2009 Ambassador Grand BS-3 2.0 Turbo Diesel and 1800 ISZ MPFI: Test drive and review

Ashley Nair · 23rd June 2009, 20:16

Thanks for reviewing the old faithful! Whatever flaws it may have, the Ambassador is still a car driven with the heart and not by the brain.
That familiar silhoutte( as HM says) among the today's boxy sedans, makes one feel the joy of finding a dear kin.
But HM should have retained the old classic steel bumpers instead of the present plastic ones, which leaves the car in noman's land-neither classic nor modern. Besides that , Ambassodors are best looking in Black and Black alone.Long live the legend!

BlackPearl · 23rd June 2009, 20:55

Nice report @Sid. I would still love to drive one. I was almost buying an amby after I got a job but was vehemently opposed by other people and settled for a Palio. Till recently I used to drive a diesel one whenever I went to Bakreshwar Thermal Power Plant and it was fun. Wish HM could give better interiors and safety features.

nickatnite · 23rd June 2009, 21:05

I say "kill" this ugly lump of an oxymoron on wheels and give it a decent burial. How long will HM insult our intelligence by continuing to vend this trundling old codger?. This car to me epitomizes everything that was wrong with this nation and still continues to linger.

By the way, this loopy and lumpy old nag of a car is not India's first car, not even the first 'made in India' car. There were other cars before this one and much better ones too.Ofcourse, we chose to retain the worst of the lot for decades to come. No surprise here.

driftagain · 23rd June 2009, 23:57

I think this sticker says it all

amit V8 · 24th June 2009, 00:59

an excellent review, sidindica.

though the car is not as good as the earlier ones but still it is A ONE OF A KIND. what should i say, i have been riding a diesel NOVA from the 1st day of my life till my family bought the 'big butt' SX4 last year.

some people say its a noisy car, sounds like a truck. i say, each and every indian car sounds like a truck. 1st there was the ZEN-D, then the INDICA-D as well as the ESTEEM-D. i am totally leaving the SCORPIO, XYLO and others. my uncle's indica sounds like a TRACTOR!! what's the point??

but i really miss the NOVA interiors, the chrome bumpers, they are still the best.
just as the beetle & the mini shouldered on, the amby will too.
"VIVA amby"

Rude7 · 24th June 2009, 07:59

The LEGEND never dies ! remembering the days I used to goto school in our company's old ambassadors.

tanwaramit · 24th June 2009, 09:06

amazing car, very good value for proposition, where else can I get 2000 cc diesel engine for less than 6L.

If they launch this with Auto box, I will definitely consider adding this to my garage.

Good review Sidindica. Are these pics from the showrooms? looks quite filthy !

ACM · 24th June 2009, 15:31

SID great review,

Amby still had some steam left and can do so much more. They could so easily keep quality and give it the Retro Fiat 500 (new version type of look).

Why save on stuff by giving thinner tyres, etc...

princemanatt · 24th June 2009, 16:37

Great Review Sid,It was quite nice to see a review of Ambassador. In our childhood days, the term 'Car' referred to Ambassador. And for some time even after Maruti 800, it was Ambassador. People used to be skeptic about M800 taking the indian roads. Seems the tables are turned now.

f1fan · 24th June 2009, 23:38

Good Review Sid. This brings back memories of the Mark II Amby that my dad had for roughly 8 years. The only problem with our car was small niggling issues.

devarshi84 · 25th June 2009, 01:59

wow! look at all the positive posts this car is getting. A few months ago people wanted to shut HM down. :P But it is really sad on how they have taken to modifying and selling it. The rear is awfully squarish and the pop-out tail lamps suck.

The Side indicators look great and the interior though spartan has most amenities.

PS: HM should restart making the Contessa.

Aditya · 25th June 2009, 07:27

The positive comments are because most of us have a place in our hearts for the Amby. We have fond memories of the car. However, today, recommending one is impossible. Almost every car has better quality material and workmanship. Many would like to see the Amby modernised. The way HM is going about things, the car is better off the road and in the museum.
HM should focus on Mitsubishi. They need to introduce a small hatchback as quickly as possible.

Thad E Ginathom · 25th June 2009, 08:23

It used to look like an echo of old England; now it looks like an echo of old Russia, with a hint of cartoon-stereotype Indian English.

Thumbs DOWN!

(But the review is great

)

pedrolourenco · 25th June 2009, 08:35

Instead of continuing with the Amby, HM should have pulled the plug on it and continued with the Contessa. A much better car than the Amby.

jkdas · 25th June 2009, 09:20

Thought the ISUZU generated more than 50bhp !

q) how do you confirm if its a ISUZU engine?
ans) Look for smoke; a lot !

23rd June 2009, 20:16	#31
Ashley Nair BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alappuzha Posts: 314 Thanked: 226 Times	Thanks for reviewing the old faithful! Whatever flaws it may have, the Ambassador is still a car driven with the heart and not by the brain. That familiar silhoutte( as HM says) among the today's boxy sedans, makes one feel the joy of finding a dear kin. But HM should have retained the old classic steel bumpers instead of the present plastic ones, which leaves the car in noman's land-neither classic nor modern. Besides that , Ambassodors are best looking in Black and Black alone.Long live the legend! Last edited by Ashley Nair : 23rd June 2009 at 20:17.
	() Thanks

23rd June 2009, 20:55	#32
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,629 Thanked: 17,119 Times View My Garage	Nice report @Sid. I would still love to drive one. I was almost buying an amby after I got a job but was vehemently opposed by other people and settled for a Palio. Till recently I used to drive a diesel one whenever I went to Bakreshwar Thermal Power Plant and it was fun. Wish HM could give better interiors and safety features.
	() Thanks

23rd June 2009, 21:05	#33
nickatnite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NYC/MAA Posts: 1,430 Thanked: 603 Times	I say "kill" this ugly lump of an oxymoron on wheels and give it a decent burial. How long will HM insult our intelligence by continuing to vend this trundling old codger?. This car to me epitomizes everything that was wrong with this nation and still continues to linger. By the way, this loopy and lumpy old nag of a car is not India's first car, not even the first 'made in India' car. There were other cars before this one and much better ones too.Ofcourse, we chose to retain the worst of the lot for decades to come. No surprise here. Last edited by nickatnite : 23rd June 2009 at 21:16.
	() Thanks

23rd June 2009, 23:57	#34
driftagain BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 70 Thanked: 167 Times	This car is having mobile charger facility I think this sticker says it all
	() Thanks

24th June 2009, 00:59	#35
amit V8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: kolkata Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 217 Times	an excellent review, sidindica. though the car is not as good as the earlier ones but still it is A ONE OF A KIND. what should i say, i have been riding a diesel NOVA from the 1st day of my life till my family bought the 'big butt' SX4 last year. some people say its a noisy car, sounds like a truck. i say, each and every indian car sounds like a truck. 1st there was the ZEN-D, then the INDICA-D as well as the ESTEEM-D. i am totally leaving the SCORPIO, XYLO and others. my uncle's indica sounds like a TRACTOR!! what's the point?? but i really miss the NOVA interiors, the chrome bumpers, they are still the best. just as the beetle & the mini shouldered on, the amby will too. "VIVA amby"
	() Thanks

24th June 2009, 07:59	#36
Rude7 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vijayawada Posts: 110 Thanked: Once View My Garage	The LEGEND never dies ! remembering the days I used to goto school in our company's old ambassadors.
	() Thanks

24th June 2009, 09:06	#37
tanwaramit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dilwalon ki Dilli Posts: 1,932 Thanked: 497 Times	amazing car, very good value for proposition, where else can I get 2000 cc diesel engine for less than 6L. If they launch this with Auto box, I will definitely consider adding this to my garage. Good review Sidindica. Are these pics from the showrooms? looks quite filthy !
	() Thanks

24th June 2009, 15:31	#38
ACM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,751 Thanked: 4,379 Times View My Garage	SID great review, Amby still had some steam left and can do so much more. They could so easily keep quality and give it the Retro Fiat 500 (new version type of look). Why save on stuff by giving thinner tyres, etc...
	() Thanks

24th June 2009, 16:37	#39
princemanatt BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 127 Thanked: 7 Times	Great Review Sid,It was quite nice to see a review of Ambassador. In our childhood days, the term 'Car' referred to Ambassador. And for some time even after Maruti 800, it was Ambassador. People used to be skeptic about M800 taking the indian roads. Seems the tables are turned now.
	() Thanks

24th June 2009, 23:38	#40
f1fan BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 701 Thanked: 48 Times View My Garage	Good Review Sid. This brings back memories of the Mark II Amby that my dad had for roughly 8 years. The only problem with our car was small niggling issues.
	() Thanks

25th June 2009, 01:59	#41
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 212 Times View My Garage	wow! look at all the positive posts this car is getting. A few months ago people wanted to shut HM down. :P But it is really sad on how they have taken to modifying and selling it. The rear is awfully squarish and the pop-out tail lamps suck. The Side indicators look great and the interior though spartan has most amenities. PS: HM should restart making the Contessa. Last edited by devarshi84 : 25th June 2009 at 02:00.
	() Thanks

25th June 2009, 07:27	#42
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 18,812 Thanked: 81,253 Times View My Garage	The positive comments are because most of us have a place in our hearts for the Amby. We have fond memories of the car. However, today, recommending one is impossible. Almost every car has better quality material and workmanship. Many would like to see the Amby modernised. The way HM is going about things, the car is better off the road and in the museum. HM should focus on Mitsubishi. They need to introduce a small hatchback as quickly as possible.
	() Thanks

25th June 2009, 08:23	#43
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,204 Thanked: 28,222 Times	It used to look like an echo of old England; now it looks like an echo of old Russia, with a hint of cartoon-stereotype Indian English. Thumbs DOWN! (But the review is great )
	() Thanks

25th June 2009, 08:35	#44
pedrolourenco Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Margao, Goa Posts: 1,366 Thanked: 1,727 Times View My Garage	Instead of continuing with the Amby, HM should have pulled the plug on it and continued with the Contessa. A much better car than the Amby.
	() Thanks

25th June 2009, 09:20	#45
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,493 Times View My Garage	Thought the ISUZU generated more than 50bhp ! q) how do you confirm if its a ISUZU engine? ans) Look for smoke; a lot !
	() Thanks