Re: Tata Hexa @ Auto Expo 2016 I have been quietly reading through all the posts through this hullabaloo; and some not so intelligent expectations from the Hexa. So why am I writing anything now? Because owning the New Innova Crysta, I find myself rather bordering the craving of going gung-ho on my finances, logic and stern looks from wifey to propose swap it for this baby. Am I going to do it? that's for another day and time to decide.
I had booked the Storme VX 400, prior to cancelling it to go for the Crysta. The production for the variant had stunted, and what was very honorably and honestly communicated was that the production was adjusted for the Hexa. This was 4 months back.
4 months and after 6000kms on the ODO, I believe I can appreciate what Tata has managed to achieve here. I agree, this may tend to float on water, till I get to chance my paws on this beast; but having said that, I would like to give a perspective of a current owner of the much vaunted, and an aspirant of the vanquished.
a. The why? People buy Toyota for either the resale value (including fabled ownership cost) or the comfort of the middle-bucket seats. Hexa has got that now, and how! The seats look like they could do justice in the 50L above bracket. Initial impressions say that the feeling of being wrapped is truly remarkable.
b. Toyota is niggle free? That's a myth. Or for me, it is. Mind you, if you are not one of them who gets perturbed to the extent of losing your beauty sleep on creeks and rattles, you will love the car. My Innova has managed to add its own (and rather irritating) acoustics on rough "roads" of Mumbai is just 4 months. I was not OK with it on my new-gen Scorpio; and then hell, I won't be ok with it after spending double of it for the Innova.
c. Competent service? I have already visited the service center four times now, instead of the 2 intervals that was scheduled. The first one was for a minor bump on the car. To revisit a harrowing experience for a new car on just its third day, a Skoda Rapid decided to rear end my stationary car. what happens? The bumper folds and dents the tail gate. That's how dainty the mighty Innova is. I still thinking of whether I will allow the service center to attend to getting the tailgate replaced and painted. I saw an accidental Innova for which the bonnet was repainted by them. It looked as if someone applied a toothpaste instead of the lacquer paint. My eyes could notice the difference from 15m away, and I wasn't even wearing my glasses.
Second was for a very, very notchy gearshift. The service center took considerable time (in days) to get the car back; after having lubricated the gears. I haven't driven it since, so I don't know yet. Maybe its not so much of competence issues, as to inability to get a ascertaining and reassuring fix to the problem.
d. The gleaming new car? Yes, it was. Not after two months. When the early morning sun falls on the car, you could clearly see swirl marks and imperfections on the door. The paint of a Toyota is so pathetic (to keep it civic on this forum) that even if an adjacent car opens their door and mistakenly bumps your car, you will be able to see it. This has happened not once, but twice. I have two scars on the left side to show for the battle. Battle? wait a minute. I wasn't even brazen. The paint chips and fades even if you wanted to cake it with wax. Just don't mess with it.
e. Oh the mighty oar? The steering feel has been well documented on this forum. I am going to cancel my gym membership because I get to drive the Innova on creeping speeds. Enough said.
Please read my above points with consideration and not in confrontation. This could be as much a part of the Crysta thread, as it is here. But the constant comparison some of our esteemed members are resorting to is frankly as much humorous and horrendous. It is like foretelling Boomer will never be as good a swimmer as Michael; who's to say that. The mythical Innova has its flaws, and so will this car. I have driven the Storme and all the above points were not its short-comings. Would it be fair to assume that Hexa can only be a step forward? NMs, BHPs, GC, LR etc. etc. are only technical jargons, they do little for a family guy who just wants to look at a good car and drive in safety and have his family comfortable. Please, let's not now compare towing capacities and say how bad the Hexa is. Instead, I would say call it what the Hexa really is, an evolution of the Aria, a revolution of Tata and hopefully resolution to all the doom-theory of the Company. I for one, wouldn't think a price between 12.5 to 19 ex-showroom is murderous for the car that all of us has just seen in pictures. <peace>
Last edited by methecupid : 21st October 2016 at 14:49.
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