1634 messages,
Last post on Nov 25, 2008 at 6:55 PM
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Hyundai Elantra Forum.
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Hyundai Elantra, Sedan
#1595 of 1634 2008/2009 Elantra Good For Long Road Trips?
by jaxs1
Feb 10, 2008 (6:35 pm)
I'm looking at they new 2009 Corolla XLE 1.8 vs the 2009 Elantra and Elantra Touring.
If you drive high mileage, you want comfortable adjustable seats, comfortable armrests, nice stereo, a smooth and quiet ride, good mpg and low maintenance.
I plan to drive about 15K a year with at least 2K of that a year coming from a few long road trips and I'd rather not have to rent a more comfortable and quieter car for trips.
How does the new Elantra compare with a 2009 Corolla?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwXbGc-t2qg
I'm concerned about the Elantra being a buzzbox at 75 mph on a 6 hour freeway jaunt because of the 4-speed automatic (which, unfortunately, the new 2009 Corolla XLE also has). Even if it were as quiet as the 2009 Corolla XLE, the resale of a used Hyundai will be tough.
I'm considering the new 2009 Touring with USB, that should be released early this year. Will the 2009 sedan with USB be released early also?
#1596 of 1634 Re: 2008/2009 Elantra Good For Long Road Trips? [jaxs1]
by backy
Feb 10, 2008 (10:02 pm)
Don't be concerned about whether the Elantra AT is a buzz box at 75 mph on the highway. I've had it (GLS) up as high as 80 and it was still a quiet car. The AT is geared to rev pretty low when cruising. If I recall it was only at 3000 rpm at 80 mph--pretty good for a 2.0L I4. I've seen some reviews that said the MT gets raucous above 70, but I haven't found a MT car to drive yet.
The easy way to see how quiet the Corolla and Elantra are is, of course, to drive them, preferably on the same course, back to back.
I've found the sedan to be a very pleasant travel companion, in town or on the highway. I've found it matches your description (in bold) pretty well (can't vouch for low maintenance yet, but the maintenance costs on the two prior-gen Elantras I've owned were very reasonable).
I've rented several of the new Elantra sedans since the fall of 2006. The only thing I really wish it had is the driver's seat from the 2001-6 Elantra. That seat had dual height adjusters and adjustable lumbar support. The Touring is supposed to have a lumbar adjuster, but I'll bet it will retain the single height adjuster ala the sedan. The lumbar adjuster will be a nice add. I wonder if the sedan will get it for 2009?
One thing to keep in mind about the Elantra sedan is that, at least for 2008, only the SE has a telescopic wheel, and also ESC. The telescopic wheel might be important to help find a comfortable seating position. The Touring is supposed to get both features.
I doubt that the 2009 Elantra sedan will be released early, since the design originally debuted in the fall of 2006. Recall that Hyundai released the prior Elantra hatch after the sedan also, then the they sync'd up in future model years. The Elantra Touring is due out later this month according to Hyundai's announcements at the Chicago Auto Show. Also, I haven't heard any official word that the 2009 sedan will get the USB port, although I'd be surprised if it doesn't, at least the SE trim. It's possible that Hyundai would add the USB port to the sedan as a running change for 2008 MY--they did some tweaks to the audio controls and sound system on the 2007 Sonata during the model year, so it's possible.
#1597 of 1634 Re: 2008/2009 Elantra Good For Long Road Trips? [backy]
by snakeweasel
Feb 11, 2008 (4:45 pm)
(can't vouch for low maintenance yet, but the maintenance costs on the two prior-gen Elantras I've owned were very reasonable)
I'll back you on that one, my 2000 wagon is pushing 150K and so far I have paid just for routine maintence. The only other issue was a cracked exhaust manifold at 120k+ that Hyundai replaced free.
I will also state that I have taken the wagon on a few 1000+ miles in one day trips and found it more than comfortable enough. I would suspect that the newer ones would be at least as good if not better.
#1598 of 1634 7500 mile maintence for 2007 Hyundai?
by cyberfyber
Feb 14, 2008 (7:01 pm)
Hi, I've misplaced my maintenance schedule for my Hyundai 2007 Elantra.
But I know there should be something for 7500 miles. Might someone be able to tell me what's supposed to be done at that point?
'and if it's all even necessary?
I vaguely recall there be a suggested oil change for 7500 as well. If I'm correct then why would I do that if I'd already done it at 6,000 miles?
Thanks in advance.
#1599 of 1634 Re: 2008/2009 Elantra Good For Long Road Trips? [backy]
by inharmsway
Feb 14, 2008 (8:55 pm)
I read someplace that the Elantra Touring will have 8-way adj. driver seat. I wonder if they call the lumbar adj. 2 of those. Backy you stated that you were told at the Chicago auto show that the Touring should be out later this month? I can't get a straight answer anyplace. Hope you are right.
#1600 of 1634 Re: 2008/2009 Elantra Good For Long Road Trips? [inharmsway]
by backy
Feb 14, 2008 (9:25 pm)
No, I read a report from the Chicago Auto Show which stated the 2009 Elantra Touring would be out later this month. But that could mean it will start being available, and maybe not in all areas.
I really don't know how marketeers figure the "ways" on the driver's seat adjustments. My 2001 and 2004 Elantras were said to have "8-way" adjustable seats. The adjustments were:
1. Fore/aft
2. Seatback recline
3. Forward cushion height
4. Rear cushion height
5. Lumbar support
6. Headrest up/down
So where does "8-way" come from? Now in the marketing blurbs for the Elantra Touring, they are talking again about "8-way" seats. But from what I can tell, they will have fewer adjustments than the old Elantras:
1. Fore/aft
2. Seatback recline
3. Cushion height
4. Lumbar support
5. Headrest up/down
Unless maybe they are counting the headrest fore/aft (?), which would make 6 total adjustments. But 8??
#1602 of 1634 Re: 2008/2009 Elantra Good For Long Road Trips? [backy]
by jaxs1
Feb 15, 2008 (7:08 am)
Each "way" counts separately.
Not fore/aft as one way; it is 2 ways.
1. Fore
2. Aft
3. Recline back
4. Unrecline etc. and so on.
#1603 of 1634 Re: 7500 mile maintence for 2007 Hyundai? [pat]
by cyberfyber
Feb 15, 2008 (10:12 am)
Thank you pat for that link. But I'd finally found at least the main manual for my 2007 Elantra and it mentions a bit more than what's mentioned there. Soooo, I called two different dealership's service dept's and they said it would be totally fine to hold off until 9,000 miles to do all those other things considering how my last oil change was done at 6,000.
I mention this all just for anyone else who might curious.
Forgive me for my own lack of knowledge since it's my first time ever owning a brand new car.
#1604 of 1634 Re: 7500 mile maintence for 2007 Hyundai? [cyberfyber]
by tenpin288
Feb 15, 2008 (11:26 am)
Here's another site to check out:
Hyundai USA Owners Personal Website
If you register there, you can have access to all pertinent info on your Elantra. You can view maintenance schedules, record service work done yourself or other shops, and even download the owner's manual in electronic form. It's a nice feature available to Hyundai owners.