Help from Camry folks......Toyota vs. Hyundai??????

[redgtxdi]

I have a more model-specific version of this posted in the Corolla forum, but I'd also like fellow Camry owner's opinions about this stuff.

I gave up my project '94 pickup to the in-laws (was a 3rd car) but loved the gas mileage so much, I'm itchin' to get another high-"MPG" vehicle and park my F150. (Have a '98 Camry too)

That said.................

I'm lookin' at:

05 Corolla LE (auto) $16K

05 Elantra GLS (auto) $12K

I *know* the Elantra can be had for as much 'cuz my buddy just picked up a GT for that price, but I'm guessing on the Corolla. Thing is the Corolla feels so nice, like my Camry did 7 years ago. I can't believe how far the Corolla has come.

Which one should I buy??? (Keep in mind, my Hyundai buddy is ALL OVER me about the Elantra right now) Is it time for me to start thinking outside of the TOYOTA box???

TIA

[white3ch0c0late]

I say Corolla over any Hyundai ANY day. Everyone I've ever known who's had a Hyundai has been in the shop over and over and over again using that 100k mile warranty. You'll get more bang for the buck with the Corolla.

[Ruffrydasean]

It may sound biased, but yea the corolla.. the Shape is nicer IMO and you know what kinda reliability your getting, from just reading your own forums ^^;... or you could do more research @ Hyundai forums too i guess..

[Daffunda]

Right now, I would go with the corolla, but Hyundai is the fastest growing car company in NA.

Those koreans are crazy, they work like machines, and school system there is pure torture. No weekends basically, as they study study and study until they forget how to relax.

Because of this, Toyota is very intimidated of Hyundai right now. So maybe Hyundai would be the best car company few years from now.

[kenny1773]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

05 Corolla LE (auto) $16K

05 Elantra GLS (auto) $12K

and if you factor in re-sale value, the Corolla ends up being a better deal

Look at total cost of ownership and not just the initial purchase price.

My vote would be Corolla, but yeah I agree with the others that Hyundai might be serious competition in a few years.

Also, drive both, I think the hyundai feels less 'solid' on the road. Try some 'emergency evasive manuvers' (in a parking lot of course) and see what happens to the hyundai

[redgtxdi]

Some good points, but here again, mostly based on Toyota's *good years* and Hyundai's *bad years*.

Hyundai resale value has actually gone thru the roof recently!!!!!!!1

Considering that recently used Elantras sold for less initially, if you check some sales history on ebay for used Elantras (actual FINISHED & SOLD auctions) you'll see that their resale value is quite impressive lately.

In fact..........by the percentages........you'll probably see that Corolla barely takes the cake on that one considering how much more Corollas sell for new!!!!!!

Keep in mind my Hyundai buddy has an '02 Elantras hatch, he just sold his 18yr old son and now an '05 version of the same (both GT's) that he paid under $12,500 for!!!!!!!!! That's the top of the line Elantra.

What does an XRS go for these days..........$18?? $19?? That's a HUGE difference!!!

[SmokingTires]

Originally Posted by white3ch0c0late

I say Corolla over any Hyundai ANY day. Everyone I've ever known who's had a Hyundai has been in the shop over and over and over again using that 100k mile warranty. You'll get more bang for the buck with the Corolla.

Sorry to say, then your friend baught lemons.

My family personally has owned 4. They have all been great. Everyone (even the SUV) got good mileage, and they have an amazing price tag on them. Not to mention the 10year warrenty they offer.

Everyone who has posted just has their Toyota Bias coming out. I have owned both. And although one wouldn't be my first pick, Hyundai's are the most bang for your buck. The Corollas over the years have had issues. We have a number of them come in through our shop on a regular basis. Yes the engine lasts forever, but they break other parts. Most of the ones we see coming through have just over 100k on them. I have yet to see a Hyundai come through.....


The Elentra would be your best option as far as price, resale, and overalll value. You can get the car loaded for dirt cheap

[Silver Streak]

^ I agree. Hyundai is kicking ass. They are buidind some pretty high quality cars these days, it's actually quite scary...who knows what they'll be like in 10-15 years.

It's priced like a GM, but the quality is 10x better.

[RningOnFumes]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

Keep in mind my Hyundai buddy has an '02 Elantras hatch, he just sold his 18yr old son and now an '05 version of the same (both GT's) that he paid under $12,500 for!!!!!!!!! That's the top of the line Elantra.

dude, no one should be selling their 18 year old sons for a hyundai!...gosh..yes..hyndais are getting pretty swell, but heck, what a way to prove your point

[MSgtVac]

Hyundai quality has steadily improved, however, I would still go with the Corolla at this point.

[CDub LXi]

Is it me or is it weird the "ads by Goooooogle" are for Hyundai?

I looked into Hyundai... but damn those things are just ugly!

[Tommy]

id hit an elantra any day over a current model corolla LE. The corollas are so ugly now, completly bland, proportions are weird, nothing striking about them, and thats exactly what they are supposed to be, its a corolla.

i wouldnt mind getting ahold of a elantra GT, those look pretty good.

[redgtxdi]

(LOL...........ya should'a omitted the comma in leiu of the word "TO". But, heck, maybe if somebody offered him enough money for his son........LOL)

Well, my current dilema seems as though it's going to be about price! Although the I'm pretty close on the Elantra at $12K, I was a bit off on the LE.

I even called an old connection from a far-off dealership and he said that most of his LE's are equipped for a 16,900 sticker which puts invoice around 15,300. He said he could easily sell to me for 15,600 + TTL (approximately 10%) so figure around $17,100.

That's A LOT of dough for a compact car. Especially a Corolla........IMHO. $15 sounded good, but at $17+, I'm thinkin' I might just do an Elantra just for spite at this point. ???????

Heck, even if I was off by 10% on the Elantra, that's still $4K in my pocket!!! I dunno.....I might be able to overlook a lot with an extra $4K in my pocket!!!

[AustSV21]

i personally wouldnt go near a hyundai, people I know who have had them said that after around 5 years they started falling to pieces. Maybe the newer ones are better, Im not sure. Also I would prefer to drive a slightly older corolla for the same price than a hyundai. You would be very hard pressed to find a more reliable and economical car than a corolla. Getting parts for a corolla is much easier. Also think about daihatsu, they went bankrupt, how do you know that hyundai wont suffer the same fate, whereas on the other hand toyota will be around for ever.

So for Hyundai and for Toyota

[userlain]

I'd go Corolla for looks, but Elantra for the lower cost.