Indica Xeta - First Experience-How Xeta won the race

[nirmalkumar]

Dear Friends,
First of all I thanks team BHP Forum who is one of the main force helped me to select my new vehicle.
I wish to explain my experience regarding selection my new car. Because of the availability of too many choices one may confuse while selecting. This may be happening to many amongst us while going for purchase of a new vehicle. I hope my this experience will help few like me.
I have been on the move to select a car for the last six months. My budget was Rs.3.5 lacs max. With this budget I have to select vehicles from Maruti 800, Alto, Zen Estilo, Wagon-R, Santro,i10(ready to spend few K more for this car),Tata Indica and Spark
How Xeta won the race: None of the car is rejected but disfavoured due to reasons that do not seem favourable to our needs.
Maruti 800, Alto, Spark - Disfavoured by all the family members because of less leg space for front and back seaters. Spark rules Alto and 800 in all fields. But costlier than other two.
Wagon R- voted out because of its van shape.
Now Santro, i10, Estillo and Xeta were left in the field.
Hyundai i10:
Positives: Good in driving and interiors. Engine sound is good.Space wise not better than Santro. AC is good

Negatives: Lack of leg room space. My legs and even sales person legs touching the dashboard console. When seat adjusted back wards, Persons sitting back become uncomfortable. Gives congested looks when four person sitting in the cars just like Maruti 800. Protruded Front headlights glass gives vintage look from side. Space at top space of dashboard console is big and kept unutilized.
hence Idea to spend few k more for this car was dropped.

Santro:

Positives: Same as above. More freebies like MP3 player, and auto Central locking. Already tested vehicle. Good resale value. AC is very good.Cheaper than i10

Negatives:
Space wise same but better than i10.

Zen Estillo:
Positives: Good finishing, Trusted company, Good reputation of after sales services.Fuel efficiency told to be more than Santro and Xeta. Good storage space at back side. Not felt much difference while driving Alto and Zen.Interiors are good.Good range of colors to select.Easy to parks at less space.
Negatives: Mini Innova look is not comfortable.Congested with four people sitting.Ride is not comfortable. Feminise look.
Good for ladies to drive.
Tata Xeta:
Negatives:
Not liked by general class .Taxi Image. Most of the friends told me to avoid buying Indica Class of vehicle told me better to go for Indigo CS Basic model. Not Good reviews in Mouthshut, Team-BHP. Fuel Efficiency is also a negative factor. Tata is not familiar with Petrol Engines.Very bad resale value.Finishing of Plastic parts are not good at corners. Tata have to tight the screws of QC Team.
Positives: Very Spacious, Interiors Best in Class. Comfort best in Class. Cost wise very Cheap. All provisions made keeping in view of the needs of Indian People. So much features available in less cost. Test ride in friend's Xeta helped me to decide my next car.Well established Service backup of TATAs
Most factors were going against the Xeta. But even then I have become dishonest towards other cars and take extra step to meet few actual users of Xeta. Every body have claimed that there vehicle gives near 16+ Km/l in city driving and 18+ Km/l in long drive. Figures look exaggerated. Keeping in view the bad reviews where FE is stated to be 13-14 km/l in City drive, it is near to santro.
Therefore the choice is narrowed down to Xeta and santro.
Xeta won the race because of comfort ,space and maintenance cost and of course due to Tata Product..
And finally I took the delivery of My Xeta GLG, on 7th navratra(11th April, 2008).
I recount the Purchasing experience and initial review below:
Helping Hand: My friend and Checklist made by Team- BHP. Sales staff amazed to see the exhaustive check list. They had to bring second Vehicle as first one is set aside by checklist.
Dealer: Joshi Autozone, Industrial Area Phase-II. Dealing Staff is friendly & cooperative.good environment in showroom. Got Teflon coating, mats and car cover free. 4 free service coupons.
Additions made with costs:
At showroom on the same day=Additional waranty for 30 months for 4600/-. Anti rust coating. Nippon theft alarm system
Dealer Service is Good.
Seat covers, sound system were got fitted from outside sources.Unable to locate anttena wire.

Initial Experience
In the first week I have driven 240 Kms in City. FE Not checked so far. But seems to be not less as the Fuel meter is moving backward not at much speed.
Driving Experience is excellent. Twice I was warned by Traffic police for overspeeding. I could not feel that I was overspeeding. At 60 Km/h speed, It is felt that I am driving at 30 km/h.
No jerks in while crossing/driving bad roads & potholes.
Quite comfortable car.
AC is good.Starting trouble once but that was because of my fault as told by Tasc service manager.I pushed Race pedal twice thrice before ignition.
Satisfied with decision for Tata Xeta.
Will post another review shortly
Regards
Nirmal

[greenhorn]

Congratulations on the New Ride Nirmal. Most Indica buying decisions are usually victories of mind over the heart !
Be prepared for a slightly bumpy ownership experience though
What price did you pay, how much cash discount did you get , and the worth of the free acessories ?

Some useful info -
Rear power windows cost 7k (the ones from the GLX- the T.A.S.S will fit it - wont void warranty )
you can blacken the B pillar just like the GLX with some matt black tape

[nitrous]

Tata Xeta:
Negatives:
Not liked by general class .Taxi Image. Most of the friends told me to avoid buying Indica Class of vehicle told me better to go for Indigo CS Basic model. Not Good reviews in Mouthshut, Team-BHP. Fuel Efficiency is also a negative factor. Tata is not familiar with Petrol Engines.Very bad resale value.Finishing of Plastic parts are not good at corners. Tata have to tight the screws of QC Team.

Its good that you knew the negatives and considered them before you bought the car.

[snaronikar]

Nice to read that you liked the Xeta very much than other cars. My Bro owns one and he is happy with his decision. No problems from past 3 years although his driving is less when compared to you.

Originally Posted by greenhorn

you can blacken the B pillar just like the GLX with some matt black tape

You need to use 3M tape for this. It is a little costly but it is worth the look.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by nirmalkumar

Twice I was warned by Traffic police for overspeeding.

Congrats on the new car Nirmal. You will definitely be comfortable while travelling

But how does this system of warning work ? No fine, only warning ?
I thought Chandigarh police is the most strict in the country with instant challans !!

[nirmalkumar]

You are right Eddy. Chandigarh Police is strict. Speed is 5 km more than the Limit. Luckily New Vehicle Mithai worked at both the occassion.

[nirmalkumar]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

What price did you pay, how much cash discount did you get , and the worth of the free acessories ?

I paid 2.97 Lacs.
Got Mats, Teflon Coating, Car cover Free. I dont think these are more than Rs. 2500/-

[safari_lover]

Congratulations on your new ride Nirmal. Have fun.

[greenhorn]

If thats OTR, for a GLG thats an almost 50k discount! That's superb value. Do check if your car is a 2008 model though , from the engine/chassis no
a friend of mine bought a GLS recently, and had to pay 3.2L OTR, with about 20k worth of acessories

[drkhalsa]

Dear Nirmal Kumar

COngartulations for your purchase !

YOu have given a very Honest and unbiased view about your resaech and funal decision and it will be very helpful for other buyers


I Have few queries if you can help!

1) Did you do reasearch about GLX Model as it is 1.4 lt as compared to 1.2 lt in other variants . How much is FE difference ( I have heard the FE is almost same in City and more for GLX on Highway)

2) what was your On the Road price? I think 2.97 lakh ( 3.23 - 25 k discount ) is your ex showroom price

3) why didnt you include Palio Stile 1.1 in your decision . as it also sold in same TATA showroom do have any hing to say about Palio while your vsist there



and offcourse post the pics of you ride on the forum soon!

what coclor you picked ? I guess salsa red!!!


Jatinder SIngh

[nirmalkumar]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

If thats OTR, for a GLG thats an almost 50k discount! That's superb value. Do check if your car is a 2008 model though , from the engine/chassis no
a friend of mine bought a GLS recently, and had to pay 3.2L OTR, with about 20k worth of acessories

I checked from Bills and below are the details:
Official price -298708.00 ( Dealer taken 297000/-)
insurance-8750.00
temp no charges- 100.00
extended warranty(30 months)-4600/-
Keyless remote system - 4600/-(All motors, and other accessories except remote system left unused as central locking already provided by Tata. These parts taken back from them May it be used in my old car.)
Antirust treatment:- 1150/-
Seat Covers - 3000.00
Audio System- 5000/-
Teflon Coating - Free
Mats & Mud flaps- Free
Car Cover- Free
Total = 325708
Regn Chgs- 3000/- app.
G Total- 328708/-
Say 3,30,000/-
On road
Car manufacturing date mentioned as February 2008 on papers. Tyres Checked all having 2008 as year of manufacturing. I dont know how to check it from Engine No or Chasisi No.
Please guide me.

[nirmalkumar]

Originally Posted by drkhalsa

1) Did you do reasearch about GLX Model as it is 1.4 lt as compared to 1.2 lt in other variants . How much is FE difference ( I have heard the FE is almost same in City and more for GLX on Highway)

2) what was your On the Road price? I think 2.97 lakh ( 3.23 - 25 k discount ) is your ex showroom price

3) why didnt you include Palio Stile 1.1 in your decision . as it also sold in same TATA showroom do have any hing to say about Palio while your vsist there

Thanks Jatinder Ji.
i)I have not met personnely any GLX user. If you see the review dates, Most of negative reviews are of 2006. All petrol version were then having 1400 cc. It is my personnel view that 1.2 engine is more economical in City drive than 1.4, because optimum use of engine power is not possible in city drive where after every 400-500 metres one has to put brakes or shift to lower gears.
ii) Price mentioned is ex showroom price. It is arround 3.3 after putting all necessary addons.
iii)Palio has better outlook than Xeta. But Palio is sold very much less in numbers that means spares availability is doubtful and cost always be higher. While Xeta is almost identical to Indica diesal except Engine, and Indica Diesel is sold lakhs in number. Hence spares availability and cost will remain within the reach of common man. it is my presumptions. and Most Important factor played in this episode is the cost Factor. I saved arround 50K that will be suffcient for at least 3 year running of vehicle.
Regards
Nirmal

[nirmalkumar]

Originally Posted by drkhalsa

Dear Nirmal Kumar

and offcourse post the pics of you ride on the forum soon!

what coclor you picked ? I guess salsa red!!!

It is silver metallic. uploaded few pictures of date