2002 Hyundai Elantra GLS review from North America

A sprinkler put water on the silver paint, and for the life of me I can't get the spots out. I left it "dirty" for two days. Engine makes funny noises after starting it up, I am very concerned about the long-term prospects. All four tires have slow leaks, though it was nice to see they put expensive and green Michelin Energy tires on it stock, must be the steel wheels not forming a proper seal.

This thing is a tin-can on wheels. It handles poorly, gets blown all over the road in moderate to high winds, and sucks a lot of gas for a 4-banger with no pickup. I especially worry about my wife, who drives it most of the time, amid all of those phone-yapping drivers in SUVs on the freeway along her commute, this car wouldn't fair well in a crash. Also the resale value is next to nothing, especially since the 10 year warranty cannot transfer to another owner. This puts us in a bind: Should we bite the bullet and write it off as a loss to get something better, or should we have gone with a Honda Civic in the first place. I don't like the brand, I don't like the dealer, and I don't like this tinny car, period.