Hyundai Elantra Test Drive Reports

7 messages, Last post on May 04, 2007 at 6:43 AM

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#6 of 7 Re: SE vs. GLS [tmport] by backy May 04, 2007 (5:57 am)
Replying to: tmport (May 04, 2007 3:33 am) I've driven the same configs (both ATs though) and had a similar experience, although I didn't drive them close together as you did. Even the GLS felt nimble to me, moreso than my '04 GT with its "sport tuned" suspension. How did you find the stick and clutch on the SE? Different feel from the '01-'06 generation? Replies to this message: tmport (May 04, 2007 6:43 am)
#7 of 7 Re: SE vs. GLS [backy] by tmport May 04, 2007 (6:43 am)
Replying to: backy (May 04, 2007 5:57 am) I've never driven a pre-2007 Elantra, mostly because I haven't bought a car since 1997. So I can't provide any comparison between the two generations, unfortunately. I thought the 2007 Elantra's clutch was quite good, contrary to some reviews I've read. It was smooth to engage, and it was easy to move from a standstill and change gears at higher speeds without revving the engine. I thought the shifter was a tad notchy (compared to my old 1994 Nissan Sentra), but still fairly precise and fun. By comparison, I thought the Sonata manual transmission was more difficult. The shifter had the same feel, but it was difficult to find the right engagement point on the clutch and I kept revving the engine a bit. Nothing that couldn't be handled with a little practice though, and it was still plenty fun to drive. The Spectra5, finally, had the most difficult manual transmission, though it may have only been the particular car I drove. It wasn't BAD to drive, but you almost had to release the clutch all the way in order to start hitting the gas without revving the engine. Again, though, I think that's a quirk that one could easily get used to after driving the car for a few hours. Problem is, I live in DC, and most of my driving will be in heavy traffic. So in the end, I'll most likely buy an automatic, no matter which car I choose. I'll be making the final decision in about 2 weeks...the finalists (heh) are the Elantra, Sonata, Spectra5, and (as a dark horse) the Focus ZX5. My sneaking suspicion is that the Elantra will win out.

#6 of 7: Re: SE vs. GLS [tmport] by backy; May 04, 2007 (5:57 am)

Replying to: tmport (May 04, 2007 3:33 am)

I've driven the same configs (both ATs though) and had a similar experience, although I didn't drive them close together as you did. Even the GLS felt nimble to me, moreso than my '04 GT with its "sport tuned" suspension. How did you find the stick and clutch on the SE? Different feel from the '01-'06 generation?

tmport (May 04, 2007 6:43 am)

#7 of 7: Re: SE vs. GLS [backy] by tmport; May 04, 2007 (6:43 am)

Replying to: backy (May 04, 2007 5:57 am)

I've never driven a pre-2007 Elantra, mostly because I haven't bought a car since 1997. So I can't provide any comparison between the two generations, unfortunately.

I thought the 2007 Elantra's clutch was quite good, contrary to some reviews I've read. It was smooth to engage, and it was easy to move from a standstill and change gears at higher speeds without revving the engine. I thought the shifter was a tad notchy (compared to my old 1994 Nissan Sentra), but still fairly precise and fun.

By comparison, I thought the Sonata manual transmission was more difficult. The shifter had the same feel, but it was difficult to find the right engagement point on the clutch and I kept revving the engine a bit. Nothing that couldn't be handled with a little practice though, and it was still plenty fun to drive.

The Spectra5, finally, had the most difficult manual transmission, though it may have only been the particular car I drove. It wasn't BAD to drive, but you almost had to release the clutch all the way in order to start hitting the gas without revving the engine. Again, though, I think that's a quirk that one could easily get used to after driving the car for a few hours.

Problem is, I live in DC, and most of my driving will be in heavy traffic. So in the end, I'll most likely buy an automatic, no matter which car I choose. I'll be making the final decision in about 2 weeks...the finalists (heh) are the Elantra, Sonata, Spectra5, and (as a dark horse) the Focus ZX5. My sneaking suspicion is that the Elantra will win out.