Condensed Review: 2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Condensed Review: 2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS
A condensed, mini-review of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/elantra/elantra.aspx
In a Nutshell: Not a sporting enthusiasts' small car, but attractive, solid, well-made, comfortable, and an excellent value for the price.
I was at a local Hyundai shop this morning checking out a possible purchase for a friend of mine (new-car time), so, while I was there, I thought I'd check out the new Elantra, as I had driven the last version of it but not the latest-generation (I've already reviewed most of the other new Hyundais). I spent enough time checking it over, inside and out, and on the road, for at least a condensed review.
Hyundai's latest generation Elantra, IMO, replaces a rather mediocre line of predecessors, and, with this new model, vastly improves on them....at least to my tastes. Two versions are offered in the U.S. market...the entry-level GLS 4-door sedan (which I tested) and the slightly more upscale SE 4-door sedan (the 5-door Hatchback Elantra GT has been dropped). Both trim lines share the 138 HP 2.0L Hyundai in-line 4 and a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions.
After the rather ho-hum Elantra GT I last drove a few years ago, the new Elantra is a real treat...again, at least for my tastes, and I found it to be an great alternative to the larger and more expensive Sonata (which itself is also a great deal). Hyundai sedans, though, are not what you call "sporting" or "enthusiast" cars......they are designed for relatively sedate driving, with good ride comfort (something a LOT of cars don't have today, with their performance-oriented suspension and tires), generally good refinement (wth a couple of exceptions), and superb build quality for the price. The Elantra didn't disappoint...it rode and drove much like the softly-sprung Sonata (at a lower price, of course).
Model Reviewed: 2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Base Price: $13,625
Major Options:
Automatic Transmission: $1000
Popular Equipment Package: $1750
Accessories:
Carpeted Floor Mats: $85
Destination/Freight $620
List Price as Reviewed: $17,080
Rebate: $1000 (Hyundai rebates vary by area.....in my state it is $1000)
List Price after Rebate: $16,080
Exterior Color: Captiva White
Interior: Beige Cloth
Drivetrain: FWD, Transverse-mounted 2.0L in-line 4, 138 HP @ 6000 RPM, Torque 136 ft-lbs. @ 4600 RPM, 4-speed automatic transmission.
PLUSSES:
Typically long Hyundai 10/100 drivetrain (only on Hyundai-sourced parts) and 5/60 bumper-to-bumper waranties.
Smooth-shifting automatic transmission.
Excellent ride quality for a small car.
Somewhat soft, comfortable front seat cushions add to ride comfort (but lack support).
Roomy trunk for a car this size.
Precise, solid-closing doors.
Attractive, multi-tone interior layout.
Quality materials and hardware inside for a car this price.
Nicely-done paint jobs (except for the plain white).
Excellent underhood layout/engine fit.
Nice stereo for this class.
Solid exterior mirrors, hardware, and trim.
Roomy enough inside for reasonably-sized adults.
Handy trunk-mounted release for rear-seat fold-down.
Reasonably attractive, though somewhat dull, paint colors.
Superbly done controls, *****, and dials.
Good EPA real-world mileage figures.
A good lower-cost alternative to the larger Sonata.
MINUSES:
Somewhat noisy engine...but not bad.
Insultingly thin, cheap, flimsy, plastic bolt-on wheel covers.
Blue-black Odometer and clock readouts lack contrast.
Relatively soft suspension and tires allow body roll.
Flat front seat cushions lack support.
Tire noise on bumps and coarse-surface roads.
Awkward zig-zag shifter with no automanual-shift-option complicates manual downshifting.
EXTERIOR:
No big surprises here. This is not designed to be a sports car, and, of course, doesn't look like one. It is not the kind of body or styling that is going to make heads turn on the street, but it is pleasant and reasonably attractive for a small 4-door sedan. The exterior hardware/trim is well-done, and the outside mirrors have a solid-feel to them on the swiwel and lock. The sheet metal, likewise, is well-done, and all four doors shut with a very precise, solid sound and feel. The paint colors are a little on the dull side for my tastes, but are quite well-done, with a high-quality paint job with minimal orange peel. The worst-looking paint job of the bunch, ironically, was the plain Captive White on my test car. It was about as plain a white as you could get, with none of the pearl-oyster-white effect that a lot of cars have.....it looked like something off an Amana refrigerator, with minimal gloss. But all the other Elantra paint colors, like those on other Hyundai products, were very well-done, with a lot of gloss and, as mentioned above, minimal orange peel.
Many base-level cars still give you stamped-steel wheels and snap-on plastic wheel covers, but the ones on the base Elantra GLS were about the worst I've seen right from the factory....totally out of line with the rest of the nice hardware both inside and out. They are so soft, so thin, and so flimsy, that I almost pulled them right off the wheels with one finger. The only thing that keeps them on, as far as I can tell, is that they seem to be bolted on with the wheel lug nuts...you'll have to loosen all the nuts to get them off, just for routing cleaning of the brake dirt and dust that get under all wheel covers. This alone would tempt me get the SE model, with its nice alloy wheels....but the SE model has more aggressive tires that probably couldn't match the GLS's superb ride comfort.....more on that below.
UNDERHOOD:
No problems underhood.....the relatively small, transversely-mounted four fits in nicely, with plenty of room all around for working and for do-it-yourselfers. And, unlike many cars today, there is no annoying big plastic engine cover bolted on top to hide everything. There is a plastic cover on the top of the engine, but it is realtively small and unobtrusive. Most items are easily reached, dipsticks are all right out on front, and the battery is right up front and not under a cover either.
Why can't ALL cars be like this? Some of the sardine-can stuff I've seen underhood underhood, with everything hidden under covers, in Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti, and some other vehicles, simply borders on ludicrous. And some cars don't even have oil dipsticks anymore because of computerized oil-monitors. I, for one, am quite wary of those monitors....I wouldn't want one on a car I owned.
INTERIOR:
Inside, visually, the car is a real treat....much better looks, IMO, than the average small car....and yes, better then its corporate Kia brothers. The multi-tone dash and door panels are quite attractive (the beige multi-tone, IMO, is more attractive than the gray). Quality-feeling cloth is used for the upholstery, and the seat cushions are soft enough to be comfortable, although the seatbacks are rather firm. The flat cushions don't provide much lateral support, but you're not going to be doing sharp cornering with a car like this anyway. Large, easily-reached levers control seat height and rake, and the softness of the seat cushion helps out with ride comfort...again, more on that below.
The gauges are quite attractive, with the typical Hyundai red/white/blue design and clear markings and pointers. However, also like on other Hyundais, (I've complained about this on several of their products), the bright bluish-purple odometer and clock displays, with their low-contrast black digits, are not easy to read at a glance...the numbers don't stick out at you.
All of the interior materials and hardware are solid and of high quality, and the steering wheel seemed to be leather stitched....a rarity at this price. All of the controls/buttons/levers had a slick, high-quality feel and smooth operation. Chrome rings surround several of the dials. The stereo was fine for a car of this class, and, without a combersome NAV system integrated with it, easy to use and adjust. Headroom and legroom, while not huge, was fine for most adults...I had plenty of room for my baseball cap in the front seat, without a sunroof. In the rear, of course, neither legroom or headroom was as ample as in front, but, by small-car sedan standards, once again, was not bad, and certainly tolerable for most adults for not-too-long distances.
CARGO AREA/TRUNK:
The trunk was quite roomy and well-finished by small-car standards, though the trunk opening itself was not particularly large. Still, it was roomy enough for all but the very largest pieces of luggage....and had a nice grade of carpet. A trunk-net and a cargo-floor mat is optional if desired, and a handy pull-switch on the left side of the trunk, just under the lid, drops the split-row rear seats for carrying extra-long cargo. Of course, with the 4-door sedan body style and the rear roofline, you can't carry really tall items like in a hatchback/wagon, but, by small-car sedan standards, the trunk is quite roomy.
ON THE ROAD:
By small-car standards, I found this car a real pleasure to drive....especially in its road manners. Starting it up with a conventional key and ignition switch produces a smooth but somewhat noisy idle, with a small chuffing noise. The small 138 HP 2.0L naturally-aspirated four, of course, is no powerhouse, especially with the 4-speed automatic, but it has enough power to get out of its own way for normal, sedate driving, though when you press the gas pedal, the exhaust tone lets you know the engine is working. The transmission shifts smoothly and quietly, and the shifter has an excellent feel to it and is made of quality materials....but I disliked the zig-zag shift pattern (common in many cars today) and the somewhat awkward downshifts without a manual-shift gate. The ride comfort, with the rather soft suspension and 65-series tires (few cars have tires that compliant these days) was excellent for a car this size.....perhaps the best I've seen in the small-car field since the excessively-softly sprung French-designed small cars left the American market 20 years ago. Bumps, while still felt, were absorbed quite well. Wind noise was well-damped, although some road and tire noise penetrated the cabin on coarse pavement. Body roll, as you would expect from the suspension/tire combination, was marked, and steering response rather slow.....but I don't drive with Porsche-like aggressiveness most of the time. I like a car with underpinings like this. However, I realize (and accept) that many of you on CL like sportiness and crisp handling response and don't mind a stiff ride to get it. If so, this is not the car for you. Look elsewhere.
Brakes were fine for a car in this class. There was minimal sponginess in the pedal, response was good and well-modulated, there were no problems with my big size-15 shoes catching on either the brake or gas pedals while shifting back and forth, and they generally had a smooth feel...though with relatively small wheels and non-aggressive tires like this, don't expect sports-car stopping distances.
THE VERDICT?
The best way to describe this car, overall, is a slightly smaller and less expensive Sonata. It is a car to get in and RELAX, not go corner-carving in the twisties. It comforts and pampers you in a way that most other small cars today simply don't....though its road and engine noise could be a little better. It is relatively easy on gas (an important consideration with fuel prices where they are), inexpensive, and carries a superb warranty (though the 10/100 part of it only covers Hyundai-designed drivetrain parts....the rest is 5/60). The interior is worthy of a number of cars that cost quite a bit more. The car is solidly built, inside and out, and gives no impression of cheapness other than the insultingly flimsy GLS wheel covers....and that problem, of course, can be solved with the upscale SE model with its alloy wheels. But overall, it's a great value among small cars, and, in its price range, for Front-Drive compacts, for the kind of driving I mostly do, it would easily be my first pick....yes, over even the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, although both the Corolla and Civic, of course, have excellent build quality as well. Of course, for the really performance-minded, among FWD compacts, it's hard to beat the 263 HP MazdaSpeed3 (which I have also reviewed)......but it, of course, was not designed for comfort like the Elantra.
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/elantra/elantra.aspx
In a Nutshell: Not a sporting enthusiasts' small car, but attractive, solid, well-made, comfortable, and an excellent value for the price.
I was at a local Hyundai shop this morning checking out a possible purchase for a friend of mine (new-car time), so, while I was there, I thought I'd check out the new Elantra, as I had driven the last version of it but not the latest-generation (I've already reviewed most of the other new Hyundais). I spent enough time checking it over, inside and out, and on the road, for at least a condensed review.
Hyundai's latest generation Elantra, IMO, replaces a rather mediocre line of predecessors, and, with this new model, vastly improves on them....at least to my tastes. Two versions are offered in the U.S. market...the entry-level GLS 4-door sedan (which I tested) and the slightly more upscale SE 4-door sedan (the 5-door Hatchback Elantra GT has been dropped). Both trim lines share the 138 HP 2.0L Hyundai in-line 4 and a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions.
After the rather ho-hum Elantra GT I last drove a few years ago, the new Elantra is a real treat...again, at least for my tastes, and I found it to be an great alternative to the larger and more expensive Sonata (which itself is also a great deal). Hyundai sedans, though, are not what you call "sporting" or "enthusiast" cars......they are designed for relatively sedate driving, with good ride comfort (something a LOT of cars don't have today, with their performance-oriented suspension and tires), generally good refinement (wth a couple of exceptions), and superb build quality for the price. The Elantra didn't disappoint...it rode and drove much like the softly-sprung Sonata (at a lower price, of course).
Model Reviewed: 2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Base Price: $13,625
Major Options:
Automatic Transmission: $1000
Popular Equipment Package: $1750
Accessories:
Carpeted Floor Mats: $85
Destination/Freight $620
List Price as Reviewed: $17,080
Rebate: $1000 (Hyundai rebates vary by area.....in my state it is $1000)
List Price after Rebate: $16,080
Exterior Color: Captiva White
Interior: Beige Cloth
Drivetrain: FWD, Transverse-mounted 2.0L in-line 4, 138 HP @ 6000 RPM, Torque 136 ft-lbs. @ 4600 RPM, 4-speed automatic transmission.
PLUSSES:
Typically long Hyundai 10/100 drivetrain (only on Hyundai-sourced parts) and 5/60 bumper-to-bumper waranties.
Smooth-shifting automatic transmission.
Excellent ride quality for a small car.
Somewhat soft, comfortable front seat cushions add to ride comfort (but lack support).
Roomy trunk for a car this size.
Precise, solid-closing doors.
Attractive, multi-tone interior layout.
Quality materials and hardware inside for a car this price.
Nicely-done paint jobs (except for the plain white).
Excellent underhood layout/engine fit.
Nice stereo for this class.
Solid exterior mirrors, hardware, and trim.
Roomy enough inside for reasonably-sized adults.
Handy trunk-mounted release for rear-seat fold-down.
Reasonably attractive, though somewhat dull, paint colors.
Superbly done controls, *****, and dials.
Good EPA real-world mileage figures.
A good lower-cost alternative to the larger Sonata.
MINUSES:
Somewhat noisy engine...but not bad.
Insultingly thin, cheap, flimsy, plastic bolt-on wheel covers.
Blue-black Odometer and clock readouts lack contrast.
Relatively soft suspension and tires allow body roll.
Flat front seat cushions lack support.
Tire noise on bumps and coarse-surface roads.
Awkward zig-zag shifter with no automanual-shift-option complicates manual downshifting.
EXTERIOR:
No big surprises here. This is not designed to be a sports car, and, of course, doesn't look like one. It is not the kind of body or styling that is going to make heads turn on the street, but it is pleasant and reasonably attractive for a small 4-door sedan. The exterior hardware/trim is well-done, and the outside mirrors have a solid-feel to them on the swiwel and lock. The sheet metal, likewise, is well-done, and all four doors shut with a very precise, solid sound and feel. The paint colors are a little on the dull side for my tastes, but are quite well-done, with a high-quality paint job with minimal orange peel. The worst-looking paint job of the bunch, ironically, was the plain Captive White on my test car. It was about as plain a white as you could get, with none of the pearl-oyster-white effect that a lot of cars have.....it looked like something off an Amana refrigerator, with minimal gloss. But all the other Elantra paint colors, like those on other Hyundai products, were very well-done, with a lot of gloss and, as mentioned above, minimal orange peel.
Many base-level cars still give you stamped-steel wheels and snap-on plastic wheel covers, but the ones on the base Elantra GLS were about the worst I've seen right from the factory....totally out of line with the rest of the nice hardware both inside and out. They are so soft, so thin, and so flimsy, that I almost pulled them right off the wheels with one finger. The only thing that keeps them on, as far as I can tell, is that they seem to be bolted on with the wheel lug nuts...you'll have to loosen all the nuts to get them off, just for routing cleaning of the brake dirt and dust that get under all wheel covers. This alone would tempt me get the SE model, with its nice alloy wheels....but the SE model has more aggressive tires that probably couldn't match the GLS's superb ride comfort.....more on that below.
UNDERHOOD:
No problems underhood.....the relatively small, transversely-mounted four fits in nicely, with plenty of room all around for working and for do-it-yourselfers. And, unlike many cars today, there is no annoying big plastic engine cover bolted on top to hide everything. There is a plastic cover on the top of the engine, but it is realtively small and unobtrusive. Most items are easily reached, dipsticks are all right out on front, and the battery is right up front and not under a cover either.
Why can't ALL cars be like this? Some of the sardine-can stuff I've seen underhood underhood, with everything hidden under covers, in Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti, and some other vehicles, simply borders on ludicrous. And some cars don't even have oil dipsticks anymore because of computerized oil-monitors. I, for one, am quite wary of those monitors....I wouldn't want one on a car I owned.
INTERIOR:
Inside, visually, the car is a real treat....much better looks, IMO, than the average small car....and yes, better then its corporate Kia brothers. The multi-tone dash and door panels are quite attractive (the beige multi-tone, IMO, is more attractive than the gray). Quality-feeling cloth is used for the upholstery, and the seat cushions are soft enough to be comfortable, although the seatbacks are rather firm. The flat cushions don't provide much lateral support, but you're not going to be doing sharp cornering with a car like this anyway. Large, easily-reached levers control seat height and rake, and the softness of the seat cushion helps out with ride comfort...again, more on that below.
The gauges are quite attractive, with the typical Hyundai red/white/blue design and clear markings and pointers. However, also like on other Hyundais, (I've complained about this on several of their products), the bright bluish-purple odometer and clock displays, with their low-contrast black digits, are not easy to read at a glance...the numbers don't stick out at you.
All of the interior materials and hardware are solid and of high quality, and the steering wheel seemed to be leather stitched....a rarity at this price. All of the controls/buttons/levers had a slick, high-quality feel and smooth operation. Chrome rings surround several of the dials. The stereo was fine for a car of this class, and, without a combersome NAV system integrated with it, easy to use and adjust. Headroom and legroom, while not huge, was fine for most adults...I had plenty of room for my baseball cap in the front seat, without a sunroof. In the rear, of course, neither legroom or headroom was as ample as in front, but, by small-car sedan standards, once again, was not bad, and certainly tolerable for most adults for not-too-long distances.
CARGO AREA/TRUNK:
The trunk was quite roomy and well-finished by small-car standards, though the trunk opening itself was not particularly large. Still, it was roomy enough for all but the very largest pieces of luggage....and had a nice grade of carpet. A trunk-net and a cargo-floor mat is optional if desired, and a handy pull-switch on the left side of the trunk, just under the lid, drops the split-row rear seats for carrying extra-long cargo. Of course, with the 4-door sedan body style and the rear roofline, you can't carry really tall items like in a hatchback/wagon, but, by small-car sedan standards, the trunk is quite roomy.
ON THE ROAD:
By small-car standards, I found this car a real pleasure to drive....especially in its road manners. Starting it up with a conventional key and ignition switch produces a smooth but somewhat noisy idle, with a small chuffing noise. The small 138 HP 2.0L naturally-aspirated four, of course, is no powerhouse, especially with the 4-speed automatic, but it has enough power to get out of its own way for normal, sedate driving, though when you press the gas pedal, the exhaust tone lets you know the engine is working. The transmission shifts smoothly and quietly, and the shifter has an excellent feel to it and is made of quality materials....but I disliked the zig-zag shift pattern (common in many cars today) and the somewhat awkward downshifts without a manual-shift gate. The ride comfort, with the rather soft suspension and 65-series tires (few cars have tires that compliant these days) was excellent for a car this size.....perhaps the best I've seen in the small-car field since the excessively-softly sprung French-designed small cars left the American market 20 years ago. Bumps, while still felt, were absorbed quite well. Wind noise was well-damped, although some road and tire noise penetrated the cabin on coarse pavement. Body roll, as you would expect from the suspension/tire combination, was marked, and steering response rather slow.....but I don't drive with Porsche-like aggressiveness most of the time. I like a car with underpinings like this. However, I realize (and accept) that many of you on CL like sportiness and crisp handling response and don't mind a stiff ride to get it. If so, this is not the car for you. Look elsewhere.
Brakes were fine for a car in this class. There was minimal sponginess in the pedal, response was good and well-modulated, there were no problems with my big size-15 shoes catching on either the brake or gas pedals while shifting back and forth, and they generally had a smooth feel...though with relatively small wheels and non-aggressive tires like this, don't expect sports-car stopping distances.
THE VERDICT?
The best way to describe this car, overall, is a slightly smaller and less expensive Sonata. It is a car to get in and RELAX, not go corner-carving in the twisties. It comforts and pampers you in a way that most other small cars today simply don't....though its road and engine noise could be a little better. It is relatively easy on gas (an important consideration with fuel prices where they are), inexpensive, and carries a superb warranty (though the 10/100 part of it only covers Hyundai-designed drivetrain parts....the rest is 5/60). The interior is worthy of a number of cars that cost quite a bit more. The car is solidly built, inside and out, and gives no impression of cheapness other than the insultingly flimsy GLS wheel covers....and that problem, of course, can be solved with the upscale SE model with its alloy wheels. But overall, it's a great value among small cars, and, in its price range, for Front-Drive compacts, for the kind of driving I mostly do, it would easily be my first pick....yes, over even the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, although both the Corolla and Civic, of course, have excellent build quality as well. Of course, for the really performance-minded, among FWD compacts, it's hard to beat the 263 HP MazdaSpeed3 (which I have also reviewed)......but it, of course, was not designed for comfort like the Elantra.
Last edited by mmarshall; Oct 17, 2009 at 05:28 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Highway Pull Councelor
Nice review.
The car does look neat.... It's a very cute looking car, LOL.
I like the rear view. I bet this thing got some power with that 5spd manual. Those little Elantra's got some good pickup. I'd take it with the 5MT!
The car does look neat.... It's a very cute looking car, LOL.
I like the rear view. I bet this thing got some power with that 5spd manual. Those little Elantra's got some good pickup. I'd take it with the 5MT!
Last edited by meowCat; Mar 3, 2008 at 04:44 PM.
Mike, are you planning to do a review of the new Corolla, which is the Elantra's main target? (As the Elantra is more of a competitor to the Corolla than the Civic...)
I wonder what Toyota did, when they decided to delay the Corolla's release over a year due to current Toyota issues...
I wonder what Toyota did, when they decided to delay the Corolla's release over a year due to current Toyota issues...
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
OK...which Corolla model do you want, and with what engine/transmission combination? There are several different versions.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thanks.
Yes, it would have a little more spunk with a straight 5MT.......most vehicles do. But, even so, with 136 ft-lbs. of torque (132 in the P-Zero version), you're not going to dust off Mustang GT's with this car......it was designed primarily as a comfortable, low-cost commuter/basic daily-driver, not a sports sedan.
I like the rear view. I bet this thing got some power with that 5spd manual. Those little Elantra's got some good pickup. I'd take it with the 5MT!
Base LE is a little over $16k, but most dealerships have deals for $14,999 for the LE. Most prospective buyers may not care for getting a Sport or XLE Corolla; I think most Corolla buyers are about Thrift, not Sport or Luxury.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,248
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From: Highway Pull Councelor
.... generally good refinement (wth a couple of exceptions), and superb build quality for the price. The Elantra didn't disappoint...it rode and drove much like the softly-sprung Sonata (at a lower price, of course).
All of the interior materials and hardware are solid and of high quality, and the steering wheel seemed to be leather stitched....a rarity at this price. All of the controls/buttons/levers had a slick, high-quality feel and smooth operation.
All of the interior materials and hardware are solid and of high quality, and the steering wheel seemed to be leather stitched....a rarity at this price. All of the controls/buttons/levers had a slick, high-quality feel and smooth operation.
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Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
This new Elantra, though, is not the Hyundai junk of old (discounting the awful wheel covers
). The new Corolla, as a competitor, is going to have its work cut out for it
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 3, 2008 at 06:35 PM.
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Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Go see the car in person (not just a picture), examine the materials and workmanship used for the price, and see if you still want to cringe. While not a glamour machine, this car is no piece of junk.......especially with the alloy wheels.
Lexus Champion
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From: Highway Pull Councelor
mmarshall, I liked your previous post better before you edited it. The wheel covers do not bother me. They can always be replaced with a set of alloy wheels or anything alike. Hell.. I had a new Toyota Pickup truck with no wheel covers! As for the Elentra, it is the craftsmanship and overall build quality that gets my attention.... as you were pointing out partially in this thread.
The wheel covers do not bother me. They can always be replaced with a set of alloy wheels or anything alike. Hell.. I had a new Toyota Pickup truck with no wheel covers! As for the Elentra, it is the craftsmanship and overall build quality that gets my attention.... as you were pointing out partially in this thread.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
They can always be replaced with a set of alloy wheels or anything alike. Hell.. I had a new Toyota Pickup truck with no wheel covers!
As for the Elentra, it is the craftsmanship and overall build quality that gets my attention.... as you were pointing out partially in this thread.
The Corolla is the third most popular selling car in the U.S. Both it and the Camry have more viable competitors, and as some makes improve their vehicles, I'm worried about the decisions Toyota has been making...
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Exactly. That's why I would love to hear your opinion.
The Corolla is the third most popular selling car in the U.S. Both it and the Camry have more viable competitors, and as some makes improve their vehicles, I'm worried about the decisions Toyota has been making...
The Corolla is the third most popular selling car in the U.S. Both it and the Camry have more viable competitors, and as some makes improve their vehicles, I'm worried about the decisions Toyota has been making...
We have been selling it for almost an year now in Europe, and it is much better than old Corolla. Drivetrain, build quality, etc. All better.
As to Hyundai - new Elantra is a lot better vehicle than before, and it costs a lot more than before, end result is Hyundai sales not meeting their targets.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
We have been selling it for almost an year now in Europe, and it is much better than old Corolla. Drivetrain, build quality, etc. All better.
As to Hyundai - new Elantra is a lot better vehicle than before, and it costs a lot more than before, end result is Hyundai sales not meeting their targets.
The new Elantra does cost a few dollars more than the old one, as do other Hyundais......still not that much more; it's not a big price jump. Is it worth it? IMO....you bet.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 4, 2008 at 05:36 AM.