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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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#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.
#3094 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by PatMatHat
Jan 07, 2009 (3:15 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 07, 2009 2:38 pm)

The problem with buying a used Corolla is that they are way overpriced for the reliability advantage they do offer. Yes, they are better, but not 30% better - so the price is not worth it (used Hondas are the worst in this respect - insanely overpriced). The opposite is true of the Elantra - it is underpriced for the value. That is one reason I'm looking at the Elantra - excellent value. The other reason is that I like the ergonomics better than the Corolla.
 
As to anecdotes - yes, of course, you'll always find someone whose experience is this that or the other. Heck, I'm sure there are super-happy Yugo and Pinto owners. That's why we go by statistical studies - because they are more valid than anecdotes. That said, I'm glad you're happy with your Elantra, and if I buy one, I hope to have a good experience too. And I don't think I'm asking too much to want to have it checked by a *good* *Hyundai* mechanic in my area - before I buy. Gee, I'd think it's a sensible and modest wish.
#3095 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by backy
Jan 07, 2009 (6:34 pm)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 07, 2009 3:15 pm)

Yes, it's definitely a good idea. But not something to obsess over, IMO. Remember, the mechanic isn't actually going to change anything on the car... just look at it. Any experienced auto mechanic should be able to determine whether the car is ship-shape and what needs attention, assuming they can hook it up to their computer (heck, AutoZone can do that). 2004 Elantras are not that unique in design.
 
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Good luck!
#3096 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by PatMatHat
Jan 07, 2009 (9:03 pm)
Reply

Replying to: backy (Jan 07, 2009 6:34 pm)

Well, it looks I don't have much choice anyhow. I'll just have to take it to a non-Hyundai mechanic. I'm still stunned at how this can be such a huge difficulty. You'd think I'm asking for a recommendation for a good mechanic for an exotic Batmobile. Oh well. Thanks for the replies, Backy!
#3097 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [PatMatHat] by schukanuoslady
Jan 09, 2009 (8:12 pm)
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Replying to: PatMatHat (Jan 07, 2009 9:03 pm)

If you are so worried about buying used, why don't you run the vin# on carfax to see what was done on this car. If may not have everything done, but I was used car shopping and on a 2007 Malibu with 23,000 miles on it I discovered the same tie rod was repaired 4 times. So I went new with an Elantra.
#3098 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [schukanuoslady] by backy
Jan 10, 2009 (6:37 am)
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Replying to: schukanuoslady (Jan 09, 2009 8:12 pm)

Carfax can help, but I've noticed during my recent used car shopping that the Carfax records are woefully incomplete when it comes to service records--so there's no way to tell if a car was properly maintained just by looking at Carfax.
#3099 of 3260
Re: Pre-Buy Mechanic Inspection Recommendation? [backy] by schukanuoslady
Jan 10, 2009 (6:51 am)
Reply

Replying to: backy (Jan 10, 2009 6:37 am)

"Carfax can help, but I've noticed during my recent used car shopping that the Carfax records are woefully incomplete when it comes to service records--so there's no way to tell if a car was properly maintained just by looking at Carfax."
 
Very true as after my truck was taken by Toyota I saw there were things not listed I had done.
 
But I found out when buying used you can call up the manufacturer too and they will tell you what was repaired/done.
 
And Hyundai will tell you all. They want their cars sold and if there is something wrong with the used vehicle and it turns out to be a lemon, well..... I doubt they would not tell what was done on this Elantra. Especially now that some car sales are slacking.
 
It would benefit Hyundai Motors to tell all they have on record for this vin# on this used car he is looking at I would think.
 
And I don't know about anyone else, but I really think I will have all my maintenance done at Hyundai just in case they get a Tech Bulletin and they have to fix something. I usually don't do this, but I want to make sure with the PZEV engine I get all done that comes out about it.

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