10th Apr 2008, 09:33

Most Toyotas haven't had timing belts since 1997; well, the corolla anyways, so the comparison is unwarranted. Please try to be accurate as it negates your otherwise intuitive comment. Elantras are quite good cars I agree, but they're no Corolla until at least the new 2007 model. That's an argument I wouldn't want to challenge.

12th Apr 2008, 20:33

I have a 2003 Hyundai Elantra.

The car overheated 4 times, and at 78k miles the engine and transmission cracked and it totaled. Unbelievable.

I bought the car used with 30k, and probably never drove it over 80 miles/hr.

Of course Hyundai invalidated the 100k powertrain warranty since I was a 2nd owner, even though I bought it from a Hyundai dealership, even they claim their used cars are "certified" now. Yeah right.

They are junk and probably the worst car I have over owned in almost 25 years of driving. Never again will I even consider Hyundai.

13th May 2008, 15:36

I would say this is a darn good engineering from Hyundai or whoever made the belt. They tell you it snaps at 60000 and it snapped at 68000, that's what I say; good design. And functioned as designed. Don't blame the car; many cars have to change the timing belt, and many of them are interference type engines, where if the belt snapped while the is engine running, then the engine is toast and you better replace it than fix it.

MOST Hondas are like this, except few models like the RSX that had a chain instead of a belt. Not sure about the newers Civics though.

4th Aug 2008, 13:57

Dollar-for-dollar the Hyundai is a GREAT car! Their early models left a lot to be desired, but in the last 6-7 years they have really stepped it up and made a very good car.

16th Nov 2008, 19:52

The owner's manual says it clearly: have the timing belt checked every 10,000 miles; if there are signs of wear, replace it.

The mechanics found my 2004 Elantra's timing belt was not in perfect condition at 50,000 miles, so they recommended me to changed it before the 60,000-mile limit. Since this is not an everyday procedure, which requires removing a number of parts, they also changed the alternator and a/c belts, flushed all fluids, and cleaned all pumps. Total time: four hours. Total bill: $180.

I'm very happy with my Elantra. Best car I've ever owned.

(And I have had Toyotas, Nissans, Chevys, Mazdas, Fiats, VWs, and even an Isuzu).

18th Nov 2008, 17:17

To the original poster: This was 100% YOUR fault for not doing this important service on time. $600 seems a lot but the dealers tend to overcharge. You could have had this service done by a reputable shop for a lot less.

24th Nov 2008, 09:00

Just priced out the timing belt at several major parts stores. The price 30-60 dollars. The dealer will take your money & run. I own a 2005 elantra GT with 63K on it. Best car I ever owned. Hyundai has passed Toyota in quality in most of their vehicles & you can take that to the bank. Just read the unbiased reviews!!

21st Apr 2009, 12:54

To the person that paid 180 dollars for the service you said you got, it's hard to believe they did the service. The belts alone cost 120 bucks for the four belts. To flush all fluids; coolant, transmission, engine oil, powersteering, brake, maybe they checked all fluids. Anyway I am doing it now with water pump replacement. It takes a lot!!! Longer than 4 hours, let me have the name of your mechanic so I can go there. Did you actually watch them do the work? A lot of components have to come out to do this job.

6th May 2009, 11:40

My 2005 Elantra GT has been awesome, very little extra maintenance required. I'm currently at 105000 kilometers and just finally getting my timing belt replaced. The only issue I've had is with my brakes, but I have a feeling it's directly related to in city stop and start driving.

Great car for both city and highway driving! Well worth paying extra for the GT model.

2nd Jul 2009, 21:42

I bought my 02' Elantra new and I have 122,000 miles on it without changing the timing belt. Best car I have ever owned hands down.

I must admit I would never have gone this long without replacing the belt, but I am the type that doesn't pay attention to the recommendations. After reading these posts, it's time to stop gambling and get it in for a new timing belt.

19th Aug 2009, 06:16

All cars with timing belts and not timing chains, with 16 valves (4 cylinders) twin camshaft, have to change timing belt all the time!! (Honda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, etc). The Civics of 90s are very sensitive on this point. Many broken Honda engines, due to this fact.

If you don't want to change the timing belt all the time, buy a Mercedes 190E or a 200E of the 90s or an Alfa 75 of the 90s 1.6, 1.8 liter. Practically every asian car and most EU cars have this weak point.

If you don't change timing belt in a multi camshaft, multi valve car you are asking for trouble!!!

19th Aug 2009, 11:50

To the poster on here who didn't know if the newer Civics had a timing belt or not, the 2006 and up Honda Civic has a timing chain, not a timing belt. I know this because I have an '08 Honda Civic, it has a timing chain.

4th Sep 2009, 14:53

Honda and Toyota have switched to timing chains on most of their engines that last the life of the engine with no replacement interval. If you have a Hyundai with over 60k on the odometer, I highly recommend changing the timing belt if it hasn't been done. If it breaks, not only do all the exhaust valves get bent, totally trashing the cylinder head, but I've seen quite a few where some of the valves get broken off and lodged in to the tops of the pistons, and also scoring the cylinder walls. In these instances, the engine is trashed and not worth repairing, and replacing it can cost between $3000-4000 with labor, and that will be for a rebuilt engine.

3rd Nov 2009, 22:54

I'm at 95,000 miles on my 2003 Elantra GT. Not to happy with rotors and brakes. The rotors seem to warp and wear fast. I have not changed my timing belt yet, and it is just starting to show signs of wear. I have driven the heck out of this car and have only replaced the brakes, rotors, tires, and the thermostat. Very happy with the car.

5th Nov 2009, 16:54

"The rotors seem to warp and wear fast"

I had this problem with a previous import. I solved it by switching to special thicker heavy-duty rotors. Also, NEVER have your rotors turned unless they are scored, as this takes off material and leaves them thinner and more prone to warp. I have NEVER turned the rotors on any car I've ever owned. I drive only domestics now (better quality) and generally get no less than 70,000 to 100,000+ miles out of a set of brake pads.

28th Jun 2010, 13:13

I have 2001 Elantra with 106,000 miles on it. I just replaced the timing belt and I was surprised to see that the original timing belt was in excellent condition! This car was built to last.

Then I replaced 2 oxygen sensors, this made the car even better. The horsepower seemed to go up and the acceleration increased.

I love this car. This car is much much better that Honda or Lexus combined.