tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69532700896523851832011-11-27T16:04:07.109-08:00Chronicling my decision making process of buying a 2007 Hyundai Elantra SE and my ongoing experiences of owning said car.$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-63147225784939230752011-06-13T22:30:00.000-07:002011-06-13T22:30:51.381-07:00

Odometer: 26,300 + MPG: 24.5 If you are sick of the Kia commercials with the aliens and the Aztecs (gosh they must've spent a ton of money), Hyundai launching their Accent with a couple of commercials. Nothing super attractive about the commercials themselves, though a extra long (and extra cute) "Save The Asterisks" commercial (shown at the New York Car Show) which emphasizes that their 40MPG

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-14497713251181545452011-04-28T08:20:00.000-07:002011-04-28T08:20:32.490-07:00

MPG: 24.5 Odometer: 25,745 This is the second recall notice I've gotten for my 2007 Elantra (actually 2 and 3), since they grouped two different problems on one piece of paper. I got this notice on April 25. I found out that it was officially released to online sources Mar. 15. They say possibly the job can be done while I wait. I am thinking recalls like this are on the rise, since cars are

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-45965170289449108862011-02-28T18:47:00.000-08:002011-02-28T18:58:20.453-08:00

Don't need no expensive or pretentious car to enjoy yourselves....Just hit 25000 miles on the Elantra!

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-36215193445985221992011-01-21T08:46:00.000-08:002011-02-28T19:26:22.137-08:00

Hyundai 'Snap Out Of It' LA Auto Show from Dylan Osborn on Vimeo. The Super Bowl is coming up this weekend and I was looking for any previews of their ads on the internet. They are playing it close to the vest this year, but I am excited to discover that at least one of their ads is for the new Elantra. The campaign theme is "Snap Out Of It" asking for the car buyers to rethink what they've

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-26710178296177521912010-11-27T23:55:00.000-08:002011-02-28T19:25:40.263-08:00

Odometer: about 23,000 Back in June when the new Avante was unveiled for the Korean market, it was not known whether the US would get a new Elantra in 2012 or 2011. In recent months, it has been confirmed that it will be 2011...perhaps as early as January. I haven't been keeping up with news in the summer. I come back and the official press release is up at hyundainews.com, the page is up on

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-81466272780541884832010-06-17T19:19:00.000-07:002010-06-17T19:52:31.236-07:00

You know when you get a new car, you kind of have an eye out to see who else has gotten one. It's just some weird thang. Over a year ago I found this blog in SE Asia where this dude camera-phoned every Elantra/Avante he saw and he saw lots.Even just 8 months ago, it was difficult for me to spot another late model Elantra. Spotting one was like seeing a rainbow. I know it has been selling decently

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-33220216329082035312010-06-06T01:31:00.000-07:002010-06-06T02:38:14.369-07:00

Odometer: 20,210It is the 2011 Avante and most car journalists are calling it the 2012 Elantra.This car is going to get a Hyundai’s brand-new 1.6L Gamma engine with Gasoline Direct Injection -GDI technology. It will be the first time Hyundai's equipped a 6-speed automatic on a compact car.The sheet-metal is quite sexy. They aren't designing these for the fuddy-duddy's that's for sure.It doesn't

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-54475577784679881282010-04-24T10:36:00.000-07:002010-04-24T11:08:22.315-07:00

Odometer: over 19,000MPG: 27.2While there have lots of buzz over the new Sonata, especially with the announcement of turbo and hybrid versions, I found this story even more exciting.While I may be totally wrong about this Verna from China to become the Accent in the rest of the world, (Many times Chinese models just stay in China) this maybe the sexiest, most sophisticated looking subcompacts

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-18506962546857775192010-03-04T18:15:00.000-08:002010-03-04T18:33:40.378-08:00

Odometer: 17,709MPG: 29.6I got my car back from the auto body place a couple of days ago.As you know, I've been driving a Nissan Versa for almost 2 weeks.How was it getting back in the driver's seat of the Elantra?Very different. My mom said that the seats on the Versa were higher. I didn't believe her. But after sitting back in the Elantra, it did seem noticeably lower. The dash of the Versa is

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-41157037191384213642010-02-25T22:22:00.000-08:002010-02-25T23:06:40.970-08:00

I've been driving the Nissan Versa rental for a week now and actually it has grown on me.I am not driving it like Rhys Millen going up Pike's Peak, but I've put almost 200 miles on it.....lots of stop and go city driving, night freeway driving, wet driving and up and down on some majorly steep hills in SF. It performs quite confidently thanks to decent low end torque. The engine is sounding less

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-181272009645229712010-02-19T13:03:00.000-08:002010-02-19T13:22:13.101-08:00

Odometer: 17608MPG: 30.1So far the accident handling has gone smoothly.Though I got a few suggestions for autobody shops from friends and relatives, I decided to rely on Yelp. I selected a shop near me with stellar reviews called Gava's. They seemed pretty straightforward and unshifty, so first impressions were good. Got me an estimate in about 15 minutes. Found additional damage the metal

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-68330889087946060372010-02-15T20:47:00.000-08:002010-02-15T20:54:10.971-08:00

This probably wouldn't happen in real life, but Elantra owners can dream, right?2009 Elantra commercial from Canada. Cute. Too bad Hyundai doesn't make these fun commercials for the USA. The actress is Elisabeth Abbott.

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-52203947025991229162010-02-15T18:04:00.001-08:002010-02-15T18:50:05.784-08:00

Odometer: 17,524MPG: 32 (higher b/c i took a long trip down to Santa Cruz over the weekend)Last Tuesday in rush hour stop and go traffic I got into my first accident in the Hyundai.Traffic was going from a decent pace to a full stop. The guy in front of me stopped. I stopped. The guy behind me also stopped but I had to help him a little with my bumper. He turned a little to try to avoid me, but

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-65001150128537588852010-02-06T01:11:00.000-08:002010-02-15T18:40:21.070-08:00

Odometer: 17, xxxMPG: 25.7Nothing new going on with the car. I've been logging more freeway mileage in the last couple of weeks, but haven't seen the MPG's jump higher yet.Just found out Hyundai will be showing 7 different commercials on the Super Bowl broadcast, including one featuring Brett Favre playing himself 10 years in the future. Companies consider it a big deal just to have one on.

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-35839714041150336742010-01-07T10:11:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:25:54.509-08:00

Revealed on TheCarBlogger site (the Canadian-based blog that covers Korean car news) are spy shots of the 2011 Elantra (Codename: MD). Body style is getting total revamp. From these pix it looks like a morphing of the current Elantra and the new Prius. It hardly looks like a sedan anymore, which can become a sales obstacle in the U.S. market. Not a fan of the tinier windows either. It makes the

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-72987252401072623432010-01-07T09:19:00.001-08:002010-01-07T09:55:25.397-08:00

Last Sunday afternoon, I spotted three Elantras when I was driving about doing errands. Even more unusual is that two of them were SE's with spoilers. Very rare site in these parts, because I can still go days or weeks w/o seeing a post 2006 Elantra. The other was a 2010 GLS with the new wheelcovers.I still have yet to see an Elantra Touring, the wagon, on the streets.Two weeks ago I was able to

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-88088352561378413752009-11-27T00:00:00.000-08:002009-11-27T00:46:53.310-08:00

Advertising Age is THE news journal for the advertising industry.In a readers poll they put out Hyundai beat out the likes of Walmart, McDonalds, Amazon and Apple and was named "Marketer of the Year"Key moments where Hyundai shined in 2009.- Super Bowl commercials with the bosses of other automakers in an uproar over the Genesis sedan winning North American Car of the Year.- The gutsy Hyundai

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-84236378033221901112009-11-26T23:29:00.000-08:002009-11-26T23:54:57.530-08:00

I brought my car in. The recall issue was fixed for free. I also got my !5,000 mile scheduled maintenance taken care of, as well as rotating the tires. Got it all done in one day. $299 out of my pocket was the only negative of the experience.Finally seeing commercials for the Elantra Touring in the U.S. Very soft sell. Has a young couple filling up their car for a trip. Basically saying it offers

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-62164780732360833432009-10-20T19:19:00.000-07:002009-10-20T19:24:31.886-07:00

Odometer: 15031 milesMPG: 25.9Just got a serious looking notice from Hyundai in the mail.There is a stop lamp switch that may malfunction, which may cause the brake light to not come on when braking or stay on after taking your foot off the pedal. On the most serious side of this defect is that it is possible that the cruise control may not deactivate when the brake pedal is depressed, which can

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-28685509567931388842009-06-12T19:00:00.000-07:002009-06-12T19:14:09.113-07:00

Odometer: 12,818MPG: 25.4The rattling sound in the back of my car was getting slightly worse. It would even rattle when the car was vibrating from idling. But I took it in on Wednesday. They determined it was the trunk torsion bar was loose. They put it back into the holder and problem was solved. Glad they didn't have to take apart anything major. I also got a free multi point inspection and an

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-84689267085676960622009-05-21T17:47:00.000-07:002009-05-21T18:17:24.172-07:00

How can such a tiny bird make such big droppingsOdometer: 12,233MPG: 25.6Looks like there is a something loose in the moonroof assembly. I hear a rattling like there is a heavy stoneware plate clunking around up there when I go over rough asphalt. I got the moon roof aftermarket, but the dealer said they would warranty it as if it was part of the car. So I got to get that checked out soon along

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-73901792444848858362009-05-04T19:51:00.000-07:002009-05-04T20:18:05.273-07:00

Odometer: 11,178 milesMPG: 26Need to wax the car. Haven't done it since I've owned it.Here is the first North American commercial for the new Elantra Touring.No commercials here in the US except those for Hyundai Advantage program. Wondering if they are doing promos anywhere else... like magazines.Edmund's review here

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-46212372020596774912009-02-28T12:35:00.000-08:002009-02-28T13:22:45.046-08:00

This was an interesting idea for a comparo since they are from the same company, use the same engine, and occupy the same segment.But The Truth About Cars is the wrong site to write a review comparing two practical compact sedans. The writer makes a few keen observations and valid opinions, but for the most part this is a bash piece. This is like the bullies on the football team kidnapping the

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-2213086883128841032009-02-28T11:57:00.000-08:002009-02-28T12:33:38.880-08:00

Odometer: 10970MPG: 25.1Took a look a Craig's List to see if the Elantra Touring has it the Bay Area yet. Saw one going for around 16,900 (lower than the $18495 published price, pic is from the actual ad. ) And they seem pretty desperate to make a sale. Had me wondering [not seriously :) ] how much I could get if I sold the sedan. With the low mileage and the added sun-roof my 2007 SE should

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-53740850065504252572009-01-30T00:24:00.000-08:002009-01-30T01:19:37.844-08:00

It's "Hyundai" --- like "Sunday", bub. That's how the new 2009 Super Bowl Sunday ad (the one with the car maker CEOs yelling) for the Hyundai Genesis presents the brand. More than a touch of smart-mouth bravado there delivered by Jeff Bridges. I like it. It takes what Americans may see as a foreign hard to pronounce name and saying it ain't really hard to pronounce at all. It should roll off your

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-65710731249546545792009-01-08T18:54:00.000-08:002009-01-08T19:34:56.772-08:00

Odometer: 10045 mileMPG: 28.6I have reached the 10,000 mile milestone.Took about 15 months. I am usually 90% street vs 10% highway driving. My work commute is hella short and sometimes I take my bike instead, so that's why I am not the average 10k a year driver. The MPG figure above is higher than my avg because of extra freeway driving I did over the holidays.So what has been going on?1. Right

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-21396408586829586752008-09-03T23:15:00.000-07:002008-09-03T23:58:24.974-07:00

I haven't visited any car blogs lately, so this bit of news came of a surprise to me. Kia is Hyundai's sister company and the Spectra is a C-segment car like the Elantra, so they are in a way sister cars, which is why I was researching it earlier to see what people think about it and if Kia was planning a refresh soon. I found nothing. My search for new news turned up nothing, because the new

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-67110877186811970472008-09-01T23:08:00.000-07:002008-09-01T23:45:49.751-07:00

Odometer: 7,700 milesMPG: 33.5 at the end of the dayThis is the one year report on the Elantra SE, which I purchased late August 2007. Today was actually my first extended highway trip (over 2 hours) in the car, so I was able to finally gauge true freeway MPG over a continuous amount of time. I drove from Millbrae down to the Monterey Bay Aquarium which is over 90 miles. After filling up the tank

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-53136239843459744512008-07-17T21:01:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:13.727-08:00

Odometer: 6836MPG: 24.8I spent July 6 - 12th in Mexico. My group rented mini-vans in San Diego to go down to Ensenada. The mini-van I got to know very well was the 2007 Chrylser Town and Country.My first impressions were that this is one comfortable car. I was immediately comfortable in the driver's seat. The door arm rest was at the right height and position for me (unlike on the Elantra where

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-44793549679604289402008-06-04T21:13:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:13.848-08:00

New maintenance issue: My turn signal does not deactivate after making a left turn. Been happening for over a week about 90% of the time.CD player has been working OK, since my last entry reporting a problem with it.It is hard not to think about how to save more gas and money. Last night I did some research on electric mopeds, electric bikes (bicycles with motors and pedals), and gas powered

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-60934432357292830092008-05-06T23:51:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:14.315-08:00

What goes on inside the mind and heart of the car enthusiast when he hears that they are going to redesign the car he is so proud to own? What did the 2004 Civic owner feel when he saw how cool the 2006 was going to be? Did his heart skip a beat? Did his teeth grit just a little? Did he feel his car was suddenly less desirable? Or does he badmouth the new design as not being as good as the one he

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-25304678611485274012008-05-03T22:26:00.000-07:002008-05-03T22:43:31.328-07:00

Odometer: 5566MPG: 25.4This morning when I tried inserting a CD, the slot would not take it. It was kind of tight like something was clamping down the CD. Tried jiggling, turning the stereo on and off, inserting it gently but with firm pressure. It would not take the disc.When I came back from driving a few hours later, I decided to try it again. This time it took the CD fine. Though I did hear

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-16524838991332910862008-04-27T02:49:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:14.497-08:00

The Hyundai Dollars and Sense Promo and TV Spots featuring three popular financial gurus have an accompanying website which actually offers free honest advice on getting out of debt and making sound investments. Cool site. I don't know if Hyundai will keep it active after the sale is over, so visit when you can. (UPDATE: Hyundai took the site down, but the one below is still good...)Another

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-27106519948510619192008-04-25T20:58:00.000-07:002008-04-25T22:26:53.212-07:00

Odometer: 5435Avg. MPG: 25.2You know when you buy a new car, you are automatically on the lookout on who else has bought "your" car. I am no different. I even look at who's driving it...is it a senior citizen, a family guy, or a hot chick. (No hot chicks, yet)From the time I bought the Elantra (August) to March, I would have been lucky to see an Elantra once a week. It bugged me slightly that I

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-24371663553295685202008-04-01T22:48:00.000-07:002008-04-02T00:47:11.546-07:00

Odometer: 5025 milesAvg. MPG: 24.6Price for gas last paid: $3.76/gallonNot much new to say performance wise. It is still a enjoyable car to drive. If Hyundai did their job right, I really don't expect much change in the next 15,000 miles.I have one issue I have noticed regarding the Elantra's suspension.I already noted that it is slightly floaty on undulating asphalt and body roll is minimum in

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-36674691804473200842008-03-27T07:55:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:14.656-08:00

This comment on carsadvice.com.au is the funniest way to illustrate Hyundai's brand predicament that I've ever read ----Hyundais are a little bit like women. A woman has to work twice as hard and be twice as good as a man to be considered equal.It’s a bit like that with Hyundais. They have to be better than the opposition to be considered in the same class.I test drove an I30 diesel yesterday and

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-7097338217190205982008-03-25T21:50:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:14.970-08:00

I've been loosely monitoring news on the car that is destined to be repackaged as the Elantra Touring.EcoGeek reported "Hyundai i30 Pwns Prius in Low-Emissions Race""The Hyundai i30 was the vehicle that got the honors in the race for best fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions. Hyundai said the 1.6 CRDi turbodiesel journeyed over 3,000km from Darwin to Adelaide last month, consuming 3.2 litres of

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-3904362773416929072008-03-19T23:59:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:15.914-08:00

Odometer: 4850 milesAvg. MPG: 24.1Even though I’ve never been a car lover or aficionado, I see cars every day of my life. And I know they each are designed by designers who wanted to evoke a certain feeling or emotion in us. And I’ve been thinking a lot more about car design recently.When researching cars these days, you can get inundated with viewpoints on a car’s design by not only magazine

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-73500779251433843642008-02-29T00:15:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:16.193-08:00

Odometer: 4530 milesAvg MPG on current tank: 27.5The 2008 Elantra got "Best Small Sedan" in Consumer Reports Top Picks survey. Though I like the car, that even surprised me. For the first time, Consumer Reports required its top 10 picks to have the anti-rollover technology, electronic stabililty control standard or an easily purchased option. That might have stacked the deck in the Elantra's

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-86169461052002209012008-02-08T00:36:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:23.955-08:00

I was seriously shopping a Pontiac Vibe along with the Elantra last August. I was considering a hatchback/wagon mainly because it would allow me to transport my bicycle(s) without needing an aftermarket rack. Currently I use a rear rack which I take on and off everytime I take the bike off. These aftermarket rear racks are easy to remove off a car, so I take it off and hide it in the trunk even

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-81481035511651518392008-02-07T19:48:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:24.031-08:00

I sort of think it does. Not that I expect the majority of folks to act on that want.On a personal note, I have seen my brother buy 3 progressively nicer cars over the years, while I just kept on truckin' with my Geo. He is kind of hard on his equipment and it is in his nature to upgrade. I wonder how many new cars he saw his pals or co-workers buy that might have stoked that nature. I was really

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-58231360257609344762008-01-29T20:51:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:24.270-08:00

Odometer: 3780 milesAvg. MPG: 23.8This average MPG figure is from the digital trip meter.I had reset the meter when I last filled up and planned on refilling the tank after - according to the trip meter - after I use up around 10 gallons. Basically if my MPG was 24, I would go refill when my trip odometer read 240. Follow me so far. And then check when I fill up, does the pump stop at 10 gallons.

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-88623030012477630822008-01-17T22:47:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:24.571-08:00

Odometer: 3500 milesAvg. MPG: 24Hyundai sold 467,009 cars in the US in 2007 besting its 2006 figure of 455,520.But note they had an additional model they didn't have last year, the Vera Cruz SUV. Overall many models including the Elantra and Sonata(their best seller) did not sell as well in 2007 as in 2006. Even with the introduction of a new design, the Elantra only managed to get into 85,724

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-2633664347912014192008-01-12T11:29:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:24.661-08:00

Ugh! Probably the commercial that makes me cringe the most is the KiaFest Year-End spot with the "Maniac" song from "Flashdance." Here is a company who brand already gets the least respect out of 13 brands in the USA and they come out with this cheesy pizza. It is supposed to be funny(which it is to some people), but why make fun of yourself and your dealers? Does the commercial make you want to

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-42678779939119456392007-12-21T18:49:00.000-08:002007-12-21T19:02:55.835-08:00

Odometer: 2856 milesAvg. MPG: 26.5What's happened since the last post? I received my pink slip! Car is no longer owned by Hyundai Motor Finance. Hooray! Not so hooray... I don't own it free and clear yet, since I charged some on my credit card.Got into my first accident. While I was leaving work to go to our Christmas lunch, I backed into a co-worker's car as he was moving out. I did not know he

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-86659163147544220112007-12-08T21:24:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:25.221-08:00

Odometer: 2559Avg MPG on this tank of gas: 28Avg speed: 32The MPG average is much higher because I've been doing more highway driving this weekend.I am over 2500 miles and have owned the car for over 3 months. I think that is adequate time for an thorough review. It gives me enough time to experience the car and to get used to things that well --- takes getting used to because my last car was

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-30965079421083652102007-11-26T19:31:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:25.433-08:00

Odometer: 2260 milesAverage MPG: 24.6Average speed: 24mphSo far I've had to bring my car in to zap a computer program that was giving faulty speedometer/odometer readings (actually I felt my car didn't have this problem, but I did it anyway) and I had to replace a cracked "dead pedal".Last week I found out my hood release was not working, so I brought it in today to have it looked at. It seems

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-50516569981588754752007-11-17T00:22:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:25.607-08:00

Upon doing more Googling on the net, I’ve found out that some of what I speculated in my Oct. 7 post regarding Hyundai’s brand dilemma was actually already reported in a Stuart Elliot article in the New York Times way back in September when Hyundai launched its “Think About It” ad campaign.The article notes that the campaign which challenges consumers by asking them to reconsider long-held

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-86592243781991442022007-11-14T19:29:00.000-08:002007-11-14T20:32:28.578-08:00

Odometer: 2014Avg MPG: 25Avg. Speed: 25mphI am going to wash my car for the first time soon. Maybe the weekend. I have bird poop on it. And it's looked pretty dusty the past 3 weeks.Gas mileage is still not up to snuff. I wonder if this is because of the SULEV(super low emission vehicle) engine. I read on different web forums of Elantras getting wonderful gas mileage from the get go. (Liars?)Here

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-33732660027499165772007-11-10T21:48:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:25.838-08:00

While my strategy for paying for my car of course will not be appropriate for everyone, what harm is there to share it. I am fortunate to be in a position where if I chose, I could gather enough funds from bank accounts and mutual funds that I could have paid for my Elantra all in cash and not worry about pressing expenses. I could have just strut into the dealership wearing my velour track suit

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-34046623010603115922007-11-09T23:34:00.000-08:002008-11-13T07:08:26.280-08:00

Finally had some time to look at what they changed and added to the 2008 Elantra.They got rid of the Limited model altogether so there is only the GLS and the SE.The list price for the SE SULEV automatic is now $17,225. That is $330 more than last year.That is not bad at all considering they added electronic stability control with traction control (a safety feature that is touted to significantly

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-2004067313331986492007-11-02T23:44:00.000-07:002007-11-03T23:09:20.810-07:00

Took a night drive on gentle rolling hills of Highway 280 to put the Elantra's 28 / 36 mpg fuel economy rating to the test.I've been pretty purturbed at the poor city driving MPG: today on an errand to the city with highway miles and a lot of slow city driving I went down to 23.6 mpg at times. One of my requirements for my new car was that it would get better gas mileage than the Geo I was

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-43424715464422268992007-10-29T18:04:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:26.613-08:00

Odometer: 1596 Avg. MPG: 27.0I've been racking up the miles pretty good. This weekend I was able to take it up to the Marin Headlands. I had no problems scooting up those hills to check out the marvelous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and SF. Very nice. Even ran into "Flat Stanley" while I was up there.Also headed into touristy Sausalito where I saw Bill Dan doing his rock balancing thing. If

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-91123508616869161612007-10-27T00:28:00.000-07:002007-10-27T01:04:12.691-07:00

Today(well Oct. 26 actually) was the last day I was going to strap my bicycle onto my Geo. The back of the car bears the scars of when I didn't know where to position the steel pedals during transport. Took it to the smog test station in the morning-- passed easily. Went to work. The guy came by the office late in the afternoon and we filled out the bill of sales and transferred the title.

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-28736170889718848432007-10-23T23:37:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:26.826-08:00

Just hit the 1400 mile mark. I still have the old Geo Prizm, so let's make some comparisons with the new Hyotness. These are things that you don't really notice until putting a few hundred miles on the cars.From the driver seat:- The Geo Prizm fits me a little better. When I put my arm on the arm rest or out the open window, it feels pretty good.On the Elantra, because it is a more spacious

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-28255068204507447452007-10-16T19:13:00.000-07:002007-10-16T23:41:04.073-07:00

One acquaintance of mine thought that by choosing an Elantra SE, I was unnecessarily depriving myself, because I could afford a nicer new car. I think I was telling him I don't really need leather seats and he called me on it.In The Divine Comedy: Inferno by Dante Alighieri, Circle No. 4 of Hell is reserved for the Wasters and the Hoarders. So some folk think being wasteful (living in excess)

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-78277141908626779772007-10-12T17:46:00.001-07:002007-10-27T00:47:32.381-07:00

I've had this car for 11 years of its 14 years and I still drive it on most weekdays, even though I have the new Elantra.A great choice if you need reliable basic transportation. Consumer Guide - Auto remarks "Few small cars are more polished than a Prizm, or as well-constructed. We rank it right alongside the Toyota Corolla and Honda's Civic as top subcompacts."I will be selling this soon I just

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-11915690789665451292007-10-08T18:14:00.000-07:002007-10-08T18:25:50.364-07:00

I've had to bring my car back to Cammissa Motors (where I bought the car) 3x since I got. Once to put in the sunroof. Second time to fix a draining tube that was loose behind my sunroof. Third time was today....needed to reset the Electronic Control Unit that was misprogrammed on Elantras built before May 28th and was causing slightly inflated speeds and odometer readings. But each time it has

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-31155189760914921002007-10-07T23:57:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:27.316-08:00

"The only problem I have had so far is that the snobby Yuppies don't approve of Hyundai's. It's not on their list of approved cars. If that doesn't bother you, and I hope it doesn't, they are very good cars."-from someone on AutoboardzKorea Is In the Limelight:Call it Korean Karma: Interest in Korean pop culture is at a all-time high. Chinese in Hong Kong and the US are watching Korean soap

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-56563457853203866612007-10-07T23:54:00.000-07:002007-10-07T23:57:30.305-07:00

Odometer: 1124 milesOn the last tank of gas I averaged 27.2 mpg. Average speed was 29mph.On my last trip from parent’s house to my apartment, I went 14 miles (8 on surface streets and 6 on the highway). On this trip I averaged 33.1 mpg. (No avg. speed reading since I did not reset it for this particular trip.) This data could be moot, if my speedometer and odometer is out of whack which it could

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-14327409605827819322007-10-06T00:24:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:28.169-08:00

The exterior of the previous incarnation of the Chevy Malibu was one ugly car. It was boxy, it had weird proportions and at best it was dull. It had a versatile interior, but (call me shallow), I would not have bought one even if they discounted it down to the price of the Accent. The 2008 Malibu dumps the 70's geekiness for a GQ-sleek sedan that reminds me of a Lexus GS or 2008 Accord from the

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-33532079133782197452007-10-05T21:22:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:28.441-08:00

Buying anything big leads you to buying accessories either out of real need or out of temptation.The first thing I bought for my car was an Ipod Nano, since my "budget econo-box" has a port for an MP3 player. Before buying the car I never seriously considered buying a Ipod -- even though ITunes has transformed my computer into my primary music player at home. Ipods are great, but I just thought

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-39717736231975938282007-09-27T23:59:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:28.552-08:00

When I bought my last car, I didn't even know what the internet was. When buying this car, 90% of the car research as well as the car pricing research was done online.I think lots of research is supremely important on ‘big’ purchases. I spent a month researching a digital camera. I probably spent over 2 months researching my car purchase.My sources:1. I hit many websites with expert reviews like

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-14668684210319512562007-09-25T23:51:00.000-07:002007-09-26T00:02:24.217-07:00

Hyundai has finally addressed the issue of some Elantras not telling the right speed and the right amount of mile driven. Some complaints I read on Edmunds.com's Elantra forum reported differences of up to 10%. I heard about this before I bought my car, so I test drove my car along with my friend's Acura TL to check speed and it was spot on with it.I won't retype the whole letter but it says

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-73870371244451071252007-09-25T01:03:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:29.485-08:00

Here were eight of the major things I was looking for in a new car:I wanted to spend about $14,000 to $18,000, though the more I could save, the more I could put into another project I am working on. $20,000 was doable, but not palpable.It had to be a killer bargain. Whether I spent 14K or 18K, I wanted to make sure I was getting the most car for my buck.I wanted high reliability. An inexpensive

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-77617182284408342872007-09-23T23:53:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:29.690-08:00

There is a personal thing really. Some people think they ought to buy a new car every five years. I am not one of those people. I bought a 1993 Geo Prizm LSi back in 1996. Found it in the paper. (This was before I knew what e-mail or the internet was!) It was 3 years old and only had 24,000 miles on it. Very clean. . It had an alarm, sunroof, and 10-disc CD player installed by the previous owner

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-10965050919356629312007-09-23T22:44:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:29.815-08:00

Had the car 5 weeks.Odometer: 730 milesJust filled my tank for the second time(third tank of gas overall, since dealership gave me a full tank to start). According to the trip meter, the average gas mileage on this second tank was 27.2mpg, which to my relief is a lot better than the 23.9(or so) from the first tank. This car is supposed to get 26/36! And the mpg from that first tank was making we

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953270089652385183.post-24360171726611639742007-09-22T21:01:00.000-07:002008-11-13T07:08:30.037-08:00

This might be a terrible idea for a blog, because I don't intend to obsess over my new car for much longer. But after buying my first new car ever I find myself thinking about it way too much. I am not a car nut. I generally don't care that much what people think of me and especially what I drive. But after finding myself the owner of a new Elantra, I feel compelled to find out as much as I could

$1MPLY LIVEnoreply@blogger.com1