considering buying an Elantra....

I have driven Saturn SL2's for 9 years and my lease on the 2001 model is
about due. I have some reservations about the SL2 replacement --the Ion
- and am seriously looking at the Elantra. Any and all advice would be
very much appreciated.

 

I love my 2004 GT I bought last month. Bought as a leftover for a great
price and put 6000 miles since I got it. Its too light in the front when it
comes to driving in the snow but handles well.
Bob

 

Huh? How can it be "too light in the front"? The Excel I owned prior to
the Elantra was considerably lighter and it was one of the best snow
cars I've owned. Of course, I equipped it with a full set of snow tires,
which DO make a night and day difference.

The Elantra oversteers heavily unless you install a stiffer sway bar in
the rear. The 19.2mm rear bar from the 2003 Tiburon works wonders for
the Elantra's handling. The parts required run ~$135-$160 (depending on
how much your parts manager likes you) and it's a simple job to install
it. There are DIY instructions on the Elantra GT Club and Elantra XD web
sites. A dealer shouldn't charge more than $50 to do it for you, if you
don't want to tackle the job.

 

I always felt that front wheel drive cars feel light at the front compared
with rear wheel drive, because of the weight shift to the rear upon
acceleration. Perhaps this is what he means.

 

You generally get more weight shift with a rear-drive car, since they
tend to squat more under accelleration.

Regardless, I'm not sure what he means. Front-drive cars are generally
superior in snow, due to the extra weight on the front wheels.
Personally, I think the steering on the Elantra is a bit too light to
get the ideal amount of feedback from the road, but that's just my
personal preference.

 

Correct, but as it's rear wheel drive all that weight helps traction.