Hi from Wisconsin

[Chales]

Hi I'm CJ, I'll be getting a 2002 elantra gls on May 11... so until then I've been trying to find as much info as I can about it, and it looks like I have stumbled on a great site here!! I have been in both really good and really bad forums, and this looks like one of those rare good forums with a lot of info!!

My previous car was an automatic Ford Taurus that I used for roughly 3-4 years and now my brother will use it. I wanted to get a manual car next, and came across a good deal for the elantra. Unlike the taurus, I actually want to learn about my new car and maybe make some modifications to it! Partly because I got a deal and have some money to spare, and partly because I'm studying to be a mechanical engineer and don't know a thing about cars hahaha!

So, I have been searching around the archives a bit, and I'm sure I will be donig some more searching, but it seems like some good things I'd like to try on my own when I get the car are going to be:

1 Clean it and figure out how to drive manual!
2 Changing the timing belt (it will have roughly 60000 miles)
3 Remove the door chime thingy
4 Tinting windows
5 Speakers, Amps, and Bass (Previous owner will leave head unit)
6 Maybe some 'wooden dash' stickers? I couldn't help but notice how cheapish the interior was. Any experience with these?
7 Maybe a turbo?? I hear elantras are slow lol...

More advice would be awesome. And I know how much y'all like pictures, so here one is:

[Seinster]

G'day CJ,
Let me be the first to welcome you to the site.
I think that your plans are well thought out and you have obviously searched around for different mods our members have done.
1) Cleaning will make all the difference! Really makes it look brand new! Driving manual transmission isn't hard, my first time was driving my Elantra home from the dealer! ;)
I visited http://www.standardshift.com for some information beforehand. I highly recommend it.
3) We don't get a door chime over here, but if we did, I'd remove it too... ;)
4) TINT TINT TINT! Best modification you can make, and if the cops aren't too bad in WI, I recommend a 20% all round, don't go for the cheapest quote, and make sure you get a good 5-10 year warranty.
5) Personally my audio is pretty much stock at the moment, but there are heaps of audio guru's here to help you out...
6) NO NO NO!!! Go to this thread to see what people have done:
http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13663
It is a lot more stylish than fake wood in my humble opinion.
7) Turbo, now you're talking big dollars, but well worth it, I'm saving up myself for a nice kit to achieve 270whp. Check out the Forced Induction forum, there are a few members here with turbocharged engines. :)

Finally, thank you for providing a picture and all recommended details on your new car.

Cheers,
Mark

[only1db]

welcome aboard...and let me be the first to tell you that this site has been up and running for over 4 years...there is a lot of information...just have to search for it!

[FinalBreath]

Where from Wisconsin are u from? Im in Milwaukee...

[hyunelan2]

1. Cleaning (http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/washing.php) learning stick you have to do.
2. Timing belt diy (http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14645&highlight=timing+belt) - most take it to the dealer for this.
3. Disabling Door Chime (http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/chime.php)
4. Best window tint results from having it professionaly done
5. See Audio/Video section
6. a lot more options than wood, and better ways than stickers (http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13663)
7. Turbo - many, many topics about this, but beware most people get discouraged and give up before ever completing the turbo dream.

Welcome and good luck.

[Chales]

I will be splitting my time this summer between Madison, Lake Geneva, and Mukwonago.

I think I am going to try the timing belt on my own.

I took a look at the interior thread, and I honestly like Leviathant's the best with the wood dash.

[Mad_Hatter]

Howdy, i got me an 02 elantra as well. hope you like it here.
-bill

[FinalBreath]

all of that is easy. I would reccomend doing everything yourself. It's alot cheaper. If your not mechanically inclined, read a diy before hand. anyways enjoy your car, and maybe you could stop down in milwaukee sometime

[SuperGLS]

Leviathant's dash is actually the OEM Hyundai Dash. It's a full replacement piece, not a stick on kit.

Welcome to the site!