Overview & Reviews

Elantra rolls into 1997 with zero changes, save for a slight price increase.

• Powerful engine, reasonable price, comfortable front seats, attractive design

• Spotty Hyundai reliability record, poor predicted resale value

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 26.00

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  No Complaints Here - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By T-S - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car brand new in December of 1997. Car has run well and has 133,000 miles and still runs fine. The drivers side door handle broke at about 90K, and the windows fog very easily. The inserts for closing the door on both rear doors pop out often. Mechanically it has held up very well. Change the oil every 3,000 and other maintainance as needed. Overall I am very pleased.

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  Happy - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By TMiller - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new. I had a problem with the overflow leaking. I think that it was the dealers b.s. though. Their has always been a problem when I fill the gas tank it puts out a strong gas odor. I have brought it in and of course they dont know what it is. I have had 4/5 new gas caps. I too have a problem with the door handle. The car has been from NY to FL a dozen times and to GA a few too. I have another car now (due to a growing family, it doesnt hold more than 2 car seats) but the elantra still bails me out in any snow storm. Or any other time I need it and is now driven on a more part time basis by my other half.

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  Great Little Car! - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By ckn - November 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my 1st car right after college. I have driven the hell out of it (93,400 mi). I have lots of money to buy a new car but dont because this baby has never given me any real problems. Past problems have been a cracked gasket, broken door hinge, and the CD player laser sometimes messed up. Just now I broke my inside door handle and a fuse keeps blowing so I cant shift out of park (but you can override that). All these things are minor. I replace brakes every 40k mi. Gas mileage is between 25-29 mpg. Yearly maintenance/repair costs (for everything) are approx $500. Cant go wrong there! I saved lots of money w/ this car!

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By cdbluejr - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car I have ever had (I have had a few). Lasted 6 years without any major repairs. Needs engine work now (93,100). Heater quit working last year (summer, 2002).

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  Piece of Junk - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By dksm - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car back in Apr of 02 and it seemed like a good deal for the price. Everything worked great at first but then I started having some problems. First I had to replace the water pump in Jun-02, then a few months later I had to replace the radiator because the original one leaked in about 4 different places. For about the next 7 months I had no problems so I was thinking that everything would be ok, but then in Apr-03 one of the radiator fans went out. About 3 months later the AC stopped working because of a leak in one of the hoses. The AC worked for about month and now it has stopped working again. There is leak somewhere else in the AC system.

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  Elantra - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By ceceipe - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Clutch had to be replaced after 60000 miles. Speedometer broke after 60000 miles. Seats are not comfortable. Fuel Economy is ok.

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  Cheap to Buy, Expensive to Fix - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By autumn - March 18 - 2:00 am

  Car is comfortable and responsive, rides well, and looks good, but when it got to 70K it seemed to start falling apart piece by piece. Trans was replaced at 8,000 miles, then rebuilt at 83K. New battery: 68K. Starter replaced at 70K. Door handle replaced at 75K. Put on new tires after old ones wore out after 30,000 miles, new ignition cylinder at 85K. Speedometer cable and assembly now need replacing, too. Also, the trim surrounding the rear window is starting to fall off. I have been very diligent about maintaining this car as required, yet it still seems to need excessive repairs. I should have bought the manual trans version.

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  Nice for the Price - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By Phredd in CT - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Its the SE edition, with driving lights, spoiler, alloy rims...Bought my car in 2000 with 23k on it. Was just declared a total loss due to a hit and run on Christmas eve... The car now has 67,000 miles on it, and, besides a shorted out wire harness 3 weeks after I bought it, I have had no problems with it.

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  Little Tug That Could - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kao - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Its second hand and WAS in great condition. Great value. I highly recommend Hyundais 1997+ Elantra and Tiburon- no experiences with their other cars. Even got 35mpg cruising at 75-80mph. The alignment was slightly off due to my brothers excellent driving into a truck. DEFINETLY NOT a mountain racer- sad to say, even my moms 1992 AUTOMATIC Corolla handles better overall! Ive tried emergency lane changes at 40mph. The rear kicks too hard damn physics and weight transfer! Now if the car was lowered 1.25" with stiffer springs and anti- sways, slap some 16"x7" wheels . . . Just a great car, really!

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  first owner - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By vivand - January 1 - 2:00 am

  This has been a good reliable car so far....definitely under valued in the market simply because it is new...