2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4-Door

Cons

Brakes clank all the time.

I don't like that the seats have to be controlled manually. Also don't like that a CD player is not included. Love the warranty.

Pros

Looks, comfort

Cons

It is being recalled because of the passanger air bag

This is my first car. My husband and I travelled about 3000 (and then at least 500 miles for the time we were there) in December for about 3 weeks. When we got back we got a letter telling us about the car being recalled because of the passanger air bag. The airbag is supposed to come on when some one of 100 lbs. or plus. I am 115 lbs. and the air bag does not work with my weight half of the time. The air bag will come on with children of a larger stature. Which could also result in death rather than saving a life. I got my car in November and I really liked it (It is my first car.) But I want my car to be something that I will feel safe in and be comfortable having my kids in. These cars have had the airbag problem since 2004 and the company is only begining to take care of the problem now in 2006!
I think that this just shows the integrety of the company, but that is my personal opinion....read morehide

Pros

Lots of options...Great!

Cons

Forgot to put in a suspension!

Everything about my Elantra SE was great...except the suspension, and maybe the fuel economy a little. If you like a soft floaty ride like a trampoline with bad springs this is the car for you. Impossible to have any feedback from the driving surface because the suspenson and steering have been dampened so much. Windy day on ice and snow, you feel like you're out of control. Makes for many white knuckle drives. Everything else was very best, but I lef it parked on stormy days. Made everything else seem meaningless because it just made you mad. Took a bath when I traded it, don't ever want an experience like that gain. Ever....read morehide

Pros

Best value on the market. Well built. Best warranty. More features for the money than anything.

Cons

slightly less gas mileage than some competition, but still very good.

Best car on the market for the money. I used to be dedicated to Honda. Toyota and Honda can't touch this for the $, and the warranty is outstanding. This is my second Elantra, (I had a 2001), and I never did anything but change the oil. I bought my new one without even considering other cars....read morehide

Pros

Good handling and fuel economy

Cons

Engine does not react properly

The defect is that the car will not immediately decelerate after I let up on the accelerator. The engine stays at the higher RPM and will not decelerate for a time ranging from perhaps two seconds to five seconds. That makes shifting a chore. It takes away from the fun of having a five speed. Also, when just slowing down, the engine will not decelerate along with the accelerator peddle. Then in a few seconds, it will drop and you can feel a jerk. For anyone who enjoys driving, this design “flaw” is most upsetting. The dealer installed an after market cruise control and due to the engine not responding to the accelerator, it seeks. Once you push on the cruise, it then tries to find the RPM but since the engine does not respond immediately, it then goes up and down seeking the right RPM.

The dealer has bent over backwards but is convinced this is a pollution control feature. The dealer mechanic drove other new five speeds Elecrias and said they all had similar characteristics. I just wonder if any Hyundai engineer has driven this car and understands that driving a five speed should be fun and not a chore.

The shifting is not as smooth as some but not as rough as a Subaru. The resale is hindered as the 100,000 mile warranty covers only the initial owner.

Otherwise the car is great. The ride is great up 80mph and I could travel in it all day on the freeway. I have driven it over 1,000 miles and am averaging over 34 mpg. If the shifting could be smother and the engine able to react to the driver, it has the potential of being a great handling car.

There are many good small cars so skip over this choice.

Genoman45@yahoo.com...read morehide

Pros

compared to skoda it comes cheap

Cons

i am not happy with the performance of the car

after buying elantra i drove my friends skoda there is so much of difference in engine performance that today i think i have made a mistake buying this car

Pros

Starting price, smooth ride, more power than you'd expect, standard power package

Cons

Cornering, CD player costs extra, unfriendly speed bump manners, boring interior

For $13-14K, it's not easy to find a better deal out there on the road. Corolla has better gas mileage but a higher sticker price. Neon has better options but a rotten warranty. Spectra looks dumb and has a weaker engine, but starts just a hair cheaper. So which do you go with?

Elantra is the answer for a lot of people. Gas mileage is pretty good (with 100 highway miles possible on a quarter tank - I've done it), there's just enough room for taller drivers (except maybe those over 6'6" - you're gonna have problems), interior and cargo space works, and the engine actually has a bit of pop to it. You won't win any drag races or anything, but getting up to speed is easy. It's not at all a bad-looking little car. And you have to love the standard PW/PDL.

Where's the downside, you may ask? Well, for starters, this car is not for those who like to drive aggressively. While the ride itself is smooth, the car manages such by sacrificing low-speed maneuverability and cornering. You'll also have to pony up extra cash to have a CD player (unless you feel like blasting Johnny Cash tapes at red lights), and it's not at all a good choice if you live anywhere near tall speed bumps you plan on going over. The interior is bland and featureless, and you may indeed catch yourself wondering if what you have really is a new car.

Seriously, though, if the car was meant to be viciously sporty or loaded and luxurious, the sticker price would be a pretty penny higher, and those willing to sacrifice just a LITTLE bit of luxury and performance will find that overall, the Elantra is actually a rather solid buy....read morehide

Pros

good fuel economy, comfortable, automatic windows and locks

Cons

clutch went out at 30,000 miles, Warranty is very selective

At first I loved this car. It has power locks, windows, and is roomy. However at 15000 miles I had problems with the ignition. After quite abit of talking to the service department , they decided that it was under my warranty. Well now its at 32,000 miles, my clutch has burned out (supposedly), my car grinds during turns, my steering wheel is falling apart, and my vanity mirror's cover fell off. I took it to the dealership and they have told me none of this is covered by the 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. I will have to pay $800 for the clutch repair or at least $300 to see if the part is covered by the warranty. I was also told by the service department that they can't figure out what makes the grinding since my car has been in a front end collision (which it hasn't) and that it is now not under warranty for that either. I still owe $11,000 and it isn't even eighteen months old!!!
I bought this car for it's impressive features and warranty; unfortunately the warranty doesn't actually cover anything. So buyer beware!!!!...read morehide

Pros

See my other review

Cons

Writing this to correct others' false claims

I already put a review on here but wante dto counter some things others have said. As far as gas mileage I am getting exactly what the company advertises, not less like some have claimed. I would imagine the differance is what you are using the car for. Remember gas estimates are based on a single driver in average conditions and not fully lopaded going uphill against the wind. Despite living in a hot climate (half the year) and then cold climate (for the other half of teh year) and including trips to the mountains with steep passes, my Elantra has brought exactly (or better) than advertised mileage. ALso someone stated you can not go to your local 10-minute oil and lube shop to get the oil changed, that too is false as I have done it many times. Grease Monkey and Jiffy Lube have had no problems with the car and there has been no extra charge. I suspect someone was told wring by a service manager at their dealer. Also, someone stated their car has a horrible new car smell. Mine was the normal new car smell we all love and crave.To date, there has been no problems with my Elantra or anything unexpected. (knock on wood now) I spent four months comparing,testing and researching all the models it its class and the Elantra won out easily....read morehide

Pros

Decent gas mileage, comfortable, excellent features for the money

Cons

mileage on city driving

I recently purchased a 2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS to replace my still functioning 1991 Toyota Camry. I did a lot of research on what car to buy, before settling on the Elantra. Initially, I have to admit that I was negatively influenced by Hyundai's early history in the US; they were known to be unreliable, cheap cars. I had seen one at the Auto show in March '05 and was, surpisingly, very impressed with it. I compared it with a number of other vehicles of the same size and price. No matter what I looked at, I kept on coming back to the Elantra. It's a smart looking car, amazingly roomy. Standard radio is AM/FM/Cassette, which I plan on replacing. Do not pay the dealer for the CD package; you can do much better on your own. Mine has cruise, which I find to be a bit quirky. It works great, but the car always feel like it is struggling slightly...like it wants to go faster. I'm used to the cruise in a Chrysler, I guess. Mileage is good, except a bit of a hog in city type driving. The clincher on this car is the warranty. I've got 1700 miles on it now and I am loving it....read morehide