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2007 Elantra First Impressions

259 messages,  Last post on Oct 05, 2008 at 7:19 AM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 22 of 26

#210 of 259 '07 Elantra Limitted- frustrating ratlle noise by sportscoupe

Apr 01, 2007 (2:40 pm)

I got my '07 Limited about 3 weeks ago and am pretty happy with it. However, when I go over a rough road service or a series of road bumps I hear something rattling or loose coming from the front driver's side. I brought the car in and they checked and tightened all the suspension bolts but I still hear it. Brought it back and they checked under the dashboard but of course on the way home I still heard the rattle. I am about to bring it back and wonder if someone has any ideas of what to check or possibly has had a similar experience. It sounds like it is coming from either the engine compartment or possibly in the cowl area.

#211 of 259 Re: '07 Elantra Limitted- frustrating ratlle noise [sportscoupe] by nthe

Apr 02, 2007 (8:12 am)

Replying to: sportscoupe (Apr 01, 2007 2:40 pm)
if the noise is in the glove box then it is from the dampers. the early built 07 elantras dampers were too small, and there is a tsb about it.

#212 of 259 '07 Elantra Limitted- frustrating ratlle noise-update by sportscoupe

Apr 04, 2007 (9:46 am)

As an update to my front rattle noise I brought my car back and had the service manager take a ride with me. To my amazement it did rattle on some bumps and he heard it. After having several other mechanics test drive and inspect the vehicle, it was determined that the left front strut assembly was defective and they ordered a new assembly. They told me they overnighted the order and hopefully this will solve the problem when it's installed.

#213 of 259 Re: Back to driving impressions [edowado] by harlqn

Apr 24, 2007 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: edowado (Mar 27, 2007 4:16 pm)
I bought my Elantra SE in Jan 07 (San Diego area, so it's the PZEV). It has about 3000 miles on it right now.
 
The MPG calculation actually comes up about 1 MPG short of my calc (based on trip odo). I reset the computer after each refill and use the same gas station. My typical driving is about 40/60 hwy/city, accounting for rush hour traffic and I tend to get 27-29 mpg per tank. I've had a couple 90/10 hwy/city tanks which got me up around 32-33. The mpg has increased about 1-2mpg since it was originally purchased, so I think there is a little something to post-break in improvement.
 
However, I will have to test my speedometer to see if it has the problem others have reported.
 
As for the original topic, I couldn't be happier with it. I'm 5'8", yet the Civic still felt cramped to me. I was even considering just living with that and making the plunge. However, after test driving the Elantra, just to "cover the bases", I was wowed. The biggest difference is the interior room. No cramping A-pillar like the Spectra, much better handling than the washy Corolla, and a lot less $$$ than the Civic (the SE's features fall somewhere between the Civic LX and EX). The Mazda3 and Sentra didn't do enough for me in the bang for the buck department, which was actually my biggest buying factor.
 
I won't list the final price, but I completely recommend the Costco auto buying program. The Elantra's price was under invoice where the Civic would have been even more over invoice (Costco prices are an adjustment to invoice price and the dealer is required to show you their invoice). That was before the $500 factory rebate (the dealer is currently displaying a $2000 rebate on this car). I had enough room left in my budget that I decided to add Lo jack with early warning because I would be up a major creek without a car.
 
I'll have to check about the alarm and the double button-pressing. The alarm that's installed has a control module near the steering column with 1 button. That button is supposed to be the difference between arming and not arming; while the only difference in pressing the FOB button 1 or 2 times is the horn. The alarm is by Karr.
 
The road noise level is more than acceptable. Under hard acceleration (which I tend to NOT do), the engine is a bit rough and the shifts are quite jarring. But what engine in this type of car isn't? The last car I spent any time in was a van, so anything would be better as far as handling. However, I would definitely put this car on par with the Civic, with the Civic having a stiffer ride, but not as stiff as the Scion tC. The Elantra's brakes are wonderful. They're a bit grabby when cold, but there is no noticeable fade. If you're not used to a sensitive brake pedal this would be a big adjustment.
 
I wouldn't try to put more than 4 adults in there (5 may even put you over the car's weight capacity), but those 4 are quite comfy. All of the controls are well-positioned and smooth. There are a couple switches that I wish were back lit on the doors, but otherwise, the console and gauges look great (as long as you don't still wish for the days of dashes without idiot lights).
 
The front door interiors (near the bottle holder) are a little prone to scuffing, but I'm still trying various methods of taking care of that. I haven't had any problems with a basic mini-to-mini aux audio cable, but Hyundai did send me the one with the huuuge (whatever it is) inline with the cable right out of the blue. I haven't had any seat cloth issues like the other poster, and no wrinkling beyond what you would expect after 3 months of commuter use.
 
This car is definitely NOT all things to all people. However, if you're looking for a good car in this price/size range, definitely consider the Elantra.

#214 of 259 Re: Back to driving impressions [harlqn] by mrcellus

Apr 24, 2007 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: harlqn (Apr 24, 2007 2:02 pm)
This is what I have been looking to read for awhile now since the new 07' elantras have been out for a minute now. Hopefully, the speedo problems are all worked out and any other bugs but I have not heard of too many others. This is why a Chevy man is moving over to Hyundai- this post alone hits the nail right with the hammer. Good heads up about the Costco purchasing program. Thanks Harlqn .
 
MrCellus

#215 of 259 :) by eldaino

Apr 25, 2007 (10:02 am)

The road noise level is more than acceptable. Under hard acceleration (which I tend to NOT do), the engine is a bit rough and the shifts are quite jarring. But what engine in this type of car isn't?
 
the r18 in the civic.

#216 of 259 Elantra SE manual test drive by tmport

Apr 27, 2007 (12:49 pm)

I test drove a manual transmission Elantra SE today, after having tested a Sonata and Versa recently.
 
I was really impressed with the interior of the Elantra: more attractive than the Sonata, with lots of useful storage. The A/C seemed reasonably efficient (temperature was in the mid-80s, and the car had been sitting in the sun). The interior space is excellent, including the back seat, but the trunk is disappointingly small. I guess that's the tradeoff for a larger back seat. I also really liked the manual adjustments on the seat and the wheel (tilt/telescope on the SE). It should be easy for pretty much anyone to find a comfortable driving position.
 
As for the transmission itself, it was hard to get a good feel on such a short test drive and with several other people in the car. The clutch seemed smooth and light, not grabby as a few online reviewers have complained. The shifter itself was pretty good, though a little notchy, and not as satisfying as the shifter on my old 1994 Nissan Sentra. But again, it's hard to get a good feel on a short test drive. I definitely need to drive it a few more times.
 
For those who own Elantras with manual transmissions, what do you think of them? Is it easy to drive in traffic? And is the highway noise as offensive as a lot of reviewers have suggested? I really like manual transmissions, but I'll be living in the DC area, which has a ton of traffic. Am I crazy not to get an automatic?

#217 of 259 - by dudleyr

Apr 27, 2007 (2:11 pm)

I prefer manuals in traffic. Also it depends on your commute. Some are not that bad - if you have to go over a bridge at the wrong time it could be bad though.

#218 of 259 Re: Elantra SE manual test drive [tmport] by priv8warrior

Apr 27, 2007 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: tmport (Apr 27, 2007 12:49 pm)
I have a 2007 Elantra SE Manual with over 2500 miles and love it.
It is very easy to drive in traffic due to the power of the engine and the shift ranges. I can go as slow as 20 mph in 3rd gear and still have adequate power to accelerate. 5th gear is good down to between 30-35 and still able to accelerate. I don't know why anyone would complain about road noise with this car, it is the most quiet in the class. Everyone that rides in this car notes just how quiet it is.
I believe that the only reason people feel the Mazda 3 is more sporty is because it is quite a bit louder. There are times when driving over 70 that it would be nice to have another gear, but that is just perception. (~3000 rpm 70 mph.) I previously owned a 2002 Honda civic that seems like a piece of junk compared to this Elantra. If it were not for the mid 30's mpg average of the Civic, I could not have tolerated driving it. Alas, an errant driver totaled that car. We looked at most cars in the class and did not like the 2 step dash of the Civic, or that we needed to go to an EX to get a split folding rear seat. The Civic is almost as quiet as the Elantra, but feature to feature would cost about $2000 more.

#219 of 259 Re: Elantra SE manual test drive [priv8warrior] by eldaino

Apr 30, 2007 (8:11 am)

Replying to: priv8warrior (Apr 27, 2007 2:36 pm)
pricewise you are correct, the civic costs more similarly equipped, and the elantra has features not available on the civic.
 
tests have shown that the elantra, as quiet as it is, is only marginally quieter than the civic, so nothing to write home about there.
 
the reason people KNOW the mazda 3 is sportier is because it IS. it has nothing to do with being louder; just look at the more aggresively bolstered seats, sporty interior, and aggresively tuned suspension.

Messages Page 22 of 26

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