[TorquePeedo]

Hi Sukhoi,

Did you consider the petrol automatic too? If yes, what made you decide otherwise?

[Parth46]

Congrats on a great car. I think the Fluidic styling really shines on the Elantra the most out of all the current Hyundai offerings.

[manasmadaan]

Hi, Many congratulations on owning the beauty. It looks smashing in red and the fluidic theme really shines on this car.
I am also looking for an upgrade and elantra is one of the contenders. But the downside to me is the inability to squeeze in a 3rd person at the back seat due to the wide arm rest and raised firm center portion of the rear seat. Any comments on this?

[rednikhil]

Hey Sukhoi30,
What's the service interval for the 1.8 Petrol?
Also, what are the paid service charges?
Does it feed on Synthetic or Miniral Engine Oil?

[sukhoi30]

My Hyundai Elantra Fluidic - SX Petrol has now clocked 50,000 Kms. It has been a joy ride with Elantra for the past three years. It just seem like yesterday that I had published my initial ownership reviews HERE.

Apart from couple of minor accidents and a nagging steering wheel sound issue (more on this later), it was a smooth ride with Elantra.

Accidents

1.
Date : Nov 2013
-- An Eicher Truck hit from behind in a traffic jam situation which damaged the rear right end tail lights and part of the bumper. The reverse sensors were also damaged and the dickey door had a large dent.

Total Cost of Repairs : Rs. 38304
My Contribution : Rs. 16588

Better sense prevailed after this accident and I went for a comprehensive coverage in my next insurance renewal.

2.
Date : Apr 2015
-- Brushed past a stationary Maruti Van in a congested market area in Matheran. The left side door was badly bruised and there was a small dent. After polishing, didn't see any color there was no scratches seen. There is a slight dent, but I choose to ignore it.

Total Cost : Rs. 2000 (For Polishing)

Servicing Details

1st Free Service - 1000 Kms
Date : Apr 2013
Cost : Rs. 0
All Mandatory Checks. No Changes.

2nd Free Service - 9977 Kms
Date : Nov 2013
Cost : Rs. 2173 (No Labour)
Engine Oil Change, Air Filter Clean, Wheel Balancing

3rd Free Service - 15472 Kms
Date : Mar 2014
Cost : Rs. 2894 (No Labour)
Engine Oil Change, Air Filter Clean, Wheel Balancing, (bought neck rest from accessories shop)

Paid Service - 27598 Kms
Date : Oct 2014
Cost : Rs. 7787
Engine Oil Change, Air Filter Clean, Wheel Balancing, Wheel Rotation, Fuel Pump Filter Change, Windshield Washer Liquid change, Body Cleaning & Polishing

Paid Service - 38917 Kms
Date : June 2015
Cost : Rs. 9040
Carbon Cleaning, Engine Oil Change, Air Filter Clean, Engine Oil Filter Clean, Wheel Balancing, Wheel Rotation, Body Cleaning

Paid Service - 49120 Kms
Date : Jan 2016
Cost : Rs. 8890
Engine Oil Change, Engine Flush, Fuel Pump Filter clean, Air filter Clean, Body Cleaning, Exterior Wax Polishing & Interior Comprehensive Cleaning.

At this service point, Elantra power steering started giving a problem. Whenever, I turned the steering wheel a grinding sound was coming. The service adviser recorded this sound and sent it to Hyundai for diagnosis. Hyundai recommended to replace the entire Steering Wheel rack. Since the vehicle is under warranty, they offered to change it without any cost to me.

Problem Fixing : 49802 Kms
Date : Jan 2016
Cost : Rs. 6184
Labour, Ball Joint Assembly replacement, steering rack replacement (free), keyfob battery replacement

Total Servicing Cost (Excluding Accident) : Rs. 36968 (For 3 Yrs and 50000 Kms running)


Road Trips


Mar 2014

Navi Mumbai --> Gandhinagar --> Bikaner --> Jaipur --> Ranthambhore --> Udaipur --> Navi Mumbai

3000 Kms Covered

May 2015

Navi Mumbai --> Goa --> Navi Mumbai

1000 Kms Covered

Addditional smaller road trips to Matheran, Nashik. Regular weekend trips to Pune.

Mileage

10 - 12 Kms/Lt on city roads

14 Kms/Lt on highways


All in all Elantra is serving me well and I am enjoying the ride. Apart from the steering wheel sound no major wear and tear related issues are seen. The steering wheel sound has come back but its intensity is not high. I am planning to take it back to the service center for another check up.

Someone had commented in my initial ownership thread that the RED color could fade over time. Well, I haven't see any such issue with my Elantra. The color is as bright as it was when I purchased. Yes, there is a bit of circular scratches made by the car washing guy, but that happens to any vehicle, isn't it? Also, some minor scratches here and there is expected.

[sukhoi30]

Finally, it is time to bid adieu to my "Lady in Red". After a really really memorable ownership, I have decided to sell the car and upgrade to another car.

The Neo Fluidic Elantra has stood the test of time and has given me and my family and friends a comfortable ride on many occasions. Several road trips to places like Goa, Kashid, Nashik etc. was memorable and joyful in this car. Add to that my office commute of 45 Kms up and down (before Covid struck), the Lady in Red has clocked more that 120,000 Kms.

A few signs of age is showing with one of the IRVM motor going kaput. A few wrinkles here and there, some due to my error and some because of others. Otherwise, the car is real good condition.

So, after much research and poring over all the useful posts of fellow BHPians, the car that have purchased is Tata Safari XZA+ Adventure Persona. I will post an initial ownership article once it is delivered this week. Actually, I had booked XUV-700 earlier, but the delivery date of May 2023 put me off. Tata Safari, by all parameters, is a sturdy and rugged car. I plan to use it for many long drives. Hopefully, it will be a grand companion as was the Elantra.

Some pics here to show the current condition of Elantra.