This morning, coming in to work in the Elantra in the dark, I misjudged the distance to the curb in the parking lot as I was pulling in. Realizing I was in too far, I pulled back, and heard SCRAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPEEE GGRRRRRRRRRRRIIINNNNDDDDD . . . the most horrific crunching noise you can imagine, and I wondered how many parts of our new car had now come off. Got out the flashlight I keep in the glovebox, took a look around, saw nothing except for bits and pieces of the plastic shield on the ground and a big crack in said part. Went out there again a couple hours later in the daylight, and assured myself after thorough inspection its all cosmetic and will not affect safety. I went online and discovered this is a fairly common problem among new Elantra drivers; the car has very low clearance, and, for people used to slightly higher cars, its a when, not an if. In one gentlemans unfortunate case, he managed to do this THE VERY AFTERNOON he had purchased the car. Bottom line: Its cosmetic damage only, but the plastic shield actually does serve a purpose in improving aerodynamics at the bottom of the car, and can keep water, mud, and snow from splashing onto the belts and engine. Its a very inexpensive fix--probably around $50 and certainly under $100--and optional. Well probably get it done just to be safe. I called Dione and told her the news from hundreds of miles away. Her attitude: Well, shit happens. (Not quite how she phrased it, but thats the idea.) There are some minor scratches on the paint, but nobody would ever see them unless theyre actively looking.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:48:08 +0000
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