This is not an easy question since things change over time.
I have a 97 Hyundai Elantra 5SP.  Just a plain one.  no gls
Bought at 63K in 1999
Now have like 172K miles

If you asked the guy I talked to with a 98 Elantra Auto he could not
sell if fast enough.  The transmission was given him problems.  Who
know how he drove and how it was maintained.
Me I have a love/hate relationship with mine.  Love it been the
cheapest and reliable car over the 110K I have owned it.
I have always used syn motor oil.  Hate that it does not handle like
my 90 Horizon.

Another example is Saturn.  I like the ones from 92-95 BUT things
change and they don't have things on them like transmission filters
that look like oil filters that are EASY to change.   Maybe the newest
ones are good now?

The ongoing problem I have had with mine are the tires.  Every few
years I have having slow leaks fixed in them.  I think it has to do
with the fact it had fix-a-flat in all four tires when I bought it
leading to the rims rusting???

Major things fixed are cat converter, clutch 150K miles, muffler, oil
pan leak (replaced it), rust (I live in NY state), all four springs
and struts,

Well you get the idea.  If you can get a inexpensive one go for it

Do you guys recommend buying a Hyundai ?