[Samba]

Originally Posted by vigsom

Was the crankshaft oil seal replaced as a preventive or was it showing signs of leaking?

Yes, there was a minor leak. To change the oil seal they had to open the gear box, so I instructed them to change the clutch plate as well. Else my clutch was good to go for another 10k+ km. Even the Toyota guys agreed with me, that 96,500 km is enough for the first clutch plate replacement.

Originally Posted by vigsom

The last picture reminds me of an Amabassador parked outside this station

It's my hometown. Ambassador was manufactured at Hindmotor, which is the very next station from Uttarpara.

[docprashant]

I too owned a Toyota Etios 1.5 for 5 odd years. It was truly a workhorse with no nonsense and no complaints. The fuss free nature, large boot and rather good rear leg room made it easy to live with.
However, when I got the Elantra, just did not have the usage for it anymore and sadly had to let it go.

[bkc]

My maintenance cost for my diesel swift, just for reference.

There isn't much difference in overall maintainence for diesel and petrol. I've used fully synthetic


My car has run around 96xxxkms, a change of tyres ( from 195 to 185, more on that in detailed report) and now requires replacement of one mirror which does not fold.

Overall cost is 1,03,735 + tyre set 20,000 (forgot the exact price) + mirror cost 5000 (approx) + 7000 speaker upgrade + 1200 floor mat + silver front grill 1.5k+ roots horn 550rs +battery 5.5k + injector cleaning ++ 5k = 1,49,485/-

If we consider occasional washes, few puncture, add another 5k = 1,54,485

Cost of maintenance - 154485/96500 = 1.6rs per km

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Samba

Yes, there was a minor leak. To change the oil seal they had to open the gear box, so I instructed them to change the clutch plate as well. Else my clutch was good to go for another 10k+ km. Even the Toyota guys agreed with me, that 96,500 km is enough for the first clutch plate replacement.

I would guess the car being idle for a prolonged period was the cause of the minor leak in the oil seal. Once the car ran regularly, the leak may have stopped. And going by the looks of the clutch, another 20k km would have been par for the course - which of course says a lot about your driving skills, considering the difficult terrains where you've taken the car.

Unfortunately, there don't seem to be too many opportunities in the near future for long roadtrips, and that is depressing.

[powershift]

Definitely a car which had immense potential in Indian market. It didnt get a worthy spot because of shear negligence to customers demand like decent interiors, updated infotainment system, lack of on-time upgrades.
However, Toyota reliability is something which other OEMs should look to achieve over due course of time.
I am wondering which car will replace Etios for the taxi/fleet owners?

[PrasannaDhana]

Congratulations on almost reaching 6 digit milestone.

This amount of mileage and time of ownership makes the car very close to oneself. Wishing you many more years of peaceful ownership.

One thing that surprised me is that the maintenance cost for your car so far has been 1.5x lakh rupees. I realise Maruti is still cheap at after sales and service, I paid just 1.05 lakhs till the 1,00,000 km mark in my car (including tyres and battery). I replaced the clutch at 1,10,000 km and if you include that, it's barely 1.25 lakh rupees.

I like etios for the value it brought to the price Toyota demanded. Only gripe with the car is the stiff ride quality(excusing the interiors for the immense practicality the car offers).

[McLaren Rulez]

I suggest you try the toothpaste trick on the headlights. It will really make your car look showroom fresh again!

[Samba]

Originally Posted by docprashant

I too owned a Toyota Etios 1.5 for 5 odd years. It was truly a workhorse with no nonsense and no complaints. The fuss free nature, large boot and rather good rear leg room made it easy to live with.
However, when I got the Elantra, just did not have the usage for it anymore and sadly had to let it go.

Agreed, its a no nonsense car.

Originally Posted by bkc

Cost of maintenance - 154485/96500 = 1.6rs per km

Rs 1.60 is indeed very good for a diesel car.

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

I would guess the car being idle for a prolonged period was the cause of the minor leak in the oil seal. Once the car ran regularly, the leak may have stopped. And going by the looks of the clutch, another 20k km would have been par for the course - which of course says a lot about your driving skills, considering the difficult terrains where you've taken the car.

Thanks for the compliment on my driving skills.
Yes the reason you gave for the leaks make 100% sense.

Originally Posted by powershift

It didnt get a worthy spot because of shear negligence to customers demand like decent interiors, updated infotainment system, lack of on-time upgrades.

I am wondering which car will replace Etios for the taxi/fleet owners?

Toyota as a company is too snob with bad marketing strategy. It killed the Etios and now the Yaris.

For Taxi segment what I personally feel is, a tour version of the Ciaz with their 1.5L diesel mated to BS6 /CNG can be an excellent choice!

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

One thing that surprised me is that the maintenance cost for your car so far has been 1.5x lakh rupees. I realise Maruti is still cheap at after sales and service, I paid just 1.05 lakhs till the 1,00,000 km mark in my car (including tyres and battery). I replaced the clutch at 1,10,000 km and if you include that, it's barely 1.25 lakh rupees.

This is awesome. Maruti is always very cheap to own. It's difficult to beat Maruti on ownership cost, as they make reliable cars which are cheap maintain. No wonder they dominate 50%+ of Indian car market share!

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

I suggest you try the toothpaste trick on the headlights. It will really make your car look showroom fresh again!

That's indeed a nice idea. Will give it a try.

[Samba]

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

I suggest you try the toothpaste trick on the headlights. It will really make your car look showroom fresh again!

Tried this-

Applied the toothpaste twice-


Before-


After-


Around 25% improved.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by Samba

Around 25% improved.

Toothpaste just works as an abrasive. If you know anyone with a Rotary polishing machine, ask him to work on it with a mild polish. Then don't forget to clear coat it or top it off with a wax. Without any protection, it will turn yellow in no time.

Some videos:

https://youtu.be/UEJbKLZ7RmM

https://youtu.be/rXHTXdlWw1w

Regards,
Shashi

[Samba]

Etios turns 9 with 97,000 km on the odo.

Till then a little flash back or rather a summary of our enjoyment list -

Together we have been to 40 road trips apart from the weekend fun drives on the highways. It has never let me down.

Driving on the snow - Check

Driving inside the forest - Check

Driving on the worlds highest motor-able road - Check

Driving on sand in India's cold desert- Check

Touching the famous Thar desert of Rajasthan - Check

Driving on the beach and splashing sea water - Check

A bit of mild off roading or rather soft roading in an otr event - Check

Driving on a river bed and crossing mild water crossings - Check

Visiting a different country (Bhutan) - Check

Refueling from the worlds highest retail outlet- Check

Driving to the worlds highest motorable village- Check

Doing the odd job of carrying heavy luggage - Check

Lastly using it for my work within the city - Check

[Samba]

Odo reads 99,000 km.



Did a 750 km weekend drive. It was pure bliss on the highway. With the new clutch the car was a delight to drive.

The mileage I got was around 11 km/L. Reason for this poor mileage was the price of the grin plastered on my face, while driving on the open roads!
The Yokohama Earth1's held up pretty well on the twisty ghat roads.

Overall the car is holding up quite good. No complaints on any aspects. The fill it, shut it & forget it saga continues.
I sometimes think, our Duster AWD should learn few things from our Etios on - How to keep the owner happy!

Few pics from the small trip-

[Rambo-RS]

Hello Samba sir, I have been reading your ownership thread from the past 1 year and have a great appreciation for your driving skills! Taking a sedan to the places where you have been was just unimaginable for me before.

Originally Posted by Samba

Driving on the snow - Check
Driving inside the forest - Check
Driving on the worlds highest motor-able road - Check
Driving on sand in India's cold desert- Check
Touching the famous Thar desert of Rajasthan - Check
Driving on the beach and splashing sea water - Check
A bit of mild off roading or rather soft roading in an otr event - Check
Driving on a river bed and crossing mild water crossings - Check
Visiting a different country (Bhutan) - Check
Refueling from the worlds highest retail outlet- Check
Driving to the worlds highest motorable village- Check
Doing the odd job of carrying heavy luggage - Check

This is added to my Adventure Bucket List as-it-is from now !

[Samba]

Finally touched the 100,000 km mark.

The 100k came up in 9 years 4 months with 43 road trips.

On the auspicious day of Maha Saptami during Durga Puja, Etios touched the 100k mark with a 280 km drive along with Bhpian Aray's famous Bong Duster and Bhpian Sayata's sparkling Ecosport.









And

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Q29JSVaL4

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by Samba

Finally touched the 100,000 km mark.

The 100k came up in 9 years 4 months with 43 road trips.

Hearty congratulations! A very well-kept car! Wish you many more miles of happy motoring.