This is my letter on the OD forum and this clearly shows that magazines are being paid for rating a car. One time they used to pick the Elantra against Optra, Corolla, Octavia and now they put her last. Also their pitstop section seem to have copied team-bhp style Indian car scene et all.
Quote:
Dear OD,
I hope you have some explanation for this.
I had high hopes from a respectable publication like you and have been totally dissapointed for the lack of knowledge which you presume to show in your latest issue.
I have been a regular reader of OD and have been highly dissapointed from your April issue.
Points you need to note and apologise to the public for the same.
Page 112 - You say " The Optra 1.8LT has all the features one would come to expect with the moon roof a kiddie's delight, but the lack of climate control at Rs. 11.8 lakh is a bit hard to fathom." Who says? You have not done your home work firstly. Optra 1.8LT comes with climate control as is standard since April 2005 on all 1.8LTs the NY editions.
The car you have test driven is Optra Royale 1.6LT as it is clearly visible in the pictures. The car number being GJ 17 C 8147, now you please refer Jan 2006 issue Vol 8 No 5 and the comparo between the City Vtec and the Optra 1.6 LT features the same car as visible by their number plates. Also the three spoke steering, silver facia, 2 Din Mp3, 14inch alloys and the colour cadillac white is something which the 1.6LT has and not the 1.8LT. Also the 1.8LTs tail lamps are absolutely different from any other Optra as it has fogs in it and hence the tail lights are not circular. You are trying to compare a car which is compared to a Honda City to the other D segment cars. I seroiusly suggest that before publishing any such articles please have a look inside the real 1.8LT.
Also you say that out of all the cars in the shootout the Octavia runs on the widest tyres wheras all the cars featured here run on 195/15s.
Also the 1.8 Turbo does not have Climate Control which you have mentioned. http://www.skoda-auto.co.in/RiderTurbo.html
The 1.8 Lt has steering remote which again you have put as N(No)
I really cant fathom how a Indias No. 1(so called) magazine can publish such rubbish and fool the public. A lay man who is not aware about this will buy a car on your decision and hence go wrong in buying his car. You have rated the Corolla second which has only two things going for it Toyota badge and the engine but many cons like poor built, ugly looks(subjective), poor suspension, not up to the mark, ok handling and the costliest car.
Also your FE figures dont seem realistic.
I demand answer for this a apology to me and GM for wasting my money on your magzines since the last two three years and wasting my precious time as well.
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Edit - I have send this to GM as well.