Well. This is going to be slightly long.
Well we went shopping for a car today and had a few test drives. One of my friends are looking for a car. These are his requirements
Budget - Rs.5 Lakh OTR
Power - Not A priority. However the car should not stall with a/c on and with 4 people.
Space - Well He likes to fit in 5 people but at that budget did not get a 'real' 5 seater other than the LOGAN.
FE- Well this is a priority item. Would like to get as much as can get.
Ride comfort - Should be above average.
with these things in mind we went to have a look around. THis is what we experienced.
TVS SUNDARAM
We first thought to have a look at the
Mahindra Bolero even though we knew that it would be out of budget. Walked into the very 'Public Sector' like environment of TVS Sundaram Showroom. ASked a guy about the Bolero. Price for mid version with A/C and P.S comes to Rs,5.5L OTR. And they can give you a test drive inside their compound around their showroom!!! WHAT!!!! Ok. Thank you very much.
How do they ever manage to still be in the market???
Then we walk to the next showroom where the
LOGAN is displayed. Oh! Its air conditioned. Atleast they have kept it in a better place than the bolero. I see a few Scorpios lying there aside the Logan. Probably these are higher category cars then the bolero. Ok. The guy shows us around and inside the logan. Well. It lookes pretty big inside. The boot is really large. The higher variant of the 1.4 engine costs nearly Rs.5.15L OTR. No Power windows, No Steering Adjustment. Well. But it looks good and big for that price. Here again. No Test drive. Ok. Thats even better. Thank You.
Popular Hyundai
We then moved to have a look at the
i10. After TVS Popular looked like some multinational company trying to bag a Rs.1 crore contract from you. The car is quite capable. Very good interiors. Quite powerfull engine. The Gear placement is really cool once you get used to it. Front seats are quite comfortable. However the rear seats were not that comfortable and the ride comfort was pretty BAD. I had expected something better after hearing that it was much better than the Santro. Fitting 3 in the rear would be quite difficult especially for long distances. But at Rs.4.45L OTR for the MAgna with rear wiper, defogger, adjustable steering, all doo power windows, P.S, and good quality interiors plus the 3 year unlimited mileage warranty, it looked really attractive. However we all had a bitter feel somewhere down about the ride quality.
Kulathunkal Motors TATA/FIAT
We had actually gone to have a look at the Palio1.1. The Palio has been very well discussed on this forum so not going to say about it. But i'll tell you about another car i got to drive there. One of my friends at the showroom asked me to just take a look at the
INDICA DiCOR. Yawn! Should I? Well what do i loose. Ive never been so attracted to the Indica however i took the keys from him slightly reluctantly. Put the Keys in the lock and turn it. A loud "
Clunk!!!". I look around. What was that noise?? Aah!! Its a TATA. Those were the first impressions. Put the keys in and turned it on. A few lights on the dash console blink and after they go off i turn on the engine. Well i can hear the "DIESEL". I look at my friend who sits beside me. Do you really want me to drive this? He uses the power window switches at the central console and raises front glasses. THe back glasses are being wound up by my friends sitting at the back (No PW at back). WOW! the cabin turns silent. The engine clatter is not there anymore. Thats impressive!! I slot into 1st and take off. The car pulls quite well. but the surprise comes once you cross that 1800rpm mark. WOW!! Is this really a Indica that i am driving. The engine noise is well insulated though you can hear the humm of the engine while you press the "drive by wire" accelerator pedal (FIAT tie-ups??!!). After the i10, the ride comforts is just like heaven. The rear space is really good. The negatives here are like a good amount of body roll, no steering adjustment, no rear wiper, no rear powere windows. But at Rs.4.75L OTR the car looks worth enough for a diesel with a claimed F.E figure of 28km/L!!!
Would probably try to get a TD of the Aveo-UVA and the Wagon R Duo by tomorrow. In the meanwhile would like to get your suggestions on the following cars.
1.Logan
2.i10
3.Palio 1.1
4.Indica Dicor
5.Aveo U-Va
6.Wagon R Duo
Are there any other cars that we have left and that is worth having a look out given the priorities.
Thanks in advance.