<p>Seems like it’s car buying season (graduation gifts?); hope you all will tolerate another car thread.</p>
<p>DS has piled up his pennies since starting his first FT job last fall.
Needs to (reluctantly) replace his 12 year old wagon that has seen him through HS, undergrad and grad and now is on it’s last legs.</p>
<p>Wants economical, reliable, inexpensive new or certified car. Not SUV or crossover, just a sedan. Basic transportation, few frills needed/wanted. Honda civic is a logical choice.
But he is enamored of the Hyundai powertrain warranty as he plans to keep the car ‘forever’.</p>
<p>Has been looking at the 2011 and newer Elantras. 40 MPG highway, relatively inexpensive.</p>
<p>Any owners who want to share their opinions on the Elantra?
Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>DH traded in his 2007 gas-guzzling Toyota Tundra last year for a 2011 Elantra and has been very happy with it, especially with the amount of money he’s saved at the pump. It also takes up lots less room in the garage. When I eventually decide to purchase another vehicle (I drive a 2002 Mazda Tribute that’s still in great shape with less than 100K miles), I will definitely consider a Hyundai. I kind of like that new Veloster and the Genesis Coupe.</p>
<p>Hyundai fan here. We have one Elantra (2001, about 140Kmiles), that our college senior D has used since high school, and 2 Sonatas (2001 with over 200K, and a 2009) All were bought used. Great cars. So reliable. I like the size of the Elantra–not too big, not too small.<br>
I doubt you’d regret buying an Elantra!</p>
<p>Yep we bought DS a used Elantra after some advice here (sooooo helpful). Took a while to determine he wanted a sedan (not hatchback) so then we test drove Toyota Yaris, Ford Focus. Hyundai won hands down. Just felt right plus the big warranty is great. We couldn’t afford at the time the '11 model but it looked great and the mileage is fantastic. Would’ve loved to get him a new car ('11s were new last summer when we were looking). The 11’s are a significant jump up in MPG and they look great. He’s happy with his 50k mi used '09. So far so good one year in to our ownership of the thing. Good luck! </p>
<p>Oh yes and the safety features are great. DS wanted a feels right sedan; DH wanted the lowest price and best warranty; mom (me) wanted safety safety safety!</p>
<p>Perhaps not any more with the most recent redesign for 2012. Most reviews have not been too enthusiastic about the 2012 redesigned Civic. They complain that the desirable characteristics of older Civics like sportier handling and braking have been decontented out, while disadvantages in ride and noise are still there, and other competitors have caught up or narrowed the gap in fuel economy. The Elantra tends to get more favorable reviews.</p>
<p>another very happy Hyundai owner here. We have an 05 Tucson, and had the very positive experience of the Hyundai warranty when they replaced the engine, with absolutely no hassle, at 60K. Older older D had an 04 Accent and traded in for 08 Santa Fe, we’re looking at the new Accent or Elantra for orchestragirl.</p>
<p>ucb- goes to show that you really need to do the research…that’s why I’m counting on my CC friends here! DS is asking for our opinion on what he should look at and it’s easy for us to just tell him to go buy a civic. Such a good idea for so many years but maybe not a slam dunk anymore.</p>
<p>orchestramom- good to hear about the positive experience with the warranty.
Of course, it would be great to never need to use the warranty.
I have to laugh at the current HOnda commercial on TV poking fun at the competitor’s ‘reliable warranty’ vs reliable car. To me, a reliable warranty is a Wonderful thing.</p>
<p>Not an Elantra but we bought a Sonata for our sons to share and they love it. Rides well, solidly built with good safety ratings and decent mileage…</p>
<p>We had a 2007 Elantra until my husband decided he needed something bigger. (He’s a very big guy) I can’t tell you how much we loved that car. Reliable, safe, comfortable. Just a fantastic car. My daughter is now driving a newer Corolla that hubby handed own to her and talks constantly about the day she can afford to buy her own new Elantra. I’m with her. Loved that car.</p>
<p>^^^
Gotta say, the warranty experience we had with our Tucson was amazing. No one wants to need a warranty, but isn’t it nice to have? There was something weird going on with the engine, the dealer recommended to corporate HQ that it made more sense just to replace rather than to invest time, labor and equipment trying to find and fix a mystery. Corporate said yes, no questions asked. No fine print, no hidden costs. We just hit the 120K mileage milestone and the car is huming along like a charm.</p>
<p>we bought an elantra wagon, manual transmission, in 1999. Crank windows, cassette am/fm radio. We still have it. AC and heat still work, and runs like a top. It is the most reliable car I have ever owned, and maintenance is not expensive. We have had to do minimal work/ repairs on it. Just maintenance, like breaks. Oh, and I think I had to replace the horn once because it wore out! </p>
<p>We don’t “need” this car, but it has a very low blue book value. So I refuse to let my husband sell it. I am sure that the minute we do, the other 2 cars will be in the shop. The elantra is our back up when the others fail. At 160 thousand miles, the most dependable. Not worth the $1000 or less we would get for it if we sold it! </p>
<p>The last car I bought was a honda CRV. I hate it. I wish I stuck with a Hyundai.</p>
<p>Edit: I told my husband that I wrote this, and he said- well, it really could use a new muffler right now…after 13 years and 160 thou miles, and it does do a lot of sitting, it needs a new muffler. Not so terrible. It passed the emmissions inspection last month, so the muffler couldn’t be that bad!! No dear, you are still not selling my hyundai!</p>
<p>D bought a Hyundai Elantra (2010 with 17k miles on it) and I helped her drive it cross country to her first, new post-graduate degree job. I spent many hours driving that car…the handling was impressive as was the gas mileage (which I understand is even BETTER on the 2011/2012 models. She loved that car until someone made an illegal turn into her and totaled it.</p>
<p>The amazing thing was that the insurance company paid her $1500 MORE than she’d paid for the car a year after she purchased it. (That’s just for replacement, not counting anything to do with medical, etc.) We were so surpised, and pleased.</p>
<p>The moral of the story: the Elantra is a terrific car with a great warranty which clearly holds its value!</p>
<p>She didn’t replace it with another Elantra but that was because there weren’t any convenient Hyundai dealerships near her most recent apartment. She would definitely highly recommend the car. She’d previously owned a Honda Civic and much preferred the Elantra due to handling and an increased feeling of a more luxurious interior fit and finish.</p>
<p>After my experience helping her purchase it, then drive it nearly 3000 miles AND the amazing resale value, it’s hard to imagine you could go wrong with an Elantra. The used ones can be tough to find though.</p>
<p>We have a 2012 Elantra. Love it. Gas mileage 35-40 hwy. Son bought a Ford Focus. Also 2012. He’s been happy also. He thinks it’s a little more sporty but we paid $3500 less than he did. No problems yet but its only a year old.</p>
<p>I have a 2011 Elantra. I love it. We already have over 40,000 miles on it after about 15 months. Great gas mileage - on our all to frequent 600 mile drives to Houston for my husbands medical treatments, we generally average over 35 mpg (based on our calculations when we fill up rather than the car’s computer). Best tank full we had was almost 38 mpg (with a tail wind).</p>
<p>I was quite sure I was going to get a Honda, but after test driving Hondas and the Elantra, I much preferred the Elantra and felt I got a lot more for my money. It is surprisingly spacious. We are big people (height and girth) and find the Elantra plenty big enough.</p>