Total cost over these 14 years, including yearly services, spare parts replacements, 10 tyres, a couple of batteries, body work = Rs 2,13,248. This comes to approximately Rs 1.76 per km

BHPian Samba recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

1,40,000 km service done at 1,21,000 km

This time, the service was done at H.B.AutoNeeds (FNG) instead of Toyota. All OEM parts from Toyota were used, & the service was done as recommended in the owner's manual. At 140,000 km, the replaceable items are- Engine oil, oil filter, brake oil, 4 spark plugs, and air filter. 10 months back, when I drove the car through a waterlogged street, the air filter, brake oil & gear oil were replaced. So this time we replaced the following

Parts replaced-

Engine oil (Full synthetic, Shell Helix 5w30, SN+)
Engine Oil Filter
4 Iridium Spark plugs

Damage to pocket - Rs 3,500

A couple of pics after the service.

All shiny & clean!

As of now, no issues with the car. It's running perfectly.

The overall maintenance cost over these 12.5 years and 1,21,000 km -

Parts replaced outside the annual scheduled maintenance-

1) 6000 km- To replace the fuel hose, as it was a recall from Toyota.
Cost - 0.

2) A leaked shock absorber at 18,000 km. Cost - 0 (Changed under warranty).

3) Upgraded the stock front shock absorbers to the stiffer shock absorbers under warranty at 22,000 km. Toyota gave their customers a choice, and I opted for it. Cost - 0.

4) At 23,000 km changed one tyre due to a side sidewall cut. Cost Rs 3,400 (fng).

5) A blown-out fuse at 22,000 km due to using a faulty mobile charger. Toyota changed the fuse for free.

6) The stock horn was replaced at 27,000 km due to a malfunction. Cost - Rs 100 (fng).

7) At 34,290 km, the following parts were changed- Front disc pads with rotors, rear left shock absorber had a leak, so I replaced both of them. Cost - Rs 11,599.

8) At 34,700 km an anti-rattling kit was installed due to a kat kat sound coming from the dashboard area. Though the sound vanished on its own, we still installed the anti-rattling kit. Cost Rs - 501.

9) At 44,000 km, changed all 5 tyres to Yokohama Earth 1 (185/65/R14) Rs 22,000. New Exide mileage battery - Rs 3,200 (fng).

10) At 45,000 km there was a recall from Toyota to change the front seat belt Pre-tensioners. Cost - 0.

11) At 51,000 km front left shock absorber was changed. Cost - Rs 2,200.

12) At 64,000 km, upgraded the horn to dual Minda jalwa horn. Rs 1,200 (fng).

13) Changed a headlight bulb - Rs 220 (fng).

14) Got an extra check-up done just before a long trip and stocked 1L engine oil and coolant, along with washing and cleaning. Rs 2,500.

15) Got the right-hand side rear-view mirror glass changed as the original one fell off by getting hit with the ORVM of another car. Rs 1,065.

16) Got the front right wheel bearing changed with the hub at 79,800 km. Rs 2,900 (fng).

17) At the 86,000 km mark, rats chewed the left side headlight holder. Replaced with a new one. Damage to pocket - Rs 150.

18) At the 86,000 km mark replaced the wiper. Damage to pocket - Rs 524.

19) Got the left wheel bearing changed with the hub at 88,000 km. Rs 3,100 (fng)

20) A minor denting and painting job in an FNG. Rs 4,000

21) At the 93,000 km mark, four new Yokohama Earth One tyres were installed. Rs 17,000

22) At the 96,500 km mark, a new Exide Matrix Battery was installed. Rs 4,400

23) At 103,000 km needed a headlight bulb (left) replacement was needed. Rs 200

24) At 104,000 km, rear boot-lid alignment for a minor hit from behind. Rs 470.

25) At 107,000 km, a small repair for a rat bite. Rs 1,000.

26) Two new headlight bulbs. Rs 400.

27) Ac gas top up at 110,000 km. Rs 2000.

28) Wiper blade- Rs 550.

29) Replacing a broken tail lamp- Rs 2000.

30) https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post5837209

31) https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post5896307

Scheduled 1 year/10,000 km services with other wear & tear part replacements -

1) 1,000 km- 1st service. Cost- 0.

2) 10,000 km- 2nd service- Changed engine oil and oil filter. (synthetic oil.) Cost - Rs 2,800.

3) 20,000 km- 3rd service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, 4 spark plugs, rotation of tyres, and greasing the side walls of the tyres. Cost - Rs 3,400.

4) 30,000 km- 4th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, ac filter, wiper blade. 30,000 km service inspection cost, rear brake shoe assembly both side inspection, front disc brake pad both side inspection cost - Rs 5,240.

5) 40,000 km- 5th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, 4 spark plugs, Brake fluid. Cost - Rs 5,500.

6) 50,000 km- 6th service. Engine oil (Synthetic oil) and oil filter change, Wiper washer fluid top up, 3M under body check up, Foam wash to the exterior body, Premium interior clean.

The only added attention the car needed was the change of the front left shock absorber. It developed a leak. Got the air filter and ac filter cleaned too, Brakes shoes/pads checked and cleaned. The total bill amount was Rs 8,500.

7) 60,000 km- 7th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, ac filter, wiper blade, 4 spark plugs, Clutch cable, left rear tail lamp, rear brake shoe assembly, both side inspection, front disc, brake pads, both side inspection. Cost - Rs 8,500.

8) 70,000 km- 8th service. Changed engine oil (synthetic), oil filter, and front brake pads. Rs 6,591.

9) 80,000 km- 9th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, 4 spark plugs, Brake fluid, and air filter. Rs 6,700.

10) 90,000 km - 10th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, Ac filter, fuel filter, and right wheel bearing. Rs 11,540.

11) 1,00,000 km service at 96,600 km mark- Changed engine oil, Oil filter, 4 spark plugs, Gearbox inner oil seal, Transmission oil, Clutch plate assembly (Excluding the flywheel). Rs 20,355

12) 1,10,000 km service at 1,04,000 km- Engine oil, Oil filter, front two shock-absorbers, Lower arm (both sides), wheel balancing and alignment, front brake pads and discs, rear brake shoes, spare wheel retaining screw. Rs- 32,186

13) 120,000 km service at 1,10,000 km. Engine oil (Fully synthetic), Engine oil Filter, Air Filter, AC filter, 4 spark plugs, Changed the brake oil, Wiper blade, AC gas top up. Rs 8,317.

14) 130,000 km service at 1,15,000 km. Engine oil (Fully synthetic), Engine oil Filter, Brake check up, & interior and exterior cleaning. Rs 6031

15) 140,000 km service at 1,21,000 km. Engine oil (Fully synthetic), Engine oil Filter, 4 new spark plugs. Rs 3500

Due to a couple of unforeseen incidents in the last one year, Rs 1.60 L was spent on the car to restore it.
So I am sharing the cost per km for both. One excluding the accidental repairs, and one including the accidental repairs.

Incident 1

Incident 2

Total cost over these 14 years, including yearly services, spare parts replacements, 10 tyres, a couple of batteries, body work (minor denting & painting, a couple of tail lights) = Rs 2,13,248. This comes to approximately Rs 1.76 per km.

If I include the accidental repairs, then the total spent will be Rs 3,73,248.
Cost per km- Rs 3.08

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information. 

The car has a pretty good resale value, even after Ford's exit from India is something unexpected.

BHPian Sahilrai166 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Long-term update:

My Ford Ecosport turns 6

So far, so good. That is how I would describe my ownership experience till date. The car has been completely fuss-free, although with a few rattles here and there, I don’t have anything extraordinary to report. All that I’ve done so far is regular periodic maintenance and I have replaced the clutch as it had gotten pretty hard at 50,000kms. The tires were also changed at 40,000kms and got an upsize from 205 sections to 215s.

Minor modifications done so far:

Got the roof, mirror caps, and front grill wrapped in gloss black. (Roof wrap did not last well and should find a permanent solution for it in the form of a black PPF).

Alloys are now painted in a blackish grey shade and callipers in red. (Will get the rear drums painted in black as red looks a bit too overdone for my liking).

Also got the fog lamp bezel and the skid plate painted in gloss black.

Ecosport in the stock form has a decent-sounding audio setup. To spice things up got the Rockford Prime R1 subwoofer along with the Pioneer 2-channel amp and wiring from Focal. (Will be getting a smaller box for the subwoofer soon, as it eats up 60% of the car's boot space)

Regarding the Ford service after the brand's exit:

All the services so far have been in Cauvery Ford, Padil, Mangalore and I have not found any lapse in the service quality so far. The service advisor knows my car well, only recommends what is required and as always, I strictly say no to all the unnecessary add-ons.

Service costs so far:

• 02/2021 10,000kms - ₹2,850
• 01/2022 20,000kms - ₹8170 (including Wheel alignment and balancing)
• 12/2022 28,000kms - ₹ 5992
• 01/2023 35,000kms - ₹9506 (including brake pads)
• 10/2023 45,000kms - ₹5486
• 06/2024 55,000kms - ₹6047
• 03/2025 65,000kms - ₹7600 (Flexi plan for 2 years + 3,300 for brake pads)

Expenses other than the period maintenance:

Clutch - ₹14,000 (Got it done by Tech Pro Motors, a Ford specialised workshop run by my ex-Cauvery Ford service advisor)

Tyres - Got a new set as I found it to be good enough in my Creta, costed me around ₹25,000

Battery - Got the battery replaced from the Ford dealership for ₹ 4325

Headlight bulbs - Got the Osram Night Breaker for low beams at around ₹ 2800

This year I purchased a flexi plan for 2 years, which covers labour and maintenance charges. At ₹7,600 I found it to be pretty economical.

My extended warranty (2+2) had expired in 2023. The 5th and 6th year (May 2024-25) warranty came up to 22,000 and I did not opt for it (thank God no mechanical or electrical issues popped up), although I got the RSA for the 5th year which costed me around ₹1750.

Surprisingly, this year I got a zero-dep insurance from Ford itself, which was not given as an Option during my last renewal.

Niggles so far:

• A spot noise from the rear side. (Only solution for this problem is to remove the roof liner and spot welds at least that is what I’ve been told, and the car needs to be in the service centre for 3-4 days.)
• Front Passenger side power window has a mind of its own. It works fine but suddenly stops working.

Other than these there are no niggles/problems so far. The car still feels new with decent power and handling, even when compared to today’s sub-4-meter crossovers.

The itch of upgrade:

In 2020 we got a Hyundai Creta SX diesel hence I wanted to stick with a sub 4 meter crossover as an EcoSport replacement, tried all of the them did not feel like a big upgrade especially considering the gas guzzling turbo petrols found in almost all of them as my running is too low to justify a diesel and the obvious DPF issues.

The car has a pretty good resale value, even after the brand's exit is something unexpected, as I am still getting the same resale value I got when I had enquired sometime in 2022.

Some parting shots of my Brownie:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Available in the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq, it reminds me of the Lexus RX500 in which even the steering wheel moves up and away for easier access.

BHPian gauthampait recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Unlocked a few features last week

Listed below in order of their usefulness:

1) Removed the 80 km/h and 120 km/h chimes

Finally! No more annoying alerts at those speed thresholds.

2) Ability to lock the car from outside while it’s turned on

This one was a game-changer for me. On hot days, I often start the car and let the AC run. Now, I can lock the car from outside while it’s running—perfect for cooling the cabin without worrying about leaving valuables inside.

3) Comfort entry and exit for the driver and passenger seats

The seat automatically slides back slightly when you open the door and returns to its original position when you turn on the ignition. I love this feature—reminds me of the Lexus RX500, where even the steering wheel moves up and away for easier access. This is available in the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq.

4) Cabin air recirculation memory

The system now retains your air recirculation setting between ignition cycles, as long as the car hasn’t been off for too long. It still resets after a longer shutdown, but it’s a nice improvement.

5) "Please turn on the lights" alert disabled

No more unnecessary reminders for turning on the headlights.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Ownership experience is typically Japanese till now with no faults to report yet

BHPian abhi_tjet recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Ownership Experience:

Jimny is munching miles at a steady pace. It completes 10 month today and 10k on odo a fortnight ago.

• Ownership experience is typically Japanese till now with no faults to report yet.
• Mile munching is surprisingly simple in Jimny. Cruise control definitely helps in expressways.
• Fuel economy as per MID hovers around 11-11.5 kmpl in city with heavy to moderate flowing traffic.
• The suspension is definitely the star of the show which keeps composure despite the road conditions .

Service Experience:

• I chose the Nexa service at Pimpri, MIDC despite it being quite far from my place. My experience here is above average and positive mostly.
• They were under renovation during my 6 monthly visit. It is almost complete now. Dedicated customer lounge is quite good.
• I reached there on time and connected with my regular service advisor. There was nothing to report and typical estimate cost was around ₹2500 which indeed was the final bill amount.
• I inquired for the PM2.5 cabin air filter but the size wasn’t compatible. So, had to do with normal cabin filter.
• Staff is mostly cooperative but load is huge. Perils of owning a Maruti, despite buying a Nexa product.
• My Jimny was as usual the only one in the place.
• They took some casual feedback from me in terms of performance and I was all positive.
• Jimny is so unique at the venue that they even clicked a picture after the service completion and billing.

On the ramp

Can be monitored via customer lounge

It was a bright and sunny day!

Always the unique one

The newly constructed lounge itself.

Dashcam Purchase

Got a Redtiger F7NP dual channel Dashcam for the Jimny with OBD-2 compatible hardwire kit earlier this week and got it installed this weekend itself. Got the cam at around ₹13k with hardwire kit thrown free by Redtiger.

The OBD connector slots into OBD port and gets the power from battery directly. It only has 3 pins. Pin 4,5 for ground and pin 16 for battery power.
There is a power cut off module which can be set to desired current after which parking surveillance will be turned off. I have set it to max option available at 12.4V.

The unavoidable messy look. I have ordered those defogger covers from Amazon to hide it to some extent

It’s raining non stop. Will post some better pictures later along with detailed observation

The initial experience is good. Will post detailed observation after using it for a while.

Thanks for reading! Drive safe guys.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

While looking for the upgrade, my mind jumped from Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO to Mahindra BE 6.

BHPian seasoned_rubber recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

In a conundrum of choosing between Honda Civic CVT and KIA Seltos GT line 7DCT, having booked both, I ended up with the latter in October 2019.

It was all a hassle-free experience with Seltos all these years, with a plan to upgrade it to something worthy and performing (a 3 series or a C class, perhaps) in 2026. However, I sold off my KIA last month, and wanted a sober, family-type car for my better half.

From Skoda Kylaq and XUV 3XO to Mahindra BE6, the mind jumped from one tree to another just like our ancestors did. Then Virtus GT happened! Of course, I checked the 1.0 litre one, but knowing the enormity of the 1.5-litre DSG, I did not have to weigh my options anymore.

The 3 series or C class can wait for a year or so, hence taking a back seat. The booking amount (refundable) was 20k, and I did not have to wait for long. In a matter of two weeks, the GT arrived at the dealership. Yes, I was in a dilemma to choose between lava blue and cherry red. VW presented lava blue as the new colour in the block.

I also checked it in person; however, I observed a not-so-old Kushaq of the same colour in my campus, and it looked older than it really is due to the accumulation of dust on the body. Or perhaps, the dust was seen prominently due to this colour.

I had to then immediately inform the dealership that I wanted cherry red, thanks to the touring video shared by Faisal Khan on YouTube. And cherry red it is now with a scintillating road presence, best complemented by the black rims, black grill, and black finishes wherever it was possible. I remember the 1.5 litre A4, which now does the job in A3 with 1.4 litre, 150 PS power and 250 Nm torque. If you replace the VW logo with that of Audi, one can easily be fooled without a close observation. I feel between D1 and D2, she’s confused at times!

Quick observations:

• Better music system.
• The infotainment system is the best with zero lag.
• I miss the 360-degree camera in Seltos. Driven by the habit, I have to be both conscious and cautious during parking and all. It will be there in the next upgrade, and the showroom personnel assured me I could install it. Let’s see if it is going to be possible!
• The sports mode option could have been given in the form of a circular knob. It would have been operationally friendly while enhancing the aesthetics of the interior. These small things that would make customers happy, VW can really think of. They have this in the Tiguan R line anyway.
• Dual exhausts – if they could express themselves! Dual exhausts are something to boast of or to flaunt. Why would VW think of concealing it!
• Deafening sound it is inside. The GT oozes quality from left, right, top and bottom.

Here are some pictures taken during the delivery.

I got the 3M ceramic coating (product code: 39901) done last week, and today morning, I wiped the body using a micro-fibre cloth. The shine brought a smile to my face. I was advised not to water-wash the car for 20 days. The 3M ceramic coating was for 35k after a discount of 5k with a 3-year warranty and free check-up and re-layering every six months. I did this in the showroom itself for palpable reasons, even though I could have availed it for 20k outside.

I am respecting the break-in period now with only 200 odd kilometres on the odometer. Two of my office colleagues have come forward to become new VW customers post my purchase. I am trying to form a GT lovers group within Odisha. Anyone from Odisha, reading this post, may respond, please.

P.S. None of the pictures shared with you here are edited.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I had no issues installing the front HSRP number plate on the car, though.

BHPian navin_v8 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi folks,

I am not sure if any of you have faced this dilemma related to the dimension/size fitting issue.

I have an old 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer where the rear number plate area is not able to accommodate the new HSRP number plate, as the HSRP number plate is too wide and the rear number plate area is small. There were no issues fixing the front number plate, though.

Given below is a reference image of the rear number plate area. This is very similar to my Lancer.

Has anyone else faced this issue? If yes, what was the solution?

In my case, the only solution looks like mounting the rear number plate on the rear bumper or making a bracket and mounting it outside the existing number plate area, but it will protrude out and look ugly.

Looking for solutions and suggestions from you all.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

We also have an Audi Q5 and a Mercedes E Class, but the Toyota Innova Crysta will always be my best car.

BHPian speedfreak77 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Well, well, well...

Where do I even begin? What words do I choose? Where should I start?

Pardon the informal start—this one’s a bit emotional. You see, we BHPians and really, any car enthusiast around the world, whether they own the most modest hatchback or a luxury performance machine, we all share something in common. We treat our cars as more than just machines. To many of us, they’re companions, personalities, even soulmates. This is a story of such a bond. The story of my love, my Innova Crysta 2.8Z. Or as I lovingly call her, Cristy.

It all started back in 2019. You know how it goes in most Indian families with more than five people under one roof, there’s almost always a 7-seater parked proudly in the garage. My family was no different. Having owned all generations of the Innova (alongside a Fortuner or two), it was clear that we had a soft spot for these Toyotas.

So when the time came to part ways with my 2015 Innova facelift finished in a rather... polarizing shade of gold, I was heartbroken. The main reason? My family had moved entirely to automatics, and the manual Innova no longer fit into the lineup. But for me, that car was special. My favorite. I’ve always had a thing for the Innova, and those who’ve owned one will understand exactly why. Around the same time, I also sold my 2012 Fortuner 3.0 Automatic. That one had to go, thanks to its outdated 4-speed automatic gearbox. A tough call, but the newer Fortuner was out, and I thought an upgrade made sense.

So there I was with a garage empty of both my beloved Toyotas. Sure, it still housed a Q5, an E-Class, an Elite i20, a Creta, and two Vernas (a 2015 Fluidic 4S and a 2019 model). But something felt missing. Impulsively, I decided the next car had to be a Toyota, no questions asked.

Initially, I leaned toward the Fortuner again, but after driving the new one, I walked away. It was more refined, yes, but it lacked the charm and confidence of the old one.

That’s when the sales guy at Galaxy Toyota, Delhi, nudged me toward the Crysta. And the moment I stepped inside, I got it. The wine-colored interior, that elegant dashboard, the subtle presence of the car—it clicked. I’ve always had a soft spot for cars that feel right when you sit in them.

I took the Crysta for a test drive and was instantly sold. It was in another league compared to the Fortuner. Despite both sharing the same 2.8 diesel engine, the Crysta, being an MPV, was leagues ahead in terms of driving comfort. The Fortuner’s ladder-frame platform just couldn’t compete. Quietly, I signed the cheque, set the delivery date for my birthday, and left the dealership already imagining how I’d mod her—simple, tasteful, and elegant.

So the day finally arrived—28th December 2019.

(The only good photo I could find)

There she stood, fresh from the lot, finished in the stunning White Pearl shade I had chosen. Shiny, spotless, and beautiful. After wrapping up the paperwork, I headed out for the all-important first stop—to seek blessings from the almighty.

Then came the fun part—getting the wheels installed. I had zero chill back then. Went straight in with a set of Vossen CV-3 18-inch wheels, wrapped in 245/50/R18 tyres. Yes, I know. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have gone this route. You’ll soon understand why. But hey—YOLO, right? The car had to look perfect, even if I completely compromised the driveability. (Yes, I was being an idiot.)

Next up—aftermarket taillamps and two rear-seat TVs. Because… why not?

And let’s talk about the stock music system. I ripped it out and replaced it with a Mercury system, all components and mids. Not much of a bass guy, so I went with an under-seat subwoofer for a clean, punchy sound without rattling the car.

Once that was sorted, she was done. All shiny and complete. Got her ceramic-coated at AlwaysDry, Delhi, and then she truly became my daily everything. The engine, the way she drove, the comfort—Cristy had it all. She spoiled me with that plush ride and instant torque. Yes, she was thirsty at the fuel pump—but let’s be real, any girl this perfect has to throw in a bit of attitude, right?

Fast forward—I drove her everywhere in Delhi. Racking up kilometres. She was my go-to. In fact, Cristy even stepped up in the 2021 COVID wave. A relative borrowed her to transport oxygen cylinders for a patient, and she got the job done—fast. I was genuinely proud of her that day. Felt like she did her part in the crisis.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, I had to move to Bangalore. I decided to take my 2019 Verna—my second love, Vegh. But once I got there, the Bangalore roads and those monstrous speed breakers started to become a pain, and I missed Cristy terribly. She was just sitting in Delhi, gathering dust.

One random night, I made up my mind—got her transported by truck. Six long days later, Cristy was finally back with me. She took me everywhere again: college, work, Mysore trips... even Goa. But this is where the 18-inch wheels started showing their downside.

Bangalore roads aren’t kind. The car’s weight, combined with the tyres, completely chewed up my Vossens. One day, one of the alloys even bent—it was a painful sight. I walked into a local Tyre shop, spotted a set of 17-inch Plati wheels, and impulsively got them fitted. The Vossens were sent for repair and packed away.

Now she’s running on 225/55/R17 tyres and honestly, the difference is night and day. The ride’s smoother, the steering’s lighter, and Cristy feels a lot more composed. One of the rare impulsive decisions that actually turned out to be a good investment.

It was September 2021. I had just started college as a fresher, and my daily commute was a solid 25 km drive from home, deep into the outskirts of Bangalore. Thankfully, the route had no traffic lights—just open backroads—so Cristy and I would tear it up, both ways, every single day. To be honest, those drives were more enjoyable than the actual college experience (no offense intended).

Then came the morning of 4th January 2022—Cristy refused to start. I was stunned. But I was also running late, so I called up a friend who gave me a lift. Later that day, as college wrapped up, my friend had to head to the airport for some work—it was close to campus—so he offered to drop me back home later around 9 PM. But I was too tired, so I passed, deciding instead to take the college bus just for that day.

And that’s when something happened.

While waiting for the bus, I bumped into someone who lived in the same society as me. We started talking... and that sparked something special. Now, here’s the fun part—when I got back home and was about to leave for the gym, a mechanic from Toyota showed up. He opened the hood, did his thing, and Cristy started in one second. No issues with the battery, no faults, no explanation. She was perfectly fine.

If Cristy had started that morning, I would’ve never taken the bus... and I’d probably have never met that someone. Funny how fate works, right?

Then came the COVID wave. I was about to leave for Coimbatore to avoid being stuck in my Bangalore society under lockdown protocols. Just one day before my departure, that someone I mentioned tested negative after a bout of COVID, and we managed to meet—in Cristy, of course. From the very beginning, through every twist and turn of what we call “adulting,” Cristy was there.

I left for Coimbatore and eventually flew back to Delhi for a while. After staying there until mid-February, I returned to Bangalore once things settled down and college resumed.

Cristy, as always, was back on duty—not just for me, but now with a plus one. She had become a bit of a legend around campus. Whether it was the HR plates or the clean, tasteful mods—everyone knew she was mine. I was proud of that.

As far as I recall, there were only two Crystas in our college parking lot—mine, and a friend’s 2.8 GX trim that was tuned by Redband Racing to a Stage 1 setup, making over 200 bhp. The two of us would often head out during college breaks or late at night—Devanahalli, Church Street, Bellary Road... just driving for the love of it. Those night drives were pure magic. Memories I’ll always carry with me.

(The twin Crystas, my friend sold his last year for a Virtus GT)

Like everyone, I went through my share of rough patches in college, especially during 2023. But Cristy never faltered. She was there through it all. On the darkest nights, I'd just get in, blast some The 1975, and let the roads decide where to go. Cristy was more than just a car—she was my companion.

(Cristy and Vegh in Ooty)

Even when that “small tale” I mentioned earlier turned into a life lesson, Cristy was there. Whether it was late-night chai runs near Devanahalli at 2 AM or long solo drives just to clear my head, Cristy was with me through every moment. Drives and chai became a form of therapy, and Cristy, my trusted partner in crime.

Just before 2023 ended, I decided Cristy deserved a glow-up. Gave her a full 3M gloss black roof wrap, installed a fresh JL Audio setup, and rolled into 2024 with her by my side.

But 2024 turned out to be the year I unintentionally neglected both Cristy and Vegh. I’d enrolled for my Masters and commuting through Bangalore’s traffic during peak hours just didn’t make sense anymore. With my college being super strict about attendance, I bit the bullet and started using the metro—it cut travel time in half, so it was the smarter call.

Cristy and Vegh still saw daily gym run, but during the day, they just... sat. Waiting.

Then came 2025. You know how sometimes, someone walks into your life and becomes a regular part of your days? Well, Cristy was back in the picture—she’d take me flying down the NICE Road almost every evening to meet this someone. Mostly over sushi, funnily enough.

And Cristy? She wasn’t just my favorite. She became their favorite, too.

Yes, I own more expensive cars. Yes, they’re probably better in every measurable way. But for me? Cristy was the one. Always.

College ended. I came back home before my plans to go abroad started falling into place. And once again, Cristy was left in Bangalore, collecting dust.

Before I left, I had big plans in motion. Spoke to a couple of tuning houses, started the RTO process to re-register her to KA, found a stunning body kit, some sweet Inforged wheels, and had almost pulled the trigger on a carbon-fibre steering wheel with paddle shifters just to dial up the fun even more.

But then… things fell apart.

Not in my life, I’m happy, I’ve got amazing people around me. But with Cristy? Sadly, I had to let her go. Can’t get into the internal reasons here, but with me moving abroad, it wouldn’t be fair to just let her sit again collecting dust, would it?

She’s currently up for sale, with just over 75,000 km on the clock. But let me be clear, this isn’t an advertisement. This post? It’s a story. A story about the bond we car enthusiasts have with something the rest of the world might just call “metal on four wheels.”

(The last drive)

Cristy was never just a car. She was someone. And it’s going to hit hard when I land in Bangalore again, look at that parking spot, and she’s not sitting there—no more devilish smirk, no more waiting.

To whoever ends up buying her, if you ever happen to read this thread—I hope you understand what you’re getting into. I hope you see what she meant to me. Treat her right. Treat her like she’s not just a car.

Take her down NICE Road every once in a while, feel that pull, enjoy the wind. Eat in her if you must—but remember, that wine interior isn’t the easiest to clean. Do a cheeky burnout when you're feeling off, she'll reward you with the biggest smile. And every now and then, fill her up with Indian Oil Xtra Green diesel—it was always her treat.

I always thought that when I’d finally install those new mods, I’d come back to this forum and post a review. Never thought this post would take such a different turn.

And so, there she goes.

Farewell, Cristy.

There’s no one like you. No replacement can fill your spot. You’ll always be the one—my best car.

Thank you for everything. Thank you for all the memories.

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The total bill was Rs 2,804, which included wheel balancing, alignment and rotation.

BHPian Emvi recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

10,000 km and First Paid Service Update:

It’s been a while since I updated this thread- thanks to a hectic couple of months. The Punch completed 10,000 km in February 2025. I had almost forgotten that the car’s first paid service was due in March, i.e.,18 months into ownership. Thankfully, reminder calls from the Cauvery Tata team helped me out.

I dropped the car off for service on March 25. It was a routine service- nothing major. I had a couple of minor issues: a faint rattling noise from the left ORVM and another from somewhere inside the dashboard near the steering column. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the service centre to fix them to my satisfaction. However, to my complete surprise, both issues were taken care of.

Not just that, the car was delivered back to me in super quick time. I hadn’t opted for a water wash, given the now-infamous road condition near Kalladka. The total bill came to ₹2,804, which included wheel balancing, alignment, and rotation.

Overall, I’m very happy with the service from Cauvery Motors, Mangalore.

A couple of random pics to wrap up the post:

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The bass feels tight, the mids are cleaner, and the overall setup sounds much more balanced now.

BHPian srivatchsan recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L - Audio Upgrade Experience

Picked up the AX5L variant of the XUV3XO recently – love the car! Mahindra has nailed most aspects, but one clear gap was the audio system (or lack thereof in this variant).

Since I didn’t want to burn a hole in my pocket all at once, I went for a staged upgrade.

Stage 1:

Swapped the stock speakers for Audison Prima 165 components and added two-layer damping sheets (choosing decent-quality ones).

The improvement was quite noticeable – a better soundstage and overall feel. But honestly, the clarity and punch still weren’t where I wanted them to be.

Stage 2:

Decided to take it up a notch and added an Aura subwoofer along with an Audison SR 4.3 amp. And that really made a difference!

The bass feels tight, the mids are cleaner, and the overall setup sounds much more balanced now.

Got the work done at RS Car Decors – clean install, professional job, and no complaints on the finish. Yes, pricing is on the premium side, but then again, that’s subjective. For me, it was worth it.

If anyone is considering an upgrade for the AX5L, I'd be happy to share more details or feedback!

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A good 75 km run out of which 50 km was on the highway.

BHPian ike recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Went for a short drive with kids to Kuthiran. Those familiar with the old Thrissur - Palakkad NH47 would remember the notorious ghat section infamous for traffic snarls that sometimes lasted for hours. With the new highway rerouted via the tunnels, this is now a very quiet place surrounded by lush forest. We did spot a few monkeys and a board saying that this is an elephant corridor. I wanted to do a highway run for a number of reasons, the first one being an extended run in the city for the last 1k KMS. Domestic commitments ensured that I haven't ventured out much in the last few days. I also wanted to ensure the DPF doesn't get clogged due to all the city running the car has been through lately. A good 75KM run out of which 50 was on the highway.

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