Thread Starter
#1
Hell's Angel - Suzuki Zen Estilo LXi - Midnight Black - March 2007
DOD: April 5, 2007.
Color - Midnight Black.
The Story:
It was a quick idea on head of my cousin sister after seeing a just-launched Estilo on display at showroom when she was returning from her late UK shift. It was the booming BPO time and she was getting paid enough to buy a car. We were all similar age and just stepping out of college. Technically, this would our first pet car in the whole family.
First impression for me and my brother was the car was too feminine. Apart from digging through the magazines, our first-hand experience with cars were only Zens and Indicas. No one of us knew to drive as well.
My suggestion was to get an used 5-speed 800 and learn and buy a new car, which she didn't like as well. She was stuck with the Estilo and that too the pink one. Asked to consider the Chevy Spark, which was announced at that time. Determined for Estilo, she started learning to drive and booked the car, colour was still a dilemma amongst us. She wanted pink or blue. We, boys, didn't want pink at any cost. Our pick was either black or red or even yellow was fine.
Finally, the day was around and the time to pick the colour and variant. Chose black after some heated arguments. LXi was chosen over VXi as it was decently packaged and sales guy was also supporting it. Paid the booking amount.
Applied for loan at State Bank and passed without any drama. Delivery was delayed due to failed driving tests and finally decided to take delivery by a paid driver.
Next was the accessories. MGA guys were calling to finalize the accessories. Paid a visit to the dealer for that. The list was pretty big. Browsing through the brochure, picked a few necessary stuffs. Sony Xplod was the latest player in market with almost all dealers and accessory shops pushing their products. Chose a Sony VCD/MP3 headunit. USB was also a just launched feature and only limited models were available. Checked with Sony World as well for USB models and nothing reached yet. Chose Xplod ovals, but dealer didn't mention where would they install them. All 4 doors had provision for 6 inch speakers. Picked an Xplod unit for front doors as well. Other items in our list were charcoal black tints, side beading, wheel caps, fog lamps, cigarette lamp, etc. The guy gave a rough estimate of ₹28,000, which took some time for us to digest. Paid a ₹5000 advance and rest to be paid before delivery. After a talk on way back home in an auto (which was our only mean of transport then), we would postpone the accessories for now and pick something that will fit in the amount paid for. Final list was Autocop remote locking, charcoal black tint, fog lamps and cigar lamps.
D-Day:
All of us were excited. Our distant uncle will take delivery and do the temple run, which was wanted to, but ......
We left for showroom in our friend’s Zen and an auto. By the time we reached there, the car was ready at the delivery bay with ribbons. We were warmly invited and had something to drink and a complementary candy box.
First time we were seeing the car. No idea of PDI then. We were too noob and not many contents in the World Wide Web then.
First fight with the dealer starts then. Accessories were not installed for which we paid upfront for, no tint or cigarette lamps. We paid ₹1600 for OEM wheel caps and then installed some shoddy cheap after-market fugly 3-spoke one with bolt in middle. Adding to that they installed an ugly looking number plate, which we didn't order and took ₹500 for that. Accessories manager came and apologized, took the car to the service bay and replaced the ugly caps with OEM caps and returned to delivery area. Still no cigar lamp and tints. Tints, he convinced her to install after learning to drive as it can obstruct her views, crap. Cigar lamp promised at first service. Without spoiling the day, went ahead with delivery process. All paperwork completed.
Paid dakshina and accepted key. First crank and first clutch slip and lemons were flying. Peak office hours and car stalled right outside showroom, which was one of the busy city stretches. Uncle took the car. We chased in Zen.
Freebies were 10 litre fuel coupons and an old school Amby-type steering cover (which I removed right after reaching home).
Reached home. Everyone dispersed. Car parked. Started my favourite thing. Tore off all the plastic cover over seat. Inspected the car upside down. Tried all the gizmos (power windows and central locking in this case, first car in our generation. Went through the owner’s manual. Tried learning security system codes [eventually failed]. Tried making her understand how to care the car.
Our first spin
With my friend co-piloting and cousin driving, we started off. It was her first independent driving off a driving school car. We had to remind her to go slow. Cut many intersections, missed bikes and finally knocked fish seller with the mirror. Driving school taught only till 3rd gear and to use 4th when absolute necessary. She was shocked to know there is a 5th gear as well.
Next step was to teach her the half clutch. We chose the wrong stretch, which happened to be steepest incline in the locality with a 90 degree turn. Ended burning the clutch. After multiple attempts, she learned, but at the cost of the clutch on the first day of the car.
Second day and mods begin
Happened to be vinyl guy and made number plates and stickers for almost everyone in the friends circle. Threw away the ugly metal plates and put on home-custom foam board plates in custom font. NFS Prostreet also launched that time. Took a screenshot of the title and made a sticker of it as well. May be the first sticker in whole India then. A Hell’s Angel sticker was put one rear back glass, prime idea was to prevent the dealer stickers.
Horrible days as a co-driver
I didn't know how to drive nor ever tried to but, I was the default co driver for most of my friends and some of their parents for my level of patience and manual transmission experience in NFS and truck simulators . I used to accompany her during her driving practise. She finally managed to pass the test after 4th attempt. Taught her basics like engine breaking, slowing down at humpe and potholes, staying in lane, when and where to overtake, etc. I stopped counting near misses and everybody was calling my maa-baap
Fight with dealer continues.
First service and no accessories received that we paid for. Cigarette lamp still out of stock and the tint guy on leave. The guy whom we dealt during delivery quit. We insisted on refund and they declined. Only option was choosing something else. We chose the door visors instead and had to pay some out of pocket. After a fight and checking their bills, realized we paid only for the cigarette lamp . We paid for VXi foglamps and they installed some crap after-market stuff, which rusted in no time and the wiring was shoddy as well.
Mods:
After the uncertainty about the tinting at dealer over, we decided to tint at the biggest car accessory shop in town, The Car Palace. They showed various options costing as cheap as ₹400 to nice ₹3000 ones. Opted for Charcoal Black, for ₹1200. Insisted on sticking the rear one in single piece instead of 2 or 3 pieces. Fixed a beige and black steering cover to match the interiors. She was very happy with that steering cover, the first functional addition. Car was still without stereo. Ruined the tints on reaching home, accidentally lowering the glass. They redid that free of cost.
Our first highway run proved the stock horns were of no use. Skoda horn was trending and not much common then. Closest was Roots Windtone. During a festive time, uncle gave some pocket money. Headed to the neighbourhood accessory shop, Car Dreams, which was recently opened. Opted Windtone. Paid ₹850 in total with clamps and a melody maker (which was installed as relay).
Hell's Angel
Initial days. Weekend wash was a routine then. Had a reindeer soft toy then.
One of my first mods. Fast and the Furious inspired. Neon tubes were super expensive and LED strips were unheard of at that time. Attempted to do green one on friends Zen, which was assembled but never installed due to unsatisfactory output. Dad saw my wonderful horrible wiring and taught me how to calculate the resistance values and series and parallel wirings, which I still follows. Took some conduit pipes and red LEDs and made a spot unit instead of full length ones. It was an eye-catcher then and made the car famous amongst the mod guys in town and famous over Orkut.
Raw materials.
Final product, painted black before install.
Borrowed drill from a neighbourhood electrician. Install was successful. My first major attempt on the car.
Replacing the wheel caps has become a common thing at each service and convinced her to throw off the wheel caps for ever. Grabbed a can of Nippon Pylox, which was also just launched then and painted the rims. Was sceptical about the finish and whether it will hold off for long, but everything turned out nice and well.
WIP
Updates:
October 2012: Clutch, steering and suspension jobs works done @48.5k km
December 2012: New battery (3rd) and new pedal covers
Crosses 50k km
ICE setup + misc addon snaps.
DIY Tachometer Install
Aux-in added
Front doors damped and door speakers upgraded.
DOD: April 5, 2007.
Color - Midnight Black.
The Story:
It was a quick idea on head of my cousin sister after seeing a just-launched Estilo on display at showroom when she was returning from her late UK shift. It was the booming BPO time and she was getting paid enough to buy a car. We were all similar age and just stepping out of college. Technically, this would our first pet car in the whole family.
First impression for me and my brother was the car was too feminine. Apart from digging through the magazines, our first-hand experience with cars were only Zens and Indicas. No one of us knew to drive as well.
My suggestion was to get an used 5-speed 800 and learn and buy a new car, which she didn't like as well. She was stuck with the Estilo and that too the pink one. Asked to consider the Chevy Spark, which was announced at that time. Determined for Estilo, she started learning to drive and booked the car, colour was still a dilemma amongst us. She wanted pink or blue. We, boys, didn't want pink at any cost. Our pick was either black or red or even yellow was fine.
Finally, the day was around and the time to pick the colour and variant. Chose black after some heated arguments. LXi was chosen over VXi as it was decently packaged and sales guy was also supporting it. Paid the booking amount.
Applied for loan at State Bank and passed without any drama. Delivery was delayed due to failed driving tests and finally decided to take delivery by a paid driver.
Next was the accessories. MGA guys were calling to finalize the accessories. Paid a visit to the dealer for that. The list was pretty big. Browsing through the brochure, picked a few necessary stuffs. Sony Xplod was the latest player in market with almost all dealers and accessory shops pushing their products. Chose a Sony VCD/MP3 headunit. USB was also a just launched feature and only limited models were available. Checked with Sony World as well for USB models and nothing reached yet. Chose Xplod ovals, but dealer didn't mention where would they install them. All 4 doors had provision for 6 inch speakers. Picked an Xplod unit for front doors as well. Other items in our list were charcoal black tints, side beading, wheel caps, fog lamps, cigarette lamp, etc. The guy gave a rough estimate of ₹28,000, which took some time for us to digest. Paid a ₹5000 advance and rest to be paid before delivery. After a talk on way back home in an auto (which was our only mean of transport then), we would postpone the accessories for now and pick something that will fit in the amount paid for. Final list was Autocop remote locking, charcoal black tint, fog lamps and cigar lamps.
D-Day:
All of us were excited. Our distant uncle will take delivery and do the temple run, which was wanted to, but ......
We left for showroom in our friend’s Zen and an auto. By the time we reached there, the car was ready at the delivery bay with ribbons. We were warmly invited and had something to drink and a complementary candy box.
First time we were seeing the car. No idea of PDI then. We were too noob and not many contents in the World Wide Web then.
First fight with the dealer starts then. Accessories were not installed for which we paid upfront for, no tint or cigarette lamps. We paid ₹1600 for OEM wheel caps and then installed some shoddy cheap after-market fugly 3-spoke one with bolt in middle. Adding to that they installed an ugly looking number plate, which we didn't order and took ₹500 for that. Accessories manager came and apologized, took the car to the service bay and replaced the ugly caps with OEM caps and returned to delivery area. Still no cigar lamp and tints. Tints, he convinced her to install after learning to drive as it can obstruct her views, crap. Cigar lamp promised at first service. Without spoiling the day, went ahead with delivery process. All paperwork completed.
Paid dakshina and accepted key. First crank and first clutch slip and lemons were flying. Peak office hours and car stalled right outside showroom, which was one of the busy city stretches. Uncle took the car. We chased in Zen.
Freebies were 10 litre fuel coupons and an old school Amby-type steering cover (which I removed right after reaching home).
Reached home. Everyone dispersed. Car parked. Started my favourite thing. Tore off all the plastic cover over seat. Inspected the car upside down. Tried all the gizmos (power windows and central locking in this case, first car in our generation. Went through the owner’s manual. Tried learning security system codes [eventually failed]. Tried making her understand how to care the car.
Our first spin
With my friend co-piloting and cousin driving, we started off. It was her first independent driving off a driving school car. We had to remind her to go slow. Cut many intersections, missed bikes and finally knocked fish seller with the mirror. Driving school taught only till 3rd gear and to use 4th when absolute necessary. She was shocked to know there is a 5th gear as well.
Next step was to teach her the half clutch. We chose the wrong stretch, which happened to be steepest incline in the locality with a 90 degree turn. Ended burning the clutch. After multiple attempts, she learned, but at the cost of the clutch on the first day of the car.
Second day and mods begin
Happened to be vinyl guy and made number plates and stickers for almost everyone in the friends circle. Threw away the ugly metal plates and put on home-custom foam board plates in custom font. NFS Prostreet also launched that time. Took a screenshot of the title and made a sticker of it as well. May be the first sticker in whole India then. A Hell’s Angel sticker was put one rear back glass, prime idea was to prevent the dealer stickers.
Horrible days as a co-driver
I didn't know how to drive nor ever tried to but, I was the default co driver for most of my friends and some of their parents for my level of patience and manual transmission experience in NFS and truck simulators . I used to accompany her during her driving practise. She finally managed to pass the test after 4th attempt. Taught her basics like engine breaking, slowing down at humpe and potholes, staying in lane, when and where to overtake, etc. I stopped counting near misses and everybody was calling my maa-baap
Fight with dealer continues.
First service and no accessories received that we paid for. Cigarette lamp still out of stock and the tint guy on leave. The guy whom we dealt during delivery quit. We insisted on refund and they declined. Only option was choosing something else. We chose the door visors instead and had to pay some out of pocket. After a fight and checking their bills, realized we paid only for the cigarette lamp . We paid for VXi foglamps and they installed some crap after-market stuff, which rusted in no time and the wiring was shoddy as well.
Mods:
After the uncertainty about the tinting at dealer over, we decided to tint at the biggest car accessory shop in town, The Car Palace. They showed various options costing as cheap as ₹400 to nice ₹3000 ones. Opted for Charcoal Black, for ₹1200. Insisted on sticking the rear one in single piece instead of 2 or 3 pieces. Fixed a beige and black steering cover to match the interiors. She was very happy with that steering cover, the first functional addition. Car was still without stereo. Ruined the tints on reaching home, accidentally lowering the glass. They redid that free of cost.
Our first highway run proved the stock horns were of no use. Skoda horn was trending and not much common then. Closest was Roots Windtone. During a festive time, uncle gave some pocket money. Headed to the neighbourhood accessory shop, Car Dreams, which was recently opened. Opted Windtone. Paid ₹850 in total with clamps and a melody maker (which was installed as relay).
Hell's Angel
Initial days. Weekend wash was a routine then. Had a reindeer soft toy then.
One of my first mods. Fast and the Furious inspired. Neon tubes were super expensive and LED strips were unheard of at that time. Attempted to do green one on friends Zen, which was assembled but never installed due to unsatisfactory output. Dad saw my wonderful horrible wiring and taught me how to calculate the resistance values and series and parallel wirings, which I still follows. Took some conduit pipes and red LEDs and made a spot unit instead of full length ones. It was an eye-catcher then and made the car famous amongst the mod guys in town and famous over Orkut.
Raw materials.
Final product, painted black before install.
Borrowed drill from a neighbourhood electrician. Install was successful. My first major attempt on the car.
Replacing the wheel caps has become a common thing at each service and convinced her to throw off the wheel caps for ever. Grabbed a can of Nippon Pylox, which was also just launched then and painted the rims. Was sceptical about the finish and whether it will hold off for long, but everything turned out nice and well.
WIP
Updates:
October 2012: Clutch, steering and suspension jobs works done @48.5k km
December 2012: New battery (3rd) and new pedal covers
Crosses 50k km
ICE setup + misc addon snaps.
DIY Tachometer Install
Aux-in added
Front doors damped and door speakers upgraded.
Last edited: