Last Chance To Buy: Hyundai Elantra

When is it going?

When is it going?

The old Elantras have all gone. In the past you could choose from a whole range, and select an engine, specification and body style to suit you. Now Hyundai has gone in the opposite direction and offers one Elantra, a 2.0 CRTD CDX five-door hatchback. Everything is standard apart from satellite navigation, so all you have to do is pick the colour. This is your last chance to buy a true freedom-of-choice Elantra.

What's good about it?

Here is a no-frills family car, except that in recent years Hyundai has piled lots of frills on to the Elantra to make it even better value. One of the best reasons for buying any Hyundai is a comprehensive five-year warranty. It also comes with three years' RAC cover, too - not that you will need it. The mechanicals on this Korean car are well proven. These are durable cars that will last a decade of hard use, with proper servicing. You get a full-size family car, with comfy seats and plenty of space, for the price of a smaller one and with loads more standard kit.

What's bad about it?

There are plenty of badge snobs who can't wait to point out the Elantra's dynamic shortcomings. As a family car, it is perfectly adequate, but some find that the ride is fidgety. The steering is on the vague side of remote, while it is easy to unsettle under hard braking or furious acceleration. But it is fine under most normal circumstances.

How much?

To find Elantras, you need to talk to Hyundai dealers. They mostly have very low-mileage demonstrator stock. Milton Keynes Autorama (01908 569224) alerted me to £9,999 prices when the on-the-road is £13,845. Colin Collins (0208 861 1555) also had 2004-registered examples at £9,995.

Any snags?

No. What you see is what you get and with a five-year warranty, there isn't much to go wrong.

FACT FILE

Launched: 2001

Engine: 1.6 2.0 2.0TD

Performance: 2.0TD, 0-60mph in 11.7 seconds, 118mph

Economy: 2.0TD 44.1mpg

NCAP: 3 stars (out of 4) ABS brakes, seat belt pretensioners and side airbags