Elantra or Corolla

[pachap]

Time for a new one. I have been trying to avoid it since last fall, but I have to buy another vehicle now. Transmission is about to go on the ol' 2004 Mountaineer, and it feels like the rear is "binding up" on it... that is about the best I can explain it.

I've done my due diligence as far as looking at all the vehicles similar to the ones in the title, and I've narrowed it down to those two. I like them both. I had a 2003 Corolla, but sold it because I needed a work truck. The Corolla comes with two years worth of oil changes, but I can get the Elantra about $1500 cheaper here.

FWIW, I will be buying new. I have had so much bad luck buying used vehicles in the past that I will never do it again. Yeah I know I'm eating a ton of depreciation...

Also, I am not considering a Honda Civic. I had a 2005 model that gave me way too many problems.

[Grainbelt]

I wouldn't wish a Corolla upon my worst enemy. I think you die a little bit every time you sit in one.

Did Hyundai bring the Elantra hatchback this year? I'm a sucker for some cargo space. Seems they make a decent car these days, while Toyota gave up ten years ago.

[pachap]

I like hatchbacks, but I really like the regular 4 door Elantra. Did you have a bad personal experience with a Corolla?

[Grainbelt]

Originally Posted by pachap

Did you have a bad personal experience with a Corolla?

Only sitting in friend's cars and driving rentals wanting to be anywhere else. Eight shades of beige, numb steering - hell, 'numb' describes the whole thing.

Drive them both. I haven't driven the Hyundai but it seems nigh on impossible it could be that bad.

[emerson.biguns]

Your thought process is not quite right.


"Bad luck buying used vehicles..."

Learn how to buy a used car. Buy it from a new car dealer with a warranty. DON'T eat the new car depreciation.


"Two years worth of oil changes..."

That adds up to about $200 savings. Now that's a deal.


"2005 Model gave me too many problems..."

2005 was possibly a crappy year model, so they all must be?



Research reliability ratings in Consumer reports.

Pick the vehicles and years that are the best and meet your criteria.

Find your options on new car dealer's used lots, not the standard used only lots that will finance anyone. Use the web.

Buy at the end of the month. Be willing to make it an all day affair. Learn about the 4 Square before you go.



.

[aceluck]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

I wouldn't wish a Corolla upon my worst enemy. I think you die a little bit every time you sit in one.

This.

I test drove the new elantra and was very impressed. Hyundai and sister Kia have come leaps and bounds in recent years, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy either one. Toyota and Honda have been sitting on past laurels, and now make boring, bland, and boring appliances.

[blackfriar]

I have had good luck with Toyotas. I have had a 94 Corolla, 5 Camrys and drive a 2010 Tacoma now. The Corolla is not the most exciting car, and mine was in fact beige, but they all have been dead reliable for me. The Hyundais look like good cars though, so I go along with those encouraging the test drives. The money difference you are talking about isn't that great over a period of years.

[jdiaz]

I have a friend who's uncle's sister's kid had some issues with a 1992 VW Golf. Don't buy a Volkswagen.

[rdtrvlr]

262000 on my 90 corolla. other than rust zero issues. normal maintenance. kind like a PC800, gas @go. boring? probably. but it is reliable a hammer

[TexBiker]

I have no experience with the Corolla, but I rented a 2013 Elantra last week and put about 300 miles on it in a mix of interstate and city traffic. I'm 6'5" and it wasn't uncomfortable. Decent power for a little 4cyl. Interior was laid out quite nicely. Got just over 36mpg. Very quiet on the highway. It thought it was a pretty nice little car.

It was the first Hyundai I'd driven since the old '91 Excel my girlfriend drove in college. That thing was a POS. Seems like they have gotten much better in the last 22 years! :)

[Roland44]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

I wouldn't wish a Corolla upon my worst enemy. I think you die a little bit every time you sit in one.

Did Hyundai bring the Elantra hatchback this year? I'm a sucker for some cargo space. Seems they make a decent car these days, while Toyota gave up ten years ago.

lol definitely agree. Go with Elantra man!

[BerndM]

Well, let's think about this logically, shall we....

Which one of these 2 otherwise similar vehicles has the

10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ????????

Elantra----YES

Corolla-----NO

There, it's settled

Now, wasn't that easy?

[HarveyMushman]

Originally Posted by BerndM

Well, let's think about this logically, shall we....

Which one of these 2 otherwise similar [manufacturers] has [to offer a . . . ]

10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ????????

[ . . . because they can't sell their shit heap without one?]

Elantra----YES

Corolla-----NO

There, it's settled

Now, wasn't that easy?

Fixed. Too harsh?

I had a new Elantra this past weekend. Decent enough appliance. That anyone with even the tiniest hint of mechanical or vehicle-dynamic enthusiasm would even consider buying one just boggles the mind.

The Mazda3 is a far, far better car.

[ride4321]

I own an 07 Corolla and recently drove my friends Elantra. The Elantra is much quieter, has a better stereo and handles better. I wish I'd looked at one before buying the Corolla but I don't drive it much and just need a good reliable car to drive my kids around in when they visit. I'd recommend the Elantra if you drive a lot.

[Chi-Ha]

I know you mentioned just the two models, but have you thought about an Imprezza? Hatchback and back seats are bigger plus the all wheel drive are a plus. I know a base Imprezza will have its shortcomings too, but just a thought