Team-BHP - View Single Post - Mclaren's take on the baleno over the 1st 1000kms, believe it or not in 2 days..

Floyd de Souza · 8th April 2006, 14:24

I did not want to start a new thread in the fear that some people on the forum would say "NOT AGAIN!!" another has joined the Baleno fan club. I took delivery of my spanking new silky silver Baleno LXi on April fools day and a week of driving it (all in the city) has given me the confidence to say I've made the right decision. Without going too much into the details, I would like to say that after a thorough evaluation of all the cars in my radar which included the Honda City EXi, Ford Fiesta (both petrol variants), and the Hyundai Accent, I homed in on the Baleno and the more difficult decision was deciding between the LXi and VXi. I would have included the Petra and the Aveo if it had'nt to be for my iffy experience with Fiat and the unwillingness to risk buying a GM car. I found the Baleno LXi to be the best VFM car amongst the lot and the only real all-rounder. Of course, this forum was quite instrumental in guiding my decision through feedback on FE and quality issues. Let me tell you that it really helps a purchase decision when you know the problems you are likely to face and in the Baleno's case it was the "khatak" sound from the front suspension.
Anyway, without much further ado, let me give you my initial impression of Mr. Baleno. But before that let me tell you that I added the following accessories to make him more complete : Goodyear Eagle NCT5 185/65/14 on Neo Titan alloys(x5), Sony Xplod system which included the GT350S HU, 6937 350W ovals and 170W in the front doors, rear spoiler with stoplight and leather steering cover. Sunfilm,seat covers, reading light, engine compartment light, rubber mats and teflon coating came free with the corporate package.
Inevitably, I tended to draw a comparison with my earlier car..a Palio S10 and found that the only attribute I really missed was the raw power and response of that DOHC engine. Of course, it is too early to make a realistic comparison as the Baleno is yet to be fully run-in. Just completed 400kms you see. But what really amazes me about the Baleno is its FE despite being new. Where I was getting an average of 7.75 kpl with a/c in peak Mumbai traffic at this time of the year in my Palio, the Baleno has given me 9.85 kpl in my first check which is truly awesome. And that too without driving with a light foot. In fact I have been constantly varying the engine speed to ensure a proper run-in. This average will only increase after the first service. How the Japs manage this is beyond me.
You all are well aware of all the other positive attributes being raved about by other Baleno owner members of the forum which include a great ride, good handling, space and comfort etc..and the same holds true for my impressions. My only gripes are the gear change quality and the "khatak" sound from the front suspension which should be fixed at the first service. The gear change should improve over a period of time..in fact I have already noticed a slight improvement.
All in all...my 10 yr old daughter (who has an eye for cars like me) summed it up when she said " dada, its like an aeroplane..its so smooth and it just glides along..I only wish it had a better backside, but it does'nt look bad with that spoiler".
Thats it folks...will post pics when I have the time to click some.

8th April 2006, 14:24	#47 (permalink)
Floyd de Souza BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 162	My new baby...a Baleno LXi I did not want to start a new thread in the fear that some people on the forum would say "NOT AGAIN!!" another has joined the Baleno fan club. I took delivery of my spanking new silky silver Baleno LXi on April fools day and a week of driving it (all in the city) has given me the confidence to say I've made the right decision. Without going too much into the details, I would like to say that after a thorough evaluation of all the cars in my radar which included the Honda City EXi, Ford Fiesta (both petrol variants), and the Hyundai Accent, I homed in on the Baleno and the more difficult decision was deciding between the LXi and VXi. I would have included the Petra and the Aveo if it had'nt to be for my iffy experience with Fiat and the unwillingness to risk buying a GM car. I found the Baleno LXi to be the best VFM car amongst the lot and the only real all-rounder. Of course, this forum was quite instrumental in guiding my decision through feedback on FE and quality issues. Let me tell you that it really helps a purchase decision when you know the problems you are likely to face and in the Baleno's case it was the "khatak" sound from the front suspension. Anyway, without much further ado, let me give you my initial impression of Mr. Baleno. But before that let me tell you that I added the following accessories to make him more complete : Goodyear Eagle NCT5 185/65/14 on Neo Titan alloys(x5), Sony Xplod system which included the GT350S HU, 6937 350W ovals and 170W in the front doors, rear spoiler with stoplight and leather steering cover. Sunfilm,seat covers, reading light, engine compartment light, rubber mats and teflon coating came free with the corporate package. Inevitably, I tended to draw a comparison with my earlier car..a Palio S10 and found that the only attribute I really missed was the raw power and response of that DOHC engine. Of course, it is too early to make a realistic comparison as the Baleno is yet to be fully run-in. Just completed 400kms you see. But what really amazes me about the Baleno is its FE despite being new. Where I was getting an average of 7.75 kpl with a/c in peak Mumbai traffic at this time of the year in my Palio, the Baleno has given me 9.85 kpl in my first check which is truly awesome. And that too without driving with a light foot. In fact I have been constantly varying the engine speed to ensure a proper run-in. This average will only increase after the first service. How the Japs manage this is beyond me. You all are well aware of all the other positive attributes being raved about by other Baleno owner members of the forum which include a great ride, good handling, space and comfort etc..and the same holds true for my impressions. My only gripes are the gear change quality and the "khatak" sound from the front suspension which should be fixed at the first service. The gear change should improve over a period of time..in fact I have already noticed a slight improvement. All in all...my 10 yr old daughter (who has an eye for cars like me) summed it up when she said " dada, its like an aeroplane..its so smooth and it just glides along..I only wish it had a better backside, but it does'nt look bad with that spoiler". Thats it folks...will post pics when I have the time to click some.