Been Seeing More New Elantras On The Road

Odometer: 5435
Avg. MPG: 25.2

You know when you buy a new car, you are automatically on the lookout on who else has bought "your" car. I am no different. I even look at who's driving it...is it a senior citizen, a family guy, or a hot chick. (No hot chicks, yet)

From the time I bought the Elantra (August) to March, I would have been lucky to see an Elantra once a week. It bugged me slightly that I wasn't seeing more. It makes you doubt your purchase. What if this version of the Elantra turns out to be a dud? When I do spot one, part of me is excited that more people are discovering what a great little car it is. And you feel like you are part of some little club.

In April however I have been seeing more Elantras. Sometimes two in one day! It looks like the Consumer Reports award has brought the Elantra higher on new car buyers test drive list. Nice for Hyundai, but I am in no hurry to see a dozen of these everyday like I do with Civics and Corollas.

Driving experience: The acceleration/shifting pattern on this car has always been a little strange, especially if you tend to accelerate gradually. When you reach first shift point (point when the needle goes back down), the car seems to lose some pick-up there. This can be avoided if you gas it a little more to force that first shift to occur closer to 275 instead of 210.
These last few days it seems like acceleration (when done gradually) is even more sloth-like than usual. The engine sound is kind of off.... I think. it's all very subtle. Don't know if it is a transmission issue or not.