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Hyundai Elantra Maintenance and Repair

3260 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 8:34 AM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Hatchback, Sedan


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#3084 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by backy
Jan 06, 2009 (5:02 am)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 05, 2009 10:08 pm)

Most any shop that handles foreign cars should be able to do the check, also any Hyundai (or Kia?) dealer. The timing belt is supposed to be changed at 60k but I think (CA residents check me on this) in CA it's different, a longer change interval as in 105k miles?? However, you will want to verify that the 60k service was done as it's expensive even w/o the timing belt--can be a negotiating point if not done.
#3085 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by PatMatHat
Jan 06, 2009 (6:38 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 06, 2009 5:02 am)

Thanks, Backy. I would definitely feel better though, if specifically a Hyundai mechanic looked over the car, than a generic "foreign car" mechanic. An experienced Hyundai mechanic certainly will know the kinds of vulnerabilities too look for specifically in this car, as opposed to "any" car. So... still lookin' for those recommendations!
#3086 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by backy
Jan 06, 2009 (6:53 pm)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 06, 2009 6:38 pm)

So... why not just take the car to a Hyundai mechanic at a Hyundai dealer?
#3087 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by PatMatHat
Jan 06, 2009 (8:24 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 06, 2009 6:53 pm)

If you look through the various threads all over the web, they are full of horror stories about Hyundai dealers and their service. So, *just* being a Hyundai mechanic at a dealer is definitely not qualification enough for this task. Just as *just* being a foreign car (or indeed any kind of car) mechanic is *by itself* not qualification enough. That was indeed the whole point of my asking for recommendations for a good Hyundai mechanic. Otherwise, indeed, I can go to a random dealer or random "foreign car" mechanic - which is no better than flipping a coin. So, that's the context of my query: it needs 3 conditions to be fulfilled simultaneously (1) good mechanic (2) Hyundai mechanic, and (3) located in the Los Angeles area.
 
I hope the logic behind my requirements and plea for recommendations is obvious
 
And what better place to ask for recommendations for good Hyundai mechanics than the largest message board dedicated to Hyundai cars? Logical, or not? It seems a lot of users, and some at least must be satisfied with their dedicated mechanic in one of the largest metropolitan areas on the planet Am I making sense, or does my approach seem bizarre and incomprehensible?
 
Thanks in advance, and again, thank you Backy for your input! Still looking for recommendations!
#3088 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by backy
Jan 06, 2009 (8:42 pm)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 06, 2009 8:24 pm)

You may not be aware that there are different classifications of service techs at Hyundai dealers. Some dealers have "master" techs, who earn that distinction by demonstrating their skills to certain criterion. So one logical approach is to check with the Hyundai dealers located in the Los Angeles area to see which ones have master Hyundai mechanics. They might be good enough for what you need, which is someone to inspect a car you want to purchase.
 
I am satisfied with the Hyundai mechanics at my local Hyundai dealer, but that is about 2000 miles by car from L.A. so that won't help you.
 
Unfortunately, Hyundais are not that popular in SoCal, so it could be difficult finding an expert Hyundai mechanic outside of a Hyundai dealership. If it were me, I'd be more concerned about how good a mechanic he/she is vs. whether they are a "Hyundai" mechanic or not. Case in point: I took my old 626 into a local mechanic awhile back because of a noise in the rear end; shop was recommended to me by a friend. The shop doesn't specialize in Mazdas or even in foreign cars. The mechanic (who admitted he didn't know Mazdas that well) pinpointed the problem quickly and accurately. Earlier, a dedicated "Mazda mechanic" had given me an incorrect diagnosis.
 
Good luck in your search for a good Hyundai not-at-a-dealer mechanic in L.A.
#3089 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by PatMatHat
Jan 06, 2009 (8:59 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 06, 2009 8:42 pm)

Thank you Backy, very informative. I have learned something - indeed, I had no idea about "master" mechanics as a special certification. Interesting.
 
Again, I'm not bent on avoiding dealer mechanics, I just want a good Hyundai mechanic in the Los Angeles area - dealer or not, independent or not, etc.
 
This however, gives me some ideas - perhaps I can call around the various Hyundai dealers - maybe here in Korea Town - and asking if they have "master mechanics", and then just taking a chance on one... since it sadly seems no specific recommendations will be forthcoming on this board at this time
 
Quite a bizarre situation, lol! I was sure that this would be a breeze and recommendations would be pouring in, given how big a subject "good mechanics" are, and how large LA is. Guess not! Live and learn. It looks like it'll be an adventure, ha, ha! Nothing's been easy with this car purchase. Hmm. Perhaps a Toyota is a safer choice after all... there's got to be a reason for everything, including popularity - I mean, if you can't even get mechanic recommendations for your brand of car, perhaps that's a warning signal of things to come and a very solid reason why Toyotas are so popular?
#3090 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by backy
Jan 07, 2009 (8:09 am)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 06, 2009 8:59 pm)

Why would you need a mechanic recommendation for a Toyota? They never need fixing or repairing, do they?
#3091 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by schukanuoslady
Jan 07, 2009 (8:33 am)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 07, 2009 8:09 am)

"Why would you need a mechanic recommendation for a Toyota? They never need fixing or repairing, do they?"
 
Hahahah Backy...thats a good one. They don't need repairing. They just get taken off the road and junked for safety purposes. Thats why I went with Hyundai. And bought my Elantra.
 
A better vehicle and from what I have read I won't have to worry about 10 yrs from now losing my vehicle to the Car Maker in a buyout to scrap my vehicle liike what happened to me this summer.
#3092 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by PatMatHat
Jan 07, 2009 (1:55 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 07, 2009 8:09 am)

To be fair, numbers don't lie. Take the Corolla versus the Elantra (about equivalent class of vehicles). There is no doubt that both initial quality ratings as well as long term reliability show Corolla to be a clear winner. Take the 2004 year Elantra I'm looking to buy - here are the sorry numbers on that car:
 
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/hyundai/elantra/100342729/ratings_jdpower.html
 
And here are the numbers on the 2004 Corolla:
 
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/toyota/corolla/100282812/ratings_jdpower.html
 
Now, if what is important to you is "long term dependability" - and if buying used, this is the most important statistic, then the Corolla blows the Elantra out of the water. It's not even close.
 
I've always owned Toyotas and Hondas. The only reason I'm even considering an Elantra is that my wife needs a second car, and we took a cross country trip in 2007 in a new Elantra 2007 (rented) and we LOVED that car - absolutely LOVED it. We drove 4000 miles and it took us 3 weeks with frequent stops for sightseeing. The Elantra was fantastic - the ergonomics, the performance, the thoughtful design and bulletproof reliability. So, that lead me to even look at Hyundais in the first place. That's why I'm thinking of buying this Elantra.
 
Anyhow, with such relatively poor reliability (though much better than a Nissan!), it is much more important for there to be plenty of good Hyundai mechanics, rather than Toyota which is much more reliable. Instead, the opposite is the case seemingly. Oh well.
#3093 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by backy
Jan 07, 2009 (2:38 pm)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 07, 2009 1:55 pm)

I think you should buy a Corolla then.
 
FWIW, I own a 2004 Elantra and the worst problem it's had in nearly five years is I had to replace each low-beam bulb once--under warranty of course.

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