Re: Ownership Review of my Daewoo Matiz | Almost 20 years and 93,000 km later | A Perfect city car Quote:
Originally Posted by sheelRP Ownership Review of Daewoo Matiz: Almost 20 years and 93000 Kms later |
Very nice. It is always a pleasant experience seeing and reading about a well-maintained older car. It is usually a good idea from a financial perspective to hold on to a car for as long as possible unless the car has major issues. My Grandfather had a Landmaster which he and I drove for a long time all over the treacherous terrain of North East India. My earlier car was an Ambassador which we kept for almost 2 decades before selling it. Speaking of the Matiz, my son still has a toy model of the pullback and release type of a Matiz from decades ago. It was his first toy car.
Here is a fun experience of mine associated with a Matiz. I stay in Kolkata and own a 2017 first-generation petrol 1.6 Creta automatic. Since we like to service our cars mostly by ourselves, the first order of business was to get our hands on an engine oil filter removal tool/socket. We do not like the generic ones since those are prone to slipping and are expensive as well. The original Hyundai branded tool/socket for this is even more expensive at around INR 3500. This tool was essentially an engine oil filter socket with a half-inch square drive socket on its outside and 15 flutes/sides on the inside with an approximate internal diameter of 79 millimetres. This particular size is apparently designated the number 904 internationally.
I looked online and the part wasn't available anywhere other than Aliexpress but that wasn't an option anymore obviously due to the ban. The price on Aliexpress was approximately INR 250 including delivery to my home in Kolkata which was very reasonable but alas, it was not possible. I contacted some friends in Delhi which has India's largest automobile parts and tools market and they quoted similar prices as Aliexpress. However, I had an inkling that I could find it for cheaper and decided to check out the Wellington and Mangoe Lane areas in Kolkata. After some searching, I came to find out from a shopkeeper selling used car tools that it was the exact same tool for the Matiz as well.
In case you are wondering about the price, I got it for INR 120 at nearly scrap value. It may not be pretty to look at but it is very effective. Here it is :- This is the exterior view with the half-inch square drive socket. The word "Matiz" can be still seen faintly on it. And here is the interior view with the 15 flutes (sides)
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Wish you happy and safe drives ahead |