case? Is it loud or annoying? I'm wondering because I do lots of highway driving...
JK
I have a 5 spd 2001 Elantra: 2400-2500 rpms at 100 kph (metric) or 62 mph...My Chrysler Concorde with a 2.7 V-6 at the same speed 2100 rpms.
At a little over 140 kph or 85+ mph about 3200 rpm approx. at that speed I'm busy driving and not staring at the gauges.
This (in my opinion) is one of the smoothest 4-cylinders on the market...
Makes you wonder how accurate the rest of that persons review is whether he ever drove the car or just his keyboard...I'd rate him 1 out 10 since it's this guys job to know what he is talking about maybe his hard-drive is turning over at 3400 rpm ...
I need an inexpensive car that is very reliable.
Had my last car (Mazda 323) for 11 years...not without problems these last years though. Looking for something similar, but can't afford over $15,000. thanks!
* Saturn wagon (reliable, roomy, under $15K, doesn't rust, really nice dealers--not much else to say for it)
* VW Golf 2dr (would squeeze under $15K if you watch the options)
* 2000 Civic DX Hatchback (maybe you can find a new one leftover, or one with low miles)
* 2000 Elantra wagon (not as nice as the '01 Elantra, but more room and can probably get one under $10K with low miles--you might even find a new one left over)
* 2001 Suzuki Esteem wagon (reliable, under $15K, did I say reliable?)
* 2000 Subaru Impreza wagon (you might be able to find a used one under $15K; I've seen new 2001 sedans advertised under $16K recently)
DO NOT LISTEN to anyone who tells you that Hyundai Elantra is no good. It IS a good quality car. Hyundai has been making Excellent quality cars now for the past 10 years. They have excellent warranties and service. They do not have the problems which they had with their cars in the 1980's. They have very High quality cars now and are into the Luxury car market.
You will not be making a mistake if you buy the Elantra or Elantra wagon. It is definitely a good car.
1997+ Honda CRV (own a 2000 and Love it)
2001 Jeep Cherokee 4door (over 15K but have seen extremely cheap lease)
1999+ Chevy Tracker
Sedan Wise:
98+ Honda Accord (bullet proof car)
97+ Toyota Camry
1999+ Hyundai Sonata (you can get a New 4cyl for a tad over 15K) If you are in the Ohio area I saw a 1999 Sonata with 40K GLS V6 for $11,900 and a 2000 Package 13 FULLY LOADED, Leather and roof for 15,900K. You would get more for your money with a year or 2 old sonata then a new elantra. In my opinion the sonata is the better value (especially with children and a dog)
DO NOT BUY A DAEWOO because of their uncertain future (at least in the U.S.),
Jack
JEgan98@aol.com
ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME.
Drove the 2001 home and loved it! They made a good car quieter, smoother, handle better, added armrests and interior tweaking, fixed the rather ugly tail end, and it seems to shift smoother. Out the door cost with 3% tax/title/fees for package 2 and mud guards, floor mats, and extended bumper to bumper warranty ($659 as I am repeat buyer) was $14,200. People may not realize that for $50 you can transfer that 10/100K warranty to a new owner if you decide to sell privately. The basic warranty stops at 5/60K if you sell. Also, I save about $68 a year in AAA fees for the duration. The Elantra is absolutely the best value going. If Hyundai made a pickup, I'd have bought one of those for my son, who loves his Toyota's reliability but dislikes the lousy comfort (it is killing his back) and cheap interior. My only dislike with the 2001 was the ribbed seat back. If I can talk my daughter into letting me drive it once in a while, perhaps I will get used to it.
By the way, I'm not independently wealthy. The kids are making a large chunk of the car payments, but this way they get a safe, reliable car with no unplanned upkeep costs. I had spent $2500 trying to keep Daughter #2's '95 Neon running over the past 2 years and just said the heck with it.
To the lady who hated the seat fabric pattern: spend $60 on seat covers in any color you want.
Kilometer Per Hour (Kph)
100 Kph (2500 rpm) 62 mph
110 " (2700 rpm) 68 mph
120 " (3000 rpm) 74.5 (75) mph
130 " (3200 rpm) 81 mph
140 " (3500 rpm) 87 mph
I really like the way the car rides...
The only thing I don't like are the tires...Khumo...they sound like snow tires yet they suck in the snow...I hope you have better tires as OE on your cars than we do here in Canada.
Rarely do I see a review that does not knock Hyundai in the same manner. I rarely see competing Japanese makes compared to each other in the refinement category. I'm looking at maybe getting the hatchback when it comes out. Besides the engine growl, where else does Hyundai lag in refinement?
Thanx
molly26: Being in business we buy a lot of cars for our sales force per year, both domestic and imports. ALL new cars have some sort of odor. Some nicer than others. Fear not, the smell will go away as soon as all the "new" plastic and paint settle in. My wife complained for about 6 months about the reeking leather in her Bimmer ! Go figure, some folks just love that leather smell and others can't stand it! Squirt some Lysol in there 'till it settles down it'll be fine. I doubt the smell was from the cat convt unless it smelled like sulpher (rotten egg smell) but that would not likely be noticed inside the car as a constant. Like most car salesmen, he doesn't have a clue as to what he's selling.
Floridian
They state water may have got into the wires causing the corrosion. We did have some bad snowstorms and my wife drove through some large amouts of snow/slush.
Regarding the gas gauge ours comes on with about 2 gallons to go. Will keep ya'll updated... Cant wait to get my Firebird on the road. : )
As for the funky smell some people have noted, mine doesn't have it. It smells like saddle soap--maybe they did something to it at the dealership.
Also, I was recently in Portland on business and saw Hyundais all over the place! But here in the North Country, I see Fords and GMCs and Hondas and Toyotas everywhere but narry a Hyundai...what's up with that?
Congrats to all the new Elantra owners posting recently! If this board is any indication, Hyundai should have a stellar February. I'm starting to a few '01 Elantras around town. I see lots of '99-'00 Elantras and current-generation Sonatas and Accents. Not many Santa Fe's yet, which is puzzling since they should be popular here in SUV Country.
Thanks so much!!
Bought my Elantra just last week. First new car! Also the first car I've ever driven that was from the same decade that I was living in. My dealer gave me 10 free oil changes to sweeten his deal, is this unusual or anything? Also, the car manual says to change your oil every 7500 miles if you do mostly highway driving, 90% of the miles I put on this car will be hw., should I go by what the manual says or the usual 3,000 miles per? I love my car, I only paid $6 more than TMV and it has option 4 and is a stick, I feel I made out fairly well but others here seem to have done better. I guess I will negotiate harder next time.
Re the deal you got--it's pretty good when you figure in the savings on the oil changes--about $250-300.
Should I decide to switch brands,this one is on my list and I think I will suggest it to my parents as well.
ALSO:you can get the scent out of your car by keeping an open box of baking soda in it. Not fully open, you don't want to spill it, but partially.The CD holder will do. I think I'd like to open the door and encounter that smell every a.m. tho....
A day later, I tried it again in the afternoon with temperatures between 35-40 and had to tug hard 3-4 times before it would release.
I have owned many different cars over a 30 year span. However, I have NEVER encountered this problem before and it troubles me. Anyone else experience this problem with their Elantra?
Would it help if I sprayed WD-40 on the interior latch?
Thanks!
Just one of those things about winter. Don't run your tank low!
If you have purchased one for that price please post the dealers phone number.
Thanks
This seems confirmed by a prior poster who has experienced the same problem and the dealer did not "fix" the problem.
I find the dealer's probable answer that this is a problem related to the cold and I need to adjust my schedule on when I fill my gas tank as absurd! As I stated, I have lived in NJ and owned cars for 30 years without EVER experiencing this inconvenience. If lubricating the interior latch doesn't work, I will bring it back to the dealer. I have little or no faith in the dealer's ability to: (a) recognize that this is a problem and/or (b) correct it.
I have owned Honda Accord/Civic models for the past 20 years. I did a great deal of research including test drives and thought Hyundai represented a better value and comparable quality to the Civic. However, never being quite certain if the fuel door will open or not (i.e., depending on the outside temperature), does not inspire confidence. After three weeks of ownership, I don't relish returning to the dealership with a problem that should not even exist on ANY car at ANY age or mileage. Understand, I am NOT trashing Elantra BUT this is an inconvenience that I could certainly have done without!
My Elantra 01 is 3 weeks old and here are my results:
2500 at 55 mph
2700 at 60 mph
2900 at 65 mph
I seem to be higher than the other posters. Will this change after the "breaking in" period?
Also, when first starting the car it races to about 1500 RPM, but does drop down after a few seconds. My gas mileage (1st tank) was 31 mpg with about 85% highway and 15% city driving.
Thanks in advance for any opinions on my personal RPM situation!:)
Just a side Note
Some Protege posters left us some interesting info.. apparently Pro LX and ES the have to use premium fuel...horsepower from 1.8L 122 hp up to 2.0 130hp that replaces it. But the car gains (according Car and Driver) an extra 100 pds "... so power to listed weight is all but unchanged: 20.8 pounds per horsepower for the 2000 ES and 20.3 for the 2001" Basically stays the same but the gas mileage goes down, lower than 2001 Elantra that has 140 Hp...I like the Protege I sure hope Ford doesn't mess with it too much.
This spell checker sucks...
I also tried out a Tiburon, and I thought it was a nice car, and really liked the hi-tech look of the interior. They said they could do $14,000 on a Tiburon (wasn't sure if that included the rebate, but I bet it did).
I had a couple of questions before I pull the trigger on one this weekend.
I thought that the 100K mile warranty was included with the purchase of the vehicle, but I see posters here asking what the best price of the 100K mile warranty is, is there an additional cost for this warranty?
Is $10,599 a good price for a base Elantra?
Is $14,000 a good price for a base Tiburon?
Any thoughts on buying a Tiburon over an Elantra? I read somewhere on the web that the Tiburons suspension was designed by Porche, can anyone confirm this?
Thanks,
Brian a soon to be Hyundai owner
My ONLY comment and suggestion is this....
I have a 00 Sonata and an 01 Elantra. The Sonata was soooo good I did not hesitate the Elantra purchase at all.
They seem to be great cars, I hope they continue this way for a long time.
IF you have a choice of Elantra's for that price, check out the 'build date' and get the most current one. It is locared on the drivers door edge which I thought was weird as the info tag is usually placed on a chasis stucture like a door post, not a replaceable door. This is the Sonata has it.
Good luck with it. I am under the beleif that IF you treat the car 'roght' it will be as dependable as whatever anyone claims to be the most dependable car out there.
Tony
Hope that helps.
DW