Honda City 1.5 EXi--Ownership Report


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Hello everybody.
Guys i dont know how to write a ownership report as i never wrote any before but still here i will try to elaborate everything i can in a brief way to review of my Honda City 1.5EXi.

Storyline..
Year 2005. My dad decided to buy a car for family use. It was our first car. Budget was 4lacs.

We would had got a first hand hatchback but needed a sedan, so opted to go for second hand sedan as first hand was not possible budget wise.

We were offered many cars like ford escort, ikon, a sparingly used indigo of that time, ascent, esteem and indica. But none impressed us for a reason or two. Either of them was not in that good condition, not neatly maintained or had bad FE and also some other major minor xyz reasons.

Still waited for something good and voila!! Was offered this car.
It was very well maintained by the previous owner, had no accident or whatsoever record, and all that was justified with its pure STOCK looks both in and out. It was truly professionally used. And for 3.5 lacs it was a sure steal to deal offer. It had clocked 53000kms

Finally the day arrived after some sleepless but excitement filled nights.

Car specs:
Model: Honda City 1.5 EXi/ year 2000/ M.T Petrol
Color: Warm silver( Golden)
Date of purchase: May 2005
Rubber Burnt till date: 64102km
Any Mods: No, Complete stock
Mileage: 13kmpl city and 15kmpl highway

First glance: The exterior look
At my first look to the city the real eye catchy thing was its amazing look and style. Also it looked so brand new as if i thought it was mistaken as a second hand and i was in a dream, truly. Nothing was renewed physically-- no repainting or tyre changes, absolutely nothing. But i did observed minutely some scratch at the rear left bumper and another on left mirror body but nothing more than that. my car came fitted with Silicon Auto-cop which was another reason to cherish. I dint like the stock wheels and still dont like those but hey i got the best machine and tires can be changed anytime. And so the time is now!! And lastly the shiny Honda H emblem, the hologram adds to our pride---owning a Japanese machine--its an attitude man!!! [thumbswink]

Interiors:
As i said earlier it was a complete stock car and so were the interiors. Only thing we changed /applied was new seat covers matching the warm silver( Golden) color of my car. The dashboard stuff and A/C vents were in good functioning condition. There are no rear A/C vents which i thought were needed but it was only when i realized on a looong journey that the A/C cools up inside temps quickly and so nicely that rear vents werent needed. But they should had been provided.
The audio system was Honda's stock--a basic FM tuner/ cassette player working good. With the default speakers, front and rear ones. A/c knobs were working smoothly and also the inside automated mirror adjustment controller which fascinated me as i never heard of this thing at that time. There is a small boot space in between front seats to keep cds/cassettes or anything handy stuff with a cover. Thats sweet and i keep my spectacle box, cell chargers and freshener in it. Just underneath steering wheel theres a space under dashboard which fits perfectly to keep your cell phone or ipod or wallet. Its safe from outside world and handy too.

Comfort:
The car has person capacity for 5. Sitting inside the car makes you feel as if you are too close to the road---low seating experience. And when you are in the traffic you can clearly see everything underneath a truck [:)]. Yet its so comfortable you can never go tired and travel comfortably enjoying the drive. Last but not the least--It has got all four power windows controlled individually and as well centrally and can be locked as well. It really made an impression in my friends group as everyones car have only front power windows.

Boot space:
It has got a really spacious boot space. Atleast enough for our family of four to go on long tours. It accommodates lots of luggage in that big trunk.

Driving experience.:
Ah! what to say? Feels great to seat on the driving seat. The car would get its power from good old Exide battery which was later replaced by Amaron. The 1500CC powered engine gives you 100BHP which is simple awesome. It acceleration is simply amazing and the RPM roars like anything. It has got amazingly good pickup and its handling is truly handy--play or spoil the way you want to with the power steering. Braking is pretty smooth and very responsive no matter at what speeds you will be at a halt or slow down smoothly rather effectively.
Its 5 speed + 1rev manual gear shifting as i felt is not that smooth but now got used to it.
Still in everyday traffic i make sure i m ahead of everyone thanx to her been so kind and loyal. This car is superb and has descent road grip. It is a pleasure to drive this car rather than the driver doing it.
Yet, today the performance hasnt degraded IMHO. On highways its fun racing with others as you easily overtake your opponents either you want to or your dont. It has the capability to act sweet and at the same time be aggressive when needed.

Best drive:
Drove to Nashik in exact 2hr 50mins at an easy to go 150kmph-155kmph constant in drizzy rains and moreover in to and fro journey it only consumed perfectly half tank fuel. Now isnt that pretty impressive??

Servicing:
Initially my car was handled by a local driver for a year because he was the one to drop and pick up dad between home and office. And when i got the car i was just learning to drive. But slowly i got to know that the driver was not servicing the car and it was only one of those days when my father meet a personnel from Arya Honda, we sent our car for professional servicing for first time. Man i got too much impressed with the guys and their work at arya. They took a test drive first to check if all is well with the driving terms. Then came to notice that it was time to put in new suspensions and wiper nozzles, doors stoppers were need to be replaced. They gave me an estimation of what needs to be changed. All fluids under bonet were changed (oils, coolant etc.) Car was home in two days.
From then onwards we took AMC of servicing, it incls. both major and minor serv. Now car is serviced every three months and they remind us of the same and sent their drive to pickup and drop.

Its her 4th yr (actually 8th yr counting from 1st owner) and still going smooth yet fast and delivering the best out of her.
I' m really proud to own this machine...my first love, undoubtedly.

All praises and no eyebrow raises is what i think.
Still the following:

Pros:
Amazing Style
Excellent engine
Great fuel efficiency
Superb performance
Cozy comfort
Smooth ride
All four power windows
Electronic mirror adjustment

Cons:
The stock interiors literally dont match the car--they look awful IMO.
No air bags or any safety feature (i guess at that time no car offered but correct me)
No Rear A/C vents

Will buy another machine but wont sell this one.

Now looking forward to little bit mod my machine hope you guys will equally help me--a noob.

I will add more pictures in a day or two.

 
Joined
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great write up buddy. you have covered everything.

BTW, no car in that segment had or has rear AC vents!

OT: why not add your intro thread in the introduction segment?
 
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Hey nice report buddy!! Add some more pics of your beauty!! I always liked the Honda city for its Performance and great FE!!
 
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Nice report man,well written.

About the stock interiors,they were one of the best at those times,simple & straight.
Why don't you try & polish the dash to bring back the shine ?
 
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Nice review.You will surely get some idea on modifications. Post more pictures.
Keep enjoying City, it is the best car in this segment.
Yes Honda should provide better interiors. At the price tag, City deserves these.

BTW, no car in that segment had or has rear AC vents!
I think Linea has reas AC vents? I read somewhere, but not sure.

OT: why not add your intro thread in the introduction segment?
He already did Ronit
 
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Hey Ronit
The review you have given is precise.
This is what I have to say about your car.
The previous Owner had driven the car for 53000 kms in 5 years (about 884 km/month)
And you( second owner) has driven it for 11102 kms in 4 years(about 232 km/month)
The running of your car is very less.I'll suggest you to definitely change the tyres but change to alloys on a later stage.The stock rims are still in good condition is what I presume.
And do take her for a spin often,you still have about 40K kms of engine life left before an engine overhaul.

Its just my opinion.
 
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Thread Starter #8
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thanks mate.

Serviced my car last week and Honda people said my rear right rim and stepney rim are damaged. And they have suggested to change the tyres since a year back.

Now the time is to change both, rims as well tyres so why not go for the best.
Also since i got my car its the only time dad gave me a chance to upgrade. I dont want to miss this opportunity. I m upgrading what is essential for the time being though i wish a lot more.
[:)]
 
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Also since i got my car its the only time dad gave me a chance to upgrade. I dont want to miss this opportunity. I m upgrading what is essential for the time being though i wish a lot more.
[:)]
So you have 30K for Alloys, Tyres, And ICE. Or do you have a different bugdet for ICE??
 
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But rim change is urgently required by you as 2rims of your are damaged(as mentioned in your post).
So 30K for tubeless tyres is enough as already suggested by RSM. So 15k-20K for rims. So you will have still 5-10k left. You can go for decent ICE (not if you are a rock listner),but i would recommend you to leave ice for the time being since rims are more important.
 

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