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Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

5565 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 3:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Sedan

Messages Page 557 of 557

#5560 of 5565 Eight-year report by backy

Apr 01, 2012 (11:59 am)

My 2004 Elantra GT hatch turned 8 yesterday. I bought it new, actually "gently used" as it was an HMA auto show car in late 2003 and early 2004 for several shows including Chicago and Minneapolis. I didn't know when I sat in it at the auto show that I'd soon own it!
 
The car is Rally Red and was a loaded as they came in 2004, with automatic, moonroof, ABS, and mats. List was $17,414; I paid $13,200 + T&L plus I got coupons for 3 years of maintenance (negotiated after I found out the car had been used as an auto show car, which the dealer lied about until I caught them on it).
 
It was my daily driver for many years but for the past three years has been used mostly by one of my sons for a school and work car. His pizza delivery job last summer put a few small dents in the roof (sign), and the car has a few other dings and scratches, but the paint is still glossy and the interior is holding up very well (except for a scuff mark on the driver's left bolster, which developed early--I think as a result of the auto show experience).
 
The car has almost 71k miles on it. It still runs like new and gets very good fuel economy. I noticed it improved after the 60k servicing. It was getting around 34 mpg on the highway, then after the 60k service got 37 mpg when driven at 65 or under. EPA is 21/29. I used to get 25 in town and mid-30s on the highway when I drove it.
 
The car has been very reliable. The only major maintenance needed outside of the regular schedule has been new rear brakes (discs) at about 45k, and new tires at 18k and 66k. The tire change at 18k was because of an accident that ruined one tire and wheel. I had to replace two tires, and found out that I could buy 4 tires for the same price as 2 of the OEM Michelins. Since I had poor experience with those tires on my 2001 Elantra (for tire wear), I got 4 new tires. They did a good job for their price, lasting nearly 50k and could have probably gone another 6 months or so but winter was coming and my son drives 150 miles to college. The new tires are Hankook Optimos, which I got a great deal on and improved ride smoothness and handling.
 
As far as problems, nothing major. The biggest problem was the rear hatch struts needed replacing after nearly 5 years; they were replaced under warranty. Also had a couple of little plastic parts break and those were replaced under warranty also. Recently the cover over the passenger visor mirror broke off, but as a new visor is over $100 we'll just leave it that way. Also, I replaced the stereo a few years ago as I never liked the OEM Kenwood unit. I replaced it with another Kenwood unit ($100 installed) which has easier to use controls.
 
I still love the car, although I don't get to drive it much. It's an old design, but still handles pretty well and has a reasonably smooth ride--but firmer than my 2001 Elantra GLS had. It swallows a lot of cargo with its fold-flat rear seat, which comes in handy for moving stuff to/from college. And I think it is a good-looking car, with its Saab-esque profile and five-spoke alloys. The driver's seat is very comfortable also, with dual height adjusters (which I wish Hyundai still used) and lumbar adjustment.
 
My son will use up the factory warranty by the time he graduates, then it will be his graduation present. At that point it should have around 85k miles on it, so should still have a lot of life left.

#5561 of 5565 2001 Elantra GLS manual still going strong by hmowner

May 28, 2012 (5:12 pm)

Still runs fine with minor issues that's too expensive to fix.
 
- oil seeps through the gasket a bit
- clutch is almost worn out ( 2 teenagers learning to drive on stick) but don't want to pay to replace
- some rust inside the hood: alternator, water pump, etc... but still runs fine
- air bag wiring harness under the driver seat acts up often and causes air bag light to illuminate. Not covered under warranty
- gear knob came off. Replaced with a over the counter smaller knob.
- replaced fuel cap due to CEL lighting up
- stock radio and clock is broken... don't plan to fix it
- some metallic windows seals are rusting from inside out
- some rust coming through the wheel wells (rusting from inside a bit, probably due to salt deposits)
 
I drive it for 1/2 hour every week to keep the engine running when no one drive it during the week. I actually find the ride quality a lot softer than the newer cars with big wheels and thin side wall tires. I paid 13K out of the door in 2001 ( with inflation that's about 17K now). I think it was money well spent.

#5562 of 5565 Re: Eight-year report [backy] by maxx4me

May 29, 2012 (3:29 am)

Replying to: backy (Apr 01, 2012 11:59 am)
wait a minute Backy, you said that the dealer lied?? No....go on
Glad your car is holding up well. My ET is now being used as a new driver training car due to the great visibility and brakes.
As for your tires, if you have the H727, they are amazing tires. I think they are better than the Michelins I have on my other car. I only wish that Costco would carry tires like the Hankook.
Keep on drivin'

#5563 of 5565 5th gear stall by guyaume

Aug 14, 2012 (12:23 am)

I have a 2004 elantra well maintained just changed timing belt and water pump has 75,000miles runs smooth untill yesterday driving on the highway and while in 5th gear the car wanting to stall engine light came on briefly and did it several time brought it to 4th gear no problem .
any help or insight on this

#5564 of 5565 Nine-year report by backy

Mar 24, 2013 (10:28 am)

My 2004 Elantra GT turns 9 this week. It's still my son's college and work car, so it's parked outside all the time. Has about 81,500 miles, so still under the powertrain warranty. Finally had the first significant repair costs for non-wear items a week ago: the HVAC fan switch needed replacing, and while in for that the dealer found that the valve cover gasket was leaking a bit and also a power steering cable was leaking a little. In each case the dealer said "a lot of people just live with this and keep an eye on it", but since my son drives the car and he might not keep a close eye on these issues (and I don't want the steering failing on him), I decided to have both repairs done. They also tightened the belts as the steering belt was slipping a bit.
 
Aside from some parking lot scrapes and dings, the body and paint are still great. There is one dime-sized spot in the lower corner of the rear license plate surround where the paint is beginning to bubble from rust-through--not too bad for being through 9 Minnesota winters and a lot of road salt. Interior also is holding up well, except for the left edge of the front seat back, which wore prematurely (I think related to its use as an auto show car before I bought it). Still getting mid-30s mpg on the highway when driven at ~65, which is above the EPA rating of 29. Also no rattles/squeaks, really drives pretty much like it did when new except the engine is a tad rougher when idling.
 
I remember when the 2001 Elantra debuted, one auto mag (MT or C/D I think) said something like, "If this car holds up, there won't be any reason to pay extra for a Japanese car." Looks like that was a good prediction. I paid $13,200 + T&L for the car new, as fully loaded as an Elantra GT could be back then, and KBB says it's worth about $6,500 in a private party sale. So a little over $60 a month depreciation over 9 years. I'll take that any day.

#5565 of 5565 Re: Nine-year report [backy] by joegiant

Mar 24, 2013 (3:24 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 24, 2013 10:28 am)
Thanks for the update backy! Kid's driving an '05 GT at college at the moment and have my fingers crossed. Going on third year since we acquired "Ellie the Elantra" second hand and so far, so good. Need it to stay that way 'til grad day!!!

Messages Page 557 of 557

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