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Purchase & delivery experience: Hyundai Creta SX(O) diesel AT

24th April 2022, 10:22 by Dev Shah

Now, this is the first time I got behind an automatic and all disc brake vehicle. Well, the only time before this was during the test-drive and we can’t really count it as a driving experience.

BHPian bhavikbochar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi All, happy to inform you, yesterday, we welcomed a Phantom Black SX(O) Diesel AT in our family – we call it Verraux (for the un-initiated Verraux’s eagle is a large, mostly African, bird of prey also called the black eagle.

The features of this new family member have been discussed in detail by fellow BHPians earlier, so I guess, it’s apt for me to just focus on financing, delivery experience and accessories installed.

Financing:

Considered several options here:

Self-Finance – didn’t really wanted to liquidate my long-term savings, moreover, financing at market was cheaper than the returns that I am generating. So didn’t go for this.
Car Loan – Had offers from several banks with on-road funding with interest rate between 7.5 – 7.75% and a tenure of 7 years. Would have gone for this had it not been for the next option.
Top up over Home Loan – Now HSBC has amazing home loan top-up scheme. Basically, they give you the top-up loan for 20 Years tenure and that too at Home Loan rate, right now it’s 6.45%. To my knowledge, no other bank offers the top-up on home loan at the same rate of home loan.

Did some math here, and the financial analyst in me drove the decision towards this option.

So here’s my simple structure: a 7 year car loan at 7.5% for 22 Lakhs would translate into an EMI of approx. 33.5K & a 20 year top-up over home loan at 6.45% for 22 Lakhs would mean an EMI of 16.3K. So the difference in EMI is roughly 17K, and instead of spending it, this will go into a Mutual Fund as an SIP. Mutual Fund returns above 6.45% (should be easy to fetch over long term) is my profit.

The Gudi Padwa bluff:

With everything decided, I had the top-up applied and pre-approved, was just waiting for the car to land at dealers’ stockyard for me to release the payment. Sales had already informed me that car would take 2-3 days to be delivered after full payment for reasons like accessories fitment, RTO registration, etc. Got confirmation from the dealer that car would reach the stockyard on Tuesday, 29th March and to release the payment by 30th if I need the delivery on the auspicious day of Gudipadwa on Saturday, 2nd April. I wasn’t keen to take delivery on Gudi Padwa as there would be too much rush, so we planned to take the delivery next day and my banker too assured me that payment would be released on 30th March. Turns out, the auditors at the bank were too busy to take up disbursement cases for small amounts (anything less than 3 CR) due to financial year end closing target. So after patiently waiting, following-up multiple times, my banker managed to get the disbursement request cleared from auditors only on Friday, 1st April evening. By then, the damage was already done, weekend was on us and so was on the workshop guys. So I was told to be prepared to take delivery tentatively on Wednesday, 6th April.

Delivery experience:

SA requested to take delivery in evening of Wednesday, 6th April as some accessories fitment was still pending. When we arrived at the showroom, we were greeted by the staff. SA informed me that the car is on its way from workshop. In the meantime, we completed the paper work, did the registration of Hyundai Mobility, and was handed over the warranty cards for the accessories and finally the key handing over ceremony!
Next we walked into the car, SA got my blue link activated and patiently explained all the features.

Accessories installed:

I had already done some background work and had engaged with to-and-fro discussion with the accessories team. Any fitment work, I was keen to get it done from the dealer even if I need to shell out extra cash for the peace of mind that it won’t impact my warranty. Anyways, as my model was SX(O), didn’t really needed many accessories, so went with the following:

Underbody Anti Rust by Wurth brand with 3 year warranty and service every year – Rs. 4,000.
Ceramic Coating by Wurth brand with 3 year warranty and service every year – Rs. 24,000.
Door Scuff Plates – Rs. 1200.
Front Parking Sensors – Rs 7,500. Many would say I overpaid, but trust me, the peace of mind of not losing the warranty is completely worth it. Moreover, the fit and finish done by the dealer team is simply amazing, I’ll let pics do the talking at the end.
Door Edge Guard – Rs. 250. The accessories team had informed me that any sticking work needs to be done before the ceramic coating and they will follow the same norm here too.
3D Matting – Rs. 2500.
Mud Flaps – Rs. 800.
Boot Mat – Rs. 500.
Projector Fog Lamps (55W HID kit by Genome) – Rs. 22,000.

The projector fog lamps are truly a deal breaker. Just like everyone, I’ve researched each and every bit of this car during the waiting period. One thing was clear, the trio-beam LED headlights of SX(O) has a poor throw and needs an upgrade. Unfortunately, we can’t do anything with the headlights in SX(O), so the only options were either LED bars over number plate (illegal, IMHO hinder the looks of the car) or install projector fog lamps. Got quotes from multiple after market dealers, went through ample youtube videos, and spent last few days worrying that I might void the warranty of my car as this was not in the standard accessories checklist shared by the dealer. Just thought of giving it a try and asked the accessories team at Hyundai dealer if they can install projector fog lamps. The accessories lead, Pratamesh, asked for a day and came up with a solution on the next day. Turns out, though they haven’t fitted any projector fog lamps at this deralership for Creta, his friend in Nagpur Creta dealership had installed it on couple of Creta’s. He shared the quote and a short video about the product, I did my own research, contacted the brand directly and they were willing to offer the same for Rs. 23,500 with 10% discount i.e. Rs 21,150 + Rs 500 for fitting by their technician. Dealer had initially quoted 26K, then brought it down to 24K, when I told Pratamesh that the brand is offering me the same for 21K, he discussed with his seniors and offered me 22K all inclusive rate. The throw of these projector fog lamps is simply mind blowing and they do come with an upper and dipper option, which is integrated with the headlight upper and dipper!

A mishap – thankfully avoided: So all excited, after the puja at showroom, we refilled the tank and full family went out for dinner to celebrate. Now, this is the first time I got behind an automatic and all disc brake vehicle. Well, the only time before this was during the test-drive and we can’t really count it as a driving experience. As a result, during the whole drive, subconsciously my hand would go towards the gear nob to change gears. On our way back to home after dinner, suddenly my foot pressed a bit hard on the brakes, well not that hard on my normal vehicle, but hard enough for the discs to bring the vehicle to standstill with a jerk, and subconsciously my hand moved the gear knob from D to N as we would lower the gear in a manual transmission. Hence, on releasing the brakes the vehicle would not move and all this happening on mid road in Mumbai. Thankfully, it pas past 11:30 PM and there was no one coming from behind! An incident to remember on the first day of my drive of Verraux.

Note of thanks:

A special shout out to the Sales Executive – Shailesh and Accessories Team Lead – Pratamesh. During the past few days, they patiently listened to me and extended their time in office in late evening to accommodate my visits. Pratamesh, even offered me best deals and matched the outside/Mobis quotes to the best possible extent. I am not going to crib over few extra hundreds given the convenience I experienced in dealing with these guys. If you guys happen to visit Modi Hyundai Santacruz West, Mumbai and come across them, please, do let them know that their good work is being appreciated and shared!

Pro-tip: We got a parker pen set gift wrapped each for Shailesh and Pratamesh as a token of appreciation. The delivery day is special for us and they have worked hard to meet/exceed our expectations. Not, sure if it’s a normal practice to get gifts for dealer staff during delivery, but the smile on their face before leaving the showroom on this unexpected gesture was a moment to be cherished for lifetime!

Signing off with few pics, unfortunately, they aren't that great in my shaded parking. Am sure I’ll have loads of questions as this is a full techno loaded car, will reserve them for upcoming posts:

Accessories pics:

Projector fog lamps & front parking sensors- notice the lens, and the lights are not on, it's the reflection of my mobile flash. Front parking sensors are well integrated and barely visible, encircled in red: