[drasitkhanna]

This thread is going real slow.. No initial owner report , no updates , no replies to my queries ?!

[zen kobane]

Originally Posted by drasitkhanna

This thread is going real slow.. No initial owner report , no updates , no replies to my queries ?!

I booked mine in July, and the car has reached the showroom (Silver - CRDI SX AT)... But Im getting second thoughts and getting inclined towards Duster. I know there's a huge difference between both the cars but I like creature comforts of Elantra and Rough use capabilities of Duster for everyday use.

BTW, my booking is No.1 in Delhi

Also, I dont want a Silver Elantra, felt too generic... Suggest a different color, just in case I go for Elantra?

[drasitkhanna]

@zenkobane , I would go either for the coral white (eternal classic, and Hyundai white is PURE white ... I have the white i20 and still dazzles when rubbed up !) or the Bronze , real solid and very classy business like.
I TDed the Duster too, but gave up with a promise to myself that one day when I buy an SUV, I will buy the full bloodied thing(read.. Big boy macho SUV) rather than a half hearted effort.
Just my opinion..

[zen kobane]

Originally Posted by drasitkhanna

@zenkobane , I would go either for the coral white

Thanks for the suggestion, even I find white classy and have been eying bronze for some time. I'll just try to find a bronze Elantra and then decide. I think the Twilight Blue and the Black might look good too. Hopefully I can find these colors at the dealers.

Duster: I take it as an everyday drive, I'm sure you know the condition of our Delhi roads and the drive to Gurgaon is a task, with all those under construction roads... Thus Duster seems like a good buy for such everyday use specially with its fantastic suspension and ground clearance. Also, since its small and easy to maneuver, I think its good as a crossover: Drive of a Sedan and Position of an SUV

Any idea about the servicing costs?

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by drasitkhanna

This thread is going real slow.. No initial owner report , no updates , no replies to my queries ?!

I'm taking the liberty to spice up this thread by posting some photos of my Elantra in the US .

[zen kobane]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

I'm taking the liberty to spice up this thread by posting some photos of my Elantra in the US .

OH MAN!

What color is that? Looks like the Dark Blue that Hyundai is not selling in India :(

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by zen kobane

OH MAN!

What color is that? Looks like the Dark Blue that Hyundai is not selling in India :(

It's black color. It's called Midnight Black here in the US.

[zen kobane]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

It's black color. It's called Midnight Black here in the US.

Droooooool!

- So you think its a good buy?
- Do you think its good for Highway driving?
- And occasional mountain trips?

So now Im divided between Black (btw its called 'Phantom Black' here:P) or Bronze or maybe Blue...

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by zen kobane

Droooooool!

- So you think its a good buy?

That's a subjective question. For me it is a good buy. The overall product is amazing and it's definitely the car with best VFM factor.

- Do you think its good for Highway driving?
- And occasional mountain trips?

It's good enough but won't excite a driving enthusiast. I've not driven other cars in the this segment in India, so can't comment on that.

I don't know if driving characteristics are same for US Elantra and Indian Elantra. Here in US, the Mazda3 and Ford Focus are better to handle than Elantra. But Elantra trumps both in terms of features, interior quality, spaciousness and value for money.

[drasitkhanna]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

I'm taking the liberty to spice up this thread by posting some photos of my Elantra in the US .

Attachment 991723

Attachment 991724

Attachment 991725

AMAAAAZING PICS !!, as Zen said "drooooooooool"
Heart stoppingly beautiful ! the pics rival the initial TD pics .
The US Elantra has a touch screen audio and GPRS inbuilt isn't it ?
Also the front and rear look just a wee bit more prominent(read more beautiful) .. or are my eyes playing tricks !

@Zen there is the new Renault showroom in Ghaziabad who gave me the TD , I can ask them about the after sales bit.

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by drasitkhanna

AMAAAAZING PICS !!, as Zen said "drooooooooool"
Heart stoppingly beautiful ! the pics rival the initial TD pics .
The US Elantra has a touch screen audio and GPRS inbuilt isn't it ?

Touch screen audio with GPS is only available in the top-of-line (Limited) variant. Here there are 5 variants.

• GLS with Manual transmission
• GLS with auto transmission
• GLS with auto + Preferred Package
• Limited with auto
• Limit with auto + Tech Package

Mine is GLS with auto + preferred package.

[zen kobane]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Touch screen audio with GPS is only available in the top-of-line (Limited) variant. Here there are 5 variants.

Yeah, and it sucks that we dont get the Navigation system in India's top variant :(

Though everything else is intact

@drasitkhanna: Black accentuates the cars fludic sculpture, which silver flushes. So thats why it looks so yum!

And sure, that would be kind of you to ask them!

[zen kobane]

@Gandhi: Few things I want to ask you:

- Does the limited rear view space bother much?
- Is maneuvering good and easy, feels light to steer?
- How is it for long rides, comfortable or annoying?


(Mods please merge this with the above post)

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by zen kobane

@Gandhi: Few things I want to ask you:

- Does the limited rear view space bother much?

Not to me in US, but I think it will be a problem in India as you have many more things to watch out for. The rear windscreen is very very tiny.

- Is maneuvering good and easy, feels light to steer?

It's perfect for city driving, but lighter that I'd prefer on highways. Light steering with softer suspension doesn't inspire good confidence on curvy/winding roads.

- How is it for long rides, comfortable or annoying?

Before driving Elantra here, I was driving a Ritz back in India. So compared to that Elantra is way better. Recently I've not driven other cars for longer distances, so I can't really compare. In absolute terms, I find ride and comfort very good for me.

[nilambuj]

Originally Posted by dkaile

According to Autocar India's petrol shootout this month, the Elantra ranked the lowest amongst its other contemporaries like the Jetta, Altis and the Laura (in that order).



Quite surprising as I was hoping the Elantra to be a more solid product but in the end it turned out like the other current breeds of Hyundai's. More show than substance.

I am not too surprised. I TD'd the Elantra petrol and believe you me, I had the same opinion/ rating. Glad that Autocar echoes it .

Elantra is more of show and low on driveability. Having said that I still believe it is the best Hyundai yet (but long way to go).

PS: All of the above comments are wrt petrol as I am a petrolhead.