The Grey Skid – Chevy Beat TCDi LS (December 2012)


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deville_56

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A short story:

The Story:
Aunt wanted a car after riding scooter for a long time and all her colleagues having car. She had soft corner towards Hyundai Eon. Budget was real tight so was the parking space. So an affordable small car, but not a bare-bone car. She never liked the Nano, not much liked the Alto, and won’t settle for the disastrous looking. I took TD of Eon the day we TD’d and booked the i-gen i20. Interior was great leap from the cheap cars we usually see, feature rich, but was a bit overpriced and the engine was a bit let down (though I never felt so). We wanted LPG variant, but was year end and dealer wanted to clear 2012 inventory and had to settle for a petrol variant. Paid 10k and booked one Era+.

The Twist:
Cousin bro was a perfectionist and was leaned towards Germans and never wanted a Korean car. He wanted Polo, but sis never wanted a big car (practicality). After debates zeroed to 3 cars – VW Polo TDi, Honda Brio A/T and Chevy Beat (choices may be confusing, each satisfied one thing or other, but none satisfied everything). Dropped Polo, too costly. Brio A/T out, minimum 2 month waiting period. Last option, Beat. Decided to take LPG, but settled for diesel. They guy there convinced everything, was straight forward, no brand bash or anything, point to point. Unfortunately, he left job beginning of this month.

Outline:
An affordable little car, runs and costs like a petrol, economical like a diesel. Not much negative review. Took TD and decided to book. LT was the top model, booked LS (had to stretch the budget for more than a lakh to reach here).

Dealership Experience:
Everything went fast. From TD to loan approval to delivery took just 10 days. Never had to run behind anything, dealer agent for everything.

D-Day: 21 December 2012.
Dealer: Deedi Motors, Trivandrum

On-road price: 5.31 L after free insurance.


Roll out
2012-12-21 16-58-29.jpg

2012-12-21 16-59-07.jpg

In the den,
2012-12-21 18-51-08.jpg

Freebies:
2012-12-21 17-39-13.jpg

2012-12-21 17-39-24.jpg

2012-12-24 17-59-37.jpg

Verdict about the car:
Don't rattle like the Suzukis. Virtually no turbo lag, though it is there some. Tuned for city, still does 100-120 on highway without revving much. Did 20kmph in 5th with 4 on board without lugging. Diesel clatter is a bit let down. Demo car and many others around were silent like petrol.

Freebies:
I love Chevy softie.
Owneship folder
Mudflaps
Mats

Paid Accessories:
Boot mat
Reverse sensor
Antenna
Door Visor
Seat cover
Underbody coating.


1 month/1k km inspection over
Just inspection and some body work and painting (tight parking). Dealer offers free pickup and drop. We took the car for service and they delivered it back home, full 15 kms. Also did 3M door pad coating.

ICE'd - Pioneer MVH-355BT + JBL CS-4 + JBL GT6-266 > ICE 1.0
10k km in 8 months >> Crossed 10k km
ICE upgrade >> JBL GTO-959 and MDF parcel tray added
1st Free Service >> 1st free service - 15000 km/1 year
Frameless Wipers >> Snapdeal Wiper
Horn Upgrade 1.0 >> Denso Compact Fullpower Tone
3D Mats + Painted + New ORVM + Speedex number plates >> Star Mat plus more
First Paid Service >> First Paid Service - 22500 km/1.5 years.
Fog lamp 1.0 + Numeber Plate Frames >> Fog lamp
30000 km Sercvice Update/First Service outside ASC + New ORVM>> 30000 km Service
Sixth ORVM >> ORVM
Brake Overhaul >> Never-ending Brake Trouble
Brake Booster Changed >> Booster
Oil Change + New Battery + Painting + New Tyres (Nankang N729 175/65R15) >> Amaron + Paint + Nankang
Door actuator + Air Filter >> Misc.
Engine seized >> Flatbed ride
Engine Overhaul + New Turbo + Fuel Pump >> Engine Out Completely
Fog lamp 2.0 >> New set of fogs
Honeymoon Trip >> Trivandrum - Kodaikanal - Trivandrum (850 km)
Crossed 50000 km >> 50k
Bosch Clear Advantage Wiper Blades + Cracked Gear Knob + Car Cover >> Misc
Rubber Gear Knob Cover + AC Switch Packs Up >> Misc
 
Last edited:
Thread Starter #2

deville_56

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Sorry for poor image quality, someone messed with camera settings [frustration]

A look around:

What a mod-friendly car [evil]

2012-12-24 17-58-05.jpg

2012-12-24 16-17-02.jpg

2012-12-24 16-17-30.jpg

2012-12-24 16-17-39.jpg

2012-12-24 16-27-44.jpg


LT got a full integrated spoiler

2012-12-24 16-27-38.jpg


Only thing differentiating it from the petrol counterpart

2012-12-24 16-28-02.jpg


Prominent grille.

2012-12-24 16-34-30.jpg

2012-12-24 16-34-49.jpg


The bowtie. Korean in American disguise.

2012-12-24 17-56-19.jpg


The headlight.

2012-12-24 16-34-36.jpg


Pseudo-parklight-pod to make multibarrel look

2012-12-24 17-57-24.jpg


Foglamp pod. Will be adding one soon.

2012-12-24 16-34-41.jpg


The cockpit

2012-12-24 16-19-35.jpg

2012-12-21 17-39-39.jpg


Small and neatly contoured wheel gives luxurious feel. Steering well weighted unlike the Maruti's EPS's dead feel.

2012-12-21 17-39-47.jpg


Main attraction. Not to everyone's taste, a bit futuristic.

2012-12-21 17-40-53.jpg

2013-01-20 20-15-01.jpg


Miss LT's automatic climate control.

2012-12-21 17-40-28.jpg


Everything with warm blue backlit.

2012-12-21 17-42-51.jpg


They could've fixed a clock or MID here.

2012-12-21 17-41-06.jpg


Instead just the water-in-fuel warning.

2012-12-21 17-41-33.jpg


Key key

2012-12-21 17-40-16.jpg


OEM accessory, security system.

2012-12-21 17-40-04.jpg


Rebranded Autocop.

2012-12-24 16-38-48.jpg
 
Thread Starter #3

deville_56

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Stalk-operated ORVM

2012-12-21 17-43-46.jpg


Neated rims ever. and a 14-incher in a small car, where others were busy fitting high profile baloon like 13-inchers spoiling look and handling.

2012-12-24 16-17-50.jpg


Chevy did justice not compromising for cycle tyres. 165/65 R14

2012-12-24 16-18-02.jpg


Tinted glass. 70% all around and 75% in front.

2012-12-24 16-18-48.jpg


Another neat touch. First-timers always search for the handle.

2012-12-24 16-18-59.jpg


OE visor. GM accessories priced in par with the local stuff. We get great quality stuff for cheap replica's price.

2012-12-24 16-19-21.jpg


OE seat cover. Color matched with interiors.

2012-12-24 16-20-43.jpg

2012-12-24 16-20-09.jpg

2012-12-24 16-20-51.jpg


Best bowtie in the car, nice feel.

2012-12-24 16-21-05.jpg


OE mats. Made of jute, perfect fit, fixed with Velcro, don't slip from position.

2012-12-24 16-21-29.jpg


Added PackyPoda rubber mats for the fear of OE mat getting damaged.

2012-12-24 16-21-50.jpg


Easy access fuse box.

2012-12-24 16-21-58.jpg


EPS motor visible.

2012-12-24 16-22-27.jpg


Piano black finish. Coin holder doubles up as the cover of aux switch location.

2012-12-24 16-22-57.jpg


Fully closable AC vents.
2012-12-24 16-23-03.jpg


ICE location. Setup on the way.

2012-12-24 16-23-10.jpg


Cubbyholes and cup holders.

2012-12-24 16-23-24.jpg

2012-12-24 16-24-01.jpg

2012-12-24 16-23-42.jpg


Aux power socket.

2012-12-24 16-23-35.jpg


Levers

2012-12-24 16-23-50.jpg

2012-12-24 16-23-55.jpg


Glovebox carved in for leg space. Not as cramped as Brio's.

2012-12-24 16-24-14.jpg


Dashboard neatly finished.

2012-12-24 16-24-25.jpg
 
Thread Starter #4

deville_56

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Scope for CF jobs

2012-12-24 16-24-33.jpg

2012-12-24 16-24-42.jpg


Front door pad. Houses bottle holder.

2012-12-24 16-24-51.jpg


Rear door pad. Handle location makes it a bit claustrophobic.

2012-12-24 16-27-31.jpg


Front speaker location. Takes in 4 inchers. Limited performance.

2012-12-24 16-25-04.jpg


Rear speaker location. 4x6 inchers only, virtually no options available.

2012-12-24 16-30-23.jpg


2012-12-24 16-25-09.jpg


Center console AC vents nor shuttable.

2012-12-24 16-25-17.jpg


Rubber covers look out of place.

2012-12-24 16-25-24.jpg

2012-12-24 16-25-31.jpg


RPS integrated to mirror. Another dealer fitment. Annoying lady yelling to stop.

2012-12-24 16-37-12.jpg


Body colored sensors done by dealer.

2012-12-24 16-27-52.jpg


Boot and tray.

2012-12-24 16-30-56.jpg

2012-12-24 16-28-34.jpg


OE boot mat.

2012-12-24 16-28-44.jpg


Everything neatly arranged in pressed thermocol. No rattles.

2012-12-24 16-28-52.jpg


60/40 split-fold seat. Folding is a bit painful.

2012-12-24 16-31-30.jpg

2012-12-24 16-31-46.jpg

2012-12-24 16-32-11.jpg


Bottom piece removable.
2012-12-24 16-32-50.jpg


Finally the engine. GM developed 3-pot variant of national engine.

2012-12-24 16-35-04.jpg

2012-12-24 16-35-25.jpg


Padding for NVH. Not fully effective.
2012-12-24 16-36-08.jpg


BSIV

2012-12-24 16-36-23.jpg


Owner's Manual

2012-12-24 18-03-20.jpg
 
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Congratulations on your new acquisition buddy[clap] and what an ownership review.

Very detail and full of pics, covered every inch of the car.

Wishing you many many happy and safe miles with your new ride.
 
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deville_56, many congratulations for the new car in family. Really appreciate the comprehensive report well illustrated by the pics.

Like you mentioned in your report, Beat is indeed a mod friendly vehicle.
 
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That was a nice and best ownership review as always deville. Thanks for Sharing and i like the sharp and modern looks of the Beat.

Honestly saying, Beat has become famous for lady drivers, i see many lady drivers driving the beat, which is good, and the main thing is the engine oil change is for every 15000 kms itseems! Pretty good cost saver for an individual.

The pricing is very good and makes a sensible buy when compared to other hatches in the segment, MJD, decent features list , less maintenance what more do you want?

Even the boot is decent for such a small car.

Thanks for sharing and please do update on the ICE part.
 
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Congrats, wishing you happy miles. I am also planning to buy same car same colour and same variant . How much did you pay for seat covers and what ICE you have installed?
 
Thread Starter #11

deville_56

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Congrats, wishing you happy miles. I am also planning to buy same car same colour and same variant . How much did you pay for seat covers and what ICE you have installed?
Retail price is 4.8k, they gave for 4k.

Didn't install yet. Cousin bought some stuff at Bangalore. Maybe it will reach there in a week or 2.
 
Thread Starter #12

deville_56

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Finally, got it ICE'd. DIY job.

Returning 14.something with full time AC and city in learning phase, 2nd and 3rd gear 95% time. It's very much efficient.
 
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Finally, got it ICE'd. DIY job.

Returning 14.something with full time AC and city in learning phase, 2nd and 3rd gear 95% time. It's very much efficient.

Congrats on your Chevy Beat(Belated!!!). Please post some pictures of the ICE. The Beat can give upto 18-19 in city easily.

Cheers,
Anshuman
 
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Wonderful report buddy about the wonderful little beat . I love this funky car a lot . Your passion about cars is very apparent in the ownership report and the picture tour you have us hence iam rating it 5 star . Keep the good work and update the thread .
 
Thread Starter #15

deville_56

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Wonderful report buddy about the wonderful little beat . I love this funky car a lot . Your passion about cars is very apparent in the ownership report and the picture tour you have us hence iam rating it 5 star . Keep the good work and update the thread .
Thank You Thank You

Congrats on your Chevy Beat(Belated!!!). Please post some pictures of the ICE. The Beat can give upto 18-19 in city easily.

Cheers,
Anshuman
Being driven by lady learning driving, so not expecting anything more than 14 as of now. Car went for Bangalore, so no installed pics for now. Will post once it is back.

Installed stuffs.


Pioneer MVH-355BT. USB/Most kinda radios/Bluetooth. No CD.
2013-03-09 22-29-48.jpg

JBL CS4. 4-incher, mounted on dash board speaker location. Better than Hertz budget 4-incher that I usually buy for Indicas and Altos.

2013-03-09 22-30-00.jpg

JBL GT6-266. Actually a wrong buy, asked to get ovals, but bought this instead in hurry. Custom installed in rear location for 4x6, a rare size. Very tight fit.

2013-03-09 22-30-37.jpg

Total 6690+3490+1690 >> 11870

Got for under 10k with parcel tray, though never used that tray.
 

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