Used 2002 Hyundai Elantra Consumer Reviews
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Best Car I've owned
Bought this car Feburary 2003 with 7k miles on for $11,300 and still own it into 2012 and don't plan on selling it. It has 106k miles on it now and the only problems i've had with the car were the e-brake cable boot came off when driving in snowy conditions and the cable froze. Warenty covered it. My blower motor quit working on low speed which was also replaced under warrenty. My map sensor failed at 98k miles and the vehicle died. it started up 20 minutes later and was able to make it to a repair shop. I am hard on vehicles and I will admit I bought this vheichle for the warrenty. I drive it hard everyday and it keeps on running smooth averageing 33 mpg.
an absolute beast
what can i say?, this car has been stupid reliable. 14 years old and i have literally put less than $2000 into the car. snow? rain? beast mode.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
- GLSMSRP: $2,890393 mi away
- GLS SedanMSRP: $3,800715 mi away
- GT 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,500738 mi away
Good if there's no rust
Had this car only a short time due to an unfortunate accident but put 15000km in that short time and the car was very reliable only problems were the the radio/cd player died and the rust ate through the left lower control arm. So if your looking at getting one just look for rust around the suspension.
Takes my beatings, and keeps on ticking!
Bought new, and never babied! It gets neglected and abused! So the fact that it's still going strong, with nearly 230,000 miles on it, and hasn't needed any major repairs, is AMAZING! Oil changes done when I get around to it, often after 10-15k miles. Never brought it in for scheduled maintenance, but did get a complete Tune-Up once or twice. Original clutch lasted for over 200k miles! The radiator and thermostat were replaced the year prior. A few things have worn out, or about to: Driver's door won't lock (bad relay switch) making key fobs useless; the motor for the driver's power window is slowly dying; can't change time on clock; high-beams turn on randomly when using the turn signal.
Okay until the end
I brought the car in 2007 with 32,000. Besides needing to take it in after a couple of months because of a bad transmission range switch, it was good just needed normal maintenance. I sold it a couple of days of ago because at 1116,000 miles the transmission started to slip which a any transmission work would cost more than the car was worth. Overall considering the age of the car and the fact that it was in the rust belt, it was pretty good.
My best car ever!
I have had many cars over the years, and this is by far the best car I have ever had! I bought it when it was 2 years old and had about 20,000 miles on it. Today is the first time I have had to replace anything, back brakes, and it has 95,000 miles on it! Otherwise I have only had oil changes and new tires. I plan to drive it for 2 more years and then give it to my daughter when they turn 16 - it will be a great first car for her. When I get another car for me, I will definitely get another hyundai! (And the hatchbback is wonderful - it's like having a SUV)
Few Repairs until Engine Failure 150k
Bought new in 2002. It had only two very minor repairs during the 150,000 miles I had the car 1)coolant thermostat (replaced myself for $30. 2)Headlight bulbs - replaced nearly 3 times...not very expensive but a little inconvenient. The car was extremely dependable on a daily basis and very fuel efficient. However, at 150k miles, the thrust bearing went out in the engine, meaning I needed a new engine. The replacement cost would have been about what the car was worth..$3000. I would highly recommend the car but would suggest calling a dealer first to see if the 02 models are known for this particular engine problem.
Lights burn out it's a bulb
I love my car.It has the 100,000 mile warranty, I purchased the extended warranty have had no problems with it,The check engine light come on so your belts and things can be checked..Great car I would purchase another one...as far as the bulbs are concerned it's a tiny little bulb that doesn't last a life time for the person that griped about changing the bulb..
Overall Good Experience with this Car
I had a good experience with this car overall but not good enough to buy another Hyundai. On the plus side, you get a lot of features for the money; on the down side, you tend to get what you pay for. In 3 years, I never had any major problems (other than clutch going out after 12 months due to San Francisco hills), but had lots of minor problems: brake lights constantly going out, cruise control went out, CDs stuck in CD player, worn-out floor mats, paint dinged easily. That said, the car was mechanically sound and suited my needs well as a basic city car. Wouldn't buy another Hyundai, a) because I can afford something better now and b) because I can't get past its inherent cheapness.
Excellent Car
I bought this car 1/2010, only had to replace regular maintenance items. Rotors, timing belt, etc. Its been a good reliable car. It had a good engine to get up to speed when you need it to. I do recommend the Hyundai Elantra.
Low price... Awesome car!
This is THE car. Try and find a 2002 Japanese car for the same price and features as a Hyundai and you'll be suprised how much MORE they cost. The hyundai just feels all around better. I test drove Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Dodge, Ford, and Chevy compact cars and this one beats them all. I wouldn't even consider this a compact car. My sister has a 2000 Maxima and this elantra has more room in it and feels more comfortable than the Maxima. The sunroof is also a nice touch. I recommend this car above any other unles you just like paying more for the name a car carries rather than it's value.
My best Car ever ... so far
After i graduated, im trying to find new car but couldnt find a good as elantra. very comfort, nice interior design, But after i my parent want to change to a MPV, i no need to take a long time to think, I just take elantra to become my 1st car. As owner, continue from my dad to me, from 2002 ,elantra serve us well.Almost 3 years with me, driving more than 160K KM, i maintained this car never give me a big problem. even my friend also compliment this car engine is smooth and never make noise. Hell yeah , now i will keep this car and wait the elantra 2011 coming to Malaysia. until now, Im die hard fan of Elantra.
My Midnight Gray Hyundai Elantra!!
Love this car, owned a 01 Hyundai Accent, too small for someone who is 6'1" So decided to upgrade. Not really happy to know I could have gotten a better deal then I got. Paid 13,600 but considering I had a trade-in, I guess I got a good deal! I didn't go to several dealerships, should have, oh well! Car drives, handles awesome! LOOOOOVE Cruise, Keyless Entry, and something I have never had on any car of mine, AN ALARM!!!
Great Value
Purchased used as daily driver. Very nice features and interior were standard on this model when new. Easy to maintain and build quality is apparent on this 17 year old Elantra GT. A comfortable, reliable used car that is fun to drive and easy to load stuff in. - Minor flaw would be the 5-speed gear ratios that make it economical but with slow acceleration under 4000 rpm.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great 1st New Car
I totally love this car. I drove from Mass to Florida and back to Mass with this car full of stuff. I have about 79,000 miles on it now. Still runs great. I had good luck with dealers in Mass and in Florida. I get regular oil changes and tires when needed. Brought this car brand new. Great 1st car for me. Do you see how much the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour looks like the Elantra GT.
Dependable - low maintenance
Bought my 2002 Elantra new for 12K. Have driven it for nine years 94,000 with only regular maintenance. No problems other than frequent head light replacements. Rotors replaced twice now. Some warranty work. Timing belt replaced at 80K only because the manual said to replace it at 50/60K. Recent check engine light came on, however mechanic can not find any problems. Still running on original exhaust and rear brakes. Overall a good car for the money.
I love Hyundais
This is the third Hyundai I've owned and I loved all of them. My last one had 250,000 miles on it, yes you read correctly that's not a typo, 250,000 miles. And it's still going, I sold it to the salesman who sold me my car! He bought it for his daughter and he loves it. I never had a problem with any hyundai, I can't say the same for the 2 fords I had. terrible cars. give me a hyundai any day. I am totally sold on these cars.
Gas mileage
I've been pretty disatisfied with the poor gas mileage I've been getting the longer I've owned this car. When it was new, I was getting about 28 mpg in the city, but that was still less than my average 30 mpg I'd been getting from my '94 Mazda Protege. Also, performance has suffered, too. Now it seems like the engine isn't breathing right. I've taken it in to my local dealer and they've been great! But my mpg continues to decline; I'm now getting barely 23 mpg/city, 29 mpg/highway. Also had some hesitation problems upon intial ignition; FYI, there is a fix for this at your dealer. Ask them to update the software on your car's computer.
Reliable and roomy
Purchased in 2002, put 38,500 miles on it since. Only complaint: brakes started to wobble at 15K, dealer said the rotors need to be resurfaced. Supposedly the extreme temperature differences in the AZ mountains warped the metal. Not covered by warranty! That stinks, especially since my brake pads are still over 1/2 good. Car is roomy for my huge dog with the seats folded. Tires and FWD perform well in snow at 7,000 feet. Love this car and will buy another Hyundai when this one is out of warranty - despite the brakes. I just live with the wobble. Had Chevy, Grand Marquis, Audi before. The GT is the most reliable by far.
Is this Hyundai Elantra really that good
I bought a 2002 Elantra (7 months/ 3200 miles, as 2nd car). First off, poor mileage for a small car, < 20 mpg city driving. Engine revs up until 30 mph, then RPM spikes up, and shifts to higher gear. Once there, it drives well. Small rear seats, esp with infants car seat in the middle. Flimsy trunk hood and that leads me to worry about overall quality -unsure how sturdy it is in a collision. For all that, the car has its plus points. Drives well on the highway (40 mph or higher zones), AC works well, and nice defogger that clears up real fast. Handles turns better than Corolla (which I test drove), interior is much quieter than Saturn & 2002 Nissan Sentra.
Great Little Car
Read the reviews and bought Hyundai for first time. This has been a great car. Reliable, sporty feel to it. Car has held up well for being inexpensive.
Great car
I looked at buying a new car for a long time and I am happy I went with the Elantra and even happier that I decided on the GT. This is a great car. And as long as it doesn't end up being a turkey like every other car I owned (the latest being a '96 Plymouth Neon) I will remain happy. This car has a good smooth ride, and is comfortable to drive.
Luv and miss my Hyundai
I got my elantra with 54,000 miles on it in 2007 and the only complaint I have is that I had to keep replacing the headlights. I loved my elantra so much. It was recently totaled in a head on collision and I walked away from the accident with just the pain associated with car accidents. My elantra did a good job protecting me. She took care of me like I took care of her. I will miss her. I never had any issues with my car. If I found a 2002 elantra with low miles on it for the age of the car I would definitely buy it.
10
I love this vehicle. I was in an accident and although the vehicle was totaled I walked away unharmed. It is a smooth, fun drive and I am now buying another Elantra.
I love this car
I bought this car brand new in 2002. I don't know what the other people are talking about but I believe they've had 1 recall since then. I never had any problems with this car until I moved to a place that had crazy humidity and drastic weather change. Then I had a few problems here or there due to the drastic change, but that's it. I would absolutely buy another Elantra in a heartbeat.
Unbelievable!!!
To sum it up, I am elated. This is the best car for the money, both horsepower wise and safety wise. It looks great, feels even better, and comes with surprising perks. Even without the warranty I would have purchased this wonderful car.
big mistake
Bought in 2005 with 40K miles. Clean and solid. Since then: new clutch, control arm failure (recall), brakes, 2 sets of tires, plugs and wires, O2 sensor and still needs catalytic converters, fuel vapor sensor and exhaust manifold. And still less than 100K miles. Body still solid and clean but cannot give it away since not inspectable. Now looking at the other H-car that really will last.
Worst Car Ever
I am the current owner of the 2002 Hyundai Elantra that my mother purchased brand new in 2002. From the time it was purchased there have been numerous recalls and so many problems with this car. We have had both axles replaced recently, the car is constantly at the shop and it is terrible. Terrible to drive no pick up what so ever. There is nothing good about this car.
This is the Best Car ever
I love this car. My wife and I fight over driving it and we have decide to get her one of her owe.
The best buy in its class
The Elantra is HUGELY underpriced. Dollar for dollar, it's better than the Civic, Corolla, or Focus. It's a big improvement on previous Hyundais... quiet, responsive, and comfortable with more than enough power. Options galore, looks good, well built. A great buy. I didn't intend to buy Hyundai when I went shopping, but it beat out every other compact car, and I looked at all of them.
Unbelievable!
Just bought an Elantra GT 2002 pewter with automatic. Great control in corners, the car follows very well the road. Good acceleration, even with automatic. The car feels very solid and is far from Civic, Sentra or Protege. Body lean is better controled in Elantra bacause of the suspension. I drove before the Sentra and Accord for about 1 year each. I like Elantra better, especially for it's price and features.
Buy It
Replaced a Civic LX with the GT, no comparison. The extras are wonderful, the sunroof appreciated. Best A/C I have ever had in any car. Snappy and responsive stick that is a great deal of fun to drive. No Squeaks or rattles. Smoooooth on the highway and VERY comfortable. Love the leather too! You can't beat the value with this car. Well made body panels are a plus. I gave the Civic to my daughter and I don't miss it one bit. The Hyundai is fun to drive, the Civic was always slow on the uptake and mushy to me.
Value in Hyundai's Elantra GT
The most standard features @ the best price in the market. Interior detail is sensitive to comfort, design, performance.Others comment my GT looks like a SAAB!Quiet and peppy powertrain. Warranty is untouchable.Drawback=lackluster trade- in value.Dealers say this is changing, but so is dealer attitude:they're becoming arrogant. Some said my researched figures were bogus,or tried to short--change me on my trade. Found and honest dealer and got a fair trade+$500 under invoice on GT.I bought discontinued Cranberry Color(replaced with weak Chianti Red).warranty is untouchable.
I'm Impressed
I'm glad I did my homework. I have owned several cars and trucks and this is by far the best for the money. love the midnight gray color. Very responsive and agile. Perfect for small family on a budget.
Never buy someone elses problems
Bought this car used when it had 66,532 miles on it. It now has 69,880 miles on it I cannot drive it due to a cracked high pressure power steering hose that can only be purchashed as a dealer part. Cost of hose is excessive (I priced them so far at 189.00 to 205.00 dollars) while at the mechanics that the car dealership I purchased the car at told me to take it they found 5 other things wrong with the evap system when they did a computer diagnostic (the check engine light came on just before the power steering hose blew) just 3 weeks before these problems occured I had to replace both headlamp bulbs just 3 days apart at a cost of $36.89. Overall I am very unhappy with this car so far.
Not bad at all!
Great machine for the buck. This weekend at a local dealer, a few of basic model can be had for $4,000 off the MSRP. Incredible bargain.
Fabulous car
I've had my civic for 5 years and was reluctant to go through the car-buying process. After hours and hours online and in dealerships, looking at Corollas, Civics, and Focuses, my fiance's brother recommended a Hyundai - - he got an Elantra GLS. As soon as we stepped foot on the lot I noticed the GT, and as soon as I sat in it I fell in love! We ran home to do some online research -- this car has gotten some great reviews -- and went back to 'haggle' over a price. The guy was actually great to work with, they took our first offer in the low $14s. I LOVE IT! And can't believe there aren't more of these on the road.
Not just a great value, a great car.
I visited dealerships every day over a full week and test drove almost a dozen competing vehicles. I still can't believe that exactly the right car for me was also the cheapest. Of course this car isn't for everybody. But if you care about driving enjoyment, comfort, and most of all utility, test drive this car immediately! Besides looking great, the interior is highly functional and the seats are very comfortable for long drives. For some people, the exterior of any hatchback takes getting used to. But it won't take long to appreciate all that cargo area! Just don't be surprised when everybody asks you about your new Saab (or Lexus).
Can't beat the value
The fit and finish is as good as, or better than, any car in it's class. The standard features beat the pants off of the competition and the price speaks for itself.
An intelligent buy
Civic and Corolla better? Maybe a little, but this car is a gem for its price. The base features are amazing. Design is a little conservative, but not lame. Build quality seems excellent. 13,000 miles and no problems at all. If you are looking for a really good car at the best value out there, buy this.
Fantastique !!!!!!!
I just bought a Elantra GT and it is absolutly amazing. It looks like a SAAB.
$15K Great Car
Handles well and quality seems pretty good.
Nice Reliable Car
I have owned this car for 2 years now, Bought at 74K miles, currently has 112K Miles on it.2 Repairs apart from regular oil changes 1. O2 Sensor(which is not abnormal) 2. Throttle positioning switch. Through it has performed extremely well , Gives a decent 30-32 MPG.
Great Value
Excellent value for the money.
good value & great ride
Just 2 weeks so far but I'm impressed. My GT has everything I want in a refined package. If things continue going well this will be a very sought after vehicle for Hyundai.
Keeping this car forever
I got this car when this was all I could afford. I have 94000 on it. I've had some things go wrong with it. I had the transmission replaced, under warranty. The car is strange when I started it, it stutters for about 5-10 seconds when I press on the gas. Fixing the transmission has not fixed this. Other than that no problems whatsoever. Very reliable.
Fantastic Car no matter what the price
I researched cars for several weeks and test drove several, including a Mitsubishi Galant. I have to tell you, I was extremely impressed with the Elantra GT on paper and even more so after the test drive, and felt it to be better than cars thousands of dollars more. Inside the car feels like a million bucks, and i think the styling is terrific (many have noted it looks like a saab). Test drive this car-- you won't be disappointed. I drove an eclipse previously (which cost 3000 more) and gladly traded it in.
excellent
I have had this car for over a year and it is the greatest thing ever happen to me, Everything is so good
hyundai elantra: poor mans luxury car
The Hyundai elantra GLS is a very good deal for the money. its like driving on rails of steel. with the option of the abs, remote alarm and cd youll be chilling like a villian. i love my car and i aint kidding. the only problem i got is parking it out of my sight. i may just sleep in it. BUY THIS CAR, OR AT LEAST TEST DRIVE IT.
Good Car
I've read several of consumer comments while shopping for a new car. I bought my Elantra in 2002. It was a base GLS, no options for $9990. It was a lose leader. I owned the car for 5 years and 50,000 miles. The cost of ownership was lower than any other vehicle period. I changed the oil, rotated the tires and replaced the tires at 46,000 miles. That's all I put into the car. No windshield wipers, no battery, no brakes. Everything worked fine. The car was extremely reliable, started everytime and got me from point A to B. The car was totaled, so I'm looking at replacing it with a 05 Elantra. I had a manual, no issues with the clutch or gear box. I drove this car hard and didn't have an issue.