This website really helped me while shopping, so I thought I'd return the favour.
I ended up buying a Hyundai Elantra VE after looking at a Kia (new car that felt like a used car) and a Pontiac Sunfire. I'd driven a Cavalier before so the Sunfire was very familiar. But the Hyundai blew it out of the water. It's come a long way from my friend's Pony back in highschool!
For the same monthly payment as the Sunfire, the Hyundai additionally offered cruise, heated mirrors, power mirrors and windows, A/C, alarm, keyless entry, and the feeling of a full size sedan (despite its compact car status). My wife is new to driving and is very comfortable in this car. And it gives us enough room right now to expand the family by at least one.
I've been driving it for 3 full months now (beginning of September) and so have driven it in good and bad weather, and it handles great. Not a lot of acceleration, but enough power once up to speed. It does something funny when moving from low to 2nd gear (it's an automatic) - kind of lag in shifting - but this is a minor criticism of what has otherwise been a no brainer purchase.
The warranty and Hyundai's growing stature as a reliable and durable vehicle, along with the reasonable price tag, make this definitely worth looking at. I went in to look at an Accent and walked out with the Elantra (September sale may have helped).
This is my first new car, so take my enthusiasm with a grain of salt. But I will definitely look at Hyundai again when it's time for the second car.
UPDATE AUG. 2006 - Wow! 2-years. Well, I'm in the market for a 2nd car now and was hunting around epinions and thought I'd do a quick update.
It's been two years since my purchase and so far so good (again, knock on wood). I have suffered no major malfunctions and the warranty has come in handy only once for some trouble with the power side mirrors. Reliability was a major factor in my search, so that's why I push it as a key plus.
This car is not sexy by any means. But I now have a 1-year old, and it fits our family's needs to a T. My wife, who is still a bit of a novice driver, loves this car. It is not overwhelming to drive, has good lines of vision, and really does what you ask it to. The steering is responsive and tight, and while I wouldn't go drag racing in it, it can cruise upwards of 120 km/h with no resistance (but I don't recommend speeding!).
The car interior is comfortable and very utilitarian. My coffee thermos sits perfectly in the cup holder between the two front seats. The stereo/CD player is serviceable, and all the accessories (air, radio, window buttons, etc) are where you expect them to be. It recently made a trip to Myrtle Beach from Toronto, ON with 4 adults and my son in tow, plus luggage! It was cramped, but made it there and back without so much as a hiccup.
I may not be splashing a lot of superlatives on my Elantra - it won't blow away the speedsters, and it's no good for picking up chicks. But it has run peerlessly since I've owned it. It's earned my trust and respect, and I highly recommend it to those who put reliability and functionality ahead of sex appeal, power and bells and whistles.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 16000
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: VE, Automatic, A/C
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