2005 Elantra GLS

I think I'm going to be buying one this weekend. What experiences have you
had with this model?

Leslie

 

Well, I have a 2003 Elantra with 26k miles that works perfectly. I would highly recommend it. The 2005 model is, obviously, an unknown quantity at the moment.

 

these subjective perceptions have not been authorized by the supreme automotive
court, made-up of public relations, marketeers, manipulative advertising
experts, and the other usual b.s. artists in the industry


1. be sure to get the hyundai factory's extended service bumper-bumper contract
thing (price approx $500-900)

2, make sure you follow (and are able to prove that you have) the prescribed
maintenance services including the 30,000 and 60,000 mile approx $600 each
timing belt services

and please try not to hit them @#$%^&*()_pot holes too much because that tends
to eternally mess up the steereing/handling, and you'll probably only realize
such when you drive a newer one that has been properly aligned-balance (or
hasn't yet hit enough @#$%^&*() potholes

i hold it's seemingly the best-valued car in the u.s. that's available, but an
insurance institute wreck tester with a non-American accent, via NBC
"DATELINE," says it doesn't get/test in the top three (saab, mercedes, ?) for
safest when it's hit at approx 30 mph on the side, the elantra's standard 4
air bags notwithstanding

 

Although there are several changes from the 01-03 Elantras when compared to
the 04-05 Elantras, I don't think any are substantial to the end user. 04
and 05 should be almost exactly the same.

The largest changes I can think of compared to the 01-03 Elantras is that
all 05's will have continuous variable valve timing as well as the
"Passenger Air Bag Off" telltale on the dash.

 

Why? The standard warranty covers the drivetrain for 100K miles, which
is where the major expenses lie. The likelihood of getting your money's
worth out of the extra bumper to bumper warranty is small.

If you have the capability, you can do all of the recommended
maintenance yourself and still be covered under the warranty. All you
need to do is keep receipts for any major parts, such as the timing
belt. Keeping them for smaller parts can't hurt, but they'll take your
word for oil changes and such as long as they're documented in the
maintenance log.