Ownership Update #3

Just hit the 1400 mile mark. I still have the old Geo Prizm, so let's make some comparisons with the new Hyotness.
These are things that you don't really notice until putting a few hundred miles on the cars.

From the driver seat:
- The Geo Prizm fits me a little better. When I put my arm on the arm rest or out the open window, it feels pretty good.
On the Elantra, because it is a more spacious vehicle, I cannot really put my arm on the armrest w/o consciously leaning to the left. Also the seat of the Prizm, while it doesn't hug quite like a racier seat, the raised sides/bolsters do actually touch my body, while on the Elantra, they are practically useless for me. The car was built for a larger person than I (5'7" and slim). What will I do to brace myself when I want to dive into a tight corner? Especially when the dead pedal is plastic.

- I think I like the steering wheel of the Geo a little better from an ergonomic standpoint. It had the finger grooves on the back of the wheel and was wrapped in vinyl. Also the 6 o'clock area is free, and I like to drive one handed with my hand there when there isn't much traffic. The leather wrapped steering wheel of the Elantra has no grooves; it has yet to prove slippery, but it could be if you were eating KFC before driving. But it also has steering wheel mounted stereo controls. And I think I am already getting used to the Elantra's wheel, so I don't think it will be an issue, unlike the arm rest. (I can't grow longer arms.)

- The aftermarket sunroof I installed is a little further back than on the one in the Geo. On the Geo, I could look straight up and have a decent view of the sky and trees. On the new car this is harder to do. It was just a restriction of where the buttons could go. Also I do not like how the new roof automatically closes when I shut off the engine. I like to leave the sunroof tilted open on hot days. If I push the open button on the sunroof while turning the ignition off, the roof will stay open, but so far I forget half the time. It is frustrating.

- The seats on the Geo Prizm though it is 14 years old are actually FIRMER than on the Elantra. This is a testament to the quality materials used for the seat foam. I don't know if this is saying that the Elantra seats are poor quality. It feels supportive enough now, and if it ages as well as the seat foam of the Prizm, it will stay supportive for a long time.

- I am still not 100% comfortable with the light steering of the Elantra. I prefer the "spring back" feel of old hydraulic power steering. But in a hairy situation, where the old power steering may "spring back" too much, I probably would welcome the light steering then. Supposedly the original Korean version of the Elantra has even lighter steering (almost effortless at parking lot speeds). The Hyundai Irvine team, along with TRW, re-tuned the steering for the American market.

- But before someone cries "Buyer's remorse," I must share that sitting in the driver seat of the Elantra is more relaxing than sitting in the Geo. It is the spaciousness, the breathing room. The Geo was not claustrophobic, but it was hard to stretch out in it and it doesn't give you the feeling of well being the Elantra seems to give. The seats are higher and more adjustable, so it feels more natural. Going back to sit in the Geo now feels kind of like sitting in a kid's seat now. And I have a bigger glove box(lit), 2 extra cubby holes up front, and nicely sized center console. The bottle holders fit my cycling water bottles, which I use everyday. The Prizm's only fit tapered cups and mugs. The climate controls knobs are big and easy to use, though I question the placement of the "off" setting with the functions knob instead of on the fan strength knob. Also I am going to appreciate the climate control's air filter when allergy season rolls along.

From the driver's seat the Elantra has much going for it that a 14 year old economy car cannot begin to address.