The Team-BHP Car Ownership Survey!

[Administrator]

Very recently, Team-BHP has received an entry into the Big Board Registry (500,000 + posts). With it, our community has become the largest and, more importantly, ONLY UNBIASED resource on the Indian automotive scene. Our honest car ownership reviews, discussions and opinions have helped thousands of car buyers in making the correct automotive decision. The spirit of Team-BHP is truly heartwarming. In keeping with the original philosophy behind Team-BHP’s existence, our rich archive of information is entirely accessible & searchable by anyone. Even without a registration with us.

Let’s take it to the next level!!

We are very pleased to announce the Team-BHP Ownership Surveys! Who knows a car better than its actual owner - YOU! We want to know about the entire ownership experience of your car and its various parameters; right from the engine performance to in-city drivability, practicality to comfort levels, problems faced to servicing costs, resale values to long-term problems and more.

We would much appreciate your taking the time out to fill the Team-BHP ownership survey; the entire community will benefit from the output of this research exercise. While it is not mandatory to answer all questions, please keep your inputs as detailed as possible. Once we have a sufficient number of ownership reviews per car, a review summary will be compiled and uploaded for EACH car sold in India.

The car ownership review form can be found here : Team-BHP - Ownership Survey

Thanking You

The Team-BHP Support Team

[Administrator]

Sample of a review that I filled out for a Tata Indigo:

1. Which brand and model of car are you reviewing (e.g. Honda Accord)?
Tata Indigo

2. What is your car’s year of manufacture?
2006

3. Is this your existing car or a previously owned car?
Existing car

4. Which engine option does your car have (e.g. Petrol, Diesel, V6 etc.)?
1.4 liter Turbo-diesel

5. What is the equipment level / variant of your car (e.g. LXi, VXi)?
LX

6. What is the total mileage of your car (as of today, in kilometers)?
11,000 kms

7. Do you drive mostly in the city or on the highway?
Mostly City

8. Is your car serviced / maintained by an authorised service station only?
Authorised only

9. How do you find the exterior styling and design of your car?
The boot looks like an after-thought. Overall design is nothing to write home about, and is identical to the Indica from most angles.

10. How do you find the overall build quality and fit / finish?
The build is solid (more so than its Japanese competition), while the paint job is excellent. Fit and finish has improved compared to earlier examples, but is still below average. Quality of parts is dismal.

11. How do you find the interior design and quality?
The interior design is functional. Quality of parts is again below average, especially the switchgears and steering fob. Recently introduced beige interiors are a sure step ahead of the drabby grey finish.

12. How do you find the interior space and comfort levels?
This is the Indigos trump card. The interiors are very spacious front and back, and the seats offer excellent support! One of the few sedans in this price range that can genuinely seat 5 in comfort.

13. Any other comments on the interiors (air-conditioner, fit / finish, seat support, ergonomics etc.)?
The air-conditioner is chilling. Driving position is a bit awkward with a high steering and compromised ergonomics. Rear seat is perfectly contoured for comfort. Leg room is excellent front and back.

14. How do you find the engine performance & drivability in the city?
Turbo-lag is significant and affects urban driveability. Takes some getting used to. Once past 2000 rpms, it has decent pace for *sedate* urban cruising.

15. How do you find the engine performance & drivability on the highway?
While it has adequate power for safe highway cruising, overtaking manouveurs have to be carefully planned out. Engine runs out of breath pretty soon. I would rate the highway performance as below average.

16. Additional comments on the engine (outright power, refinement, turbo-lag etc.)?
Turbo-lag is evident and affects driveability. On the move, refinement levels are pretty acceptable. Fuel-efficiency is consistently high.

17. Overall opinion on the engine?
Fit for the price. Robust and very fuel-efficient. Not the best choice for self-driving but perfect for chauffeur-driven owners.

18. How do you find the gearshift / transmission?
Gearshift quality is horrible. Feels very vague & rubbery to use. Often, one can mistakenly shift into 5th instead of 3rd, and vice versa.

19. City fuel efficiency in KPL?
11.7

20. Highway fuel efficiency in KPL?
15.4

21. How do you find the ride quality?
The ride quality is superb and another Indigo trump card. The soft suspension effectively soaks up most road irregularities. Passengers are kept very comfortable.

22. How do you find the handling?
I would recommend driving the Indigo sedately. The suspension is soft and obviously tuned for comfort. Grip levels are safe and predictable, as long as a conservative driving style is adopted. It understeers easily. This is obviously not a car for enthusiastic driving.

23. Overall review of the suspension, steering and braking?
Power steering is light and great to use in the city. At speed, it can feel lifeless. High ground clearance helps on broken Indian roads (and unmarked speedbreakers). Braking is average and could do with more bite & feel.

24. Any particular likes (damped ashtrays, powerful headlights, music system etc.):
The new speedo-console with its chrome-ringed dials look awesome. Boot is spacious and can handle airport trips well. Huge glass area leads to a roomy cabin, and good visibility for the driver. Seat fabric feels rich, and is durable. But gets dirty easily.

25. Any particular dislikes (small mirrors, weak wipers, weak foglamps etc.)?
Wipers are a little slow in functioning. Windscreen washer could be more powerful. Door-mounted rear-view mirrors break easily.

26. Review on overall practicality (luggage room, ease of ingress/egress, cubby holes etc.)?
Ideal package for chauffeur-driven / budget commuting for the family. High stance equates to easy ingress / egress.

27. How has the overall reliability of your car been?
Average

28. Please list any problems and part failures (including warranty repairs and replacements)?
The car has overheated once on the highway. A faulty cooling system was rectified by the Nasik Tata service center.

So far, I have had the following replacements:

1. Air-con electrical system (and some wiring).

2. Fogged left-side headlamp.

3. Rear view mirrors (door mounted).

29. How would you rate the overall after-sales-service of the authorised service station?
Excellent

30. How did you find the overall cost of upkeep and maintenance?
Inexpensive

31. Comments on the overall service experience with the authorized service station?
The service costs are very cheap. Parts are also reasonably priced. Service advisors at Shaman showed co-operation. Shaman Auto has ,overall, offered good service to my Indigo.

Cost of services has been:

1st service : 1,310 rupees
2nd service : 737 rupees

32. If previous car, how was the resale value?
Not sold yet

33. How would you rate your overall satisfaction level with the car (10 = Very satisfied. 1 = Very dissatisfied?
8

34. Would you buy this car again?
Yes

35. Would you like us to keep this review public or private?
Public