Wrote this response initially for another thread, but figured I would start my own.

My experience with the Touring:

No major transmission/engine problems for me, but silly things like:

- alignment needing to be done once-twice a year. Car came with bad alignment, and it needed constant fixing.

- brake light switches needed to be replaced yearly (3 times in 3 years)

- creaking in the rear (hatch was fixed, improved it but never made it go away...just put up with it).

- rattling in the sunroof (fixed a few times and coming back again now)

- black matte coating on roof rails peeling off (this is 2010 Touring SE). Looks terrible.

- squeaking seats, fixed once but coming back. Something to do with the mechanism for the 'headrest whiplash' system

- factory tint on rear window peeling off. Whole window replaced by dealer.

All of these things were dealt with by the dealer...each and every one, but being 2/3 of the way through the warranty was starting to concern me. Some wear and tear is normal, but this is not, and folks I talked to agreed. At some point when my warranty is done, I will have to siply put up with the cosmetic/squeaking stuff, and start paying for brake-light switches and such.

I got offered a good trade-in at my dealership for the Touring, was offered a good deal on the 2013 Elantra GT SE tech package, so I took it. Nothing major was wrong with my Touring, but the piling up of smaller things on the Touring finally got to me. Dealer was impressed that my 2010 Touring looked as good as it did, except for the peeling of the trim on the roof.

I had cheap cars in the past that never had all the small issues pile up like that after only 3 years and 47,000 kms. I am giving Hyundai another chance, mostly because of the patience and professionalism of my dealer.

Lets hope the Elantra GT is a better long-term investment. It does not have the storage we loved in the Touring, but seems to be a better car spec-wise. I'll post a thread with pictures after I get delivery next week (will there be a GT sub-forum or will we just keep posting here???)

Thanks to those on here with Tourings who offered advice and opinions over the last three years. I had hoped to drive the Touring into the ground eventually but with my car, the quality did not seem to be there to my satisfaction.

 

Like the Touring, the new Elantra GT is based off the i30 so you would keep posting here.

 

Will do. I'll post some pictures and initial thoughts next week.

 

I have a 2009 Elantra Touring and recently bought a 2012 Elantra Touring.. I haven't gotten around to selling my 2009 yet (the hyundai dealer gave me an insulting trade-in offer)..

Anyway, I had similar issues as you on my 2009 (which only has 30K miles).. here are the issues I had:

* Electronic Power Steering went out multiple times, had to take it to the dealer twice before it got finally fixed

* Radio had all kinds of issues, would get stuck in some mode such as (connecting to the ipod), they eventually replaced the entire stereo head unit

* Brake light switch had to be replaced -- I didnt even know mine was out till I failed the safety inspection.. kind of dangerous.

* supposedly I had a rock in my brake pads and had to replace my brake pads (out of my own pocket on this one)

* Had a bubble in the front tire and ended up just replacing two tires

* had the wheel alignment done a few times

Despite all this I bought another elantra touring -- a 2012.. I was all set on the 2013 Elantra GT, but what kept me away was the lack of cargo room.. it definitely has some major improvements on the touring (one of which is gas mileage.. i still think the elantra touring gets horrible gas mileage given how underpowered it is)...

I'll be interested to hear how you like the touring vs. the GT , I think my next car will most likely be the newer generation pathfinder .. but i'll stick with my 2012 touring for the next few years..

 

I have traded in my one-year old Sonata for a new black Elantra GT from Jim Hudson, Columbia, SC. It has done 2000 fault-free miles. I love the car, particularly the steering which has three selectable modes. It is highly manageable in traffic and parking, with excellent visibility to the rear. Very economical I once did 45 mpg on freeway long journey. It has made me feel young again! Gil

 

Hope you guys are enjoying the brand new GT! The car is definitely gives you the cargo space many of us drivers need.

Not too many accessories are available for this little beast, however. But we're on top of things and have all of the Genuine OEM Accessories that Hyundai has to offer, thus far. So if you are in the market for some 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Accessories, then you can stop by our site and maybe find something you like.

And many people don't know, but some awesome things we help you out with are:
1. Free shipping on order that are $150 or more.
2. Use this coupon code for 10% off your order: codehs

Anyways, go scope out some things you might want, like the cargo tray or a set of mud guards.

Let us know if we can help!
- Team HyundaiShop -

 

No pictures (Sandy's remnants), but picked up the car tonight.

My initial impressions of the 2013 Elantra GT SE (Tech) vs. the 2010 Touring GLS Sport are:

- GT rides quieter
- GT is much smoother ride, despite having 17in wheels like the Touring Sport
- sound system id better in the GT
- steering was more responsive on the Touring, despite the GT being in "sport" steering mode
- little more pep in the GT, but not as much as hoped over the Touring.

Will have to reserve judgement, but for the most part the GT seems more refined for sure. The softer ride/steering differences could be in part due to different tires (had Continental Extremecontact DWS on the Touring, I forget the stock on the GT right now, but when I looked them up last week on Tire Rack they did not compare well to the Conti's I had on the Touring).

I'll prob put the same Conti's on the GT in the spring if I don't like these tire much.

Right now, happy with the 30kms on it so far lol. Certainly feels more refined, as it should be.

 

Surely the steering is 'more responsive' as you put it if you select 'Comfort' mode - that's what I set most of the time? Gil

 

My Elantra GT has Nexen tires on 16 inch rims they feel stable and quiet. I chose basic model with no navi because last Sonata nav was not as good as after-market Garmin GPS which shows speed limits.

 

Hey Gil;
I find the 'Sport' mode to give me ever so slightly more responsive steering, but really I can barely tell the difference between any of the three.

As for the 17in Hankooks that came on my car, they seem pretty bad so far actually. I was taking a turn yesterday on some dry roads, and while I could have taken the turn a little easier, the tires did make the car skid a little. This is something that never would have happened in the Touring with the Continentals. Could be the car or the tires, but by looking around the web I believe the issue to be the tires as other people notice terrible traction as well, especially on the GT.