Another appliance thread, 2011 Hyundai Elantra content

I am considering a 2011 Hyundai Elantra for work usage.

I drive at least 1000 miles a week, it gets up to 40 mpg EPA.

Manual trans, best rear legroom in class (is important)

What is the word on power, drivetrain strength, etc

Que Bobzilla in 3...2...1...

I haven't driven one, but the paper specs certainly look good. They are very sharp looking in real life as well, nice design.

friend of mine just bought one 2 weeks ago. it is a VERY nice car

haven't driven itpersonally. There's about 2 dozen new members on the Elanra forums with them already. No complaints yet. With these, 40mpg will be attained in the 60-70mph range, ~33-38mpg in the 75-80mph range. THe first 1500 miles you will be lucky to see those figures, but after teh initial break in the mileage keeps climbing.

The Elantra can be spec'ed out to be a really nice car. "Appliance" doesn't really do it justice.

fwiw, Hooniverse actually reported they liked the 6 speed auto better than the 6 speed manual.

http://hooniverse.com/2010/12/07/2011-hyundai-elantra/

Having seen a couple in real life, IMO they look much better in darker colors.

I liked the Optima auto over the manual personally.

While we are on the subject of Hyundai Appliances, I was considering a new sonota for the wife. It would be the base model with the 6 speed manual. Any input?

honestly, the 6spd-auto is the better appliance.

Since I had to rush that last one.... here's why I thkn the new auto is better: The manual shifter is floppy and unsatisfying. The clutch is ok, but nothing to write home about. Add in the extra work and it's no longer a "fun" experience. These cars are fantastic distance cruisers. They eat up miles like no one's business.

IMO, the Sonata in base trims is a little softer, more like the Hyundai suyspensions of old where the new Optima (same chassis) feels tons better. IMO, the new entry level Optima needs a tire change so something not sucky and the car is done.

if the new elantra is like hyundai's from the past ten years.. it will go like any other Honda or toyota... forever on minimal maintance. my 99 Tiburon went 130,000ish miles before it planted itself in a ditch trying to save my life from an inattentive drive who pulled out in front of me without looking.

car had ZERO problems when it died.. and it still got me home 20 some miles with a punctured radiator

From ~99-up the quality just kept going through the roof. WE have almost 350k on two right now.

FWIW buy an extra steel wheel and full sized spare tire... they are NOT available with ah spare as of yet.

Apparently these are in demand, local dealer has not even seen the manual yet, who would have thought.

Would like to try the 2011 in a stick at least.

The wifey got a 2011 Sonata Limited a few months back. It's no Audi, but gets down the highway in stylish and comfortable fashion. It really looks sharp and is fitted with virtually every gadget known to modern man. She's getting 30 mpg in mixed driving, which is just a tad better than the Mazda 3 she was driving. All in all, a remarkable automobile, especially when you factor in the price.

^ Been hearing that when driven "right" high 30's on the highway are not uncommon. Not bad for a full size, non-hybrid gasoline car!

Just had one as a rental and I really liked it. I did a 250 mile all hwy trip and got 40mpg, doing mostly 70-75. Ergonomically, it fits me perfectly.

aussiesmg wrote: 2011 Hyundai Elantra... best rear legroom in class (is important)

Legroom on the Elantra gets good marks but what about headroom?
The roofline seems to swoop down pretty quickly.

Test drove the manual today. It was a manual and the shifter felt reasonable, in gear there was moderate slop but gear selection was easy and precise. it's no Porsche but that is why it said Hyundai on the trunk. I had trouble doing any heel and toe shifting as the pedals seem to be widely spaced however I think a little practice would sort that issue out. Not having an anxious salesman beside me would have made it easier to play with the pedals...

The engine makes an adequate 150hp and seemed responsive, the AC definitely affected the response though.

The trunk is actually really large inside, rear room is very decent even headroom.

The manual is a base model and had few extras but with iPod hookup, AC and CC I would be happy.

If they can meet my repayment demands I might just do this. Doubles the MPG of my Town Car and if I come out ahead each month after the payments I would be stupid not to. (I do use a full tank a day for work)

We refer to them as "One and a half dead body trunks" the Sonata has a two and a half dead body trunk" where the Genesis sedan has a "three dead body trunk" but this is all skewed because of the Korean baseline.

jrw1621 wrote:

aussiesmg wrote: 2011 Hyundai Elantra... best rear legroom in class (is important)

Legroom on the Elantra gets good marks but what about headroom? The roofline seems to swoop down pretty quickly.

Headroom is the same 40" front and rear.

I have a '11 Elantra-Touring SE 5M. It is a very enjoyable car--the suspension is much stiffer than the 'old' sedan, not sure how it compares to the new style. OE tires suck, but that is an easy fix. 2.0 is adequate power/torque and has a fairly nice growl when revved. Brakes are fantastic, and interior has plenty of room for my 6'6" frame and a kid in a booster seat behind me...and good cargo even with seats up. Huge with seats down. Heated leather, moonroof, B&M shifter, Sirius etc. was under $20K. Mixed driving in winter is about 28mpg.

Who did you deal with, I'm not getting any good deals on this one.

Arrow Hyundai in Milwaukee--2nd vehicle from them. Good dealer.

Remind him the Touring is the wagon.