Vehicle: 2012 Elantra Limited
 

I brought in January a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited with the Technology Package in the Allure Red with Black Interior. The dealership called this car the hardest car to get because the Red Allures are made in the Korea plant not in Alabama plus it has all the options available. I always name my cars. I named my 2012 Alexander.



Here are the mods that I want to get done within the next year but this requires working all the time while I'm in Pharmacy School. :(

This list is not all exclusive and in no particular order. As I complete mods I will post a picture and bold the mod on the mod list.



1) Trunk Spoiler The MD's do not come with spoilers from the dealerships at all. :( So added one.



2) 8000k Low Beam HIDs (I went to install my kit from my 08 Elantra last week but the 2012's require a relay because the computer is too smart. The computer kills the power to the low beams once the engine turns on because it is pulling more wattage then if it was the stock setup. The relay is here, I just need to install them for good now.)



3) 3000k Yellow Fog Lights



4) Drag 31 Flat Black with Red Lip Rims with Pirelli's Nero or Bridgestone Pole Positions (Not sure which tires to get. I had the Pirelli's before and I loved them)



5) Lowering Springs (http://www.shopbtr.com/servlet/the-2...Elantra/Detail)



6) Window Tint (5% on the rear window, 20% on the backseat windows, 25% on the front windows)



7) Rear Diffuser



8) Rear Glass Spoiler



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Stock



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Stock



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Stock



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9 miles



https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...31831052_n.jpg

Spoiler!



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Spoiler!

Interesting, it is good to have a plan. Why the difference in tint between the front and back windows?

That's a good question. The state of Pennsylvania when it comes to window tint states that you can have any percentage on the rear window and backseat windows. However on the front windows, only 70% of light can be blocked. Therefore the window tint on the front windows can't be any more than 30%. So I'm going with 25% in the front, yes I'm bending the rules but window tint is a second offense in the state of PA so I have to give them another reason to pull me over. Plus I spend most of time in Vermont where their law states no window tint on the front windows at all. My car has tags and is registered in PA so I'm not worried. What Vermont cop is going to know PA tint laws?



The 5% window tint on the rear window makes the whole car seem a lot darker because so much less light is getting in. The car is a lot cooler on hot days when I add a sunshade to the front window. (my 08 had 5% window tint in the back) 5% on the back window is also good at night. People can't see in at all and plus they can high beam you all they want and their lights won't effect you. The only downside to 5% on the rear window is going in reverse at night. You cannot see anything!

^I got pulled over and removed my 20% all-round :/ ah well it wasn't good not seeing anything at night anyways.



I'm glad you finally decided to get the new Elantra because it's a completely new car. I was totally blown away by the quality.





Interesting. My 1997 fuses would pop with the engine off without the relay. Relay is a very simple install. Just make sure you zip tie the wires because they'll move around and wear away rubbing against something if you don't.



I think 5,500-6,500 is a very classy range HID. Are you sure you want to stand out like that with the yellow and blue?!

I had the 8000k on my 08. These 8000k's aren't that blue at all. It's a hint of blue. Not very much at all. I have a picture on my 08 but taking pictures of headlights never turns out good.



https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._1767527_n.jpg

Haha no taking pictures of headlights just doesn't work. Not even video.



How are the stock lights in the new Elantra? How do you like the car? What don't you like about it?

The stock lights on the MDs are very good. I have actually been flashed 3 times. All three times I slowed up thinking there was something in the road or cop and all three times there was nothing. So I came to the conclusion that it was my lights on low beam.



Pros:

-Adjustable levels on the front heated seats. I only had 1 level in my 08.



-Rear heated seats. All my friends love them. However there is one down fall. The only switch for the rear heated seats are in the back. So if you don't tell whoever was just sitting there to turn them off then they get out, they will turn on at the next start up and not turn off. The front ones you can't leave on. I think the difference there is the switch. The switch in the back is a switch that stays on if the switch is in the down position. The front heated seats are just buttons like a stereo button, as soon as you press it, it comes back to its original position. There is no lock for the heated seats in the back either. If I was a parent, I wouldn't want my kids pushing the button all the time and having it turn on. I would want something like a window lock on them.



-Bluetooth!! Love it! I do not need any cords in the vehicle at all, which is so nice.



-The wiper blades. Yes I know this is a weird observation but here it goes. The drivers side wiper blade is a size 28!! Its huge. So it cleans almost the whole windshield in one swipe. The passenger wiper is a size 13 but apparently a 14 fits as well. Since the drivers side wiper blade is so huge, it puts the wiper blade over lap line over more towards the passenger. This equals better visibility for the driver.



-Automatic headlights = amazing!!



-Keyless ignition/entry. My keys never have to leave my purse.



-One touch power windows both way, not just down.



-The Auto-Dimming Mirror w/Homelink



-The control panel is very nice and easy to use. It is all very close together which is nice.



-The lower center heating vents. I didn't think I would like them but they are closer to hands when they are on the steering wheel. Quite nice when you are touching a freezing, leather wrapped steering wheel.



Cons:

-Gas mileage is no where near 40 MPG!! I drove 400 miles and got a max of 35 MPG. I drove 65-70 mph the whole way because it was within the 1000 mile break in period plus I wanted to see that big 40 but it didn't happen. I'm currently getting 24 MPG and I'm at half a tank at only 150 miles. :( It has been a pretty mild winter up here in Vermont. I say this because I know cold weather is a factor on gas mileage however but it shouldn't be this bad. I also don't understand why it's getting the same gas mileage as my 08 was all around with a smaller engine.



-Smaller gas tank. 2012 = 12 gallon tank. 2008 = 14.1 gallon tank. I guess they made it smaller to help get better fuel economy.



-The sound system is crap! It suppose to be the upgraded 360 watt system with the external amplifier. I swear it sounds the same as, if not worse than my 08 and my 08s sound system was stock (172 watt).



-The Speed sensitive volume control is always turned on but yet to this day, I have yet to hear a volume increase during acceleration.



-The front seats are much more comfortable in my 08 then in the 2012 on long drives.



-Worse stock tires ever! They are Grand Touring Hancook H426. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Optimo+H426 Check out the comments there. All reviews are MD drivers say how horrible they are. The car doesn't seem to stop as quick but I'm going to contribute that to the crappy tires until I get new ones. Then I will revisit this subject.



-Hyundai no longer sells spare tires with the Elantra. They do this to help get better gas mileage.



-It also shifts weird. Let's see if I can explain it. I have the shiftronic option but the majority of the time I leave the car in auto. However let's say I just started accelerating. Nothing extreme. Until I hit 40 mph because that's the speed limit. The car will sit in 5 gear and run 1,800 rpms instead of shifting into 6th gear. To get the car to run lower rpms at 40 mph, I have to switch it to manual and push the gas in a tad more and shift it manually. After that at 40 mph in 6th gear it runs at 1300 rpm where it belongs. Also when I brake I can feel it downshifting. In my 08, you couldn't feel a thing. :(



I know this con list looks big, but I do love the car all around. Most of the time in life we pay more attention to the negatives then the positives. :(

That's your dual clutch acting like a manual for you even when you don't want it to. Sad to hear the 08 was a more comfortable feel. The new Veloster and Sonata seats are amazing compared to my pleather 04 seats. I've heard the "beefed up" sound systems are crap, but I guess you have to expect it when paper cones are involved........ Great looking car overall!

That is a nice thorough review, cheers. The claimed 40 MPG is an EPA estimate, it is to be used as a comparison between cars. EPA mileage tends to have nothing to do with real life gas mileage though.

Hmm, that is a long list of cons. :thumbdown: