Used 2004 Hyundai Elantra Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Best car I ever owned
I bought my Hyundai new in April 2004. I now have 123,000 miles on and could not be more pleased. Besides replacing tires and brakes( front rotors one time) the only repairs have been Timing belt, water pump, belts, tune-up with plugs & plug wires and front struts all done at 100,000 miles. Runs as good as new with very little rattle. I did replace the hatch lid struts 2 years ago.I average 24MPH in city driving, 32 on a trip. Love this car. I will run it till it dies. I traded my wife's 2006 Elantra GT in on a 2012 Santa Fe. Don't regret it a bit. Another great vehicle.
Great car!!
We've had our car since (I think) Spring of 2004. It is a great little car! Nearly everything about it is excellent! Pick-up and go is good except for when the AC is on and you are trying to get onto the freeway. The seats are a bit uncomfortable for long trips (2+ hours) though. Our CD player/faceplate is glitchy after all these years. If you press a button (even the off button) too hard it shorts out the faceplate and when you let go it turns back on. Sometimes it simply wont work unless you remove the face plate and put it back on. Our car only has just less than 98,000 miles on it.
- GLS SedanMSRP: $3,395193 mi away
- GLS SedanMSRP: $5,999250 mi away
- GT 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,990434 mi away
Reliable but Terrible in Bad Weather
I got a great price last year on my previous 2004 GT Hatchback with the Automatic Tranny. Not much pep and transmission was confused easily. Tires lost tread very quickly and gas mileage was a major disappointment average 22mpg due to having to floor it often. Inside is very nice but leather showed distress within a few months. Last winter spell was its last, nearly crashed serveral times going to work on light snow covered roads. Good cheap college car in dry flat climates but in Pittsburgh it was not going to cut it, got a 2005 Subaru Forester this weekend (7,500 more), no comparison and I finally don't have sweaty palms in snowy conditions.
Buyers beware
This car is not reliable. With a few initial minor problems and after 4000 miles later, the engine leaks coolant. A well-made car should not have this kind of problem, IMHO. The point is, you are buying a cheap car and that is what you get. Their cheap service comes as part of a cheap package, too. Be warned. You are taking a risk.
Fine, but too much engine vibration
Maybe I got the lemon, but there's too much engine vibration at 2500 rpm. My rear-view mirror sounds like it's trying to tell me something.
If only I could buy this car again for same price!
This car has been awesome. Tight road handling, very reliable. at 207,000 miles and I have had it since about 80,000 miles. it is getting near retirement for it. Did not need any repairs until very near 200,000 miles, and then there have just been two, for about $650 each. It runs great, the leather seats look great, the Air Conditioning works well and has never had to be recharged. Only the after-market sunroof has an electric problem.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Rick's Review
Pros: A lot of thought went into designing this car. The amount of equipment included for the price is an exceptional value Cons: Within two months the service was required for the following problems: Clutch switch. License plate light Cruise control unit Also the service manager informed me two days ago that there was a safety recall for this model. It involves the positioning of a particular clamp which may puncture the fuel tank in a serious collision.
cheep cheep
Yes this is a car that you will pay well under 20,000 for. The ride is very stiff and if you have to spend any time in it for traveling or camut's, you will need to get out to strech you legs. All i realy can say is get a good acupunchest or ciropractor (you'll need it anfter a few weeks of driving). Though it has a nice warrinty the factory mantaince can get a little pricy. The gas milage is great. I would never buy this car again and never recamend it to a friend or family member. It could be a good interductry car for the 20 somethings just starting out in the world.
Simply a Great Buy
I researched plenty b4 buying my Elantra because I wanted a problem-free car (a real challenge when buying used). The '04 Elantra is highly rated by many car reviewers. Having owned mine for 6 months and driven 12,000 miles, I want to share how wonderful owning this car has been. I bought this car with 52K mi on it. It is a loaded 5-spd GT Hatch. I like the styling inside and out. I have not had a single mechanical problem. I have had to replace one headlight bulb and it was easy. If the biggest complaint about a car is changing headlight bulbs, common sense told me it is a smart car to buy. And the gas mileage? 35 MPG combined; that's 450 mi b4 the fuel light comes on! Worth every $ I paid.
Surprised!
This car was purchased to replace a 2003 Honda Civic that was totaled ($13000 damage) in a 25 mph accident. I was disappointed that the Honda suffered so much damage at such a low speed when my son hit a Ford Explorer. We looked at another Civic, the Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and the Elantra. The Elantra was by far the best deal for the money. Got it for just under $14000. It's nice to drive; MUCH quieter and smoother than the Civic with more engine power. The MPG is around 25 in city commuter driving, very respectable. So far I'm very pleased.
Real Review, this is not a 10 CAR!!
This is an OK car, nothing special especially in terms of the materials used. Car has many squeaks/rattles/buzzes that the dealer does not want to address. Car handles well and the 4 wheel discs work well. Seats are comfy and I fit, 6'5" 225lbs nicely. Build quality is only fair due to rattles and cheapness of interior materials, seats are already showing wear?? in 2 months... This concerns me. Car can be caught completely flat footed on hills where it WILL NOT downshift, the lead tech told me this was a KNOWN issue , he also said they were not as well made as the Sonata,
Great Car - Better than an Acura
I have had no problems with this $15,000 car in my 3+ years of ownership which is more than I can say for my $40,000 Acura MDX. Other than the Passenger Airbag Sensor recall, this car has not been in for repairs other than the regular scheduled. The MDX has had several recalls for major items - power steering pump, transmission. Also had a cracked fuel tank pipe. It's really too bad that Hyundai is still getting penalized for being Korean and Acura/Honda gets high praise for being Japanese. I'll buy another Hyundai before a Honda/Acura product.
Eric's review of 2004 Hyundai Elantra GT
Handles very well, very responsive to driver's commands. Decent gas mileage. Awesome sticker price after rebates. Only 140 hp, but because the car is so light, it accelerates quickly. Very comfortable interior with perforated leather being standard. Lots of goodies installed. Fun to drive!
TOP value/price!
With my spinal cord injury, the car I purchased had to be tops in comfort, tops in reliability, and tops in ease of use and handling. Given my medical bills, the car I selected had to be under $20,000 all inclusive. Enter a lengthy internet search that lasted weeks. The Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback w/ auto-shift won! I have had it one year; lots of stop/go traffic; record snow (upstate NY); record cold; wet spring/summer -- no negatives! Even Coogee, my rat terrier service dog loves it! What a car, truly!
All that and a bag of chips!
This is a great car. Handles turns very, very well, and is great on gas. I work hard for my money and all I wanted was an affordable car. Well, I got that and everything else...sunroof,leather,fog lights, peppy 130hp engine with more than enough torque, & a great sound system. I have never been able to afford all that. I thought it was only for the rich to enjoy. Test drive this car, you will not be unimpressed.
Excellent value
I have had this car for a year, and I love it. It's fun to drive, VERY comfortable on long road trips, and great on gas. There is TONS of storage space when the back seat is folded down. My only complaints are the bad paint quality (it's already chipping) and the cheap sun visors (the mirror cover-flap has fallen off TWICE, even after being replaced with a brand new
Car Is Great for the money
You get everything you want in a car like this. For example, you get a electric sunroof, leather interior, a very very loud cd stero system,. also the comfort and the speed in this car is awsome for what you need it for. beside the looks you have a car that should value over $30,000 dollars and you get in for under $15,000. Also, have I forgot to tell you the 5yrs, unlimeted milage assitants. alos theres a ten year drive training warrenty. My amzed worlds where why HYNDAI and not the othaers. well you sold me and on my way for the Santa Fe 3.5 ltr. Can not help my self . Emmanuel
ME AND MY HATCH
The 04 gt hatch has been a pleasure the day we met. yes, the elantra only gained a mir 3 hp in a year(138) but it is note worthy. the variable valve timing now on the 2.o dohc does add a boost otherwise noted on this site (135hp). the suspension can handle those turns and downshifting can get you that extra boost without worrying about you dropping something on the interstate. the kenwood cd/mp3 BUMPS indeed. the leather is nice.. the whole interior is nice. i fit a 27 inch tv box and all in the cargo.overall this car is crazy nice i assure anyone with doubts that even test driving this car will change your mind. mods a must
Great Car for the price
I recently bought the Hyundai Elantra 4 dr GT hatchback. I found this car is much better than the Elantra I bought back in 2000. Much better suspension, much better handling on the curves. Comes with an MP3 player standard. I love this car! The seats are very comfy and adjustable with lumbar support. All leather interior. You have to take one for a test drive! The only thing I don't like about it is where the cup holders are placed. Pretty minor.
Best of the Best
Don't look at Honda Civic, don't look at Toyota Corolla, go directly to Hyundai, and buy an Elantra GT Hatchback. I did the research, test drove, did more research, I bought the best of the best. The car is tight as a drum, drives like a dream, smooth automatic, fully loaded costs about the same as an entry-level competitor. Leather seats, Kenwood stereo, fog lights, cute rear and front end...hatchback with rear seats down flat holds almost as much cargo as the Honda CRV I traded in. Quality is outstanding.My wife and I also own a 2000 Volvo C70 convertible...I can't decide which one I like best!
Great Deal for Fun wheels
I have had my Elantra GT for 1 month and about 2000 miles now and can say it has beem a great experience so far. It is stylish has adequate performance (although a closer ratio gearbox and a bit more clutch feel would be welcome) and is pretty comfortable on a long trip. It could also use a bit sportier sounding exhaust system in as the engine is almost too quiet. Overall though it reminds me of the original Volkswagen GTI with an extra set of doors.
BARGAIN OF THE YEAR !
I did a lot of research before purchasing my Elantra GT 5door. I looks at Chevy, Dodge, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi and the HYundai was the best deal. For what you get in Hyundai for the price your pay, you cant beat it. I found a HTF pkg 8 with ABS/Tract Control and my dealer, Towne Hyundai in Denville NJ didnt try to mark up the car because of it. Warranty, Leather, great stereo, sunroof, power everything, auto, abs, tract control, reputable dealer, with a 2000.00 rebate and 500.00 extra for owner loyalty (I traded a 97 Accent with 145K-another good car) The Elnatra was well under $15000 !!! Where else can you get so much for so little !
Love my new Elantra GT!!!
Great, responsive car for the money! We got the fully loaded GT w/the sunroof and ABS system for 13,700! The seats may still need breaking in as they are extremely stiff, and the gas mileage should be better for such a small car - my Intrepid gets almost as good of mileage. Overall, very fun car to drive - I love to watch the stereo change colors at night!
Don't get the 5 spd.
I've had a 2004 Elantra GT hatchback for two months. Great car - fast, safe, reliable, comfortable. However, the 5 spd. is extremely clunky; it feels more like a truck transmission than a car transmission. Moreover, the fog lights come on only when the headlights are on, which rather defeats the purpose of fog lights. Otherwise, terrific car.
Love it!
I have had my 2003 Elantra GT 5spd over a year now. It is the best car I have ever owned. It has every option I wanted... and more (for thousands less). It is the most powerful car in it's class which helps on those steep hills and winding roads.
Hyundai reinvents the GTI
Hyundai hits a home run with the Elantra GT! Not since I purchased my Volkswagen GTI in 1986 has a car so captured the fun to drive spirit and bang for the buck value of my Elantra GT. It has competent road manners a great ride and is quick and responsive providing excellent driver feedback. I find myself going for rides just because and with gas at almost $2 a gallon it gets decent mileage in the high 20's around town and mid 30's on the highway that doesn't brake the bank. The standard leather interior, great Kenwood stereo and hatchback versatility make this little Saab impersonator hard to beat.
Great car for the money
in the test drive i noticed that the Throttle responce was lacking i asked the sale men what could i do to improve that and he recommend a K&N air filter i did just that i put on a COLD air INtake and this car Just FLY's now. i'm not a young Hoodlem either. (I'm 25) but honestly this car needs some improvements and the money you save on the car deserves some money spent on it.. my suggestions - Tiburon V6 sway bar - Cold air intake - better tyres - new stereo - Synthectic OIL (moble 1) - Grounding Kit - Platnum Bosch +4 Plugs
2004 GT hatchback
Only have a few hundred miles on the car, but the driving experience so far has been very positive. We bought the GT hatchback, and the stiffer suspension does introduce road vibration -- but the precise control through turns and on windy roads is great. The automatic transmission has a lot of zip in first and the lower range of second, but bogs down a bit under acceleration at 40mph+. Rear seats are tight in terms of leg room unless the folks up front scoot forward. One nice improvement over the 2003 is that the childseat tether anchors are no longer back at the back of the hatch area...they are directly below the rear seat backs.
My New Toy
I just bought my first Hyundai. I was in a Malibu 2 times prior to this purchase. I wasn't too keen on the Hyundai's but I saw this one and test drove it since my budget didn't allow for much I kept an open mind. I was pleasantly surprised!! It's perky, and it handles very well on tight curves and it bad weather.I love all the gadgets that came with it. So far I am very happy with my Hyundai Elantra GT.
Reliability
Well allI have to say it is a cheap vehicle and affordable.. I have travel cross country and back and had no difficulties with my car.. It rides smooth and handles well on bad road conditions.. I just love my car
Loving it so far.
I've had my Elantra GT for just under a year now.I bought it used for about $11K last May 2005 with 35,000 miles on it. It's fully loaded with sunroof, traction control, Kenwood CD Stereo w/ detachable face. No way I would have gotten so much for such that price from the other cars I was considering (Golf, Matrix, Protege, Saturn).I've got just over 52,000 miles on it now. I love this car. I drive 75 miles a day to get to work and driving around Chicago streets and highways is so much more comfortable. Cargo space is excellent for the size of the car. Only problem, that recently popped up, is with cruise control switch which was replaced by the warranty. Just regular maintanence so far
Lots of fun for the money
I have owned this vehicle about two months and really love it. It is fun to drive and the stereo is great. The hatchback gives lots of cargo room. The leather seats are a real bonus. There are only two shortcomings: the gas mileage is not great (but it is so fun to drive that is minor) and there are no cupholders in the rear. But for the price, I don't think you can beat it.
The Little GT That Could
I've had the car for about a month and I love it! I'm glad I did my research before assuming this car was junk just because it's a Hyundai. If you notice, there aren't many on the road which makes me feel good. It's great not to be a sheep and follow everyone else to the Honda, Nissan and Toyota dealers. I'm a lifer for Hyundai!
Love this little car
Although I have very few miles on this new car I do love it. My last car was a 1990 Saab and people that know me think this is a Saab as well. The lines are so similar. The car is very comfortable to drive and be a passenger in. I appreciate the space in the hatch back and the fold down seats. Controls are easy to understand and operate. In my opinion lots of car for a low price.
Bang for the Buck? - Oh yeah.
Well I've driven pick-up trucks for the past 12 years so this small sedan is a bit of a departure for me. My wife did have a 99 Nissan Maixma SE for a few years, and while this would never be confused with a Maxima, it is fun. So far I love the way it drives. It's effortless. It dives into corners and zips through traffic. Basically for the money it can't be beat. I had looked at the Mazda 3s and to get it with the same features as the Elantra GT would have cost 4-5K more. The Nissan Sentra is... well a Sentra. The Hyundai warranty is simply the best.
New Owner
Purchased the car a few days ago. No options on this 5spd hatchback. Paid 14,800 for it minus the 750 rebate. Nice car. Bought it for the styling, price and warranty. I heard the rebate just went up today!
GT Hatchback - Outstanding Value
The GT comes with a ton of standard features that you won't find in any similiar cars in this price range. You can't beat the warranty on these cars either. I shopped around alot and I'm very satisfied with the car and the dealership I bought it from.
Why Pay More For a Honda or Toyota
The 5 door GT,has the ride and feel of cars costing 5 - 10 thousand dollars more. Good gas mileage, 27-29, very quiet and euro looking. Never thought I'd like it till we drove it. Save your money as the warranty makes it worth owning
fun car great price
the gt 5 door in my area was very difficult to find,northtown dealership found one dealership reallies cares about the customer had one small defect which they fix immediately great dealership to work with
Ecstatic about Elantra GT Hatchback
I just picked up my new 2004 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback, automatic, ABS, Moonroof, Tidal Wave color. Could not be happier with this choice. Had to wait about 3 months for this particular color/option combination to come in but it was worth the wait. This is one fun car to drive & the amenities are unbeleivable for a $17,000 car. Get this car now since the rebate went up to $1250.
Is it perfect now? (03)
This car makes commuting a pleasure I look forward to twice a day. After six months, I still don't like having to get out of it, and still look back at it after parking. I can't believe what I paid for it. I get nothing but compliments on the ride and interior, and the cargo space is huge. I stuffed a 6-foot pine tree back there with the hatch closed and room to spare. I keep discovering thoughtful details.
Great value
With the 2K rebate I got this in Automatic for under 14K with sunroof and abs!!! Unbeatable value!
Hyundai Elantra
I bought this car in July of 2003 and three days later I went on an 1800 mile road trip to NH. During the time I was amazed with the fuel economy and the quiet and ride comfort in a car that was less than 15,000 dollars with all the options. Some of my favorite features on the car include the comfortable seats, the knob on the 5-speed, and the cool blue lit dials for the speedometer and tachometer.
Unbelievable car!
Great car for 25000, nevermind the 17000 sticker price
Nice car, needs more "GT" in the GT
This is my wife's car and was purchased three weeks after I got my Mazda 3s 5-door. Both cars have a real nice fit and finish. I would recommend either one for the long haul. That's where the similarities end. The Elantra GT has bland looks. Not much separates it from the GLS sedan. The interior is nice, especially for the small amount it took to upgrade to the GT. On the peformance side, this is hardly worthy of the GT designation. The engine is reliable, but hardly a performer. The leather seats are slippery and unsupportive in turns. My biggest gripe would have to be the steering ratio. It takes too much movement to coax this car to turn. Nice reliable car, splurge for the 3s to add fun.
great car
I've owned it for only a little while and love to drive it. when you look at what other company's are offering in this price range and what you get with a gt elantra it's a no brainer. Thats even without the warrenty.
The Best Car Ive ever owned
I just rescently purchased this vehicle and I LOVE IT! Everything about this car is Easy to drive the stick shift is extreemly easy the clutch is very nice the steering I just cant say enough about it.
Everyone should get one
I bought my elantra in october of last year (2003) it's a 2004 model and by far the best car i've ever owned. I traded in a 1999 Honda Accord and i don't miss my Honda for a second.
12,988 BRAND NEW!! A TOTAL STEAL
I drove every other car I could compare this to. Nothing even came close to the Elantra Gt. Car for the dollar, Hyundai has it won. what do I have to worry about??? Absolutely nothing, I have a 10 year 100k warranty on this bad boy!!
Absolutely Amazing @ Its Price
This is an amazing vehicle. The build and quality are very good for an economy small car. Everything is tight, feels substantial, and looks pleasant or even attractive. I really like the hatchback's exterior profile. The warranty and roadside assistance are unmatched by anyone else. Bottom line is this car is very well built, looks great, and drives great and has an *UNBEATABLE* price! If you like to drive well, but not pay a premium to do so, check this car out! We have NO regrets so far since purchasing our Elantra; we think that's a great sign that we made the right choice! My wife and I alternate who drives so we can both enjoy it!