chikoo

I have sat in Hyundai vehicles and in my opinion it does not impart the feel that you get when you sit in a Mazda3 for example. For a car that I will be driving for the next few years, I cannot compromise on that aspect.

dunnojack

hyundai prices are slowly creeping up. look how close the prices have become.

if i were buying something in this class, i would not load it up with leather and other crap.
just gimme basic safety electronics, power windows, that's it.

-J-P-L-

Exactly. Buying a compact with heated leather, navigation, ect. seems a bit silly too me unless you just don't like bigger cars. Some just prefer small cars but can afford more and will load them up. This is common in Europe of course where they normally pay $30K for a compact. This is more do to the fact that they have outrageous gas prices and tighter spaces though.

I also prefer small cars but would not pay more than $18K for one. I just prefer to have economical transportation.

mmarshall

First, do you regularly use your personal car for buisness reasons......say, for company-mandated travel or something similiar? If so, leasing may be a viable option.....as long as you don't exceed the mileage limits (typically between 10-15K miles a year) or the wear-and-tear clauses (scratches/dents/broken glass,worn-tires, etc....) in the lease-contract. You can deduct lease-payments off your taxes if you use your own car for buisness. Leasing gets you into a brand-new car every 2-4 years, so you're not driving something old and worn. It also eliminates the hassle of trading or selling your old car. Of course, with leasing, you always have a monthly payment....you're never out of debt, and early-lease-terminations can sometimes be costly.

You seem interested in a new Elantra. IMO, you probably won't go wrong with one....it's a relatively safe purchase, vehicle-wise. The 2011 model, of course, is all-new and untested, but previous models have had generally good reliability. I don't personally care for the interior/exterior styling of the new model, but that is a personal, subjective issue, and you might find the styling more to your tastes. Hyundai offers, on its web-site, a handy pocket-calculator where you can enter the data to suit your needs....loan length, interest rate, down payment, car selling-price, etc..... and come up with how much it will run each month on an actual purchase. They also have a site that describes leasing....vs...buying, though

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/financial-...alculator.aspx

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/financial-...ng-buying.aspx

https://www.hyundaimotorfinance.com/

I understand the no-down-payment and $350-per-month limit, but what do you mean by "do this" within 12-18 months? Do you mean you want to wait another 12-18 months before buying or leasing a car, or does that mean that you want to have the $350-a-month actually paid off within 12-18 months? If the latter, I would suggest a one-year lease, if they will give you one at the dealership. On a one-year (if they will give to you) it would be easier to get $350 on an Accent than an Elantra, but not necessarily out of the question for an Elantra. If you can't get those conditions met, and can't adjust your payment-scenario, then you may be out of the market for a new car, period.

SaintNexus

I've noticed that most of the miles that I put into the car are from going to/coming from work, which is 54 miles a day, lets just say I work full time (currently I don't), it will be under 13,000 miles a year, so leasing a car works for me.

I have done the Hyundai financial calculation thing, but it's for purchase only, it doesn't calculate any lease information.

When I mentioned that I want it done with 12-18 months, I mean that I'm planning on leasing/buying a car within 12-18 months. I have to get a steady job (my hours have been zero to none lately), and I'm still waiting for the last credit bureau to remove this credit item off my file to fix my credit score, so banks can start trusting me again.

Anyway, I'm not in a hurry to lease/buy a car, because like I said, no down payment, no steady income, and I got bills to pay. I think once I pay off some of these big credit cards, I'll lease a car.

I'm leaning towards the Hyundai, but all that can change once the Prius C is released (reading stuff of a potential $17k starting price and 100 mpg, realistically the mpg will be lower, but if it gets 70+, than I'm all for it), and I might just get that, not sure for now.

SaintNexus

Have you guys seen the Veloster? It's being released this summer, not sure how soon though.

It's supposed to start at around $17k, and it comes with a bunch of great standard stuff, like a 7 inch touch screen.

The design looks pretty good, and I love the hands-free texting that it comes with. It gets great mileage, estimated at 40mpg.

It having 10 year/100,000 warranty, and it's assurance guarantee resale value program (when buying a new car), makes it very tempting. With this assurance thing, they guarantee you 58% of the msrp of an elantra 31-36 months later!

At this point, anything will be better than my gas-guzzling '90 LS400.

I8ABMR

Hyundai is on the attack. I know many wonder about long term reliability but I think they have easily matched the Japanese. I am pretty sure that Consumer reports or JD power would have picked up on some shotty build quality or reliability issue like they always managed to discover with the older American cars

rkyat

I know its relatively early to report, but 2,000 miles later im still happy with my 2011 Genesis Coupe with no complaints. Dealership was also very pleasant as well. so to the OP i'd say you'd be fine with either direction you go.

spwolf

Won is low recently so they have been able to price the product well... they do have some of the best buys currently.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Any Negatives about the KIA Optima? Seems like a decent car as far as looks and price. KIA offering the $9000 trade in special...

grabber2

Corolla = $249 a month with 0 down, 36 month
Elantra = $169 a month with $1699 down, 36 month (1699/36 = $47 add up on the monthly payment = $216 a month, a $34 different

For lease, its a great way to try out different car and not have to worry about resale value. I agree that this Elantra is the best value with the available feature. However, I never driven one and I still have the "cheap/low class" image for Hyundai. The new Kia Optima was very impressive too, but I still don't see myself getting Hyundai/Kia in the near future.

E6BAV8R

It's amazing what government subsidies and practically no labor laws can get you, eh?

As well, no one really knows - in facts and data - the long term reliability of Hyundai vehicles.

rdgdawg

Lease coming up on the Wolf so was looking at getting another Sonata today for the DD... dream cars now just a dream, project dead ...

...love the changes to the new Sonata, loved my last one... close, $$$ looking good, will counter tomorrow...

Good friend in ATL used to drive a Hyundai between ATL and Liberty U and then after college... this was in the mid 90s... put 189K miles on it, only needed tires, brakes and regular maintenance... he drove at 85-90 mph on those long trips, NEVER had on issue...

I8ABMR

I think Hyundai has caught up on quality. Now they just need to develop that reputation and image. They will

LIMS407

seriously where is cut-throat??