Is the MD a downgrade from the XD?, Time to get a new car... Options

[natesi]

It's approaching the time to get a new (or newer) car; currently I have an 2002 Elantra GLS with the tibby sway bar and big brake upgrade -- bought it used over 10 years ago.

Loving Hyundai - the reliability, styling, warranty, value, etc - I'm naturally drawn to the new Elantra. But today it hit me... I'm going to shell out tens of thousands for a new car and get what...:
* Worse steering?
* Worse suspension?
* And an smaller engine that probably feels more anemic (especially since I live in Oregon and all cars are PZEV, which can make engines loose their edge, even if on paper there's only minimal hp loss)?

I know there will be some gains too, like better crash ratings (a big one, as the early XDs scored abysmally), better technology, and marginally better fuel economy, but that's going to be the same with virtually all newer cars across the board.

How can this be? How can newer seem worse in so many ways?? It's kind of depressing.

Granted, I've not driven the new Elantra, but I've seen many threads on the suspension -- which admittedly seems easy and cheap to fix. But even then, could the rear torsion beam in the MD ever come close to the XDs independent suspension? Could the MD ever be as much fun as the XD?

Have any XD owners made the jump to the MD, and what are your thoughts on my concerns?

Much Thanks,

PS -- I'm aware of the "sport" trim, that could fix the power issue, but it comes with way too much stuff I dislike or have no interest in. The bigger engine was a great idea, but Hyundai's implementation was horrific -- they should have just made the larger engine an option, not an entire trim level you're locked into -- with a bunch of stuff your forced into buying with it. Mega lame.

[a_v]

But today it hit me... I'm going to shell out tens of thousands for a new car and get what...:
* Worse steering?
* Worse suspension?
* And an smaller engine that probably feels more anemic (especially since I live in Oregon and all cars are PZEV, which can make engines loose their edge, even if on paper there's only minimal hp loss)?

This is somewhat why I'm hanging on to my XD too. I have driven a new one as a loan. Don't know what trim. I would definitely take my XD over it, but only after all the mods I've put to it. Stock for stock, I'd go the new one.

[Red Elantra GT]

Hey-The best way to decide on a replacement car is to drive it.

[yjolly]

I think that the "natural" sporty successor to the XD is on the KIA side. That's where it'd look first if I wanted better handling / power; that being said, I have not driven either the new Elantra nor the Forte, so I can't comment any further.

Yves

[natesi]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, a test drive would tell me a lot. That being said, there's only so much you're going to be able to tell on a brief 10-20 minute stroll around the block. It's not until you start driving it under a lot of different conditions that you're going to be able to discover what you've really got. That's why I wanted to get some owner opinions -- especially from former XD owners.

The thing that is bothering me the most is the rear suspension. Even after replacing the shocks and installing a rear anti-roll bar I've seen people say that the back end isn't 100% cured. It would be nice to experience the problem so I know what it feels like though. From the description of the problem, I think I've had that same issue in other cars -- like you go over a bump and the rear "side steps"? That would drive me nuts.

[14GTinOK]

You should take a close look at 2014 GT. Coming up on one month in mine and still very happy. See my list in sig. Our 02 GT hatchback was great, the 04 sedan not so much. When we looked at 14 GT it seemed like a modern version of what we liked in 02.

[RPW00Mirage]

i dont like any of the new ones. MAYBE the elantra coupe... but the GT is way too big.

our next car will most likely be veloster #3 when the elantra goes to the junkyard early next year.

[Red Elantra GT]

Hey-The GT is about 10" shorter than the sedan. It also has a rear sway bar and better shocks. It's a huge improvement over the '11 Elantra sedan I had.

[natesi]

So you've owned an Elantra sedan AND the Elantra GT?!

I think the GT is getting a bigger engine... might be doable. I wish it wasn't shorter though.

[Bobzilla]

Don't get me wrong, I like the new MD. But there's a reason I now own 2 Kia's. I prefer the new Forte over the Elantra, and it's available with the 201hp 1.6GDT-T.

[Red Elantra GT]

Hey-The GT was designed in Germany. It has little in common, visually, with the sedan and coupe. It's shorter mostly in the back of the car. The '14 has the larger engine. I find the one in my '13 to be just fine, power wise. It does handle much better than my '11 sedan did. The back of the car feels more "planted".

[RPW00Mirage]

its shorter?

they all look big compared to my VT.