not exactly a new guy but back after a few years with a new Elantra Options

[14GTinOK]

hi everyone; I am not really new here but thought I should reintroduce myself. Back in 2002 my wife and I bought a new Elantra GT hatch back. It became my wife's daily driver for her work. Great car - only reason we sold it was for corporate relocation to US in Feb 2007 - would have been poor resale with km vs miles.

A bit of history that led to more Elantras: relocation took us to north side of Phoenix Arizona. Been loving life in desert for seven years this month. Have bought and traded a few vehicles - my wife says too many, I am fickle that way. About a year and half after relocation bought a year old, certified preowned 2007 Nissan Armada - had been getting lots of visitors in winter so decided wanted more seats and wanted 4x4 for more exploring. Offset the big pricey beast with sensible - bought a very used 2004 Elantra GLS - bare bones, not even electric windows ha ha. A fine car for what it was (used and cheap), but within a year we regretted the beast, were getting fewer visitors (guess the novelty of free place to stay was gone) so traded Armada for a 07 Acura TL Type S - I know, that is a difference! Few months latter traded the beater Elantra for a 2004 4Runner. Jump forward almost five years to now - still have the 4Runner - a great vehicle - it has been all over Arizona and many parts of five neighboring states. Have the biggest up size tires on it that can fit without lift. We will keep it for longg time. Last year bought a 03 Jeep TJ - not a daily driver, just a project with teenage son - has been a hoot down here - top down, out in the desert. The Acura has been good, but ran out of powertrain warranty late last year, coming up on 100K miles, and starting to show signs that made me think costs are coming. Decided to get a smaller more economical car, something to offset the two gas hogs. Perhaps our son will buy out car when he heads off to college in two and half years- my wife and I firmly believe that should never give a kid a car, gotta earn it to appreciate and respect it like both of us did, but he'll probably get a great deal for a car with know history So went shopping during President's Day sales. Had researched and looked at VW, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai past month or so. Went to look at certified preowned Hyundai - but rebates and sales really closed the gap to a brand new. Bought through Costco Auto program - no bullsheet - shows invoice, price below that - got a 14 GT hatch with 6 speed at $2K+ below retail. After that part of dealing their first offer for trade on Acura was a bit low, but not shocking. They asked us what would close deal - I named a delta that was actually $1K less then we wanted. They came back at $400 OTD more then I asked, only $600 OTD less then we wanted. Done, shook hands. Best car buying experience I have ever had. I strongly recommend the Costco Auto buying program.

Very happy with Elantra so far. Color is called Titanium Gray Metallic - sort of silver, really nice I think. I keep finding nice features. It has everything the Acura TLs had, and then some. Nice to get 50% better mpg AND no more premium fuel. We drove up to Prescott for dinner Sunday night. Have not done an impromptu trip like that in long while. Came back the long way down through Yarnell to Congress - a nice fun drive with a stick Total just over 200 miles - meter showed just over 36 mpg for that trip. Filled tank first time yesterday. Worked out to 31 mpg - that included some parking lot practice for stick with my son, few stalls and some idling, slow speeds - so I am very impressed with mileage.

Anyway, if you have read all that little novel, now you know my recent car history. I had signed up to this forum Nov 2005, three years into ownership of the 02 GT. Dropped off after selling it for the relocation in 07. Came back on a few times during 2009/10 when had the cheapie GLS. But now I'm back and plan to be here for a while!!

When came back to forum realized the username I picked back in 05 will be sort of silly now - her02gt (recall it was my wife's driver). PM'd elantragt (admin), asked to change, did right away. So decided to make a donation - $20 gets a lifetime VIP, nice I think, so did that.

I look forward to reading what people do with their Elantras, and sharing experiences on here.

This post has been edited by CdnInAz: Feb 20 2014, 01:22 PM

[FurunoFan]

Another GT owner! There are quite a few of us.
Good to have you back.

[elantragt]

Thanks for adding to the donation drive total and I'm happy to have you here as a Lifetimer.

By the way, if you ever need to change your screen name again, go to My Controls > Personal Profile > Change Display Name.

[mlumz]

Welcome back to the club. Now let the modding begin.

[Alex2013GT]

Welcome back to the club and thanks for the writeup!!! I've changed my SN a few times since I first joined. I bet you can't guess what car I drive! I know, my names haven't exactly been too original!

In any case, I too have a '13 GT in Titanium gray. Really enjoy it and love opening up the roof on nice days. My mileage pretty much hovers right at 30MPG for mixed driving and a short (10 mile) commute to work. It goes as low as 29 and as high as 32 depending on how much around town driving I do. One of the reasons I decided on this car is that when my oldest is ready to drive, I figure I will teach him to drive with it. A couple years away, but right about when he is learning to drive I figured I could explore getting into something a little less practical! I thought it was important that he learn to drive a manual too. I still remember learning to drive a manual on my dad's car.

[a_v]

Welcome (back)!

[rstnick]

Welcome, from a Canadian North of Toronto.


I'd like some of the Arizona warmth right about now.