I’m torn between buying a new Elantra or going for a used Honda or Toyota. They seem to be priced similarly in my area. A 60k-mile Toyota Camry from 2018-2020 is selling for $19,000 to $22,000 before warranties. On the other hand, a Hyundai dealership offered me a new Elantra for $24,000, including everything. I know there’s a difference in reliability and quality between these brands, which explains the price gap. But, I’m wondering if the new Elantra could last as long as a 60k-mile Toyota, or if I’d be better off going with a used one. The Toyota prices are quite high here, like I saw a 2015 Accord with 65,000 miles for $18,500, without additional warranties. I’ve also considered Honda since they are about 6-7% cheaper than Toyota in my area. What do you think?
A new Elantra should easily last 60k miles. I’d say go for the new one since the price difference isn’t that big. Plus, you’ll avoid the headache of checking used cars, and let’s be honest, the smell of a new car is unbeatable.
I’d go for the new Elantra if I were you.
Don’t forget the Elantra is smaller than a Camry. You’re comparing two different classes of cars. I personally like my Elantra, but it tends to use more oil than I’d like. Looking back, I wish I spent a bit more to get a Corolla, Civic, or Mazda3 instead.
@Rowen
That might depend on the year. The newer Elantras (2020+) have updated engines that supposedly fixed the oil consumption issue.
@Rowen
I’ll definitely consider Mazda as well.
NexoNomad said:
@Rowen
I’ll definitely consider Mazda as well.
I was about to buy a new Mazda3. I had an older model (gen3) and loved it, but the newer ones didn’t impress me. The interior is quite cramped, especially for someone like me who’s big and needs to use the back seats often. Everything else seemed great, but the style of the interior wasn’t for me. Surprisingly, I ended up loving the Elantra. The N version is a different animal compared to the Mazda3 Turbo, but I found the Elantra’s interior more modern and spacious, even for adults sitting in the back. I used to drive an Audi S6, which is about the same size as an Accord or Camry, and I hated it. The Elantra’s size is just perfect for driving.
@Rowen
What year is your Elantra?
Go for the Elantra since it’s under warranty.
Steve1 said:
Go for the Elantra since it’s under warranty.
Yes, the new car warranty is great. Just make sure your local dealer has a solid service department before you buy.
I’d pick the Elantra. With a new car, you get the factory warranty, and I’ve already put over 20k miles on my 2023 Elantra. It’s been solid, and I believe it will easily last up to 60k miles.
Definitely the new Elantra because of the warranty. Hyundai cars are reliable overall, apart from some engine issues with the older models. I had a 2010 Hyundai, and it’s still running with over 375k km. My 2015 is at 260k now, and it’s still going strong.
@HyundaiCruiser
You haven’t had any oil or transmission problems? Or issues with theft?
NexoNomad said:
@HyundaiCruiser
You haven’t had any oil or transmission problems? Or issues with theft?
My 2010 Accent needed wheel bearings at 70k miles and a tie rod at 110k miles. I sold it to my sister at 150k, and it’s still going strong at 375k. My 2015 Accent had no major issues. My 2020 Elantra had a minor oil pan gasket problem, but they replaced it under warranty. I never had issues with engine or transmission. My wife had a Honda, and it was full of problems. The AC was broken, and Honda refused to fix it until I had to take legal action. Hyundai is far better.
Go with the Elantra. The warranty is solid, and Hyundai offers free maintenance for the first 36k miles. I have a base model SE, and it comes with plenty of features like CarPlay, lane-centering, and emergency braking. It’s also much more affordable than other cars with similar features.
I switched from a Camry to an Elantra, and I’m really happy with my decision. The Elantra is packed with tech, drives great, gets excellent gas mileage, and comes with the best warranty around. I didn’t go with the base model, but I’m glad I picked the SEL with the convenience package.
A new Hyundai might cost more in terms of maintenance, insurance, and depreciation than a used Toyota or Honda. It could be worth considering how those costs will add up over time.