Used 2005 Hyundai Elantra Consumer Reviews
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15 yr old car
Labby, 12/29/2020
2005 Hyundai Elantra GT 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Good car. Banged up a bit but most things still work. Still average 28 - 30 mpg. 5 speed stick shift adds more zip to the car. Got more than my money's worth out of it.
Many problems
Brian, 03/18/2009
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS SULEV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for 3 years, bought it new. Have had many problems with seat back falling off, its been replaced five times and still not fixed (first happened three months after I got the car, on my second coolant leak, cylinder in clutch needed replaced, glove compartment handle fell off, cloth came off the center console, power mirror switch replaced twice, and seat frame has been replaced three times. I would not recommend buying any Hyundai. I have been going through trouble trying to get my whole seat replaced with someone from the Hyundai central office.
Love our Hyundai
David, 05/14/2010
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love our 2005 Hyundai. We bought it because it was the best bang for the buck and we've had 0 problems with it even after owning it for 3 years now. The only thing I've done with the car is get the brake pads fixed. I've had to buy a new battery, but that's about it. I could not be happier with the car. It is true that the door handles and some other of the interior knobs might feel cheap but that's not important to me. They don't break, it's just I've read that things like that might make a difference for some people.
Trouble at The Start
Patti, 10/02/2015
updated 04/03/2017
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 16 people found this review helpful
I've owned seven little old cars in the past fourteen years, many much older than this one, and this one has given me the most trouble (mostly at the start). Every thing I do to the Elantra, every fix, is like going down the rabbit hole, even though this car is relatively easy to work on. I bought the car 20k miles ago, and with blown struts and cracked windshield and a little hitch in its shifting--I knew about all that. One week after the purchase, driving down the highway, radiator blew. So, tow bill. New radiator, and it was still overheating. This is when we realized the previous owner had reversed the hoses. New thermostat, new belts while we're at it. Two week long saga of getting the belts on juuuuuust right to get one or the other or all of them to stop squealing (never had that much trouble before). Pro tip: tighten the alternator belt. One of the pulleys is squeaking, one of the back drum brakes was squeaking, tried to get that off to fix... of course it's well and truly stuck, /fail. I did some research on the internet about the shifting, found a lot of people had had success with changing the transmission speed sensors. Bought them on ebay, installed, and... I think it's shifting somewhat better. It doesn't do the odd shifting thing anymore... mostly. Tried to change the PCV valve, unscrewed it from the valve cover... and the whole effing brass fitting came out of the plastic valve cover with it, and I had to jam it back in. It looks like it's separate, but when I ultimately bought a new valve cover, the PCV valve came with. The engine was filthy, decided I was going to wash it before working on it. Wound up flooding one of the spark plugs. Couple-day saga of changing spark plugs (which were due anyway, so whatever), Heet, wires. Apparently I'd fried the wire, too. Couple days after that, headlights went out. Both of them, at the same time. Odd, yes? Replaced the bulbs. Since then, have replaced the struts and timing belt and valve cover (the seal had started leaking and the jammed-in PCV valve was driving me nuts), all with minimum difficulty. The good, in summary: The car is responsive & fun to drive, seats are comfortable, the sunroof still works and doesn't leak, aftermarket stereo plays Pandora. Peeves: Rear foot space is sparing, little spots of rust starting on body, parts a little difficult to find, (wild goose chase, many not yet released by manufacturer so have to get them at dealer, and many are interchangeable with Kia, which scares me). Ultimately, it's a pretty good little car, and I'd buy one again.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
3200 miles and engine light on.
James A Haskin, 01/30/2005
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have 3200 miles on my Elantra. I check all systems and fluids on a very regular basis. Yesterday, the engine warning light came on. No reason found in preliminary check. Having it towed in tomorrow to dealership. Very disappointed