Hello Readers
I am Kumar from Avadi, Chennai. My native origination is from Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
Since my childhood I have been a car fan, imagining about cars, cars and cars. We were and are a average middle class family, so car was a real big thing for me. Started saving money since 2003 for a decade for my car.
Obtained DL in 2007 when I was just 24 and expertized myself in driving too in cousin’s Maruti 800 1996 Non AC, my first love car.
Coming to Santro Xing, I booked my first new car from Priyasha01 Hyundai, Tiruvallur, the biggest known cheaters, blood suckers and heartless leeches near Chennai.
First having opted for an EON, dad upgraded his mind to Santro at the first sight in a booking Mela. Hence got the Santro booked on 11th March 2011.
Price shown was On Road GL Plus Petrol INR 4, 36, 000.00. Offered discount was 16000(perhaps the first year insurance, **but actually it wasn’t>. Additionally Murugan from Priyasha01 hyundai Tiruvallur offered a Rs. 5000.00 Corporate Discount, which counted down the buying price to Rs. 4, 15, 000.00
Paid booking amount INR 50k on 11th March. Spot offer of 6% finance was offered by the rogue cheater Murugan, which in fact was more than 12% in diminishing, which I realised the next evening and cancelled finance. Paid ready amount as cheque for Rs. 3, 70, 000.00. Delivery promise was on the 5th day, but delivery really happened on 18th day.
Visited Tiruvallur Vengathur Priyasha01 Hyundai showroom which revelaed Sales TL Murugan’s real face when he asked me to sign a corporate discount request form iao INR 3000 when he promised a 5k. Yukk. Got totally broken. Readers can estimate my heart being broken at the first thought of having been cheated on my first car by Priyasha01 Hyundai, the rogues.
Secondly Murugan did not give me the spare key even though mine was a bulk cash purchase. Perhaps he had planned to steal my vehicle before registration and probably sell it to some other a* fool like me, thus eating the entire 4.20 lacs. Priyasha01 must be ashamed to have these criminals still in job and Hyundai in turn should be ashamed to appoint such rogues as Priyasha01
My sad story goes up to the extent of the Priyasha01 Hyundai people Murugan and Pavan having threatened me for posting my real experience online in FB Hyundai page. I recorded the call and kept quite since retired as a teacher, my 61 yr old father asked me to keep quiet.
Saddies apart, now let me come to the car. My Santro.
The car perhaps was delivered with a faulty AC condenser unit which was realised post 5 months. surprising? yes, it happened as I am an AC hater, never use AC and that was the biggest mistake.
Car was used for my dad’s retirement farewell function to bring him from the school on his last day to home with all honor, the very next day of taking delivery. Then to temple, pooja path.
Trips made:
Avadi - Tiruttani Murugan temple - Avadi: Average Mileage 16-17 kmpl without AC.
Avadi- Banglore - Avadi: 20.96 kmpl(650 kms approx) Non AC.
Avadi- Kanchipuram - Avadi: 17+ kmpl Non AC.
Avadi - Vandaloor Zoo- Avadi: 17 kmpl 20% AC.
Avadi - Mangadu Temple - Avadi: 18 kmpl Non AC.
Avadi - Tuticorin - Tirunelveli- Tenkasi- Cotrallam Falls - PapAnasultansam Agasthiyar Falls - Ambasamudram- Tircuchendur- Tuticorin Total of 1700 kms.
Believe me no fatigue to my 61 yr old dad having all back pains, knee pains, kidney issue, he was just fresh. No problems 200% reliable car.
Up journey max speed touched 120 kph for a while - Mileage down to 17 kmpl
Down to chennai max speed 105 kmph - Mileage 19.53 kmpl all Non AC
Avadi - Banglore - Avadi.
Avadi - Kalahasthi- Avadi.
Avadi - Velanganni - Avadi.(650 kms up and down)
Avadi - Tirupathi - Avadi.(350 kms)
All the trips were pleasant enough without any problem and now my car is approaching the 6k odo.(5670 km exactly).
Believe me first I was repenting as I didn’t like the car much as this was never in my search or like list. I bought it just for my dad’s wish. The reason for my not liking are the looks and primarily the mileage, you can;t expect anything more than 18 as per ARAI figure. But then I realized the timely guidance of my dad in selecting the best car.
Things I like in my Santro:
-Height and seating position- its a wow. no compromise.
-Clear and long vision for early anticipation.
-Easiest city handling - perhaps easier than Alto K10.
-Mileage was quite ok but I am not 100% happy with that part, but I can compromise some part for my family’s comfort and delight.
-Boot is good enough for a 1 week travel if arranged properly and wisely.(My wife does that)
Things I don’t like:
Gear shift not so smooth.
Little power lag felt when kept constantly @ 75 kmph speed in 5th gear for more than 20 minutes. I’m not sure if this happens with all cars.
Very classical WoodenSign. Nothing latest. Old versioned speedo, odo, door locks, door handles and not even interior adjustable mirrors in GL Plus. Wagon R has a better deal on this on a higher price
Seems the parts are expensive. Front windshielf cost me Rs. 5930.00 along with labour for replacement, paste and beeding due to drunkard knocking my winshield down due to his rash riding in his 2 wheeler.
Nothing much specific, perhaps I may add on as I go on my miles.
9 months old car now with 6000 kms, I dont even believe I would have driven this much. My calculated yearly usage was less than 3500 kms a year and thats why I zeroed on a petrol. But still thats ok.
And one more thing, I am a mileage conscious driver. I see to it that I take the best out of every drop of fuel I burn. But that doesn’t mean I never apply brakes, becoz that would cost more.
Some good things I have learnt in driving:
I never revv engine much. I can’t read that as I lack a tachometer which is a major drawback.
I short shift. I coast a lot in gears. I throttle when absolutely needed.
My gear shifts: 1st gear to move, 2nd at about 15 in city and 20 in highway; 3rd in 25 in city and 30 in highway; 4th - 35 in city and 40 in highway; 5th: 45 in city and 50+ in highway depending on requirement of power to pull.
This saves much fuel. Many misconcept that they can’t go top gear in city, but they’re wrong. I can go top gear in mid range traffic. The only secret is feather touch throttle. I release the throttle well in advance the moment I realise I have to slow down, and thus I save a few millileteres.
One thing, you won’t believe. Guess what? I;ve never done a pedal to floor / metal throttle in all the 6000 kms of my drive. I love my engine that much.
I may end up driving 50k in the next 8-10 years, but I want my engine to be the same new till then.:)
Shall keep updating my experience. Safe motoring to all motorists. You can come back to me on any queries or discussions on cars.
Update as on 16/04/2014:
Completed 2nd free service with an oil change. Not much a change. Initially I felt this as not my car at all. Then the emergency service team came and checked my vehicle. nothing much different.
But I was annoyed by the way the car was handled by KUN Hyundai mechanics. The driver seat beads were just plucked out without unfastening the threads and now I’m still unable to fit it properly. The dust and soil particles were still there near the boot after the wash. Not a much satisfactory service, but at the same time, not too bad.
UPDATE as on 02nd October 2016:
Well the car has done 21500 kms in the 3.5 years(41 months) from purchase and is doing fine. Post warranty services have been taken up with my local garrage mechanic, who does a decent job. Hyundai bombs the service cost to 8000 rupees for a mere simple petrol hatchback without any sophistication as such.
I did an under-chasis paint in April 2016, i.e., on completion of 3 years and a water wash. Yesterday I took it for water wash and was shocked to see the paint on the last part of the silencer exhaust pipe had disappeared. Have to check up for any blocks in the silencer pipe next week. Shall update accordingly.
Regards,
Kumar.
Cell: 72000-67199.