After receiving this vehicle, a Hyundai 2003 Elantra GLS, manual transmission... I had it taken to a mechanic to check the vehicle out before a cross country trip (2000 miles aproximately).

He said to have the vehicle's timing belt changed at 75k miles. But it seems the general consensus is 60k. Who is right?

He looked at the vehicle and drove it up and down the street and said the car drives VERY smoothly. He is also a very well trusted mechanic, whom my dad uses quite frequently. Very honest, and known to do good labor for a fair price.

It now has about 64k miles. Mostly highway miles at about 65 - 75 mph.

I know this car is an interference engine (my ONE pet peeve about asian vehicles...)... so I know changing it early is critical. I really wish manufacturers would stop making interference engines, seems like a really bad idea to me. I had a timing belt go out on an older Ford Escort, and all it did was leave me stranded... but not with a blown out engine.

 

Every 60K miles or every 4 years.