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2008 Hyundai Elantra

513 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2010 at 4:04 PM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

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

Messages Page 43 of 52

#421 of 513 I just received a keyword alert by schukanuoslady

Aug 29, 2008 (9:02 am)

Hyundai is recalling 65,000 Elantra sedans because of a fuel pump. The automaker says the fuel pumps can lose pressure and reduce engine performance.
 
The recall affects the 2008 Elantra equipped with the 2.0 liter four-cylinder beta engine.
 
For more information about the recall, click here. http://www.lasvegasnow.com/global/story.asp?s=8916763

#422 of 513 Re: Reliability? [pauleye] by backy

Aug 29, 2008 (9:42 am)

Replying to: pauleye (Aug 29, 2008 8:32 am)
One bit of data is that Consumer Reports rates the 2008 Elantra "Excellent" (its top score) in predicted reliability based on its surveys, from the 2007-8 model years. Also, the reliability history of the previous-generation Elantra was pretty good also.
 
So there is actually considerable operating history on the Elantra and Hyundais in general. I think the reason that you can still get an Elantra for considerably less than a comparably-equipped Honda or Toyota is that Hyundai doesn't have the brand equity of those companies yet. Personally I see that as an advantage. I can buy a very good car at a great price, much less than I'd pay for a Civic or Corolla, and get the long warranty to boot.
 
If you are that concerned about reliability, you can always pay more for something like a Civic or Corolla, but those are not immune to problems either. For example, the 2006 Civic has nine recalls to date, the 2007 model three recalls. Reivew the Civic and Corolla problems discussions in Town Hall to see what issues owners are having with those cars. No cars are trouble-free. The only significant problem with the 2008 Elantra was the fuel pump issue, and that has been corrected now.

#423 of 513 Re: Reliability? [backy] by pauleye

Aug 29, 2008 (9:49 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 29, 2008 9:42 am)
Thanks backy. Actually the other contender here is the Honda Fit, which seems to have fared really well in the reliability ratings, but comes with far fewer of the amenities that you get with the Elantra.
 
I hear you re no car being trouble-free, but I always hear stories about how the Hondas get 200K miles without much in the way of repairs while rarely hear stories like that about other brands.
 
Also, any idea how CR can give it such a high predicted reliability rating while JD Power gave it fairly mediocre scores for reliability?

#424 of 513 Re: Reliability? [pauleye] by backy

Aug 29, 2008 (10:12 am)

Replying to: pauleye (Aug 29, 2008 9:49 am)
Well, the Fit is a totally different car than the Elantra sedan. If you want something like the Fit, you might want to wait until later this year for the Elantra Touring, which like the Fit is a 5-door wagon (and comes with ESC standard).
 
Also keep in mind that the 2009 Fit is a redesign. The 2008 and earlier Fit was a mature design dating from around 2001. So of course it was very reliable. Consider that Honda has had some trouble with new designs in recent years (transmission recall on previous-gen Accords, Odyssey problems, nine recalls on 2006 Civic etc.). Your odds with the 2009 Fit may not be any better, if not worse, than with the Elantra.
 
JD Power and CR measure reliability differently. The JDP survey you looked at was probably their Initial Quality Survey, which measures customer satisfaction on both problems and design considerations over the first 90 days of ownership. CR's survey asks about all problems during the time of ownership.

#425 of 513 Re: Reliability? [backy] by pauleye

Aug 29, 2008 (10:31 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 29, 2008 10:12 am)
Thanks again. Try telling my son to wait for the '09 Fit.... Doesn't really matter anyway, since I think I can score a good deal on an '08 Fit, but the price on the '09 (dealers won't be as eager to deal) will create too much of a price difference between the Fit and the Elantra.
 
Interesting re the differences between the two surveys. Wonder why the CR survey didn't get polluted by the fuel pump issue. Perhaps the affected vehicles were not out at the time CR did its sampling?

#426 of 513 Re: [neleema] by cjgt

Aug 29, 2008 (11:29 am)

Replying to: neleema (Aug 28, 2008 3:57 pm)
You must keep in mind however that you can to all the research in the world and still end up with problematic car. That's just the way it is. There's no such thing as a sure thing. If we stop buying cars because of the things we read or hear; at least half of the models made in the pass decade would be left to rust. People should do research; it does help, but that's not the main problem. The big mistake people make is going by reputation alone. For example, just by doing a little research you can discover serious problems even with cars with "good" reps so why do people continue to buy Hondas and Toyotas even after the serious problems they had?
http://www.hondaproblems.com/
http://www.toyotaproblems.com/
The point is nowadays, all manufactures make a least a "decent" car and generally do good job of correcting problems. People shouldn't "play up" one cars problems while down playing others. You could be missing out on a good car.

#427 of 513 Re: Reliability? [pauleye] by backy

Aug 29, 2008 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: pauleye (Aug 29, 2008 10:31 am)
If you want a '08 Fit better hurry, supplies are running low.
 
The fuel pump issue came up very recently, so I don't expect it has affected the CR ratings yet. We should see some effect from it on their next survey though, since it appears to have affected about half of the 2008 Elantras shipped to the U.S.

#428 of 513 Re: [schukanuoslady] by neleema

Aug 29, 2008 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: schukanuoslady (Aug 29, 2008 6:40 am)
I find your response to be lacking in both research and credibility. You speak so highly of Hyundai's dealers and service, yet is this the reason for purchasing a Hyundai? Would I spend 19k on a car that has a bad track record because the people are "nice" and my cool friends like theirs? Simply stated- no. Why you ask? Because I spend time researching a car and don't go purely based on service or because it is "cool." People who work at a dealer do not always reflect the company standards and quality. And I'm not sure your aware of the numerous Hyundai "warranty" complaints also filed against the company. Ever wonder why the warranty is for 100,000 miles? You might need it to last that long! Maybe research wouldn't hurt you too much.
 
   If hyundai seems to go "out of their way" then why didn't they tell one of my colleagues about the fuel pump recall BEFORE she bought the car a few days ago? Well maybe because companies do not usually care as long as they reap profits. Oh and in my opinion, if you have an 11 year old anything, its probably time to get a new one.
 
   I have nothing against Hyundai as a company and I don't even recommend Toyotas as I have never owned one. I only go on facts. Another thing, if you mention that you were unsure about the complaints regarding the airbag, its probably better you research that too before responding: "I only saw where an airbag did not deploy." Obviously you are only basing your opinion on this forum or another. You need to look up FILED complaints as well on any make or model. I know full well how an airbag works and these issues are not new. Take a good look at 2005's 2006's especially.
 
   One more thing, Toyota's recall was not in 2008. Keep that in mind. When you go into intial quality reviews Hyundai does well- why? Because it has a lot of free "stuff" and it looks nice. I'll give that to the company (it HAS made strides in the appearance category). But resale values are still low (wonder why? ask me later) compared to Honda's, Toyotas and will remain so until Hyundai can prove that it is making huge strides CONSISTENTLY. That is the key. When Hyundai can consistently create reliable cars then, maybe I can defend them as well.

#429 of 513 Re: [neleema] by bwaller78

Aug 29, 2008 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: neleema (Aug 29, 2008 3:17 pm)
I find your response lacking ownership experience. I also find that your response is just pure based on research and reading publications that are just a small fraction of the number of elantras sold. I want you to know that I have a 2007 elantra and have 10300 miles on my elantra and it has go through a summer heat that you probably would not comprehend, but yet my elantra never yeilded and never has it had problems with the 110-118 degree temps here in the summer. Granted I do not have a 2008 elantra that has the fuel pump issues. But I can tell you that bashing Hyundai over prior models problems is just pure ignorance, because virtually every company that has ever built a car has had problems with some vehicles at some point and time. Good luck on trying to find a car make, model and year of a vehicle that don't have a single licking problem. You might as well be in the horse and carriage days then. Another thing, if you base you choices on the "experts", well just like the "experts" picked the New England Patriots to win the superbowl. And the resale values are low because of the past image issues that Hyundai has had, but even Honda and Toyota's where rust buckets too when they first started making cars, but now everybody is willing to pay way to much for a car just because of the badge it wears. I am not trying to start a fight here, but before people start bashing other people for what car they got and for what reason, please do yourself a favor and mathmatically calculate how many elantras are on the road compared to how many probelms it has, and do that for every manufacturer, and you maybe surpised with the results. Before you assume that all elantras have a problems based on prior yrs model experience please research every year model.

#430 of 513 The Recall by 3kidsinback

Aug 29, 2008 (5:08 pm)

I called the dealer today, gave my VIN, and have an appointment next week to have the fuel pump replaced. Have been noticing a very brief period of rough running in the morning at initial start up.

Messages Page 43 of 52

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