Just another update:
I emailed Ortiz Custom Pods (
https://www.ortizcustompods.com/index.html) and they said they would do the pillar for $200 shipped, but I need to send them the part. I would have to locate the exact part number, price it, and order it. It'll be more than the $210 all-in I paid SoCal GarageWorks, but they stated a 1-2 week turnaround time. Which, considering they SPECIALIZE in custom pods, shouldn't be terribly surprising.
So far as my original order is concerned, it's still in the fabrication process unfortunately. I know they are a legit business, but I keep having to email THEM for updates and they said they shipped it out to another shop out of state? At this point, I think they lost a bit of money on my order; if not in parts and shipping, DEFINITELY in labor. I can't imagine they'll be happy to do this sort of work again.
Unfortunately, the Elantra GT / i30 is just not a popular or volume seller in the US. Even less so based on the limited production numbers of even the N-Line trim, and the fact that the Kona and Veloster and the Elantra SEDAN get all of the attention. It's to the point where, if I needed a more performance-oriented FWD (or AWD...) small turbo mild performance vehicle, with a solid aftermarket, I should spring for either the performance-oriented Veloster (N...), or the higher-volume and more mainstream Kona (honorable mention goes to the KIA Forte GT and Soul GT-Line, and possibly the upcoming Seltos).
Really, at this point in time, if I ever get my pillar... I'll install it and run the gauges since I have the parts. But it's left a sour taste in my mouth, and part of that is due to external factors like vehicle popularity. I enjoy having a less "common" vehicle, but the tradeoff is that this car just doesn't get nearly as much ****ing aftermarket love.
I can't recommend this vendor, because I don't believe they really wanted to fabricate the part, and the fact that I ordered it in JULY 2019.... and here it is... nearly DECEMBER... and I STILL don't have what I paid for. If you want to take a crack at a custom pillar pod, hit up Ortiz. -And our more popular H/K aftermarket vendors, like SXTH (who I have purchased multiple parts from), just flatly decline to fabricate and offer up these kinds of interior parts for our cars. So if that tells you anything...