YACT: Looking for reliability and economy for <$13,000

[Hannover]

Originally posted by: Mr N8

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH

Originally posted by: RossMAN
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS automatic with 10/5 warranty for around $11,200 out the door.

Yep...I bought one a couple months ago and I love it...mine is a manual though. I test drove a civic, sentra, corolla, 323...the elantra is, by far IMO, the best car for the dollar. It has the best crash test rating, has the best power of the bunch (with the possible exception of the 323), has tons of leg room in the back seat (my dad is 6'3" 220 lbs a can sit comfortably in the back), and the best warranty, again by far (10 year 100,000 mile on the powertrain).

And the elantra is about $2,000 cheaper than the next cheapest competitor.

Do you have the 4-door or 5-door version? I'm thinking the hatch would be nice, since I carry computer equipment between our bank branches on occasion.

I purchased a 2005 Elantra GT 5-Door a couple of months ago and I couldn't be happier about the purchase. The hatch combined with the fold-down rear seats gives you plenty of storage room. I have a rubber mat that lays over the back of the seats / cargo area so that I can carry my dogs / computers / etc without messing up the interior of the car. My only complaint is with the paint job. My car is black and the paint seems 'thin'. From what I've heard, red requires more coats and you get a better quality paintjob from the factory. YMMV.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mr N8

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Ford Escort GT 92-96

I have a 92 Escort GT that I bought for $1500.00 at 134K miles. It now has over 219K miles and the only repairs have been outer tie rods, rear coil springs and struts, front and rear brakes and normal maintenance. I still drive it everyday and average 30+ mpg.

I actually looked for one of those. Can't find any within 100 miles of where I live.

You and me both. I've been trying to get a 95-96 model for the last year and ahven't found one yet. 🙁

My 92 is starting to rust out. 🙁

 

[clickynext]

I just got an 02 Mazda Protege5 and it's great. Drives great and plenty of passenger and cargo room due to the hatch. Fuel economy is not as good as a civic, though.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: Hannover

Originally posted by: Mr N8

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH

Originally posted by: RossMAN
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS automatic with 10/5 warranty for around $11,200 out the door.

Yep...I bought one a couple months ago and I love it...mine is a manual though. I test drove a civic, sentra, corolla, 323...the elantra is, by far IMO, the best car for the dollar. It has the best crash test rating, has the best power of the bunch (with the possible exception of the 323), has tons of leg room in the back seat (my dad is 6'3" 220 lbs a can sit comfortably in the back), and the best warranty, again by far (10 year 100,000 mile on the powertrain).

And the elantra is about $2,000 cheaper than the next cheapest competitor.

Do you have the 4-door or 5-door version? I'm thinking the hatch would be nice, since I carry computer equipment between our bank branches on occasion.

I purchased a 2005 Elantra GT 5-Door a couple of months ago and I couldn't be happier about the purchase. The hatch combined with the fold-down rear seats gives you plenty of storage room. I have a rubber mat that lays over the back of the seats / cargo area so that I can carry my dogs / computers / etc without messing up the interior of the car. My only complaint is with the paint job. My car is black and the paint seems 'thin'. From what I've heard, red requires more coats and you get a better quality paintjob from the factory. YMMV.

My 2005 Elantra GT hatch is one week shy of 5 months old, and I love it to death. As a bonus the GLS hatch actually has the GT suspension, instead of the crap they put in the GLS sedan. Mine is "Tidal Wave" blue, and I haven't noticed any paint issues yet...

Dave