Hyundai Elantra
#1
10-12-2011, 05:10 PM
Hyundai Elantra
The Fit I ordered in Feb 2011 was a casualty of the tsunami, so I ended up settling for the Hyundai Elantra MT. It is made in Alabama, and 30% of the car originates is the US. There is a bigger engine than in the Fit and yet it gets 40 mpg on the highway. We are getting 34 overall.
What I found irritating was that it had no spare tire in the trunk, not even a "donut". There is no jack or lug wrench either. I had to buy them extra ($147.92). What they ask you to trust in is the gunk that they force into your tire to seal the leaking whole.
The car is not a mid-size sedan, but not a sub-compact. It's a nice compromise, but you find it hard getting in and out if you are tall and not flexible anymore.
The price with the Comfort package is $17,350. But don't think you'll feel at ease on a long trip without your "donut".
What I found irritating was that it had no spare tire in the trunk, not even a "donut". There is no jack or lug wrench either. I had to buy them extra ($147.92). What they ask you to trust in is the gunk that they force into your tire to seal the leaking whole.
The car is not a mid-size sedan, but not a sub-compact. It's a nice compromise, but you find it hard getting in and out if you are tall and not flexible anymore.
The price with the Comfort package is $17,350. But don't think you'll feel at ease on a long trip without your "donut".
#2
10-12-2011, 05:18 PM
The Fit has the same "gunk" in Canada (and probably many other countries), where the wheels don't have TPMS. Which, I believe is the only reason we have the donuts here, since the "gunk" would mess up the TPMS.
That reminds me, I should program the number to AAA road side assistance into my phone, if I should ever need them.
That reminds me, I should program the number to AAA road side assistance into my phone, if I should ever need them.
#3
10-12-2011, 05:26 PM
The Elantra has TPMS and that is why I refuse to use the "mobility kit" (gunk under pressure) that they promote. They don't really believe in their solution, however, since they say you must go to a dealer to have them furrow their brows over your "fixed" tire.
I have three levels of backup: the AAA number, the donut, and the tubeless tire repair kit. That should cover it all.
I have three levels of backup: the AAA number, the donut, and the tubeless tire repair kit. That should cover it all.
#5
10-12-2011, 05:42 PM
We liked the "swooping" lines. It is really a design marvel, provided you can bend yourself enough to get in!
It is really comforting on long trips to see the MPG going above 40!
It is really comforting on long trips to see the MPG going above 40!
#6
10-12-2011, 06:00 PM
Oh agreed - I do like the looks and lines Hyundai has there! They've come a long long way.
#7
10-16-2011, 06:00 PM
Whaaat? No spare??? Not even a space saver???? Wow! Yes that would be scary... So you had to buy yours??? Unbelievable... and sad...
#10
10-16-2011, 11:35 PM
As the salesman said, the government is putting lots of pressure on the car-makers to raise the fleet MPG figure, and the (stupid) buyers want low price, even if they are no longer buying either a true spare or a donut.
#11
10-17-2011, 01:39 AM
Must be the new models then. Sad! I have an '07 and has a space saver spare (doughnut).
#12
10-17-2011, 03:53 AM
Like your sig Soob, I'm from that school too! What the hell are you supposed to do if your tire is punctured or cut on the sidewall?
#13
10-17-2011, 01:05 PM
Lol! Thanks Vinny. If you're not an auto club member, I guess you do the shoulder shrug and head scratch routine...
#15
10-17-2011, 03:57 PM
it's not like hyundai has a special tree growing in their yard that grows materials for cars. they suffer the same issues all manufacturers face and they will take short cuts anywhere they can to keep the price down.
safety and confidence is something you buy.
safety and confidence is something you buy.