Story of Dream, Desire & Obsession - The All New Honda City


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To start with: A bit about myself and my desire

My first learning phase of driving [drive]:
Started to learn to steer while I was on 3rd std, on my Dad's driver seat.
Vehicle: Fiat 1100 - Italian make (A Vintage now)
I never knew what comfort was. I never knew how to shift gears. But I knew how to steer and what happens when we steer (With supervision) and the purpose of brake.

Years passed and the next car in our family, where I learnt to drive:
Vehicle: Maruti Omni

I still did not know what comfort was. I started to stretch my legs and started to drive before I entered college. (High school vacation).

I was driving for 2 days in isolated roads to get control on gears, clutch & brakes. The 3rd day, I managed to hit the main road with my skills of maneuvering developed in years and i was successful - A dream came true.

The next car in my family: Honda City 1.3 (The old beauty)
I started to know about what comfort was. I started to vroom!
It was a dream machine for me after moving from a Maruti Omni. That’s where I started to love Honda: "The Power of Dreams”
We never paid high on maintenance (Honda is maintenance free) and it is still fuel efficient after 97,000 KMs done (13-15 on city & 15-18 on highways)!

The hunt begun:

I started my hunt for a new car - for myself about 2 years ago.
It started my hunt with a Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i10, and i20. But, I then changed my mind from a Hatch to Sedan.

I had no specific budget in mind when i started my hunt. All i wanted is comfort and luxury similar to my dad's city.
My usage will not be more than 1000KMs per month. So I was not much into going for a Diesel car.
Swift Dzire, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Verna were the options in my mind. I never wanted to go for a Honda first. I wanted to try any other brand.

I took a test drive of Ford Fiesta.

Likes:

1. The elegant look
2. Interiors
3. Stylish dashboard

Dislikes:

1. No luxury in rear seat
2. High maintenance (as far as i heard)
3. Engine noise even when the vehicle is standstill

I then decided not to test drive the Swift desire and Hyundai Verna.

1. I did not like the looks of the desire. (Big Back, front look similar to swift)
2. My BIL had a worst experience with his new Verna. There was a leak in the ignition chamber and they had a miraculous escape during a long drive

I then revisited my options and decided to try the ANHC and VW Vento.

Firstly, i took a test drive of ANHC - AT (I did not require it but thought of giving a try), as it was the only test car available at that time of day.
I loved the looks, the comfort and the suspension.
The dashboard stole my mind all time. The bright Orange color was fascinating and i could not take my eyes off.

The demo car was about 400 KMs done and it was smooth.
There was no engine noise –I felt the car was not started!
I liked the boot space and the turning radius in my first test drive of ANHC.
I was not really comfortable with the paddle shift (I was very new to it and it was the first AT vehicle i drove).
Then, I scanned the models in the showroom and liked the S-MT.
The dealer promised me a test drive the next day with the MT. I agreed and left. I then thought of TD a Vento the same day so that i can make out the differences.

Later I went to the VW showroom and checked out the Vento and it was good in ground clearance and the look was impressive!
I did not like the way how the rear seat was positioned on a big hump in the middle. It was not at all comfortable for 5 people.
The features like rear AC and climate control was new but i did not feel the need of it.
The Highline model was the one to compare with the S-MT of ANHC.
I took a test drive. I liked the steering comfort but i did not like the arm rest. I felt it was little awkward when compared to City. I was not sure if i would have got adapted to it on a long run.
The boot space was more or less the same in my comparison. The safety features did not take over my mind. It sounded more or less the same except for the crossover in the boot.
The alloy wheels were good. The look was inspiring with them.
I felt the vehicle a bit rough and rigid (European car & German engineering) in the petrol version. Few may love the roughness though!
I was not happy with the turning radius of the Vento.
I decided to give a try the next day too while comparing the City's MT - TD. The VW dealer was not much cooperative as they had too many test drives scheduled but somehow they managed to get me a slot.
I researched in this site and other site about the reviews and comparisons. New ideas came into my mind like maintainance costs, service, value for money, dealership, warranty, road side assistance, resale value & trust.

Honda took an edge over Vento apart from the value for money - yes, you need to pay a premium of about a lakh.

I then took a test drive of the City MT for about 40 km (roads ranging from best to worst in the suburbs).

Likes:

1. Power & quick pick up
2. Gear shifting ratio
3. Suspension
4. Rear passenger comfort - space under the rear seat to change seating position for long drives
5. Ride quality
6. ABS control during a break in a sharp turn
7. Steering comfort & control
8. Volume & Channel control in the steering
9. Adjustable driver seat
10. AC coverage
11. Inbuilt music system's quality & usage of USB port [music]
12. Engine smoothness even while on drive at around 2500 – 3000 RPM

Dislikes:

1. Ground clearance
2. Interior plastics

Now came the time to test drive the Vento but did not find much difference compared to my previous TD in it. This test drive was also in the same road that i took the City for a TD

Likes:

1. Ground clearance
2. Body and interior quality
3. Climate control
4. ABS in the same kind of testing with City

Dislikes:

1. The engine was quite rough & noisy
2. Pickup was not as expected
3. Rear passenger comfort level was less

Even though VW Vento is arguably a good competitor, i did not feel the ride quality, smoothness, comfort & power in it apart from service & dealership coverage.
After thinking for about a day i decided to pay a premium and get the City.

I enquired with Honda and they had a good offer with One year free insurance, corporate discount of 7.5K with on stock cars.
My choice was "Urban titanium" and it was unfortunately not in the stock.
I made up my mind to push them further and get my choice with the offers and finally got it. I got them to get me other good offers along with the offer they had:

1. Full tank petrol on delivery
2. Body cover
3. Backup sensor
4. Any TVS HONDA service (Got my car from TVS HONDA, Coimbatore & will be driving it in Chennai)
5. All other charges waived off (Delivery charges, Regn charges)
6. Additional RSA after 5 years

I just had to pay the Ex. Showroom price + Road tax + fancy number charges.

The car has been delivered today and i was quite unfortunate to get stuck in Chennai. My parents took the delivery.
"It goes like a beast" was the first drive comment!
 

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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Hello truecitylover,

Welcome to The Automotive India. Excellent writeup. I am sure your writeup will be very useful for the ones who are in dilemma in choosing between Vento and City. Do pour in more pics of your Japnese beauty.

Cheers,
Akash
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Congrats truecitylover! Your love for your city shows in your user name [;)]. You must be the 3rd or the 4th owner of an ANHC on TAI. You're lucky to have driven a test drive car for 40 kms. I dont think anyone will reject the car after driving it for this long. Do post more pics buddy. Wish you many miles of happiness.
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

congrats . city vs vento was good comparison . More pic should be here
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Excellent writ-up and congratulations for your purchase! What is happening to TAI , it was raining Punto's first and now raining City's?

Glad to see that you are also from Chennai! Even though Honda charges a premium for City i feel its worth paying the amount as Honda cars comes with that peace of mind factor!


Waiting for more pictures.
 
Thread Starter #6
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Hello Guys,
Thank you for the very warm welcome given here!
Posting few pics of my beauty. Will be posting a detailed reply for your posts shortly [:)]
Cheers!
 

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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

welcome to TAI truecitylover!

Congrats on your ANHC and have a wonderful stay here!.

Like Dhaya said, I guess your is the second or third Honda City in TAI this week alone!

City speaks for itself! no explanations needed. Simply the best! Have a wonderful time & many happy miles with the car buddy![thumbsup]

And a wonderful thread you have started here! Congrats again!
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Congrats on buying the best selling C+ segment car in India.

Just out of curiosity, why did you not even consider the Linea TJET?
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Congrats on buying the best selling C+ segment car in India.

Just out of curiosity, why did you not even consider the Linea TJET?
HONDA means peace of mind. just imagine what is fiat in india? it should be as simple as that


congrats truecitylover for a superb ride!!
 
Thread Starter #10
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

@ Akash: Thank you for the comments!!! The pictures showcased here are the ones that were taken while she was in the showroom. Once i booked her, she was moved from the yard to the showroom and then inside the service center. I will be posting her latest pics (After delivery) soon once i drive her tonite.
@ Avindu: Thanks to you too. The test drive for that distance was a for being a loyal Honda customer for years. I hope to see more buddies with ANHC.
@ mastersquall: Thank you. Will be posting more shortly.
@ cooldhaya: Glad that i have also spotted a lot of TAI members from Chennai. The premium was not that much as i thought. The offers made me feel like no premium infact!
@ HoLySaTaN: Thanks once again!
@ Ichimaru: Thank you!!!Hope you read my first love for cars. Fiat is Fiat. I felt that the brand was too old and I was impressed by Honda - Overall (Since we already have a City @ home).
@jayadev: I completely agree with you. It is peace of mind. Thank you once again :)
 
Thread Starter #11
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Continuing from my previous posts...
The ADI (After delivery Inspection) by me was a memorable one.
2 friends accompanied me all the way from Chennai to get a glimpise of my beauty and share my happiness (Friends do it for marriages too).
Excitement was on and the countdown was going on for hours.
I reached hoemtown by 8:30 PM & Dad was waiting for me with a big smile. My beauty stood apart from other beauties in the parking lot.
My number plate was really dashing.
Opened the door, sat inside and connected my iPod. Glad that the player recognized my iPod in the first attempt (Had few instances in other cars where i had to do try it couple of times after that it worked like a charm).
Had a word with my dad about the ride quality, blah..blah...blah...
Started the engine, prayed god, first gear, and whoosh...The journey started...[clap]
It was a enthrilled journey. Will post the complete details soon! Posting 1 new pic now.
Mods: Please excuse my disclosure of the number plate - afterall let it be of some worth for the amount shelled on it.:please:
 

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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

congrats truecitylover for your ALL NEW HONDA CITY.

you bought an excellent car and will never regret your decision. the color is very good in fact i too was going for this color but my mom disapproved it so i choose the red color.
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

congrats truecitylover.
A nice color BTW, it makes the car look like a beautiful gun.
Planning for any upgrades viz alloys, parking sensors etc?

What is this backup sensor BTW(is it the same parking sensors)?
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

Congrats Truecity lover on your new Acquisition.
Wish you miles of Safe & Happy Motoring.[:)]

I can see the sensors on front.
Was it additional fitment?

How does it shows the distance in the front?
 
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Re: A story of dream, desire & obsession - The All New Honda City

What is this backup sensor BTW(is it the same parking sensors)?
yes they are same.

Mods: Please excuse my disclosure of the number plate - afterall let it be of some worth for the amount shelled on it.:please:
you can hide the beginning letters like TN and series.
 
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