Optra Magnum - 1 year, 30k Report

[arunk]

It is two days short of an year since I took delivery of my magnum. I t has covered 31200 Km till today and may be it is time to file in a long term report.
I cover 100 Kms a day, 70 - 30 mix of town and highway. I have never had a mileage less than 12 and more than 13.8 till now, almost regardless of the driving conditions. What I like about the car is the space inside, it's raw power allowing me to drive effortlessly and overtake in no time at all. The cabin is silent. Turbo lag is negligible.The stock tyres are a let down and I might get it changed shortly. Handling is not so great as is expected of an optra, the quality of certain plastic parts like the a/c vent is not inspiring. I had the seats fitted with stanly seat covers and they are holding out fine. Gear shift is much better than my earlier cars especially the Corsa. Build is just enough okay, doesnt have the tank like feeling while closing the doors as in an octavia though.
There has not been any major service issues till now but taking the car to the service station every 5K ( Takes me just about two months) is not a good feeling. I had fitted in a reverse guide and it is worth every bit, makes me confident on the reverse gear.

Overrall it has been a good experience and I intend to keep the car for another 50 K atleast.

[mjothi]

Oh my god. You are the man. 1yr and 31K on ODO. Really great.
So you completed all the free service I guess. Right?

[mobike008]

Nice short review Arun. 31K in 1 year is a lot of kms.

So what has been the average servicing cost each 5K that you have been doing?

[arunk]

Yes, the free services are over long back! The average service cost is between 3000 - 3500 Rs per 5000 Km.

[vasudeva]

To be honest, tank feeling in Octavia is over hyped and of not much use, when a owner often feels bitter about the service experience. Your average service costs seem substantially lower than Octavia.

Your review is honest to say the least. Any dent/paint experience?

[HappyWheels]

That was the most to-the-point report I have read so far!

Good one Arun.

So, do you always changes your vehicles before 1lak Kms? So a vehicle is with you just for over 2.5 years, at this rate of KM crunching!

[aka_iitd]

I think it comes with 3 year free service etc.Am i correct

[vasudeva]

`arunk' must have bought it when it was just out, and that 3 year `promise' was perhaps was not there then.

[ashthedivx]

31K in 1 year is certainly a big distance. Magnum is certainly a vehicle to die for, its sheer power always want to be pushed to limits.

PS: I too covered 35K Kms in 1.25 years that too on Optra, though petrol optra

[throttleking]

very precise review, my experience with Magnum is same as yours, however i have just completed 12k mark. never got the mileage beyond 13.5 and lowest i got is 11.8.

Octavia service cost is around 10k for every 10000km, correct me if i am wrong. and for Magnum it would be around 7k right?

[phamilyman]

Lovely review boss.

@Ash bhai: CNG optra bolo na!

[shuvd]

Nice review Arunk. Get rid of the stock tires. Better tires are a MUST and greatly improve the driving experience.

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by ashthedivx

PS: I too covered 35K Kms in 1.25 years that too on Optra, though petrol optra

Originally Posted by phamilyman

@Ash bhai: CNG optra bolo na!

Ahem ahem.....how does 160k kms in 4 years in a Petrol VTEC sound??

[sridharps]

whew, this is some usage man! 100 kms of driving per day - your job is literally taking you places, i guess . You have mentioned handling as one area where it is below expectation. The stock tyre upgrade should help.
Any other point which turned to be quite different from what you expected?

[phamilyman]

Tyrewala bhai,

That sounds like old numbers! It is 180k now na?

and that sounds like cash burning on a daily basis!!