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Chose Elantra GT over Sentra SE-R... here's why:

3K views 26 replies 15 participants last post by  steven350 
#1 ·
For the price, the Elantra IS the best equipped car in it's segment. Granted, the leather feels like plastic/Nogahide (from the dreaded Noga-beast), the radio controls are designed for elves, and it doesn't *feel* that quick... but for my needs, it's perfect. It's my day-to-day car, I don't do that much mileage, it's comfortable, the dash is really cool (shameless vw clone, but i'm not complaining...) the shifter is well gated, and it has the single best warranty, which is important since I plan on keeping the car a while. The Sentra I drove (Spec V) was rocket-fast, 6spd manual, rocking sound system, and handled like it was on rails, but every bump I hit felt like the Grand Canyon, which was not the case with the gt. I already have a fast summer car (old-school Trans Am with a 468 rear-wheel hp 350 in it,,,), so I didn't really need all that power at the price of comfort and convenience. The Protege5 is pretty cool, but less-eqquiped and more $ than the GT. Don't even get me started on the new Toyota Corroded S, what a poor-granddady-thinks-he's-michael-schumacher car... and the Matrix and Vibe twins are just too $ and, imho, butt-ugly. It's a station wagon, don't try to gussy it up by calling it a crossover-sport-wagon-buttplug-whatever.... it's a wagon. And YES, I did drive all of them. All prices and warranties equal, I would have taken the Sentra Spec V, but that is not the case, so here I am, anxiously waiting for my 5spd black GT... do you think I made a good choice?<img src=/images/forums/snitz/uhh.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>


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#3 ·
Copy Cat. I have had a Black 2002 Elantra Gt since october of last year :p I also test drove all the cars you did except the Spec V wasn't in the lots yet, only I paper but my bro has an SE, essentially the same car (has the same real life 1/4 and 0-60) It came down to between the Sentra SER and the GT guess what the GT really is the best deal in the car market right now! The leather doen't feel cheap either, cheap leather gets super hard in cold winter, the GT's has stayed smooth and supple all winter here in the middle of WI, In the direct sun it breathes so no it doent get hot and sticky. People think leather is bad because their PO' White Trash families always had fake leather couches where there giant white bums would stick... but thats a different story. How many luxery or real sports cars come with a crusty cloth interior? Any how enough ranting and good damn choice on your vehicle!<img src=/images/forums/snitz/thumbup.gif width=25 height=18 border=0>


<hr width=60% noshade size=1 align=left>2002 Elantra GT
 
#5 ·
i personally wouldve gone for the spec-v....but that just me...i mean come on guys, seriously, a spec v vs a GT no contest the nissan has it.
not to sound disloyal or anything....and that just my opinion
and BTW...high proced sports cars come with a cloth interior for a reason.....have you ever tried to take a 1g turn on a leather seat? you end up in the passengers side......



Edited by - snuckuponu510 on 02/27/2002 5:03:12 PM
 
#6 ·
i did with an infiniti g20t and i did end up on the passengers side <img src=/images/forums/snitz/laugh.gif width=15 height=31 border=0><img src=/images/forums/snitz/laugh.gif width=15 height=31 border=0><img src=/images/forums/snitz/laugh.gif width=15 height=31 border=0>


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#7 ·
The leather may breathe, but where I live it wouldn't matter. We get triple-digit temperature 3-4 months a year...can you say "scream like a white woman"? One summer my Aunt needed lots of rides... the smell of burning cellulite would almost cause me to lose control of the car. Say what you want about cloth upholstery, it's comfortable all year. <img src=/images/forums/snitz/moon.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>


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#8 ·
I'd of gotten the Elantra GLS... wait.. I DID! <img src=/images/forums/snitz/smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0><img src=/images/forums/snitz/wink.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>


<hr width=60% noshade size=1 align=left>-Mike

2002 Champagne Elantra GLS 5sp
2001 Black Grand Am GT sedan
 
#9 ·
The more the fast cars in the garage the better.

I would of gotten the nissan.


<hr width=60% noshade size=1 align=left>Your death is comming on swift wings, and I am the rider.
<img src="http://israfel.org/auron/fmv02.jpg"> <img src="http://israfel.org/auron/sprite4.gif">
 
#10 ·
Well, I'm going to pick it up tonight... I also got "apparently" a pretty good deal; 20400$ Canadian (which is about 12800$) for a New GT Premium (leather, sunroof, blablabla)...

#BEGIN RANT

Actually, I *do* prefer HIGH-QUALITY leather over cloth any day, but between, say, the Elantra's leather and a VW's cloth, I'd opt for the VW cloth. HOWEVER, the BEST interior trim you can buy IS good leather. Try walking into a Porsche, Jaguar, Lotus or Ferrari dealership, and asking for cloth... they'll laugh out right out the door... with good reason too. Those of you who think that ALL leather isn't suited well to high-performance driving have obviously never been fortunate enough to drive a Lotus, Porsche, or even a new 'Vette (I have and I thank my lucky stars that I've had the opportunity to...) Trust me, it's WAY more comfortable and WAY grippier than any cloth you can get on a new street car, hands down...

#END RANT

#BEGIN STUPID NEWBIE QUESTION
Is the Elantra's 2.0 liter built / designed by Hyundai, or Mitsubishi?
#END STUPID NEWBIE QUESTIONS


Thanks

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#11 ·
<img src=/images/forums/snitz/uhh.gif width=15 height=15 border=0> Um. My natural assumption is that the 2.0 is built by Hyundai.
As for the leather question, most people equate leather anything with luxury or high price...so they would expect it on a Porsche or other high-priced car. It doesn't make the car faster..unless the cow-power from the bovines that sacrificed their hides can be transfered to the wheels. If you like leather,and its available on a car, get it...otherwise who gives a fvck.<img src=/images/forums/snitz/oogle.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>


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#12 ·
1.8L= Mitsu.
2.0L= Hyundai


<hr width=60% noshade size=1 align=left>Later,
Aaron Britt
Events Coordinator, Las Vegas F-body Assoc.
'97 Trans-Am WS6
'96 Elantra GLS
"The shortest distance between two points is a straight line........but, it's not as much fun."
<img src="http://www.speedcraving.com/i8acobra/flag.gif">
 
#13 ·
Im really thinking of getting the elantra gt myself and currently Im in a 99 accent gsi now. My question is should I just keep the car that I have now that is ok but some minor problems or gor for the gt and for the person who got the gt for $20400 canadian what dealership did you get it???

Frapp


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#14 ·
Frapp76, I got it from Hyundai Longueil, on the South Shore of Montreal... which is far considering I live on the north shore (Laval). My friend is a used car dealer, and has some connections in the car business... but if you call the dealerships in your area, and get them to each beat eachother's price, you can get a similar deal. When you're ready to buy, walk into the dealership, ask for the manager, and say "I'm ready to buy right now, if you give me this deal: xxxx$, whatever per month or whatever." And don't let them fvck you on the accessories, tinted windows, spoiler, mats, etc etc etc... You can get all that cheaper and nicer aftermarket. Instead, if you REALLY want to spend more, go for the extended warranty.

Most importantly - and to bring this post back ON topic <img src=/images/forums/snitz/cool.gif width=15 height=15 border=0> - SHOP AROUND, and DRIVE all the cars in the price range. That way, you won't buy a car and then see one of the other ones zoom past you two weeks later and think "Damn, I should have bought *that* instead..." Trust me, it's a BAD feeling (the one I got when I bought a '95 Mustang instead of a '96 Trans Am... so bad, in fact, that I later sold the 'stang at a big loss to go back and buy the T/A... which I also ended up selling anyhow... <img src=/images/forums/snitz/angry.gif width=15 height=15 border=0> ). Only buy the car when you're *sure* that you won't regret it, I know I won't because I drove ALOT of other nice, competitive cars (Sentra, Focus, Protege5, Civic, Impreza base, Toyota Corroded S, Vibe/Matrix, Suzuki Aerio, Saturn SC2, VW Golf)... I'm going to pick it up tonight, so I'll give you my impressions on the car. <img src=/images/forums/snitz/smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>


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#15 ·
thanks for the help, just to let you know I live in Toronto and able to get the car for only $300 over cost but it sounds like you deal is even better? Your right about testing other potential cars but IM gonna stick with import products just better in my opinion. did you lease or finance?


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#17 ·
That's fine, I'm gonna stick with import too... but be careful when you define "import"... the Pontiac Vibe IS an import (designed / built by Toyota, although in the US along with the Vibe), alot of the Focus' design and engineering was done by Mazda and various European Ford subsidiaries (does that look American to you??? <img src=/images/forums/snitz/wink.gif width=15 height=15 border=0> ), etc. Today, with globalization and all that, any car you buy is pretty well put together, because chances are, more than one make has had a hand in designing/engineering/building it. I mean for crying out loud... the new Civic SiR is built in ENGLAND of all places... <img src=/images/forums/snitz/finger.gif width=33 height=15 border=0> hehehe...

Actually, I paid 400$ over cost... that's with transport / prep and all bells / whistles... if you can get it for less than that, I say go for it! A great deal on a great car. <img src=/images/forums/snitz/smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>


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#18 ·
Re: Mitsu. or Hyundai? I have to say I think the 140HP 2.0L is a mitsu. engine. Why? Look up the specs. for a 1995-1999 Eclipse GS: HP, TQ, Displacement, Compression Ratio and Bore & Stroke. Identical! I have a 95 Elantra that has a Mitsu. 4G67 in it. Go figure.


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#19 ·
Well... I picked it up last night! I love the car, although my dealership experience was less than ideal... Did any of you other guys with 2002 GTs get some guy pull up next to them and ask "Is that a new SAAB???"? I did... normally I'd be annoyed, but I was actually pretty flattered by the thought that someone could mistake my 19000$ CDN econo-car for a 52000$ CDN luxury sedan... <img src=/images/forums/snitz/smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>

And I take back what I said about the leather being cheap... it's not Connolly, but it's equivalent to what I had in a 99 Maxima for two years... <img src=/images/forums/snitz/approve.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>

The radio sounds great, but not that easy to control... small buttons!

Anyhow, in retrospect, I'm happy with the choice I made and can see myself succumbing to the Rice-Boy-Aftermarket trap that alot of you are caught in right now... and to think, just 6 months ago I was making fun of rice-burners in my T/A... now I'm one too... lol...

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#20 ·
Rofl
That's pretty funny man. Autopoint is jacked up again. If you run them they appear identicle, but I can tell you with 100% accuracy that the engines are NOT the same.
The Mitsu 2.0liter makes less torque than the Tiburon engine, and if you compare them side by side you will see a lot of differences.


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#21 ·
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
1.8L= Mitsu.
2.0L= Hyundai


<hr width=60% noshade size=1 align=left>Later,
Aaron Britt
Events Coordinator, Las Vegas F-body Assoc.
'97 Trans-Am WS6
'96 Elantra GLS
"The shortest distance between two points is a straight line........but, it's not as much fun."
http://www.speedcraving.com/i8acobra/flag.gif">
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>


http://carpoint.msn.com/compare/choose.asp?trim1=95108&trim2=1556&year1=2002&year2=1999&Make1=31&Make2=48&Model1=10241&Model2=2118&MakeName1=31&ModelName1=10241&pt=new

2.0 = Old Mistsu design slightly modified



<hr width=60% noshade size=1 align=left>-Mike

2002 Champagne Elantra GLS 5sp
2001 Black Grand Am GT sedan
 
#23 ·
I got it black... I love the car... I got a little worried when I heard some rattling coming from the passnger side, but then leaned over and figured out it was just the seatbelt hitting the bpillar when it's unbuckled... phew... buckled it and no problem...

Still breaking it in (250 kms), so no kicking it just yet... but feels very smooth... dealer was an ass because I brought him down to a very low price, but everything turned out ok...

Does anyone have any rattles, annyoances, etc in their new GT? Let me know...




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#24 ·
2.0 L engine on Elantra and Tiburon is designed and manufactured by Hyundai FYI<img src=/images/forums/snitz/wink.gif width=15 height=15 border=0>Code name for the engine is "BETA", Accent's 1.5L and 1.6L is also Hyundai's, code named "ALPHA", and 2.7L V6 engine for Sonata, Santa Fe, and 2003 Tiburon is code named "DELTA". Just of your info<img src=/images/forums/snitz/thumbup.gif width=25 height=18 border=0><img src=/images/forums/snitz/thumbup.gif width=25 height=18 border=0>


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#25 ·
Going back to the issue of leather seats, how important is it to have front seat warmer with leather seats ? I heard that Hyundai might be offering this feature, but you might have to pay $300 more for it.<img src=/images/forums/snitz/thumbup.gif width=25 height=18 border=0>


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#26 ·
Yesterday morning it was -38 degrees Celcius with the windchill. The leather was not rock hard as many of you would think, but this is still no Lexus. Everyone who says they hate leather is probably just bitter that they don't have it, I wouldn't go back to cloth. If your sliding into the passenger seat try using the seat belt. By the way, I like the BMW style front end and Saab shape. They are a couple of the main reasons that I bought the car.


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