Thread Starter
#1
Though I own a limited edition Wagon R, which is in very good condition, I have not been driving it for quite some time. We have driven it for over 40000 kms, and never had any breakdown (minor or major). When I shifted to Bangalore, I left the car with my parents. I have been thinking of buying a sedan for quite some time. I started my online search few months back. As I was at work on a merchant ship shuttling between north hemisphere and south hemisphere, internet was the only gateway available. I considered following points for my car:
1. Budget: Around 9 lakhs
2. Engine: Having worked on marine diesel engines for over 8 years, I seriously wanted to own a turbocharged diesel engine. Maximum bhp available in the given price range.
3. I prefer to buy top end model.
4. Comfort: The car should be spacious.
As soon as I came back to India. I started the search for my new car. I considered the following:
1. Mahindra Verito:
I was not affected by so called ‘Taxi Image’. I went to nearby Mahindra outlet. They were prompt to offer a test drive. Though interiors were very dull, the car has a good engine. I loved driving it. And sales guy was so afraid. He kept on telling me to drive easy. Later on he told me that the car has been booked by a customer and is due for delivery after 2 days. (Why he gave me a booked car for TD?) Anyways, I felt at ease right from beginning. The Renault engine is smooth, backed by years of R$D. I didn’t like the wipers and various controls, which M&M have decided not to change as per right hand driving set-up.
2. Toyota Etios:
Largest boot among competition. Looks resemble Verito. I didn’t like the interiors at all. And when I started the engine, cabin noise was too much. TD started smooth. But most of the time, I got stuck while shifting to 2nd gear. The car was out of my list.
3. Ford Fiesta classic:
I went to check Verito once again with my family. But TD vehicle was not ready. So we went to nearby Ford dealership. I found that Ford Fiesta Classic comes in my budget. So asked for a test drive. My kid didn’t like the vehicle (while at Mahindra dealership he went inside new Xylo ). Anyways, rear seat and boot was much smaller than competition. But driving experience was awesome. That’s why its called driver’s car. My wife didn’t like the car.
3. Tata Manza
Earlier, I had not considered it. I heard from everyone about TASS. But since above cars didn’t appeal much, I went to nearby Tata dealership. I saw the car and brochure. Here I came to know about its engine. Believe me, it has very advanced engine, made available at such low price. I asked for TD, but I was informed that TD will be available after 3 days.
Well after 3 days, TD vehicle was at my door step. I took a looong TD. On various types of roads. I liked the car. Huge, comfortable, powerful. My wife liked it too. I booked it the same day. We went for TATA Manza, Elan Quadrajet. Monarch Red colour. Sales guy promised delivery within 20 days. Dealer is Aadya motors, Bangalore. They offered me cash discount of Rs 30000. Onroad price Rs 9.13 lakhs.
Buying Experience
Since I am not working at Bangalore, not even in India, or any particular country. So getting a finance was getting difficult for me. Finally, I got finance from Federal bank at RT Nagar @12.5 %. Though I could arrange for cash purchase, but didn’t want to block my liquid cash, so went for complete 90% finance.
After about a week, dealer calls me and informs that Monarch red colour has been discontinued and I will have to change my choice. Later I went to the dealership. They said, TATA motors have discontinued Monarch red colour. I didn’t like it, but nothing could be done. So I settled for Jet silver. Now dealer says that Jet silver is available, and I can take delivery in 2 days. I said WOW. What’s the VIN. And then manager looks shocked. He says he’ll check again, and later said that car is not available. Actually, he was trying to sell me 12 months old car. He asks 20 days from this day for delivery of car. And my ordeal started from this day. For some reason, they kept delaying the billing of vehicle. It is getting close to one month and the car is yet to be billed. Then only the car will be dispatched from factory. Well I was calling them on daily basis. One day I went to showroom and ASM informed me that the vehicle has been billed and handed over VIN to me (when I asked). To my surprise the VIN was MAT******BLB***** I was so angry. I have been waiting for a month and they have billed a 13 months old car for me. I told him. I wont accept the vehicle. And He is trying to tell me that it is new vehicle. And showed me an email too. Well I said I wont accept it and am going to complain. To this he said, will check once again. And said he is extremely sorry. The vehicle is for another customer. My car is yet to be billed!! At this time, Finally I got in touch with Aadya motors AGM Mr. Naveen. I should have contacted him earlier. He regretted the delay and assured me he will take the matter himself on priority. Within 3 days, my car was billed and I got March 2012 vehicle. Now time for delivery is not far, and I am excited. Finally the car arrives at there stockyard on 28th night. I went to inspect the car on 29th march afternoon. I had made a pre registration checklist, which I diligently followed. The vehicle was in excellent condition, 14km on ODO. A little bit of interior cleaning was required. Delivery scheduled for 31st March @1600 hrs. All of us got ready and headed towards the showroom. The car arrives at 1730 hrs. Spick n span. Inspected the car. Completed the paperwork and headed towards temple. Couldn’t get the number, as some problem with RTOs at Bangalore. Heard that Lokayukta has raided all the RTOs. Anyways, after doing puja, we headed towards Tumkur for a long drive. I am enjoying my car. And my son is enjoying the blutooth function of music system. He says, its first car he has seen, which can call!!
Likes
1. After Wagon R, it’s a big leap for me. I have got a bigger and better car. It is more comfortable.
2. DIS gives very usable information.
3. Steering mounted controls are great. I too like calling from my car !!
4. Seating position is good. Lumbar support on driver’s seat is good.
5. AC is good. Much better than my previous car. Rear ac vents would have been better.
6. The engine has variable geometry turbine. And when it kicks in, The car flies off. Though I have to restrain the horses for atleast 1000kms for running in. I am finding it very hard..
7. Rear seat has miles of space.
Dislikes
1. The very first day, I took for a long drive (night drive). I felt low beam to be very effective. But high beam is not up to the mark. The throw is limited. That means I have to limit speed while driving at night. In a way that’s good. In the mean time, I’ll try to figure out what could be done!
2. Another thing I don’t like is that the central locking/ immobilizer/ security is connected to only 4 doors. My Wagon R Primea also came with same setup, but same could be upgraded to audio alarm, vibration sensor. Also the hatch door and bonnet were connected to the security system. I enquired the dealer. They say, such upgradation is not possible in this system. The system is secure enough. My question is, If someone gets access to boot, no alarm will be activated, and the thief will have easy access to cabin, bonnet, without activating the alarm. They say, I can go for aftermarket security system. Wont that affect the validity of my warranty?? I will need fellow members advice on this.
Well, just got new seat covers for my car. I got a deal near my home at LEE Car Decors, Sahakar nagar for Rs 4800. I went for it, as going to GC Road, heavy traffic, parking problem. Getting it done near home was worth it. I feel they have done a good job.
And since I have got my number from RTO, I am making plans to go for long drives. Need no reason to drive. Earlier my brother n me used to drive 50 kms for a cup of tea and pakoras at a highway dhaba.
I am adding few pics of my new machine. I hope you will like them. Also help me out with the immobilizer issue I have mentioned above.
1. Budget: Around 9 lakhs
2. Engine: Having worked on marine diesel engines for over 8 years, I seriously wanted to own a turbocharged diesel engine. Maximum bhp available in the given price range.
3. I prefer to buy top end model.
4. Comfort: The car should be spacious.
As soon as I came back to India. I started the search for my new car. I considered the following:
1. Mahindra Verito:
I was not affected by so called ‘Taxi Image’. I went to nearby Mahindra outlet. They were prompt to offer a test drive. Though interiors were very dull, the car has a good engine. I loved driving it. And sales guy was so afraid. He kept on telling me to drive easy. Later on he told me that the car has been booked by a customer and is due for delivery after 2 days. (Why he gave me a booked car for TD?) Anyways, I felt at ease right from beginning. The Renault engine is smooth, backed by years of R$D. I didn’t like the wipers and various controls, which M&M have decided not to change as per right hand driving set-up.
2. Toyota Etios:
Largest boot among competition. Looks resemble Verito. I didn’t like the interiors at all. And when I started the engine, cabin noise was too much. TD started smooth. But most of the time, I got stuck while shifting to 2nd gear. The car was out of my list.
3. Ford Fiesta classic:
I went to check Verito once again with my family. But TD vehicle was not ready. So we went to nearby Ford dealership. I found that Ford Fiesta Classic comes in my budget. So asked for a test drive. My kid didn’t like the vehicle (while at Mahindra dealership he went inside new Xylo ). Anyways, rear seat and boot was much smaller than competition. But driving experience was awesome. That’s why its called driver’s car. My wife didn’t like the car.
3. Tata Manza
Earlier, I had not considered it. I heard from everyone about TASS. But since above cars didn’t appeal much, I went to nearby Tata dealership. I saw the car and brochure. Here I came to know about its engine. Believe me, it has very advanced engine, made available at such low price. I asked for TD, but I was informed that TD will be available after 3 days.
Well after 3 days, TD vehicle was at my door step. I took a looong TD. On various types of roads. I liked the car. Huge, comfortable, powerful. My wife liked it too. I booked it the same day. We went for TATA Manza, Elan Quadrajet. Monarch Red colour. Sales guy promised delivery within 20 days. Dealer is Aadya motors, Bangalore. They offered me cash discount of Rs 30000. Onroad price Rs 9.13 lakhs.
Buying Experience
Since I am not working at Bangalore, not even in India, or any particular country. So getting a finance was getting difficult for me. Finally, I got finance from Federal bank at RT Nagar @12.5 %. Though I could arrange for cash purchase, but didn’t want to block my liquid cash, so went for complete 90% finance.
After about a week, dealer calls me and informs that Monarch red colour has been discontinued and I will have to change my choice. Later I went to the dealership. They said, TATA motors have discontinued Monarch red colour. I didn’t like it, but nothing could be done. So I settled for Jet silver. Now dealer says that Jet silver is available, and I can take delivery in 2 days. I said WOW. What’s the VIN. And then manager looks shocked. He says he’ll check again, and later said that car is not available. Actually, he was trying to sell me 12 months old car. He asks 20 days from this day for delivery of car. And my ordeal started from this day. For some reason, they kept delaying the billing of vehicle. It is getting close to one month and the car is yet to be billed. Then only the car will be dispatched from factory. Well I was calling them on daily basis. One day I went to showroom and ASM informed me that the vehicle has been billed and handed over VIN to me (when I asked). To my surprise the VIN was MAT******BLB***** I was so angry. I have been waiting for a month and they have billed a 13 months old car for me. I told him. I wont accept the vehicle. And He is trying to tell me that it is new vehicle. And showed me an email too. Well I said I wont accept it and am going to complain. To this he said, will check once again. And said he is extremely sorry. The vehicle is for another customer. My car is yet to be billed!! At this time, Finally I got in touch with Aadya motors AGM Mr. Naveen. I should have contacted him earlier. He regretted the delay and assured me he will take the matter himself on priority. Within 3 days, my car was billed and I got March 2012 vehicle. Now time for delivery is not far, and I am excited. Finally the car arrives at there stockyard on 28th night. I went to inspect the car on 29th march afternoon. I had made a pre registration checklist, which I diligently followed. The vehicle was in excellent condition, 14km on ODO. A little bit of interior cleaning was required. Delivery scheduled for 31st March @1600 hrs. All of us got ready and headed towards the showroom. The car arrives at 1730 hrs. Spick n span. Inspected the car. Completed the paperwork and headed towards temple. Couldn’t get the number, as some problem with RTOs at Bangalore. Heard that Lokayukta has raided all the RTOs. Anyways, after doing puja, we headed towards Tumkur for a long drive. I am enjoying my car. And my son is enjoying the blutooth function of music system. He says, its first car he has seen, which can call!!
Likes
1. After Wagon R, it’s a big leap for me. I have got a bigger and better car. It is more comfortable.
2. DIS gives very usable information.
3. Steering mounted controls are great. I too like calling from my car !!
4. Seating position is good. Lumbar support on driver’s seat is good.
5. AC is good. Much better than my previous car. Rear ac vents would have been better.
6. The engine has variable geometry turbine. And when it kicks in, The car flies off. Though I have to restrain the horses for atleast 1000kms for running in. I am finding it very hard..
7. Rear seat has miles of space.
Dislikes
1. The very first day, I took for a long drive (night drive). I felt low beam to be very effective. But high beam is not up to the mark. The throw is limited. That means I have to limit speed while driving at night. In a way that’s good. In the mean time, I’ll try to figure out what could be done!
2. Another thing I don’t like is that the central locking/ immobilizer/ security is connected to only 4 doors. My Wagon R Primea also came with same setup, but same could be upgraded to audio alarm, vibration sensor. Also the hatch door and bonnet were connected to the security system. I enquired the dealer. They say, such upgradation is not possible in this system. The system is secure enough. My question is, If someone gets access to boot, no alarm will be activated, and the thief will have easy access to cabin, bonnet, without activating the alarm. They say, I can go for aftermarket security system. Wont that affect the validity of my warranty?? I will need fellow members advice on this.
Well, just got new seat covers for my car. I got a deal near my home at LEE Car Decors, Sahakar nagar for Rs 4800. I went for it, as going to GC Road, heavy traffic, parking problem. Getting it done near home was worth it. I feel they have done a good job.
And since I have got my number from RTO, I am making plans to go for long drives. Need no reason to drive. Earlier my brother n me used to drive 50 kms for a cup of tea and pakoras at a highway dhaba.
I am adding few pics of my new machine. I hope you will like them. Also help me out with the immobilizer issue I have mentioned above.
![[confused]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Confused.gif "Confused [confused]")
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")