2008 Elantra - need pros/cons. Would you buy it?

[Jack99]

Hi there...

My 1st post. I'm thinking of buying a 2008 Elantra (with 26,000 kms / 16,155 miles ) with automatic transmission for my son. He needs a low purchase cost Run-About vehicle to drive back/forth to college and our existing SUV doesn't fit his "gas savings / easy to park" need. My 17 year old son is 6' 2" and ceiling height clearance is a need as well. If wondering, the seller is an older lady who bought this vehicle brand new and is now going blind. She'll be legally blind in the next 3-4 months. Thus, her doctor says her vehicle must be sold soon. And yes, I've known this lady for 10+ years. She's a nice lady and can validate she drives her vehicle very gently as well. Thus, 26,000 kms / 15,000 miles really is gentle lady driven. She is now investigating the 2008 fuel pump recall ( re: http://www.autosafety.org/08v429000-...-motor-company ) with her local HYUNDAI dealer.

Before we buy (at average market value) this vehicle, what's your pros / cons of this specific vehicle? For example:
- I read this vehicle is "slip / slide" in winter snow but great snow/ice tires with deep knobs allow it to dig in. Good winter tires stops it from slip/slide.
- If not already done, get its factory fuel pump replaced. $500 as a DIY fix (if good with tools). $1,500 if dealer fixed. But, valid factory recall should fix for free.
- Some say it has small side mirrors (which creates more blind spots). From your experience, is this true?

Any other pros / cons I should be aware of?

Also... For driving to/from college approx 60 kms each way (120 kms per day) x 6 days per week (fall/winter/spring), would you pick this specific vehicle?

Or, do you think the 2008 Kia Rio5 or the 2008 Pontiac Vibe would be a better choice instead?

thanks.

[hyundave]

Hey Jack99.

Sorry no one has responded. I'm new to this forum as well (though an active member at elantraclub.com). Not sure if you'll see this but that's alright.

Anyway, I am 18 years old and will be college bound in the fall. I have had a 2008 automatic elantra se for about a year now. I love the car. I really do. I've done a fair number of mods to it to really make it mine though. I would definitely recommend it for your son. I'm also 6' 3" and not once have I had a problem with leg room. I really do think it is a great first car. Not too fast or sporty, has plenty of room, and great gas mileage and safety.

-Dave

[Jack99]

Hi Dave.

Thanks for your feedback. Approx 7 days ago, I did buy this 2008 Elantra GLS automatic transmission for my 17.5 year old son. My wife will drive it for the next 3 months. Then, it will be given to my 6' 2" son - for his college years (starting this Sept). Its black and only has 26,500 kms (16,500 miles) on it.

Only DIY mods we plan for it are:
- Install ID light bar under its rear bumper (to be seen better at night). re: $7.00 - light bar. re: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...jsB1cNuy6zagVQ
- Replace its factory low beam H11b 55W bulbs with brighter H9 65W bulbs. Thus, brighter low beams without going illegal (and expensive) HIDs.
- Install dollar store felt pads behind its license plates - so the plates won't rub against its black paint.
- Apply clear silicone around its tail light edge (only the edge area within its rear trunk rubber area). Thus, reduce the risk of getting rain water inside its trunk.
- Before this winter, buy some used steel winter rims and proper rated NEW ice/snow rubber. I hear its factory rubber is near useless in my region's ice/snow.
- Replace its timing belt this Christmas holiday season. Thus, keeping within 4 year time period or 60,000miles/100,000kms (whichever comes first) maintenance schedule.

Thanks for your feedback. So far, it seems like a really nice vehicle. And, my wife feels it's a "fun to drive" vehicle as well.

.

[xAlvarox]

Stock Elantras are truly a nice car, they are the type of car that isn't too sporty to be driving recklessly while keeping a hint of luxury to make it look like a nice car. I am as well a young driver and thus i looked for this kind of car and found an 04, very reliable car that fits my standards. Hope your son loves it as well.

[hyundave]

Nice glad you got the car!

IMO I don't really think you need to do any sealant on the trunk (unless there is an individual problem with the car itself). I've never had a problem with a wet or damp trunk. The only time water occasionally gets in is when I raise the trunk lid up and there had been water sitting on the top from a previous rain storm. Not all of it slides away haha.

Either way, sounds like a good, safe car for your son. And who knows, maybe he will be bitten by the mod bug like me (unless you don't let him haha). Honestly I had the car for 3 months and I just became addicted to finding things to add and change in the car. In all honesty it changed me from wanting to go into business to wanting to go into engineering...

But either way, should be a great car for you guys!

[SuperGLS]

Was this your first Hyundai purchase? After owning the car for a few days how are you liking it?

[silversharkXD2]

I dont like the 08 range of model. just personal preference. But hyundai has made great strides in quality. you will not regret your decision. the quality is right up there with honda and toyota and beats any comperable american car. you will be happy with it

[Jack99]

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

Yes. Its a nice vehicle. For ride and comfort, it doesn't compare to my SUV. But, its MPGs savings is amazing. For a "run about" vehicle, my son and wife love our new 2008 Elantra. Especially its easy to park between the skinny parking lines ability, easy to change lanes, smooth shifting, etc. etc. Today, my son and I installed extra rear lighting. re: Simple low cost ID light bar under its rear bumper. Very simple DIY install. And, it got felt pads added behind its steel license plates as well. Thus, no more steel plates rubbing it black paint. For now, this is all the mods its getting. Need time to budget for "new" winter rubber this late fall.

Thanks for everyone's feedback...

[briando]

alot of body styles changed in 2009 that would make the 08 Elantra stand out a little more, but not really in a great way i think. it would come down to mileage and condition

[briando]

not gonna lie, less than a 100K and less than 10 years old, i'd buy any hyundai. especially an elantra or sonata

[Jack99]

Thanks for your feedback. If wondering, we bought the '08 Elantra GLS with auto and it runs/feels great. During the last few weeks, I also bought used steel rims and bought brand new winter rubber. We also did some minor improvement mods (re: replaced its low beam 11B 55w bulbs with much brighter H9 65w bulbs, installed extra rear lighting under its rear bumper, applied silicone around its trail light assemblies, floor mats) to it as well. Simple low cost improvements that should be factory (IMO). Since buying, we simply turn its key and drive it. So far, so good... Glad we bought it....

Thanks for your feedback...