2001 Hyundai Elantra from North America - Comments

There was one recall for a minor brake line adjustment/repair.

I have replaced the headlights and tires.

The car looks great, like a baby Lincoln Continental.

I am 6' 2" and have plenty of leg and head room.

I spend about an hour-and-a-half a day on the highway and find the seat very comfortable.

Not only was it the least expensive car in its class, but it had the most power. I drove a loaded rental Chevy Malibu around in California for a week. It was great to get back behind the wheel of my Elantra which felt like it had more power and tighter handling. Its revvy little engine never leaves me wanting.

There is a bit of torque steer when accelerating. This is my only performance gripe.

Although it handles great in the snow (especially compared to my old Toyota Tercel toboggan) I wish I could have gotten ABS with it. In Canada you get a CD instead which is nice too, maybe die to some good tunes. This is my only options gripe.

Actually I got the bare bones model, but in hindsight I should have gone with the electric windows because the car is so wide.

I have followed warranty maintenance, but I find the dealer is always trying to get me do unnecessary extras. They will say the fuel injector needs cleaning and the brakes need extra servicing, and I better replace the air filter, etc. When I take it to my mechanic he says "none of the above, the car is fine." And it has been. Absolutely reliable. Of course I found this to be the case (though not as bad) with my previous (Toyota) dealer. Also, I had Cdn Tire replace the 1st headlight to go. A week later I had the dealer replace the other when it went. The dealer replaced lamp burned out again three months ago. The Cdn. Tire lamp is still going strong.

The radio is incomprehensible with a zillion little buttons the size of tic-tacs. I nearly crashed the car leaving the dealer lot with it trying unsuccessfully just to turn it on. I can now, after three years, turn it on and off, switch back and forth from the CD, seek stations and adjust the volume. You take your life in your hands trying these while actually driving the car. The sound, however, is adequate, once found. This is my only miscellaneous gripe.

Very helpful/objective review. Thanks:)