Tata Indigo DiCor - 14000 kms

[kpsriram]

The Odo crossed 14K kms today morning on my way to office. Thought it would be good to pen down my experiences so far.

When i went about hunting for a car sometime in July last year, Indigo was not even my "n"th choice. I desperately wanted to replace my old Carb-Zen due to increasing fuel costs and my office had moved 20 kms further away from my place!!. My Budget was around 5 - 5.5 L and was looking out for a diesel car.

After driving around a zen for 4 years, i wanted a car which had better head/leg/shoulder room and comfortable for a 6 footer. Didn't have much of a choice with my budget. TDed Logan and Indigo (TDI and DICOR).Felt both Logan and TDI were sluggish and settled with Dicor

I have not driven the TDI much; but whatever I could feel in the test drive was - Dicor is much more drivable than the TDI. Contrary to what most of you believe here, i didn't mind that extra 50k for the engine.


Dealer experience
=================
i had booked this car ("whatever" gold Indigo LS Dicor) from VST motors (Chennai) on 31-Jul-2007. After all the loan/registration formalities, i got hold of the car on 5-Aug-07. The people in VST were helpful and prompt; no complaints. All you need is little bit of patience. Got the usual freebies (Mats, Mud guard, Leather steering cover). Paid for the remote lock and tint.

I have read a lot about TATA "A*S". I have never felt anything wrong till now (2 scheduled services and one adhoc). They have fixed whatever issues (rattling and pick up) i had complained. They were prompt and understand what you tell them (like once i told them about over steer at high speeds for which they changed the power steering belt which was faulty!!! - don't know whether that was the right thing to do, but it solved the problem).

I used to have a tough time explaining similar stuff to Maruti "A*S" guys.


First few days....
==================
The first few days with the car was sort of a "culture shock". Being a die-hard maruti fan, it was tough to adjust to a TATA vehicle. Everything from the driving/steering/Pedal position to the fit-finish were completely different from what i had experienced before. BUT, one thing i liked about this car from the beginning was the drivability part. It can be driven sedately or abused to the core. Trust me, i have abused it like devil-may-care, but never once did it complain!!

The Pedal position is too high (esp., if you come from Zen/Esteem....). Workaround is to put some layers of door mats under the rubber floor mat to get to your comfortable position!!!!

The interiors are too plain (i hate beige, but there is no choice). After some time it does get too boring to sit inside. The Plastic/console have nothing to write about. Everything does its job, don't expect more. The Console lighting is easy on the eyes and has 2 trip meters.

One thing I was extremely happy about was S P A C E. Man, don't i love it!!. Getting out of a Zen and getting in to Indigo - You know what i mean!!!

Used to be a big lover of Zen's seating position - Seats pushed all the way back and inclined to 140 degrees - legs and arms stretched out. If you like what i just said, don't ever drive an Indigo!!. First few days were nightmarish, felt like driving a truck (the position not the engine). Got used to it later and started appreciating it. you never get tired in this position and i felt i can control the car better this way.

The steering is ok, nothing great. i read everywhere that it is vague, i never felt that way at any speeds. May be i have a better hand-eye coordination to make it behave the way i want ;-)). My Zen didn't have power steering, that could also be a reason that i don't feel anything wrong with Indigo's steering (Except over steer which was fixed).

The best thing about this car (other than the engine of course!) is the A/C. Its very good even in Chennai's heat. Doesn't take more than 2 minutes to cool the cabin with 4 people inside.

Brakes are ok; way better than Zen, but still doesn't inspire too much confidence from the driver.

ICE - i had a good ICE in my zen which i plucked and plugged in to Indigo. I don't remember the model names. Will post it when i get the names.


0 - 2000 Kms
==============
I followed the run-in guidelines; occasionally pushing it past 2000 RPM in 4th and 5th gear. I was pretty happy driving it sedately and let the engine bed in properly. The first 2k kms were 90% highway driving and was covered in quick time (2 weeks to be exact).

One lazy Saturday afternoon i wanted to rip the car and see if it can handle it (it had done around 1400 kms). Took it to OMR, there is a beautiful stretch of tarmac after thiruporur. The stretch is around 6 kms and is normally deserted. This stretch has good smooth curves, a straight stretch to drive flat out and bumpy roads to test the ride!!
The first thing i tried was to test the ride in the bends. Pushed the car to 130 kmph and tried to negotiate the "S" bends, it scared the s**t out of me. This car is no way smooth in the curves like a Zen (and i didn't expect that handling from this Sedan anyways). Tried the same at around 110 kmph and it felt better. Next was the straight line speed!! I didn't want to floor the accelerator (First service was still pending!!), prayed to the almighty and started from stand still, the maximum i could hit was just above 150 kmph before i ran out of road and guts!!. I also wanted to test 150-0 kmph, but wasn't too sure how the car would behave, so dropped the idea. Took the "U" turn and tried it again, this time i was just able to touch 150 kmph when my worst nightmare came true.

I was looking at the speedo, when a moron in a Scorpio (coming from the opposite direction) decided to take a right turn cutting right across my lane without any indication!! I panicked for a few milliseconds and then hit the brakes hard, cut the gear to 4th and put my left hand on the hand brakes (just in case). To my surprise, the car didn't lose its shape. i had unknowingly, turned the steering to the left (Instinct!!!), the right wheels locked up and brought the car in to a straight line. I over corrected and the car swerved right, now the left wheels locked up and again the car was back in a straight line!!!!. All this happened in a few milliseconds!!!. The car stopped, i got down (was completely shaken up!!) and looked for the scorpio, he was no where!!! (How did this happen??)

That ended my eventful testing!! I have driven on that stretch numerous times after this incident (but at much lesser speeds) but that was scary!!


2000 kms - 14000 kms
=====================
I have thoroughly enjoyed driving this car. Its a gem on the highways even at 150 kmph. you will never feel that speed sitting inside. The NVH levels are way too less than what one would expect from a "TATA" car. City driving is no pain either, thanks to VGT, you don't have to push it way past 2000 RPM to move the car. Keep it above 1400 RPM and it will move and how!!!.

Why doesn't TATA publicize VGT???? Verna has this badge stuck all around it??

The Independent suspension does its job admirably. Nothing to complain, neat.

There are some rattling issues from the dashboard. But its not that bad as people think. I can live with it!!
I have not changed the stock wheels/rims. I am not a big fan of alloys either (i got 4 bent rims in Zen and the wheels would have broken in to pieces if it had been alloys - the hit was nasty). The ride is pretty good with stock stuff. (Guess, Indigo is known for that)

After 2 services and oil change, the engine does feel settled down. I have tried to stretch the engine and this is what i noticed
2nd gear - 70 kmph ~ 3700 RPM
3rd gear - 110 kmph ~ 4200 RPM - The whole world looks at you, its so damn noisy!
4th gear - 130 kmph ~ 3800 RPM
5th gear - 155 kmph ~ 4000 RPM - Max i have done in this car. But it feels like it can do more than this.

RPM speeds are just approximate as it was tough to take my eyes off the road and note the speed and RPM!!


My Quest for pick up
=====================
I read somewhere that pete's box cannot be fitted in TATA ECU's. Is this true. Is there some other alternative to get that "Pete"fied performance?

[Strangerintown]

That was a very well written review! Do keep us updated as you keep munching the miles .

BTW are you sure the Indigo Dicor has a VGT? I wasnt aware of that either. If it does, Tata's should really be going to town with that information just like every other manufacturer does. I'm more surprised since the VTT (Tata's version of VGT) is well publicised for the Safari 2.2 and so they should logically advertise that for the Indigo Dicor as well.

[wanderernomad]

Well written one. Yes it has a VGT. I bought my Indigo Marina Dicor on 14th Aug and till date has put on 11K on the odo. I am glad you are happy with the TATA guys. read my review and see what I have been through.But no complaints from the car though. I ahve hit 160 (speedo) on the highways and yet it looked ok for a small bit more. Wish you long happy and safe driving hours ahead.

[gemithomas]

Good review. I also think tata has done a very good job with the DiCOR engine. I;ve ddriven the Indica DiCOR and was bowled over.NEver expected this from a TATA. Its been 10 years of tremendous improvement.

[rkbharat]

very nice and detailed review. Please keep posting your feedbacks.

Also post some pics of your car.