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#1
Being residing 20km off Coimbatore and frequent highway runs, our running is normally high. Our current fleet consists of diesel cars from the mighty XUV 500 to the Sail U-Va. Sail U-va is the primary city car and frequent trips to Madurai. THe car has run 38000 kms in about 20 months. Running on second set of tyres after the stock apollo worn out in 30000 kms.
We bought our Sail U-Va diesel in December 2012. In the first 10 days of delivery, two visits to the service station was required, one was for a suspension noise which was rectified promptly. Another was for ABS brakes of the car, it was a recall from company and we were asked to get it done ASAP. My dad was using the car then and he observed wheels locking on hard braking which was better after this visit. Also, this isn’t a car you can take above speeds of 80kph, due to nervous steering which requires a firm hand and a suspension that never feels settled.
Then there were a glow plug warning sign that came up couple of times, which they fixed it saying some sensor was changed. Then it happened. My uncle, aunt and their 6 month old kid + driver were travelling to chennai and when they were 100 kms from their destination the glow plug warning light came up. In another 10 odd kilometres the engine stopped and refused to start. Imagine being stuck somewhere near chennai around 2PM. Chevrolet road side assistance very reluctantly(sunday) came to their aid after almost 2 hours but alas they couldn’t fix it on the spot and the car had to be towed to the service station. In the mean time, the uncle whose house they were going to, drove down to pick them up.They had the car for 5 days and fixed the problem though they couldn’t give any direct reason for the problem.
Our first car was a amby(with matador engine), then we have owned Marutis(Swift D, Esteem D, Baleno), Mahindras (XUV, Verito vibe, Logan), VW Vento, Skoda Fabia and more recently a Honda Mobilio. We have never been stranded in any car except amby, which required constant watering on long drives and after one such refill, dad forgot to tighten the cap. On the move the cap jumped and hit the alternator causing a short circuit and wires burnt luckily in front a electrical mechanic and we were good to go in 2 hours after he installed fresh wires for headlamp and starter motor only. We haven’t faced any such problems in our others cars but for Sail U-va. After this incident, no one was ready to take Sail out of city and it has been 3 months since, we lost all the confidence in the car and tried to sell. But this 1 and a half year old car, bought for 7,10,000 was rated at 3lakhs to 3.5 lakhs for exchange. Sure I could get more from private buyers but it wont be much different from dealer quote. In contrast, my 2008 Swift Vdi(OTR 5.5 lakhs) which ran over a lakh kilometres in 4 years was sold for 4.4 lakhs in a sale mediated by Chevrolet sales advisor.
The same uncle took the car to nagapattinam yesterday and again a warning light came up(not sure if it is the same) on their way back and engine lost some power. Driver took the car today morning and they can only pinpoint the problem after a detailed evaluation and can deliver the car on monday morning. In the mean time, you can get your car serviced. What service? it isn’t for another 7000 kms. Then came the reply that Chevrolet has reduced oil change interval by half to 7500 kms/6 months from the earlier 15000km/1year. I have asked them to give it in writing. While I called up Chevrolet helpline and they also confirmed this new service schedule, to safeguard the engine based on feedback.
This has been the biggest regret for us, as far as car purchases are concerned. Even the Fabia which was at service centre for 45 days waiting for AC compressor never gave us this scare of being stranded. I will never go for a Chevrolet again.
We bought our Sail U-Va diesel in December 2012. In the first 10 days of delivery, two visits to the service station was required, one was for a suspension noise which was rectified promptly. Another was for ABS brakes of the car, it was a recall from company and we were asked to get it done ASAP. My dad was using the car then and he observed wheels locking on hard braking which was better after this visit. Also, this isn’t a car you can take above speeds of 80kph, due to nervous steering which requires a firm hand and a suspension that never feels settled.
Then there were a glow plug warning sign that came up couple of times, which they fixed it saying some sensor was changed. Then it happened. My uncle, aunt and their 6 month old kid + driver were travelling to chennai and when they were 100 kms from their destination the glow plug warning light came up. In another 10 odd kilometres the engine stopped and refused to start. Imagine being stuck somewhere near chennai around 2PM. Chevrolet road side assistance very reluctantly(sunday) came to their aid after almost 2 hours but alas they couldn’t fix it on the spot and the car had to be towed to the service station. In the mean time, the uncle whose house they were going to, drove down to pick them up.They had the car for 5 days and fixed the problem though they couldn’t give any direct reason for the problem.
Our first car was a amby(with matador engine), then we have owned Marutis(Swift D, Esteem D, Baleno), Mahindras (XUV, Verito vibe, Logan), VW Vento, Skoda Fabia and more recently a Honda Mobilio. We have never been stranded in any car except amby, which required constant watering on long drives and after one such refill, dad forgot to tighten the cap. On the move the cap jumped and hit the alternator causing a short circuit and wires burnt luckily in front a electrical mechanic and we were good to go in 2 hours after he installed fresh wires for headlamp and starter motor only. We haven’t faced any such problems in our others cars but for Sail U-va. After this incident, no one was ready to take Sail out of city and it has been 3 months since, we lost all the confidence in the car and tried to sell. But this 1 and a half year old car, bought for 7,10,000 was rated at 3lakhs to 3.5 lakhs for exchange. Sure I could get more from private buyers but it wont be much different from dealer quote. In contrast, my 2008 Swift Vdi(OTR 5.5 lakhs) which ran over a lakh kilometres in 4 years was sold for 4.4 lakhs in a sale mediated by Chevrolet sales advisor.
The same uncle took the car to nagapattinam yesterday and again a warning light came up(not sure if it is the same) on their way back and engine lost some power. Driver took the car today morning and they can only pinpoint the problem after a detailed evaluation and can deliver the car on monday morning. In the mean time, you can get your car serviced. What service? it isn’t for another 7000 kms. Then came the reply that Chevrolet has reduced oil change interval by half to 7500 kms/6 months from the earlier 15000km/1year. I have asked them to give it in writing. While I called up Chevrolet helpline and they also confirmed this new service schedule, to safeguard the engine based on feedback.
This has been the biggest regret for us, as far as car purchases are concerned. Even the Fabia which was at service centre for 45 days waiting for AC compressor never gave us this scare of being stranded. I will never go for a Chevrolet again.
![[cry]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cry.gif "Cry [cry]")
and I would certainly vote a BIG NO for Chevrolet for anyone who is a first time car buyer. ![[confused]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Confused.gif "Confused [confused]")
