Anyone have a Hyundai Elantra Sport?

[pastafarian]

Just been out on the hunt for a new car, Mazda 3 is very nice and currently first choice but I'm surprised by my second choice which is the new Hyundai Elantra Sport. It is now built in Malaysia, instead of Korea, which means the price has reduced substantially and all others (Focus, Altis, Mazda 3 etc) with a similar spec are at least 100k baht more expensive. It looks great and the interior is really nice, only surpassed by the Mazda 3, so the only negative is the depreciation but if I'm paying 150k less then when it is time to sell if it has depreciated faster than I won't be too bothered.

Does anyone have one and happy to give their opinion? The one I'm considering is the GLE which is 819k baht, similar spec Mazda/Ford/Toyota/Honda are all about 920-950k.

Thanks.

https://www.hyundai-motor.co.th/ElantraSport/

[DavoTheGun]

Do NOT even dream about buying it, it is very poor quality and not up to the old model. Old Tech engine, you get what you pay for!!

[pastafarian]

Do NOT even dream about buying it, it is very poor quality and not up to the old model. Old Tech engine, you get what you pay for!!

Thanks for the reply, could you elaborate re the engine though please? The showroom guy said it has a new (nu) engine with more hp than the Toyota and Honda 1.8 engines while being more economical. I just had a quick google search and it seems the engine was introduced just 3 yrs ago.

http://wot.motortrend.com/2011-hyundai-elantra-gets-brandnu-18liter-engine-9460.html

[Ace of Pop]

Go for the Mazda 3 is my advice.Or wait for the new Civic like me.Its supposed to have the first CVT Box the testers like in a cheapish Car.The MPG is reportedly best of the lot. But we have all heard that before.

[pastafarian]

Go for the Mazda 3 is my advice.Or wait for the new Civic like me.Its supposed to have the first CVT Box the testers like in a cheapish Car.The MPG is reportedly best of the lot. But we have all heard that before.

The Mazda 3 was my original choice but I had a look around which is when I came across the Elantra Sport. The GLE model is 819k baht and is a higher spec than the Mazda 3 2.0C which is 914k baht and not far off the Mazda 3 2.0S which is 974k baht. So now I know that I doubt I'd be prepared to spend another 100k for a car that is a lower spec, similar story for the Civic as their similar spec model is the 1.8ES AT which is 950k baht. I liked the Toyota Altis Esport which is 899k baht but again is quite far off the spec of the GLE Elantra.

[wowjudo]

Go for the Mazda 3 is my advice.Or wait for the new Civic like me.Its supposed to have the first CVT Box the testers like in a cheapish Car.The MPG is reportedly best of the lot. But we have all heard that before.

The Mazda 3 was my original choice but I had a look around which is when I came across the Elantra Sport. The GLE model is 819k baht and is a higher spec than the Mazda 3 2.0C which is 914k baht and not far off the Mazda 3 2.0S which is 974k baht. So now I know that I doubt I'd be prepared to spend another 100k for a car that is a lower spec, similar story for the Civic as their similar spec model is the 1.8ES AT which is 950k baht. I liked the Toyota Altis Esport which is 899k baht but again is quite far off the spec of the GLE Elantra.

If i were you i'd arrange a test drive for both. You will be impressed on how well the mazda 3 does. Even if the korean has a better spec it doesn't mean the quality is the same as the japanese and won't deliver you the same drive experience. I am in Laos now and rented a new Elantra for 2 days while my car was in repair shop to change the control arm. Since i test drove the mazda 3 before i can say that it feels much better thant he elantra.

But it's up to you, just my thoughts between those 2

[babykyo]

Its used as a Taxi in Singapore, google hyundai i40 taxi Singapore.

[ignis]

Its used as a Taxi in Singapore, google hyundai i40 taxi Singapore.

?? NO not the same model..... name difference in different Countries..

Here the Minibus is called H-1, other places is named i800

The Elantra Sport is the i30

The i40 is the named here Sonata

[pastafarian]

Go for the Mazda 3 is my advice.Or wait for the new Civic like me.Its supposed to have the first CVT Box the testers like in a cheapish Car.The MPG is reportedly best of the lot. But we have all heard that before.

The Mazda 3 was my original choice but I had a look around which is when I came across the Elantra Sport. The GLE model is 819k baht and is a higher spec than the Mazda 3 2.0C which is 914k baht and not far off the Mazda 3 2.0S which is 974k baht. So now I know that I doubt I'd be prepared to spend another 100k for a car that is a lower spec, similar story for the Civic as their similar spec model is the 1.8ES AT which is 950k baht. I liked the Toyota Altis Esport which is 899k baht but again is quite far off the spec of the GLE Elantra.

If i were you i'd arrange a test drive for both. You will be impressed on how well the mazda 3 does. Even if the korean has a better spec it doesn't mean the quality is the same as the japanese and won't deliver you the same drive experience. I am in Laos now and rented a new Elantra for 2 days while my car was in repair shop to change the control arm. Since i test drove the mazda 3 before i can say that it feels much better thant he elantra.

But it's up to you, just my thoughts between those 2

Did back to back test drives this afternoon of the Mazda 3 and Elantra Sport (tomorrow Focus, Altis and Civic) and both were excellent, honestly very little difference between the two although the Skyactive Mazda was slightly more responsive in terms of engine response. The latest 1.8 Elantra engine is 30kgs lighter and positioned back a bit so the steering is more responsive and has three steering settings...comfort, normal and sport.

The Mazda I drove was the top SP model which is close to 1.1M baht and was very, very nice but if I bought one it would be the 2.0C which is 914k baht so 95k baht more than the GLE Elantra Sport. The Elantra I drove was the GLE, not sure what spec cars I'll be able to test drive tomorrow but pretty sure I've made my mind up already as both the Altis and Civic 1.8 cars have less power and worse fuel economy than the Elantra and their similar priced models are much lower spec. I've pretty much ruled out the Focus as don't want either a 1.6 or 2.0 and that is all there is.

[kkerry]

This year in Australia I've driven rentals (mostly the base model) of all the cars you mention apart from the Civic. In Australia the Hyundai and the Mazda are I believe still the best sellers. The Elantra (i30) can sometimes be found for just under $20,000 there which is a bargain considering the level of fit out. Economical, very quiet and great about town. It's not bad outside the city but not quite as good as a Mazda or Focus. If I was mainly driving in town and wanted to save some money then I would not feel short changed with the Hyundai. Otherwise I would buy whatever feels best to you out of the Hyundai, Mazda and Focus. I just drove 2000 km in a Focus in a week and for me it was pretty comfortable, enough power and very economical once you got out of city traffic. The downside to Ford in Thailand can be their service as has been discussed here before and why I won't be buying another, much as I like the brand.

[ignis]

Not sure in Thailand but most parts of the world Hyundai has a much longer warranty than most other makes