've only had this about 2 months. This is why : I bid on a car at a town auction last November and was outbid. I then bought this car off craigslist. Earlier this week the town called me and said the bidder never came to pay/pick up the car and asked if I wanted it. It’s a car that fits my need better, so I’m buying it. That’s why the Elantra is up for sale.
Story on the Elantra : PO bought it with about 53K miles on it. I bought it with 108K on it. It has about 109k on it now. It’s a 5 speed manual, PW, AC, Tilt. Body has some rust starting on wheel wheels and rear door rockers mainly on left side - not bad and nothing rusted through. If fixed over this summer, would stop from getting worse. Interior is very nice - I don’t think anyone was in the rear seats much and there are no tears or major stains. The stereo is missing the volume buttons - it has a detachable face plate and PO lost the buttons. It works fine, just have to turn it up/down with something pointy.
I bought it in need of repair - it would not pass inspection and the PO didn’t want to deal with it after a shop gave him a very high price to repair. I put new front brakes on it - rotors, pads, rebuilt the calipers. I also put a complete exhaust minus the muffler since the muffler was newer and in great shape. I put on a new exhaust manifold (original had a crack), new cat, new front pipe, and new mid pipe which connects to the muffler at the rear. I also replaced the downstream 02 sensor. I put new tires on it as well. It was throwing a P0441 code which is a purge solenoid/gas cap/etc code. I cleared it and it stayed off for a couple of weeks, but recently came back on when I put gas in it while it was running. It’s probably either the gas cap or the purge valve - both are cheap and easy to replace - just haven’t had time. It was inspected 2 weeks ago.
I changed the tranny fluid and put in Red Line MT90 which many think is the best fluid for these trannys. It shifts very good - no grinds, noises, etc. The shifter is connected to tranny with cable/arm/bushings. It feels loose and it’s just the rubber bushing at the arm/cable. It does not affect shifting. The clutch is original and still works good. It engages later then a new clutch as expected, but engages fine and has no issues. It also has a fresh oil change.
Other then the P0441 code, the only other issue is that something is up with the brakes on the left rear. After the e-brake is engaged for a bit, it sticks. There is also a vibration most noticeable at about 50MPH - in the seat of your pants - not the wheel. I think it’s related to the brake issue on the left rear. Again, I think it’s a cheap fix, just haven’t found the time to check it out. It runs and drives fine. I’ve taken it down 990/290 to the airport a couple of times and so far put about 1k miles on it - it’s a good car for the money.
I can fix these 2 things, but my asking price will go up to $1750. I’ve adjusted the price based on the new owner having to address these - well not really the P0441 until next January, but the brake issue should be looked at.
I tried to be very through on the description:) I did all this work figuring on keeping the car for a couple of years and had no idea the other car would become available. Just trying to get my money back out of it and not have 4 cars sitting in the driveway!
Pics are from when I bought the car - before the snow arrived.
