what has happened to Elantra in 3 years?

[hjr]

we had a rental for 10 days in March of 01. Great , Quiet little car. Test drove an 04, and either we got a "bad one", or they are a whole lot louder than they used to be?
We were shocked, becasue we were thinking of perhaps buying one next year. Not now, not if they are that loud these days. The 01 was almsot as quiet as our 99Sonata! This thing was not, the 04.

It is one thing for say liek our 01 tibby to sound loud/engine noise, but for the Elantra to sounds like this?

I did notice Elantra sales are under10,000 units for August where Sonatas were over 10,000 units. I think August may have been a record for Sonata sales, even(wardsauto.com, go to press releases).

Guess people go to look at Elantra, then try to Sonata, and go Sonata, if they can afford it.

Are all 04 Elantras almost "01 Tibby" loud these days, or did we get a bad car to test drive?

[thejoyof6]

Every beta ive ever driven was very quiet and ive test driven a few new 03 and 04's and they were just as quiet.
They do get loud in the high rpms tho.

Go test drive another one already!

[hjr]

yeah, may try again next spring, another dealership.

Spouse and I, though, are debating on the next gen Sonata(maybe the 4 cylinder), or even a tC(waiting for about a year before buying, and if those hold up, may not wait for the next gen tibby, or Sonata coupe?).

Who knows. It may end up being a sonata and tC in our driveway, unless Hyudnai comes out next Summer with announcements baout sonata coupe/tibby and date of release. if they come out in 06, may have to wait. HCD-8! They need to make it, and now.lol.

[thejoyof6]

If i was you i would just stick to the elantra. You tend to rant alot about your cars and you dont need another first year model that may or may not have a few first year jitters.
The elantra is a proven car, the TC has had a few minor problems and the sonata is not yet released here.

But if you can accept that your first year sonata may have a few teething problems then go for it over the TC. All new cars have teething problems.

Please dont take this personally, its just an observation from numerous threads and post by you.