Hi Folks,
I purchased a used Hyundai Accent , Gls manufactured in 2002 dec, registered in march '03 from an acquaintance in March '07 with 22500 km on odometer ( genuine
)
Though the car was hardly used and well maintained by company ( it was with a VP of one of country's biggest business house ) , certain components sometimes reach the end of their service life and periodic inspection of the same and also service jobs as per manufacturer's manual helps one keeping your vehicle in great condition.
Today as on 24 th Aug 08 , the car has done 42700 km, and though it has not once let me down and performance and condition has been excellent , i have in due course undertaken quite a lot of preventive maintenance jobs. The car is today is in a lot better condition than the time when i got it.
List of jobs and expense incl. parts and labour -
1) Regular service ( @ < / = every 5000 km ) - 4nos. : Rs.2650/-
2)
Spark plug change ( one batch of Champion @26161km &
replaced with NGK last month @ 38753 ) : Rs.850/-
3)
Head lamp ( replaced a bulb ) @ 23677 km:Rs.200/-
4)
replaced plug wire set ( 7mm) on 39825 k : Rs.590/-
5)
Air filter change ( i do this frequently
as i shifted to LPG about 16ooo km back
total 3 sets ( stock paper OE & 2 after market malaysian - sakura & face RS.570/-
6)
Front original tyres changed to tubeless last yr. : Rs. 5000/-
7)
Wheel alignment and balancing contract
incl. weights for 4 sessions Rs. 2100/-
8)
Rear suspension raised by means of oversized
soft mounting pads to make allowance for LPG tank additional wt.
Rs.1050/-
9)
Front suspension full overhaul last month
incl new struts ( Mando ) Rs. 7500/-
10)
all brake service incl . both rear brake cylinder
kit replaced at 27194 km with dot 3 OIL CHANGE and front pads replaced @ 40000 km Rs. 1750/-
11)
Throttle body & ISA serviced at30300 KM: rs.450/-
12) Silencer
muffler full replaced from OE manuf. @39495 km Rs.6000/-
13) Changed both
rear tyres to tubeless to
Accellere @ 39896 km. the original bridgestones s322 were still in good shape with quite a lot of tread depth but rubber being so old was little cracked. ( 6yrs. and 40 k and they were good for another 15 k easily but
. I do not like to keep such issues pending. ( could be dangerous ....) Rs. 6500/-
14)
front right winder replaced the day before
and all the glass winders greases and lubricated -rs.610/-
15)
AC servicing @ 23336 km Rs. 1500/-
16)
Injector cleaning @ 37467 km Rs.450/-
17)
One antenna bush replaced Rs.180/-
--------------------------------------------------------------
So in effect i have spent in excess of rs.40k in about 17 months and have travelled about 20500 km to keep the car in excellent trouble free condition.
That means about Rs.2500 / month so far.
It also means that on current form i should get another 15/20 k at least without any expense other than routine service unless new things other than the ones attended to occur .
I have not included the cost of the CLOSED LOOP LPG KIT WHICH I INSTALLED @ 26400 KM , as i wanted to bring to readers attention only to expenses of ownership of used car .
And the viability of going for a used car.
If you consider the amount i have spent on maintaining her in top condition is still small compared to the depreciating loss that i bore on my last new car when i sold it.
Assuming all goes well here after and i get the pleasure of a better vehicle at the cost already incurred and get a couple of yrs.( Another 30 k maybe ...) on it before i look to dispose it , the whole effort would be more than worth the time and care rendered already.