Going to Buy '08 Elantra & Have Questions

Hi, I'm going to buy an '06 Elantra SE if I can find one. I'll probably drive it <6K per year. I've got a smallish parking pad and the '06 Elantra will fit just fine. What should I look for when checking oiut used cars, besides the obivous such as excessive wear and body damage? Is this car expensive to own and operate? What don't you like about your later than 2001 Elantra?
Let me know if you know of an '06 Elantra, ideally SE, in the Baltimore, MD area.

Hermes

Hello,
I just picked up an '06 Elantra last month. I'm still getting used to mine but I can tell you that it rides VERY nice for its size. That may be one of its biggest selling points: the suspension is surprizingly smooth. Also, first and second gears provide adequate acceleration in suburban traffic settings (local streets). You get a nice assortment of features for the $ like power windows, mirrors heated remote controlled mirrors at that. The no area that's a little lacking is the PASSING GEAR; it just aint there. This car was designed to cruise ( i'm talking automatic transmission) so don't get caught behind somebody doing 35 on a 50 mph road and expect to lightly press on the gas to pass them; it won't happen unless you downshift by flooring it to rev up the rpms and wake up the sleepy/ long in the tooth 3rd gear. That is the only con I'm sure about. I left a thread about some play in the steering wheel on windy days but that might be MY PROBLEM only and so far I haven't received a reply. I'm coming out of a Chevy Cavalier that had a very crunchy transmission, a really crappy "tin box" ride and 20 more horses under the hood with POOR road noise reduction. All I can tell you is that the Elantra is FANTASTIC for its smooth ride, smooth transmission shifting, ultra low road noise inside the cabin, excellent AC and Heat. Its very good for long trips. I DO see at least 29 mpg (highway with some local streets for work)at the pump. I recommend it in general and appreciate it in particular. have fun with it!

Hello, . . . . . II recommend it in general and appreciate it in particular. have fun with it!

Yesterday, I test drove an '06 Elantra, auto trans, and probably would have bought it except it had been repoed twice and was a lease auto. I noticed what you described re: passing and quick accelaration. It has a terrific ride, IMO. I'd like to find am '06 SE model. . . . .

I'm frugal and plan to keep it at least ten yeatrs if I find one.

Hermes

Hello, . . . . . II recommend it in general and appreciate it in particular. have fun with it!

Yesterday, I test drove an '06 Elantra, auto trans, and probably would have bought it except it had been repoed twice and was a lease auto. I noticed what you described re: passing and quick accelaration. It has a terrific ride, IMO. I'd like to find am '06 SE model. . . . .

I'm frugal and plan to keep it at least ten yeatrs if I find one.

Hermes

FYI, in 2006, there was no SE trim level of the Elantra. There was the GLS, GT, and Limited. During the redesign for the 2007 model year, there was the GLS, SE, and Limited.

FYI, in 2006, there was no SE trim level of the Elantra. There was the GLS, GT, and Limited. During the redesign for the 2007 model year, there was the GLS, SE, and Limited.
Thanks. I may have located a '06 Elantra Limited, 31K miles. leather seats, sunroof, tilt roof, very nice stereo, auto headlights, auto trans(which I don't like) ABS brakes. Monday the owner is supposed to take it to the dealer who services it for a complete Hyundai inspection. Off the top it needs a passengar side rear view mirror, one wheel cover rusty, large scoff mark w/ paint removed on right side of bumper or whatever they're called these days. Overall, it appears neglected. I hope the dealer will tell me maintenance was performed as scheduled and needed.

Are repairs and maintence expensive for this car as compared to say a Saturn or Chevvy, or Honda?

Are repairs and maintence expensive for this car as compared to say a Saturn or Chevvy, or Honda?
Maintenance isn't too bad. Might be more expensive than Chevy or Saturn, since they use a timing belt, and not a chain. Also, Hyundai recommends a transmission and coolant service every 30k miles, where with GM, not until 100k. At 31k miles, transmission should have had at least a drain and fill, and the same on the coolant. 60k miles for the timing belt.

That's somewhat reassuring. I called the dealer's service dept and spoke to the service dept rep who told me the car was serviced as required but the owner declined replacing the rear brakes during the 30K check up. I told the owner I wanted to take the car to a Hyundai dealer for a complete inspection. She took it to the dealer that services the car. I called to dealer for the results of the inspection and was told the car only needed the left side mirror and not a word about the rear brakes needing to be replaced. I dunno, this doesn't make sense to me and I don't know what to do about it.

Hermes

That's somewhat reassuring. I called the dealer's service dept and spoke to the service dept rep who told me the car was serviced as required but the owner declined replacing the rear brakes during the 30K check up. I told the owner I wanted to take the car to a Hyundai dealer for a complete inspection. She took it to the dealer that services the car. I called to dealer for the results of the inspection and was told the car only needed the left side mirror and not a word about the rear brakes needing to be replaced. I dunno, this doesn't make sense to me and I don't know what to do about it.

Hermes
I doubt it needed rear brakes at 30k miles. I think only the GT had disk in the rear, so it should have drum brakes on it. Hardly ever see the rear drums need replaced on an Elantra. They probably recommended a clean and adjust due to mileage, when maybe it didn't even need it. Hard to say really, different techs look at some items differently. As long as everything else has been maintained, rear brakes is a minor issue to be worried about. If it's a good price, I'd jump on it.

I doubt it needed rear brakes at 30k miles. I think only the GT had disk in the rear, so it should have drum brakes on it. Hardly ever see the rear drums need replaced on an Elantra. They probably recommended a clean and adjust due to mileage, when maybe it didn't even need it. Hard to say really, different techs look at some items differently. As long as everything else has been maintained, rear brakes is a minor issue to be worried about. If it's a good price, I'd jump on it.

I'm thinking somebody drove w/ the hand brake engaged, assuming it's the rear wheels. Thanks for the different take on it. She's asking $10,5K which is little high because of the large paint scrapes on the right rear bumper, missing right side mirror and rusty hubcap. I'm going to call her tonight.