1997 Hyundai Elantra Consumer Discussions

Hyundai Elantra Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Hyundai prices paid 2012 (Did I get a good deal)

  Written by: ripkin00 on Oct 8, 2011 9:12:39 PM

  Here is what we paid in Southern California on our 2012 Hyundai Elantra and then I will tell how long it took to arrive, and the Finance director attempt to upsell us as well. Please be firm and do not buy these HORRIBLE profit center items for the dealership. 2012 WHITE GLS Automatic transmission, beige interior, with Preferred package, IPod cable, carpeted floor mats, and auto dimming mirror with homelink. MSRP ... Read More

• seeing is believing

  Written by: steven39 on Jun 26, 2011 9:41:53 AM

  i recieved a call from my local hyundai dealer yesterday informing me that the elantra that i was interested in(2012 elantra gls with prefered pack in desert bronze and tan interior) was going to be arriving at the dealership this morning by truck along with about 6 other 2012 elantra's in assorted colors and options.he told me that if i wanted to have a good shot of getting the car that ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2011 MY and earlier

• sarah2175...

  Written by: iluvmysephia1 on May 24, 2011 11:03:48 PM

  fushigi's advice is sound on needing to wait until you get your '11 Elantra's engine "broken" in to start expecting better ghastly mileage. I am just glad you didn't give up on Hyundai and ya went with another one sort of like the other one. Good job. I would've flirted with getting a Kia Forte but I'm a Kia man and not a Hyundai man. They're really two different beasts. Actually ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Touring 2009 -

• poor radio reception am/fm

  Written by: newbie40 on Nov 19, 2009 5:09:47 AM

  Canadian model 2009 elantra touring GL . I have a MP3/WMA/USB CD PLAYER AM/FM RADIO. Don't know if this is the basic model or some upgrade. It just came with the car. (It's different from the car manual shown models however). I get very poor reception for both AM and FM. My 1997 Ford Escort had way better reception with the old pull up antenna! This one is a short roof ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Transmission Questions

• Hyundai Automatic Transmission Problem -- Please Help..!!

  Written by: grump1 on Feb 23, 2009 6:42:12 AM

  Hello, I have a problem with my 1997 hyundai elantra station wagon . My automatic transmission don't have any forward gears. I used the car , and it was fine, I parked it over night , came out in the morning and i have no forward gears at all. When you put it in any forward gears it seems to get ready to go in then it kick out and you ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Maintenance and Repair

• So many issues

  Written by: danib1977 on May 11, 2009 6:43:28 PM

  Did I just get a bad car or do other people have as many issues? I have a 1997 Hyundai Elantra wagon that I got used. I had it inspected and needed new brakes and rotors (front & back.) Ten days after I purchased the car the transmission went. I had it rebuilt (basically new since all the parts are brand new) I've replaced the batter and alternator. When I had ... Read More

2008 Hyundai Elantra

• Re: Fuel pump issue [backy]

  Written by: schukanuoslady on Aug 7, 2008 3:25:17 PM

  I just came out of a Toyota Tacoma recall. I found the Toyota forum and a yr ago people were reporting what was happening to their trucks. It ended up with Toyota Tacomas 1995 - 2000 getting recalled and all being checked at the dealers. They even knew which vin #s were affected. The letters are still going out. And my 1997 almost mint condtion Taco was affected. The frame was ... Read More

• Re: Honda Fit, Corolla or Elantra? [dovid2]

  Written by: backy on Aug 11, 2008 10:22:01 AM

  Yes, the Gen 2 Elantra was a pretty good car also (I almost bought one in 1997!). It had the first-generation Beta engine. But it was designed in the mid-'90s, when Hyundai's focus was still on being the low cost carmaker, vs. value/quality. But the 1996-2000 Elantras were still pretty good for their time. I recall that in another comparo (C/D or MT, can't remember which) that car did quite well, ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: 2007 Hyundai Elantra SE w/ XM [butterflytiff]

  Written by: effect18 on Sep 21, 2007 5:20:00 PM

  Hey, just wanted to say your making a good choice. My wife loves her 07 Elantra. As for the price I got her... she traded in her 1997 Saturn(bucket), which was virtually worthless to the dealer. But they are advertising(im sure you've seen the ads) 4,000 off any trade in no matter what the condition. Of course there's a catch, but you can use this as leverage when getting a good ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• Re: radio codes [jessie02]

  Written by: spmrebel on Aug 7, 2006 6:25:20 PM

  This is a securtiy code used for the radio in case it is stolen from the car which makes the entire radio unusable until you enter the code. I had bought a used 95 Elantra in 1997 with the same problem and I called Hyundai at the time. All they needed was the serial number of the radio and they gave me the code over the phone. However, they may not ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: The Elantra is no longer a compelling value [backy]

  Written by: gary045 on Aug 5, 2006 4:07:48 PM

  Nah, I don't think all 18 Elantras are loaded. I think the dealer is just proud of them after having a good month selling them in July. They also need a new detail person. As for the Nissan. They have a longer reliability record than Hyundai. Of course Hyundai has moved up fast, and I'm happy with mine. I bought a new 1995 Nissan trk for $13,000 11 yrs ago, that's ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• Pay for 2006 Elantra Before Delivery?

  Written by: kathyw105 on Feb 24, 2006 2:03:30 PM

  I'm in the last stages of getting a 2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS Sedan. I'm going to talk with the financing dept. this Saturday, and if everything checks out ok, I should then receive the car within 1-2 weeks. The dealer is selling the car at invoice pricing for everything, as I have a friend who's a Hyundai dealer in California. He's also giving me a pretty good deal on my 1997 ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra Maintenance and Repair

• 1997 Hyundai Elantra Wagon Pauses when in drive

  Written by: tils208 on Oct 4, 2005 10:16:40 AM

  My Husband has a 1997 Elantra wagon.It pauses when he puts into drive. It has 100,000 miles on it. He said Pep boys tried to open his transmission cap and it was jammed. Could this be a problem cause it's low on transmission fluid, or is it the transmission itself? Thanks~Julie

Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra

• csandste

  Written by: mike91326 on Jun 9, 2003 4:25:38 PM

  Let me Guess, at 70K on the Caravan I bet you left your transmission by the side of the road. I know the feeling, when I sold my 1997 Plymouth GV I had 73K on the clock and I was on my 3rd transmission. Now I’m a happy two Hyundai family (01 Elantra and 03 Sonata).

Hyundai Elantra 5-door

• Re:Re...Re:hp

  Written by: johhu on Sep 18, 2002 11:09:59 AM

  A mistake IS a mistake. And I don't feel comfortable with it, period . ‘2555’…It sounds to me that a lot of people see this as a way to get something for nothing, that to me is rather a sad reflection on the way society is going. You bought a good car enjoy it. Re: Do you think they are doing the these buyers a big favor? If horsepower thing is ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• top speed

  Written by: dlaing1 on Jun 6, 2002 10:51:22 PM

  Here is an interesting site, describing the top speed limiter on the 1997 Elantra and how to disable it. http://webhome.idirect.com/~trini/car/lim.html Note that disabling it without modifying the car for higher speeds is dangerous and may invalidate your warranty.Another site shows the performance numbers for the 2002 elantra: http://carpoint.msn.com/Vip/Heraud/Hyundai/Elantra/2002S.asp

• prices

  Written by: claywaterfill on May 10, 2002 11:16:36 AM

  Hyundai dealers in Atlanta advertise Elantras at $1000 below invoice. The prices for Elantras with automatic transmissions start just under $11k. I don't know how much more they can drop. Hyundai does seem to love to change styles every couple of years. The Sonata, for instance, was different in 1997, changed in 1999, and of course is new again this year. So, a "new" Elantra may be on the way soon. ... Read More

• no title

  Written by: mauvas on Feb 22, 2002 6:58:42 PM

  I would suggest that you should go for the Elantra. Your friend wont be wrong. Instead of buying an Echo or Rio or Accent (though they are fine cars) for almost the same money she will have a bigger car with the most powerfull engine in its category, the best equipped car for the price and the best warranty. I owned a Elantra 1997 GLS which I sold after about three ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 5-door

• Thinking of Elantra GT

  Written by: captstark on Jan 4, 2002 7:36:51 AM

  I am looking at the Elantra GT. I have also looked at the Mazda Protege ES and like the way it looks. I now have a 2001 XG300 which I love. We have around 7000 miles on it and no problems at all. Now we are replacing our 1997 Breeze, and thus our looking at the ES and Elantra GT. Would like to hear from GT owners on how they like ... Read More

Help Me Choose!

• Prizm vs. Alero vs. Elantra

  Written by: karl on Nov 3, 2001 11:28:45 AM

  anon70 - I vote for the Prizm as the best of these 3. Why ? Because - 1) Reputation for reliability - this car is the mechanical clone of the Toyota Corolla, built at the NUMMI plant in Fremont California, alongside the Corolla. 2) 3/36 warranty is fine, vs. 5/60 for Alero, or combo of 5/60 & 10/100 for Elantra - because most warranty repairs will occur in the first year ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• 10W40

  Written by: csandste on Aug 10, 2001 7:27:26 PM

  A poster in the Accent thread (hatchbacks) wrote about his first oil change and the fact that he used Castrol 10W40. Without checking my owners manual I wrote warning him that he may have violated his warranty by not using an API "starburst" approved grade. Turns out that I was wrong, 10W40 is approved by Hyundai. Even my wife's 1997 Cavalier with the moaning rental car 2.2 engine has a warning ... Read More

• High Insurance Costs

  Written by: csandste on Aug 8, 2001 11:08:29 AM

  Just came back from my insurance dealer. He informed me my '01 Elantra GLS is rated 16 (meaning extremely expensive to insure). My 1997 Cavalier is a 6, my 1994 Caravan a 2 or 3. All Hyundai's were rated high, the Sonata was 13, the Accent 14, the Tibby 17. This is from memory so these figures may be off a bit. He assured me these ratings were standard to the ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 5-door

• I Am Foolhardy.

  Written by: compensate on Jul 19, 2001 7:05:10 PM

  The GT rocks! It's structural integrity is on-par with the best in the industry. I've lived through a few very bad wrecks (I was never the driver in any of them), without airbags, and walked with little or no injury. Again, as has been stated here a few times, we don't know if this actually affects the 2001.5 Elantra GT. Remember that the 2001 GLS came out MANY months before the ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• 2001 Elantra Head Unit Swap

  Written by: ajalger on Jul 9, 2001 3:10:25 PM

  Hey.. I'm sure some of you guys have swapped the head unit in your 2001 Elantra. Is the wiring harness for 1997-1999 Hyundai's the right one? I went to a couple places and they only had that one.. I bought it, but have not had the chance to take my deck out to see what the connector looks like. Also, if not, where did you get your harness? Thanks!

• About that Sunfire...

  Written by: csandste on Jul 5, 2001 11:15:16 AM

  I have a 1997 Cavalier, I am now driving my mother-in-laws ex. 1987 Chevy Nova waiting for Elantra GT availability to be a bit better. Frankly I find the 1987 Nova a more pleasant ride than the Cavalier. Toyota engineering was far ahead of the pack in the late 80's. I recently drove an Elantra GLS back to back with a Corolla and found the Elantra to be the more pleasant ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 5-door

• Honda Rules! OK, just kidding. . . :)

  Written by: tmundar on Feb 28, 2001 10:39:06 AM

  cjaccetta, Based on your criteria, I would lean toward the Honda. While the GT has the Civic trumped for flexibility, the Civic has the edge in reliability and economy. While I believe that Hyundai has made great strides in terms of reliability, I do not believe that they have reached the level of Honda and Toyota, yet. For fuel economy, the Honda has the advantage. The Civic Automatic gets 30/38 city/hwy ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• Umm Lets see under 15K Ill add

  Written by: ohiogoodguys on Feb 19, 2001 7:39:17 PM

  If you want something other then a sedan: 1997+ Honda CRV (own a 2000 and Love it) 2001 Jeep Cherokee 4door (over 15K but have seen extremely cheap lease) 1999+ Chevy Tracker Sedan Wise: 98+ Honda Accord (bullet proof car) 97+ Toyota Camry 1999+ Hyundai Sonata (you can get a New 4cyl for a tad over 15K) If you are in the Ohio area I saw a 1999 Sonata with 40K ... Read More

• BUY THE ELANTRA WAGON !!!!

  Written by: gtmustang on Feb 19, 2001 7:26:25 PM

  I own the Elantra wagon. I bought it new in 1997 and it is a wonderful car. I have not had any problems with it and it has 53,000 miles on it now. I drive it every day and have gone everywhere with it. It is Excellent in the snow and it's economical and relaible. DO NOT LISTEN to anyone who tells you that Hyundai Elantra is no good. It IS ... Read More

Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra

• Honda vs Hyundai

  Written by: dankg on Jan 11, 2001 6:11:15 PM

  I have been looking for a small car for a while and would like to get a used Honda Civic DX. A dealer nearby has a 1997 with 48K miles for $9,500. I baulked because it was at the top end of what I wanted to spend. Today the dealer called back and said he had a 2000 Hyundai Elantra with 6,300 miles for $8,300. I don't have experience with the ... Read More

Hyundai Elantra 2001-2006

• host of this room....L8_apex

  Written by: elantra00 on Sep 30, 2000 4:27:24 PM

  can you do me a favor and remove the forum "Hyundai Elantra GLS 1997" from the selection list on the elantra page? I ask you this cause I created a chat called "2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS vs. Ford Focus ZX3" and it got taken off; maybe its because there is no room for it on the selection part. But that 1997 hyundai forum is pointless. no one has posted something in ... Read More

Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra

• Elantra v. Honda et al

  Written by: george00 on Mar 24, 2000 5:33:01 PM

  There really is an issue of underequipped Japanese cars compared with Hyundai. I felt that a bit when comparing Elantra with a Civic but it was glaring where Toyota was concerned. A Corolla mid-level model (SE) not only did not have power sideview mirrors, as does the Elantra, the Corolla's mirror assemblies were immovable, meaning that in a brush-by the mirrors would not bend but would rip the door off. The ... Read More