1999 Hyundai Elantra Station Wagon 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Cheap but reliable transportation.

Faults:

Clutch hydraulics got gunked up and the clutch was slipping.

Driver's window wouldn't close properly. Purge valve failure.

EVAP system failure makes it hard to refill gas.

Tail light leaked water.

Reverse light switch failed twice.

General Comments:

Runs great, lots of power for what it is. Starts up easy, runs very reliably. MPG is impressive, gets a solid 34 mpg on the highway.

Stock 60 series tires make the ride a little rough, but sporty.

Suspension is tight and responsive.

Lots of cabin noise.

Ride is a little rough because it's actually a sports suspension and drivetrain.

Fit and finish is cheesy, but works OK after 11 years.

Seats are cheap, but the support in them is adequate for a long ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th November, 2010

6th Oct 2012, 20:11

UPDATE:

At 163,000 miles and two years later, is still runs great. A/C still works great. I beat it up a lot with tools and strapping furniture to the roof, but it doesn't care. It's been a good car for me for going on four years now.

It can get as much as 39 MPG on the highway if driven at a steady 60 mph. I had to replace the exhaust manifold for the known cracking problem, but later learned that Hyundai dealers will STILL replace the manifold under recall for FREE! I also had to replace the muffler... a normal problem for any car. Other than that... nothing.

I recommend you replace the 60 series tires with 70 series for a smoother ride and better MPG, not to mention they lift the car a little and feel bigger.

10th Dec 2014, 20:39

UPDATE II.

Four years later, the motor is still great at 187K. MPG tracked on Fuelly at 34.4 all time mileage over four years.

I beat the snot outta this car, but it takes it.

Windows tend to come out of the track.

A/C still works great (I live in FL, so it's not an option. Would have gotten a new car by now, but the A/C still works.)

Pressure bearing separated from the pressure plate... it was only a couple years old, so I submit that the clutch is a weak point.

Choppy, noisy ride.

Sensor connectors on the motor all deteriorated and disintegrated, so I replaced all that.

Wiring harness problems... hard to track down, but cheap to fix if you're handy.

1999 Hyundai Elantra Wagon 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Avoid a used one without verifiable records

Faults:

Warranty was key to this car, as the transmission was replaced 3 times in two years. Good roadside assistance as we were 50 miles to the nearest dealer. The exhaust manifold cracked and we were told it's not covered, but when pressed, their own fine print clearly stated it was, and so they replaced that too.

If buying one used, see that the transmission, the manifold, and the timing belt, have been replaced.

General Comments:

Nice car really. Had to sell it when the warranty ended.

Plus it has one of those awful interference engines, which requires a new timing belt every 60,000 miles or the engine destroys itself if it breaks.

I would buy another since the warranty covered everything but the new belt. Just need to arrange for a loaner at my next deal.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th January, 2010

1999 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0L 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Adequate basic transportation for a teen, nothing more

Faults:

Remote and security system never did work right, so all doors are now keyed opened manually and the security system is disabled due to far too many false alarms.

Both front power window motor transports fell apart and jammed the motors. Windows are now temporarily wired closed until I can get to the local yard to get two new assemblies (MOST ANNOYING!). The transport mechanism is made extremely cheaply with some sort of very thin and flimsy plastic tape. It is no wonder both sides fell apart! CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP!

Front light lenses constantly yellow up and block the head lighting, and have been buffed out several times, but continue to yellow after only a month or so.

Body sheet metal gauge is extremely thin and tinny, and the car has a few dents where someone leaned too hard on the side panels (unheard of!).

General Comments:

Despite the annoyances of above, for the price, the car is still within tolerable limits for costs to operate. I understand that the newer Elantra's are vastly improved.

The car is good basic transportation with really no comfort to it and a noisy interior, so no long trips!

The mileage for such a light car with a 2.0L engine is most disappointing. In the city, it barely clears 20 mpg. (I had a Pontiac Grand Prix that did that with a 3.8L six!)

Due to the newer improved Elantra models, this one can be sold used for far more than I would have thought. In fact, retails for about $750 more than I paid for it for my daughter over a year ago in early 2007.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2008