[abhi1309]

My Daewoo Matiz 2000 model serving well for almost the last decade was crying for a few basic necessities which fell apart in the past rough use by other members of the family since my primary car became the Fiesta. The headlights were dimmer than the kerosene lamps of horse carriages of the previous century. Also the awesome Pioneer single CD player was crying foul. I have no idea why. I mean the sound was breaky, not very loud and like a low sound quality FM Station. The seat covers were getting torn the gas tubes that lift up the hatch had also failed. The A/C gas has leaked or something similar, which is a different story. The car is my first and it means a lot more to me than my current car and I enjoy the looks of this car much more than my Fiesta. The clutch plate had been replaced before, which is in top condition now. It has done in excess of 110000 kms and is super reliable. The car has developed a lot of scratches over these years but overall it looks fine. Here is a list of things that I plan to do over the next month and a half to get it back in shape. I have already started and I will post the pictures possibly tomorrow.

1. Change the battery (Done)

Battery has been waiting for a replacement. It has served well over 5 years. The engine could be cranked not more than 5 secs. It starts in a second, but somehow if it did not, you have to start praying infront of the old Amaron. If the parking lights were left on without the engine running for even 3 minutes, it would not be able to crank the starter again.

So my 20K budget allowed for this, I went last week to the dealer, got it a solid Amaron Green for 3K after exchange of Rs 300 for the old one. Guess what, The headlights are awesome now, super bright, just like my pre-fiesta days. Horn is back to its glory and the biggest surprise was the Audio system. It sounds as good as new with rich bass. It's great and I was thinking my speakers are gone. Well the battery is really the life of the car.

2. New Central Locking System (Done)

The previous central locking was of Silicon, which I had fitted from Bafna in 2002 and server well till almost 2years back, when it started behaving erratically and it's wires etc were all hanging out. Also my clutch plate repair somehow spoilt the wiring and it's parts were lying under the seat for months. I got fed up and since I had already invested in a new battery, I decided to install a new Central Locking system. I went to the dealer, asked him to pull out all the junk cables from everywhere that belonged to the previous installation. Got myself a brand called Scorpio which works great and has 3 years warranty. I could almost remember the old days when this was my only car and it just seems better now. The doors lock after a delay of about 30 seconds after you put on the ignition which gives time to other passengers to sit and close the doors, it is an old feature but that silicon did not have it. It locked doors immediately. The sound also is not offensive, decently loud and easy on the ears at the same time. Costed me Rs. 3200

3. Seat Covers (Will be done on 11th of this month)

I will be getting this done from Poona Motors in M.G Road. he has made custom seats for my Fiesta and I swear by the fitting and the stitch. Many of my friends have asked me in these couple of years, where I got the Stanley seats done from. I will post the pics once this is done for the Matiz.

4. Repaint and touch-up (Later this month sometime) will keep updating.

5. New front bumper to bump up the looks

I have been looking to replace the bumper because it is all bashed up and broken from the scrapes etc that the family members have somehow managed to put on it in just 2 years. I kept it flawless for 7 years and now it desperately needs a new one and I believe it can easily make the car look newer, of course the rest of the body is fine, just small scratches. I found one guy giving it to me for Rs. 2500 which is exactly double of what it should cost. It should not cost more than Rs. 1500.
If anyone knows where I can get it for a decent price in Pune, please pm me or put it in this post. Thanks.

5. The Gas tubes to lift up the hatch (Done)

Aah finally this was done. The hatch was unusable for a long time, because of the sheer weight, I dreaded lifting it every time I had to. The gas tubes had failed and I got a new set last week, the day I got the central locking done. Costed me Rs. 300 each and seems like a good investment. They are actually a bit too powerful, the hatch if left untouched will probably break with the sheer force of the new tubes. I have to be a bit careful but should be okay in a few months once they get old.

6. New in-cabin carpet and Steering wheel cover

I am still thinking, how to get this cleaned. It has spots etc which will never go. If any one has any ideas of revamping the carpet inside, I would be glad to try it out. I don't mind replacing it but then it should be a direct fit and not done manually trial and error and fitting etc.
The steering wheel cover will probably be a ProGrip. They are neat enough but Rs. 500 huh.

7. The glove box is always open.

I have tried everything to put the spring back into shape but it seems to be completely exhausted of all the beating and bends given to it. Need to source a new lock, it is the same as that in the UVA, haven't checked in the Spark. If possible, I'll buy it from a Chevrolet dealer. Otherwise, I'll seal it permanently. It is an eyesore now.

Rest all is great in the car. The engine of course performs great so does everything else. Will be putting the pictures tomorrow of the replaced stuff and the soon to be replaced stuff as well. Share your opinions. The car already has alloys and tubeless Potenzas, so the basic stuff has already been taken car off years ago.

MODS: I couldn't decide where this thread would go. Please move it if you think it is appropriate.

[nishantgandhi]

Without pics, we are unable to fathom the beauty!! Please post pics, esp of your Fiesta seat covers..

[abhi1309]

Yes for sure, will upload pics by tomorrow.

[abhi1309]

MODS: Can you please change the thread name to "The Matiz SD is being loaded again - "PICS UPLOADED"
Thanks

Here are the Fiesta Seats done by Poona Motors, that are almost as old as the car. I got the stitch done in maroon, similar to the car's color, just to give it some Lotus Elise effect Just for the record, I hate beige inside cars. But you can't help it much in India, can you?

AND NOW THE MATIZ which is what we are talking about here:

The Gas tubes to lift up the hatch are brand new, they were all black in original. This is half steel in color and substance. Original was better.

The rear tray, I had a sub below earlier, I moved it to my Fiesta. Not on the tray, inside its boot. Blaupunkt GTB300

The seats which will be changed to look exactly the same as in my Fiesta. Anyone has any color combination/design ideas, I am open to them.

Here are the other car pictures



The carpet is coming out and dirty.

The new Amaron Green, you can also spot the new Alarm System Speaker above that.

The Bumper needs to be changed.

Kids in the colony did this.

This sticker hides a scratch.

The glove compartment spring thing is dead, need a new one.

Few scratches which I hope to address soon

The new alarm system warranty card.

Other car pictures now:

[VeluM]

From the initial description I thought the car would look in much worse condition than it actually does. Looking pretty good! Especially like the Alloys and the spoiler. Which model & make are the Alloys?
Front bumper might not need a change. Maybe some polish and a lil repair work (Possible?) will make it look much better. Unless the mounts have gone.
Lights definitely need to be changed. Do you still get the originals these days?
All the best for the project, and post pics of progress and the end result.

Cheers!

[muralisk]

Looks awesome. This is a great car, which when launched was priced much higher than Santro, but after owning it for over 9 years, I have absolutely no regrets. Congrats and enjoy the enhanced ride in Matiz.

[hvkumar]

Good to see you maintain the Matiz so well. Mine is also retired, 1999, has run 2,60,000 kms and been through 2 engine overhauls. Have lots of niggling problems largely because I drive it a little, that too only on weekends.

You may want to also check out the wire connectors, they rust, and in my case, I changed the entire wire harness (used part of course, not original). Here, in Bombay, my Mavis Motors manages to obtain original/duplicate/used parts somehow to keep the car running. In case you have any difficulties in getting parts, that is one more source you can try out.

[abhi1309]

Originally Posted by VeluM

From the initial description I thought the car would look in much worse condition than it actually does. Looking pretty good! Especially like the Alloys and the spoiler. Which model & make are the Alloys?
Front bumper might not need a change. Maybe some polish and a lil repair work (Possible?) will make it look much better. Unless the mounts have gone.
Lights definitely need to be changed. Do you still get the originals these days?
All the best for the project, and post pics of progress and the end result.

Cheers!

The alloys are Neo Ice 13 inch ones and have been in the market for ages. I have spotted quite a few cars with them. The front bumper got torn when my wife while driving it, when into the gate of the society I stay in. I really do not know who to go to for repairing it, so I was thinking, replacing it will be easier. Lights are Rs 2600 a pair and not sure if they are original. I don't want to throw away these original ones, they are fabulous in quality. I will post the progress and the final product. Subscribe to this thread till then

Originally Posted by muralisk

Looks awesome. This is a great car, which when launched was priced much higher than Santro, but after owning it for over 9 years, I have absolutely no regrets. Congrats and enjoy the enhanced ride in Matiz.

Thanks Murali

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Good to see you maintain the Matiz so well. Mine is also retired, 1999, has run 2,60,000 kms and been through 2 engine overhauls. Have lots of niggling problems largely because I drive it a little, that too only on weekends.

You may want to also check out the wire connectors, they rust, and in my case, I changed the entire wire harness (used part of course, not original). Here, in Bombay, my Mavis Motors manages to obtain original/duplicate/used parts somehow to keep the car running. In case you have any difficulties in getting parts, that is one more source you can try out.

Thanks for the tips, well 260000kms is one impressive distance. Even I am proud, you should be too. I thought my 110000kms was a lot till I heard of your Matiz. I'll keep Mavis Motors in mind next time I can't source any parts. Will post updates as I get them done on the car.

[govigov]

how about some mud flaps and shampoo cleaning of the interior of the car? that can take care of most of the dust and dirt in the seats/carpets.

[abhi1309]

Originally Posted by govigov

how about some mud flaps and shampoo cleaning of the interior of the car? that can take care of most of the dust and dirt in the seats/carpets.

You really think shampoo can take care of the carpet? How will I dry it? I mean will it not get spoilt. I would love to give it a try considering what it looks like right now. Has anyone tried shampooing the carpet.

I hate mud flaps more than I hate beige in cars, they spoil the real look in my opinion. If you see, my Fiesta in the background does not have any. They are the first things in the car that I removed. Similarly tinting too does no work for me. Originality is of prime importance.

[muralisk]

I would recommend you to go in for mud flaps as it would prevent the water/ slush on to the vehicles following you. I feel it is a inconvenience especially for two wheelers. I feel bad when bikes spray it all over my car and am sure similarly, others would feel when this happens to them.

[govigov]

can access the carpet by removing the seats and getting it out. dusting, pressurised air, pressurised water, some soap/shampoo, more cleaning, left in the sun to dry. that should take care of the carpet. then get some new oversized floor mats. . i think any professional car cleaner should be able to do that for you.

[abhi1309]

Originally Posted by govigov

can access the carpet by removing the seats and getting it out. dusting, pressurised air, pressurised water, some soap/shampoo, more cleaning, left in the sun to dry. that should take care of the carpet. then get some new oversized floor mats. . i think any professional car cleaner should be able to do that for you.

Hmm, sounds like a good idea. But the seats will have to be removed from the body of the car, which is like removing a lot Great idea though. That is the only option anyway for the kind of cleaning it will require. Thanks.

[jp2u]

Nice car dude, take good care of her and may be 10yrs down the lane she may be as reliable as now.

Some ideas:
Try black Sunfilm in the windows
Try to colour the bumpers for body color
Body color side mirrors
and try to keep the original colour

[abhi1309]

Originally Posted by jp2u

Nice car dude, take good care of her and may be 10yrs down the lane she may be as reliable as now.

Some ideas:
Try black Sunfilm in the windows
Try to colour the bumpers for body color
Body color side mirrors
and try to keep the original colour

Yeah that is the idea, 10 more years shouldn't be much. Just hope we get good quality parts availability in the market. So far the LRVM I got fitted is not that great in quality. The original paint is of course the best and I intend to keep it that way. Thanks for the suggestions.