Car Forum World

2008 Elantra SE buyer Reports Best purchase Small Sedan.



No car on Earth packs more value and quality into this price tag.

Just call the Hyundai Elantra the comeback kid. presented in the early ',90s, the economypriced sedan didn',t exactly get off to an auspicious beginning. Early Elantras quickly earned a welldeserved repute for in general shoddiness and unreliability.



Since then, although, the Elantra has considerably improved, offering better dependability, agreeable performance and a long list of standard features., this Korean automaker',s longtime alsoran is a class leader. Take it for a turn and you',ll probably be impressed by its smooth ride and responsive handling. Throw in its spacious cabin which features a backseat that',s spacious enough to accommodate grownups with ease, hard build quality and lengthy list of safety features, and the Elantra establishes itself as a formidable competitor in its group.



Shortcomings? You',ll find one or two with a new or used Elantra. Still, these blemishes vanish into insignificance when you think about what a great value this Hyundai is for its low price. If you',re looking for a small sedan that suits a tight budget, this one belongs on your short list of contenders.



Current Hyundai Elantra



The Hyundai Elantra is a small sedan, though there's a related fourdoor hatchback called the Elantra Touring. The sedan is available in GLS and SE trim levels. The base GLS car is sparsely equipped, but the optional liked Equipment package adds a host of desirable features, as well as airconditioning, cruise control and a sixspeaker stereo with a CD player, USB/iPod audio jack and satellite radio. The SE has this equipment as standard. A sunroof, heated front seats and leather upholstery are available.



Each Elantra is powered by a 2.0liter inline4 good for 138 hp and 136 poundfeet of torque, mated to either a fourspeed auto or fivespeed manual transmission. If you',re buying your Elantra in California or a state with California emissions standards, you',ll get a car that',s SULEV/PZEVcertified, with a 132hp ranking.



Slide inside the Elantra and you',ll find a cabin that transcends that of most others in this group. The look of the interior is more highend than you',d expect, with attention paid to details like gauge illumination and build quality. There are lots of nooks and bins for storage, and both front and rear passengers are greeted with plentiful head, shoulder and legroom.



In editorial reviews, the Hyundai Elantra scored points for its brisk acceleration and stable ride quality. Gripes worried the din made by the car',s engine above 3,500 rpm and the presence of some cheap plastics on the dash. In buyer reviews, the Elantra has been lauded for its sleek looks, fuelefficient engine and spacious, upscale interior.



Used Hyundai Elantra Models



The current Elantra is agent of the car',s 4th generation which made its first appearance for modelyear 2007. This new Elantra maintained all the strengths of the previousgeneration model, as well as a low price, able performance and a spacious cabin. But it also offers a much nicer interior and crisperthanever handling sure to breathe new life into its somewhat bland image.



Three trims were firstly available: GLS, SE and restricted. For ',08, the restricted has been dropped in favor of an alternatives package available with the SE. That year also saw stability control and brake help added to the SE',s standard equipment. For ',09, suspension and steering tuning were modified, while the USB/iPod audio jack was made available.



If you',re looking at older used Hyundai Elantras, we suggest you decide one from 2001 or afterward to be on the safe side. The last 3rd Elantra generation was made from model years 2001',06 and represented a significant step up from the earlier cars. The sedan was bigger inside and out, and modified sheet metal gave it a more upscale look. dependability and in general quality were also much improved. The standard features list was generous for the car',s price, and included amenities like airconditioning, full power accessories, side airbags, 15inch wheels and an AM/FM cassette player. The 2.0liter engine generated 135 hp 138 after 2003 and has been mated to either a fivespeed manual transmission or a fourspeed auto.



An Elantra hatchback, the Elantra GT, was offered starting in ',02 and came with extra standard features, as well as leather seats and a CD player. firstly, the sedan was available only as a base GLS variant, but by 2003, Elantra sedans may be bought in two trims GLS and the topoftheline GT. though it still lacked the refinement of part leaders like the Honda Civic, the thirdgeneration Hyundai Elantra shone as a hard choice for purchasers seeking maximum value for their money.



The secondgeneration Elantra built from model years 19962000 is most likely best evaded, although it did at least take a turn for the better from the forgettable original. The car got a welcome increase in power with the addition of a

in simple words go for Hyundai Sonata Embera, its more ',today',

Elantra is like yesteryears actress, who looks beautiful but not practical.



Todays car come with more on space, modern design and stuff..



Dont confuse yourself . go for the Sonata if hyundai is on you are mind



or else Honda Civic/Accord Skoda Superb/Laura are lucrative alternatives for you.

Sure, Hyundai stopped producing ugly cars with awful transmissions and drive trains and instead they',re now producing cars that appear like lavish vehicles with the same old engine trouble.



Sumup. Hyundai is still crap.

Too small and gutless