I bought a used 2005 Hyundai Elantra GT, 5 speed manual, only one owner before me, had a little over 118K on it.....The previous owner was at least honest with me and told me he had NEVER changed the timing belt .........Did he just choose to push his luck, or was he ignorant about timing belts?......I don't know, didn't ask.........

But needless to say, I was nervous about it, so I had the belt, water pump, and all the tensioners and pulleys changed out by a trusted indy mechanic that I've been taking my cars to for years.....The job cost me about $500.

He showed me the old timing belt, and had no obvious signs of wear or cracking, although I know you can't tell everything by just looking at them.......But I am at peace now, knowing I have new belt.

This previous owner was just lucky, I think......Forgive me if I'm wrong, but aren't Hyundai timing belts supposed to be changed every 60K miles?......The belt on the one I just had changed had almost twice that mileage.