ICE and Sightings

1. Finally a free Saturday to do car related stuff. Dropped by at 3 accessories shops today to look for a player for a friend. She finally settle on this one:


Its actually more of a Ipod controller than a CD/Radio player. From my initial observation:
- It looks good. Simple and elegant. Adds a taste of luxury to the otherwise conservative-boring interior. The blue lights would so look good in the X20.
- The sound quality is more balanced than the original built-in player. Btw, the original is manufactured by Alpine Electronics, China. I dunno if its the same "Alpine" that we know.
- The big volume dial is quite useful
- There are quite a bit of audio functions, including Low-pass, high-pass filters, 7-band EQ (2 customize), Sub phase, Built-in EQ settings, Bass related settings, etc.

However:
* Its not user-friendly. Takes a while to get the hang of the thing. The up down left right and press can get quite confusing.
* Although there is a "Mute" button, the "Pause" button is hidden deep in the "Function" menu somewhere. Why?!
* Its more an Ipod controller than a CD/Radio player. There are no buttons to preset the radio channels. For me, this is a MUST HAVE.
* Although there are A FEW Bass controls, theres no Subwoofer level output.

Installation done at Autogadget. These guys are well versed with the Honda City. I wish there are accessories shops out there very familiar with the X20. However, I think Amoi Siam may qualify! :D

2. While my friend was installing this, I spotted Steven driving pass. Thats all...

Breaking News - Petrol Price Down RM 0.10 (Midnight tonight)

Its official (from MalaysiaKini) that pump price is at RM 2.45

I just filled up on Monday evening. Dang! Could have saved RM 4-5 bucks.

I had dinner at the SS2 Indomie mamak where I ordered my favourite "Kum Heong Kai" dish (Its chicken with onions, dried prawns and black sauce). The price went up by 50 cents to RM 5.50 (sad)

Finally some good news, compared to the drama politics that we've been having.

Comment Reply

Before the comment reply, I saw a black X20 on the way to Jln Kuching, KL this morning! BJY xxxx. Rushing to work, didn't have time to snap pic.

Anyway, here's akt's comment, and following that, my reply (a short one, as work is calling out...)
-------------------
Hi, I wished I had read your input before doing a test-drive. Anyway, I had a test drive and as much as I love the car's interior (well, who doesn't? So luxurious and the driver is so pampered!) but while taking the car for a test drive on a highway, I can hear sounds like wind pushing against the side of the car, a little vibration on the seat (not much, just a little) and maybe it is just me, the blue lights were getting abit uneasy to look at. Mind you, the test drive was done while it was raining and it was really a test of one's driving! The handling of the steering was ok. However, it was difficult to get oneself used to the way the lights and wiper knobs/switched (sorry, dunno the right term to use) were designed.

By the way, since I drive a Waja, the gearbox is designed to have a straightforward path (is there a term to this design) but Elantra x20's gearbox has an up/down maneuvering path, is there a reason for such a design?
I also found out the engine used in the US is Beta engine, so what is the difference with our local Elantra x20's engine?

Thanking you, sifu, in advance!
-------------------

1. The sound proofing of the X20 is poor. The noise from the tires, high-engine rev, can be quite disappointing. I've done sound proofing on my front doors, rear seats & tires and full boot but still can hear road noises. However, I don't hear any significant wind noises.

2. The blue lights take a little to get used to. I prefer to dim it as it can be quite bright.

3. The gear design (i call it 'staggered') is a brilliant idea. It prevents you from shifting to a wrong gear. I've seen cars (eg. Honda City) at a traffic light shift from P to R! Maybe coz while shifting, they stopped too early. You won't have this problem on the X20. Just push slight left and pull the gear towards you, and it'll stop at D.

4. I don't think the US engine is different from ours. However, do google the GEMA engine on KIA cars if you're free. Too bad the X20 doesn't come with the GEMA heart. Oh well...

5. I'm not X20 sifu, "there is another". Did you watch Return of the Jedi? :D

ps - you can always test drive AGAIN!

Long Overdued Snippets

1. Just as petrol prices were dropping and in the low USD$90's, it had to take a hike recently. Paul Tan's take here. Btw, Jeff Ooi's blog has a oil price graph. I'm gonna copy it!

Well, the fuel price will be discussed tomorrow (Paul Tan again), and by the looks of it, I don't think anything good will come out of the discussion.


2. Sightings: There are more and more X20s on the road. I saw 1 last Saturday (13th Sept) afternoon, 2 on Sunday (14th Sept), my wife saw this one in Subang near Taylors College:


I saw a Silver Incus kitted X20 in KLCC parking today. But too slow to snap a pic.

My friend who went to SG for work was quite demoralised to see so many avante's on the road. Why? Cause the Hyundai X20 is a good car, however, she's driving a Honda City. This is a super cool number plate:



3. Paul Tan (Harvinder Singh Sidhu) Review on the Elantra
- The pics are awesome
- Its good points are stated
- Reviewer doesn't like:

## Blue lights - I love it! That was an attraction factor for me. It could be an 'age' thing, I dunno.

## 'Rubber' Climate control buttons may turn yellow over time - I think its hard plastic, not rubber, but I could be wrong. Again, its unconventional design and color was an attraction factor for me.

## Bad handling, going all over the place under pressure, drives like a cow - I think he might not be used to the light steering handling and lack of steering feedback. I felt the same way when I first pushed my car. But now, I'm quite confident on taking hard corners and maneuvering around town. However, I'm not on stock tires :). I do have to be fair that overall, there are many cars that can out-handle the X20, due to the suspension settings, center of gravity, etc.

## Soft suspension causing "floatiness" - Yeah, also to mention that the X20 has got a high center of gravity, compared to eg. a Wira.

## Not enough gear ratios - The reviewer is comparing the Hyundai X20 gearbox with a VW DSG gearbox. Well, I wish Hyundai and VW will co-op and work out a 7-speed DSG gearbox for the X20. Also this will cost 50k more? Anyway, I do agree that a 5-speed gearbox would be more attractive and definately kick the Toyota Altis' ass.

## Weak brakes - I have no idea what this is about. Maybe the test drive car has some braking problems. Please sit in my car and allow me to jam the brakes, and feel the ABS kick-in.

Anyway, its got 38 comments so far. Check it out.


4. What do you think of Incus kit with RoadRun Grill? Pics courtesy from Getz2Avante (ClubHyundai Forums). The bonnet is SGD$900 (including fenders and spraying).





5. I have a blog follower. Not sure how this works, but thanks for the visit and following, Ms. AKT

X20 is currently Away

Sorry for the poor updating. Been busy at work, training & reports, personal, etc.

Will blog about the following over the weekend:
- Petrol prices (world pricing dropped, M'sia pump prices? Goods prices?)
- Sightings - By my wife and friends
- Paul Tan's review on X20 and its 'poor' handling
- Incus bodykit and Road Run grill... *yummy*

Regards,
X20

Medklinn is BACK!

A friend by the name of Alan Lim Boon Kim borrowed my Medklinn Mobile about a month or two ago. Because it couldn't fit in the socket of his Honda City, he misplaced it.

But what was lost, is now found! And back into my car. The Kancil. Coz it smells funny.

One thing I noted in the Kancil, is that when the Medklinn Mobile is plugged in, the radio reception is affected. CD play is fine, but I can hear some interference on radio.

Now the Kancil is IONIZED! A few more days, and it will return home to the X20.


:)

Sightings WRC!

Saw this X20 turning into Jalan Ipoh, on Monday morning. Who is it?

Elantra TT @ Kayu Nasi Kandar (Aman Suria)

The Elantra TT's are a sub-set/sub-group of the THM Official TT's. However, Dr.Is (Accent) or other cars (3-series BMW M3) do join in once in a while.

Venue: Kayu Nasi Kandar at Aman Suria
Time : 8.30 pm - 9.00pm
Date : 23/8/2008
Why? : Get to know new members and poison poison

Pics:
1. We managed to sapu parking for 7 cars (sorry kkng)


2. The guys (from L-R Me, mtuc, kumar, steven, sugaring, Mliven, Zeke & partner)


3. kkng and blar blar john came much later.


3. New THM Mag with Incus X20 and model


Pics courtesy from mtuc.

Pump Prices & Permatang Pauh not linked.

1. Pump Prices and Permating Pauh are not linked together. Petrol and Politics don't mix. They all just happen to begin with the alphabet "P".

Every Hairy, Dick.. and Tom in the government is saying that the petrol price was dropped earlier is due to steep rise in inflation rate & lower global oil prices.

"Abdullah said the decision was made after taking into account the fall in the world fuel price in recent weeks and the steep rise in the inflation rate last month... The decision is also based on the current economic development"
- TheMalaysianInsider -

When they raised the petrol prices, I wonder whether they forecasted inflation to go up, or did they "hope" that M'sian economy is solid and will not be affected by minor changes in petroleum subsidies...

The frequency of the oil prices review has also changed from 1 month, to 15 days, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, link = Malaysian Insider. This was decided on Friday's cabinet meeting.


2. Najib: "..the people must understand that for every litre, the price was subsidised 30 sen" TheStar

On top of the subsidy, there is a (one time or yearly?) birthday present of RM 625 for engines below 2k cc. According to Najib, this birthday present will subsidise about 35-40 cents a liter. However, please read Paul Tan to get some real life perspective on Najib's allegation.

Initially, Gomen intelligence (or lack of) assumes that M'sians use an average of 66 liters of petrol a month. Najib now assumes we use about 148 liters a month. To me the latter is a better estimation, as my kancil is a little less that 148 liters, but the X20 definitely drinks more than 148 liters a month.

The bottomline is, petrol subsidy is a privilege, not a right. The people must understand this and appreciate the Gomen for their kindness and mercy in giving the people a RM0.30 subsidy. You don't like? then get out of here la...


3. August 26th is a Special Holiday in Penang. MalaysiaKini

The EC (Election Commission) set August 26th as Permatang Pauh's by-election date. A Tuesday. Normal people like me, go to work on Tuesdays. Does anyone know why the EC chose Tuesday, and not Saturday? Its puzzling. Genius or influenced by "powers-that-be"?

I think Pakatan Rakyat knows if everyone votes, BN will lose. So they conveniently declared August 26th a special state holiday. Genius or an abuse of power?

Petrol Prices to go Down this MIDNIGHT (update)

The first petrol station I saw tonight was pitch black. I was determined to find a shell station which I can refill on the new price (if it did exist).

The nearest Shell to office that was on the way home, is the one on D'sara Highway near D'sara Heights. The were no lights, and the station opposite was also pitch black. No fear, there are at least 3 more Shells on route back home.

Then, I passed the Shell opposite of Eastin Hotel. This pic was taken there (its true!):


After getting home, snapped a pic of the receipt. RM 2.55! Yippee!

Hyundai Elantra X20 blog is linked on MalaysiaKini

MalaysiaKini is my favorite news site. Although its not a "main-stream" media, its my main media.

To be linked on their front page, I feel on top of the world. Haha.

I found out when checking out my visitor stats this evening (wth? so high?):


Then I found out that most visitors were from MalaysiaKini... hmm... strange.


THEN, i found my blog linked on their page:


Coolness + 10.

Petrol Prices to go Down this MIDNIGHT!

I'm glad I'm working till midnight today. Cos...

Our current PM has announced that petrol prices are going down by 15 cents at midnight.



Source:
- Malayskini
- Table "adapted" (read: stolen) from Paul Tan

The socio-political bloggers have criticised the move to be a feel-good gimmick by the current administration targeting the Permatang Pauh by-elections. Well, as long as it benefits me, I'm happy.

In other news, our inflation rate has ballooned to the highest in 27 years (MalaysiaKini). If you don't know, its caused by the Gomen advised petrol hike.

This is how I see the history:
- B4 '08 elections, Gomen declare no petrol increase till August
- However, Gomen not enough money. Subsidies = billions.
- Shit, cannot wait till August. PM makes a tough call.
- Gomen increase petrol prices
- Everything go up (prices, inflation, interest rates), except salary
- People complain, murmur, protest
- Opposition takes advantage of the situation & garners huge support
- Gomen realised they made a mistake, *duh*
- Gomen try to send 'rookie' for debate against 'veteran'
- Gomen thinks its a good idea to reduce petrol price
- Plan target to execute on 1st Sept. 2008
- However Gomen thought,"Crap, if reduce in Sept, will be too late to win Permatang Pauh"
- So...

Will update later if I really get to pump unleaded fuel at RM 2.55 a liter.

New LINKS!

Look to the right -------------------------------->>>

Yes... my links are up! Thanks to a day off work.

Me and My EG

I took MC today. Should have done it yesterday. If I did, by today I should be more alive and well.

A good friend is leaving for Australia today. Anyway, with the internet, facebook, globalization, no where is too far away nowadays.

I got summoned for using the phone while driving somewhere last month. As usual, I waited till the last minute to settle it. However, I've heard a couple of times on the radio about this new gomen website called MY-E.G.

Here is is: http://www.myeg.com.my/

You can renew your road tax, driving license, buy auto insurance, pay PDRM summons, and do some other administrative stuff online. Interestingly, effective from 1st July, all PDRM summons are at 50% off! Yippee!

About the (crony?) company:
MyEG Services Berhad is a concessionaire for the Malaysian E-Government MSC Flagship Application. Our role as a Service Provider for the E-Services component essentially provides the electronic link between the Government and citizens/businesses.

Through our portal, we offer the Malaysian public a single point of contact between the Government and the people it serves. This portal enables Malaysians to dynamically interact with numerous agencies within the Federal, State and the Local Government machinery providing services ranging from information searches to licence applications.

To cater the services which require physical presence/interaction, MyEG has set up E-Service Centres located throughout the country to complement our online presence. We believe that through this dual approach, we can enhance the relationship and quality of interaction between the Government of Malaysia and it’s citizens.

Sightings, same car at KL

I believe this is the same Saphire Silver X20 in City Square, Jalan Ampang. Spotted when I went for lunch there. It was missing when I was leaving back to office.



Sorry for the blur pic. I had to snap it discreetly, as there were car park attendants around.