Looking for that stylish, inexpensive, economy car that's good on gas, look no further than the 2008 Hyundai Elantra. It's a car in the lineup that continues to improve with every body style change, and for what this one has to offer, doesn't disappoint. While this newest incarnation is not its first year, Elantra still offers some great hot buttons, and at the same time keeping prices among some the lowest. And so we'll be discussing what makes the Elantra such a bargain basement find, namely focusing on style/design, features and functions, riding experience, and pricing ideas.
First and foremost, the newest Elantra has what I call "safe" design. Upon first inspection, the car had a design that was similar to the previous generation Toyota Corolla. And not a bad idea considering that the Corolla is one of the volume leaders in sales, it makes a lot of sense, as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The panels and fitment were clean, although I did notice a paint run on the rear bumper, making it evident that Hyundai is still cutting a few corners to save a buck. Hopefully they'll fix this as the hotly anticipated Hyundai Genesis makes its debut. Lighting was jewel-like and very bright in this entry offering. The base GLS I reviewed was black metallic, which made the cheap bolt on wheel covers stick out like a sore thumb. Which incidentally, what the covers looked like anyway. Nothing super high tech or leading edge, but does the job well in displaying a young, hip image.
The great thing about reviewing an entry trim, is that I can have a general idea of what true value comes out of all the automobiles. This particular model was devoid of any power equipment group or automatic transmission, which was fine because it had so much else to offer. What other great options I did find were, single disk C/D player, air conditioning, full compliment of airbags, adjustable seating, 12v power outlets for cell phone/pda charging, and that's just to name a few. The seats were sufficient for those decent commutes, I would not mind driving one for 50-60 miles at a time. What did suffer compared to some other competitors was fit and finish. My test model had the grey plastic panels, which to the light press, did some squeeking. In addition, I have broad shoulders and found the B-pillar uncomforting when I slid the seat back to compensate for long legs. Shutting the doors had such a hollow tin can sound as well, Hyundai has yet to find viable ways of insulating door panels to get that solid well built feel. Again I am reviewing a price point entry level, so this was an all around average look for Elantra.
Ride and Handling for the 08 Elantra scored pretty good in comfort and drivability. Suspension design was engineered just right to deliver a pleasing driving experience on the interstate. Also, power was practical for the rolling hills, and gas mileage was commendable for that, averaging 24city/33hwy per window sticker info. The transmission was also average, an the gearing was smooth and instant. On the other hand, wind noise is plentiful, and road noise was evident. Probably as a result from the lack of any insulating materials. Not the most groundbreaking, but overall suitable for a commuter car.
As one can see, they complete final product delivered a well rounded automobile in such a competitive market. And I'll gladly give some kudos to Hyundai, the price point for this class was actually cheaper than some other competitors. My GLS model ringed at just under $14k with the only option being the C/D player. Additionally, higher trimmed SE models come equipped with some great stuff too, leather, sunroof, you name it. Expect a little range of $600-$900 of negotiating room between invoice and MSRP. Not a ton, but you can save a little, and every bit goes a long way. Finally, I give a pretty good recommendation to the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, certainly a great choice for any commuting situation or a fantastic first car for the high school grad. The automaker will have no problem selling lots of these.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1076164
0 commentaires:
Post a Comment