Overview & Reviews

No changes to the Elantra for 1998.

• Tight, well-built, and surprisingly zippy, the Elantra is a compact worth considering.

• Interior fabrics are nasty.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 22.00

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  Still going - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By supgamer - January 4 - 9:52 am

  I bought this car about 6 years ago for $1600 with 76,000 mi, now I have over 213,000 on it and still going like a charm, everything is working properly. Some of the things I had to repair were: 1 clutch, 2 oxygen sensors, 1 crankshaft position sensor, radiator, 1 air blower, drivers side interior door handle ( used the one from the back door as still opens the door with minor difficulty), 3 out of 4 vent louvers, (cant remember anything else), and the usual things: 1 timing belt, 2 batteries, 1 tune up stuff, oil, 2 sets of tires, brakes, bulbs, etc.

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  Very reliable - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By supgamer - July 16 - 5:26 am

  I bought this Elantra with 76,000 mi. , now I have 172,000 mi. on it. I dont know if the first owner did all the fixing, but this car has been very reliable to me. I use this car for long distance deliveries (courier), therefore, most of the mileage have been highway. Besides regular maintenance (tires, fluids, brakes, tune up, etc), I had to change the crank shaft position sensor, slave cilinder, clutch, the AC fun that was out of balance and making noise, drivers inside door handle (switched with the same side back door, fits perfectly), did change the timming belt and water and thats it. My only complaint are the air vents that are very delicate (all broken). Love this car!!!

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  To Dust Revisited - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By to_dust - April 12 - 11:56 am

  I wrote a review of my elantra in 2005 (look at earlier reviews). It is now 2011 and I am still driving the car I bought 13 years ago. I now have 191,000 miles. To date I have replaced the timing belt, Break pads, and shocks. Otherwise the car is original. Including the original clutch. I am now on a quest to see how far it will go.

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  Decent - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lindsay - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Well up to a couple of months ago I would rant and rave about this car. Ive had it for 7 years and for 6.5 of those years I also put no money into it, just the usual tires, brakes, battery, etc. I loved it so much and found it was so reliable I even named it. However the past few months have not been great, had to replace the spark plug kit and then last week the transmission completely stopped functioning (automatic transmission). 115,000 miles on it, but too expensive to fix so its getting sold for parts :(

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  it has been a good car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By george - January 10 - 8:22 pm

  this car has gave me better service than the gm s i have owned they r crap this car is cheaper and was more reliable than my saturn and cavalier but dont get the automatic model the trans r crap and if you change the timing belt when you should you will have no problems with the engine the worse design is the front rotors the r a bad design but i updated them to 2000 spindles which spindles r better but all car have so flaws and this one has a lot less than the others have been a mechanic 4 30 years have worked on everything and this is one of the better cars maintenance is the key to a lot of them but transmission problems is a problem with all the automakers right now

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  Utilitarian Plus - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By SmallWagonDriver - November 6 - 10:52 pm

  Bought this in 99 w/30,000 and its still used daily in-town and on long trips. At 158,000 total miles it has suffered a couple problems, the worst a cracked exhaust manifold at 124,000. Clutches do wear out, and that was replaced at 152,000. Otherwise, its very solid and has been very reliable, however we do keep it well-maintained (the secret to car longevity). It has seen some pretty tough duty in the mountains and in hot, dry desert-like conditions and never left us stranded. Its never had any electrical problems, no leakage from underneath, does not use oil (weve always run synthetic), heater and AC still works great, and to top it off, a tree fell on it but it just pushed back!

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  Horrible car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jennifer - July 28 - 7:47 pm

  This car was a mistake to purchase, but I have had it for a year and a half. Between transmission issues and constant problems. Do not buy any hyundai.

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  Good mountain car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By MtnDriver - May 26 - 2:57 pm

  Great mountain car, handles good on snow/ice/solid snow floor. Put 10K miles on it in 6 months. Has good get up and go, especially on steep mountain grades- can go 65 in 4th gear up a big grade (5 speed). No major problems until now (wheel bearing replacement, exhaust system problem, oil pan leak) and the paint scratches really easily. Overall great experience aside from the mechanic visits.

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  Got a spare Tranny? - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By BoyDestructo - December 18 - 1:05 am

  We bought this car used a bit over a year ago with 60K on it. It has proven to be more cheap than inexpensive. Everything about this car feels cheap. Now, with 71K on the odometer its in need of a new transmission. Not inexpensive, definately cheap.

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  Been a great car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bingo - November 14 - 2:40 am

  So pleasantly surprised by this car since we bought it for a runaround localy. Has been just great and has done several 3-5 hour trips one way. Overall, cant beat the value and fun to drive experience of this car. (42mpg on turnpike speeds!!!) Would advise anyone to pick one of these up for everyday transportation.