Atlast- got some photos, and a long drive experience to post
Here is a photo taken by my friend at the time of delivery
With about 290 KM on the clock, I started off to Bangalore on 27th morning for a marriage reception party- eager to see how she behaves on the highway, a tad apprehensive because I was told she does not handle curves all that well.
With my experience of driving her in city, I was accustomed to an extent to her sounds, gear shift/ power delivery pattern, steering sensitivity and braking. While on the highway, I put her through the paces- 100 was a no-sweat deal, she was there in about 2200 RPM in 5th. I cautiously let her through the curves of NH45, and she behaved exactly as I had expected. 120 came at about 2500 RPM, and she was still behaving properly and predictably- no under/over steers, minimal body roll, and the beefy Yokohamas hugging the roads. I had 3000 RPM as my limit, and she did 130+ within that. The steering was not as good as, say a Palio's, but was nothing to complain about at 130's on the clock. I pushed her once on a straight stretch till 160 for a few seconds, and a slight shudder crept up on the steering, and I felt that it had loosened considerably- compared to how it felt at 120 or 130.
The turbo lag was hardly visible. The car has enough horses to move it from stand still, and once the turbo hits, it races. I feel the power surge and can see the road race by, as well as the speedo climbing- but don't quite feel pushed-to-the-seats. Maybe because I am driving, and expect / know when it is going to hit...
I did do a few braking tests to see how well she stops- she did slow down as expected, proportional to my pressure on the brake pedal. And during those few times when I really had to brake from 120s to a 30+ or to a halt, the brake behaved adequately well- that cyclist / pedestrian who made me skip a beat by jumping medians and running across the highway, and the traffic cop who assumes a speeding car will stop at his will if he walks to the middle of the road with a STOP sign- all escaped unhurt!! I never jam the brakes, and after putting ample pressure as necessary/ required to slow down the car, I usually cut down to 3rd gear. IMHO, my car has adequate stopping power, helped by the wider tires.
The best part- overtaking. There are no words to explain the experience. I was absolutely confident each and every time- there were some tight-cuts-between-trucks that I wouldn't have dared with another hatch. The seemingly unlimited power available at the tap of the right foot, even in the 5th gear, is something every hatch driver must experience in a Getz CRDi. Corollas, Octavias, Lauras, Innovas, Vernas, Citys, not-deserve-to-be-named hatches from all car makers- all of them saw the Team BHP sticker on my rear glass, when I overtook them- that too when they were at 120+ speeds. No offence to anyone who swear by the names I have given, it could also be the man behind the wheels of either of the cars!!
Driving in Bangalore city is a pain- even on a Saturday / Sunday. But I never once felt uncomfortable in bumper-to-bumper traffic. All I need is to understand when will she start pulling herself in 2nd, and use my left leg- least she backends some poor soul in the front!
The way back was part-night, and the stock headlights were pathetic! I at times wondered if they were even on. While the 65W bulbs that come with it are the legal limit, I think I would need 100/90 for night runs- no way I am taking her for a night ride with the stock bulbs!
I drive with the seat pushed all the way back, and backrest adjusted to hold the steering with a straight right arm. After this long drive, I am getting a pain in my wrist- will be experimenting with the steering rake adjustment to see if I can figure it out, or if I have to get used to the position.
I had filled a full tank (37.48 litres) at about 150 KM on the odo (at Ekayaars, VN Road, T.Nagar), and did a refill for 37.49 litres at Krishnagiri- it was an auto-stop refill both times. Although the first refill was after the low fuel indicator had come on, the second time it was not on yet (wonder if the pump under-filled me...!). The approx mileage I calculated was 13 KMPL- that was 50% for city and highway, with A/c on all the time. And I keep her in the 1500 to 2500 RPM range, hence was doing a lot of driving in the 2/3rd gears. I am going to do a check by filling at the same pump, after the first service.
Here are some clicks on the way, after filling her up in Krishnagiri:
She has already clocked 1125+ on the Odo, and first service should be due this week. I am planning to:
1) Drain and change the engine oil- refill with company specified oil
2) Check the "burrrr" kinda sound that comes at about 1500-1600 RPM in most gears
3) Had some vibrations/ rattle-kinda noise from the fake-wooden center console and the rear-left. Though I didn't hear it in the last couple of days, will get it checked anyways.
4) Check the "clank" sound from the driver side window when the glass is being rolled up, and reaches the top.
5) Remote locking
These are after-service to-do items:
6) Sun-films - though I wanted to leave her unshaded, the sun demands some cover. Planning to go for 20% or 30% black on all windows and back.
7) 100/90 headlamps
Rocket Gurus- please let me know your suggestions on the list. Also, is there a wider mud-flap available? Got a feel that the puny stock flaps are not good enough with the wider tires.