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Doohickie -> RE: Looking for advice: Choosing an Elantra (6/13/2007 8:37:30 AM)
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The thing I would look for is lowish miles.... like less than 60,000 and preferrably less than 30,000. Mechanically all 01-06 Elantras are very similar. 04-06 have slightly different intakes and heads because they have Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT).
The reason I cite those miles is that Elantras are very dependable provided they have been maintained. Those are major service intervals so if you get one with less than that mileage, you will need to do the service, but you can make sure it's done right. A couple "quirks", if you will, with Hyundais is that their ATs *need* SP-III AT fluid (Mercon & Dexron are no good and I wouldn't trust "universal synthetic" that many generic shops use in flushes). The fluid should be flushed at 60,000 miles, or 30,000 miles under severe useage.
A high mileage car is fine, as long as you have full service records and can know the maintenance was done right. I read of one guy that sold his 03 Elantra for 188,000 miles and never had to replace the clutch or brakes, so if you treat them right, they can last a long time!
Also, you may want to listen to a new Elantra (the 07 engine is still pretty much the same), and compare it to one you might want to buy. If there are any pronounced knocking noises, stay away from it. Hyundais and Hondas use oil filters with the same mounting base, but if you use a filter designed for a Honda on a Hyundai, the internal specs are different which can lead to damage due to oil starvation (Hondas have a higher bypass valve pressure, so it takes longer to open up). If the car was serviced by a lazy technician, they may have used a Honda filter on the Hyundai engine.
Also, some Elantras have a shimmy at about 65 mph. Mine used to do it just a little on the original tires, but not since I got new ones. Even when mine did it, it was minor and I didn't worry too much about it, but some people see it as a major complaint, so make sure you take it up to freeway speeds when you go for a test drive.
I have 30,000 miles on my Elantra and I love it so far. Just the other day someone in a parking lot asked, "What a beautiful car; what is it?" I love moments like that.
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