Quote:
Originally Posted by s3va Gemi.
Here is my school of thought.
Firstly I am not able to digest the fact that you are turning your back towards the Italian star . But since you have already made up your mind on Maruthi, I am not getting into diverting your choices to other cars as one's requirements are subjective.
After driving your FIAT motor for years, I dont think you will be anywhere near satisfied with a Ritz. Come one Gemi, family or not, handling, thrill and fun rides are always an integral part of a motorhead's life. I am in the same league as yours and hence I can relate a lot(family with a 4 year old kid). So even if the Swift is an old model in the market with crampy interiors and all those, I feel you should go for it.That way within your compromised criterias(ie Maruthi and nothing else), you shouldn't again compromise the enjoyment that you get by driving. !
So I say Swift (with a heavy heart though) ! |
Thanks a lot. There has been a change in plan. The Maruti is out. Here is the story that unfolded over the last 3 weeks
- The first step was that i Spoke to 3 dealers in my city and informed them my interest in the car.
- All of them said that there are no discounts available on the Ritz Diesel model
- One of these days i saw a advertisement in the newspaper stating there was Rs.15,000 offer on Ritz Diesel. The advertisement specifically mentioned that the offer includes Consumer Offer and Exchange Bonus.
- i call up the dealers and they say there is no consumer offer. There is only exchange bonus and since i am not giving my car to them i am not eligible for that. I mention that the advertisement specifically mentions that there is consumer offer and exchange bonus. But they say its not there.
- Spoke to a dealer close to my native place. He straight away tell me he can give me Rs.10,000 cash discount and basic accessories and a seat cover worth Rs.1500/- which could be upgraded to fake leather if i pay the difference.
- Speak to the dealers in my city based on this. They now say they can give me Rs.5000 discount if i give them a copy of my old cars r.c book and proof that i have sold it.
- I bargain for 3 weeks and this reaches Rs.5000 Cash Discount, MGA Central locking worth Rs.5,500, MGA Basic Accessories worth Rs.1500, Wheel Cover worth Rs.1600. In total a deal worth Rs.13,600/-
- In the meanwhile i am enquiring with them about the service costs for the Ritz Diesel. One guy tells me that i need to service every 10K km. Another guy tells me i need to service every 5K km and then only will i get warranty claims. The quote for the Diesel Filter price was the best. One guy fought with me stating that it is only Rs.800/- while i was sure it will be above 1k. Later on another guy tells me that it is Rs.1800 for the part alone. fitting charges extra. I am told that need to change this every 10K. That means that for "my" running i would be spending all my savings on the service cost.
- Though the confusion was within i just decided to go ahead and book it since it was diesel and maruti.
- While making booking the guy tells me that he cant write the discounts offered and give it to me. I ask them to put a seal on a white paper and write. No seal is possible is what he says. Since he assures me that he will ensure the discount/accessories come with the car at time of delivery i agree. I start signing the forms. One of the forms has the heading. Offers Given to Customer. He wants my sign down but he would not write the offers....
...i walk out.
PS. I had sent a mail to maruti helpline to clarify the offers mentioned in the newspaper and that told by the dealers. A week now I have not even got a acknowledgement mail. Leave alone clearing my doubt.
I know maruti will not loose anything. They'll get enough and more customers for their cars until the time they are able to keep the "perception" of good customer support. But here i also dont loose. Infact i gain close to a lakh in savings for a car that has 10 times more features than the MAruti i was looking at.
God Bless.