[Soumyajit9]

HEARTBEAT <3

It’s the 2nd Anniversary of Our Heart Beat. What could be a better time to write an Ownership Report? So here is a short report (read: Story) how we got our HeartBeat and how is it performing on the roads and in our hearts.

The date is March 19, 2011. I am running a high fever of 102 F, Platelets count as low as 30,000. Doctors are not sure what to do, apart from giving high antibiotics. My BIL visits my place and tries to cheer me up with some Car Stories. He talks about his friends buying Swift, i10, etc.
I get excited and decide that it’s high time I should fulfill my dream of Owning a Car. I asked my BIL to call Hyundai, Toyota and Chevrolet showrooms to check if they are open for me to go and check their vehicles. I strictly asked him not to call Maruti. No offences, but I just don't like Maruti.
Next day, I get up, put on as many warm clothes as I can and venture out alongwith my wifey on my bike to various showrooms and took Test Rides (not drive, coz we didn't knew driving) Nevertheless, I was super excited !

Wifey and me had already prepared a list of pre-defined rejections:
- Hyundai Santro – Old man’s car. Didn’t appeal to us.
- Maruti Wagon R - Old man’s car. Didn’t appeal to us.
- Maruti A-Star – Too small. Later, I realized it was smaller than the Beat.
- Other German, Italian cars (Skoda, VW, Fiat) – Expensive, Not trust-worthy service.

The only three cars which were in-line of the competition for the Beat were the Figo, i10 and Swift. But then, it too didn’t fare well in our hearts and mind.

Rejection Reasons for i10:
1. Would be the common look. Every 3rd or 4th car out of 10 cars on road that I see is an i10.
2. Interiors look OK, but Beige !! That is eye torturing bright colour inside a car !!
3. I sat beside the test driver and he takes me for a ride. But hey, I am just bouncing on my seat. Not a smooth ride.
4. Overall OTR cost was coming to approx 5.5 Lac to the Kappa - Sportz variant. Budget overshot by 50k.
Well, I got enough points to reject it.

Rejection Reasons for Figo:
1. The car looked boxy and the styling was not very appealing.
2. The ride looked very low. A low sedan looks good, but as a hatchback it looked very low.
3. Kept it aside for test (which never came) after the Beat test ride.

Rejection Reasons for Swift:
I had been in a Swift earlier and the car performed well. But somehow I had kept it as the last option incase the Beat didn’t feel good.
No reason in particular for rejecting the Swift, just that there were too many of them on the road. (Mind it, it was the same decade old model).

Test Ride (not Drive) Experience:
Next morning, I pick myself up from the bed, wear my winter gear to avoid further cold n cough, take my wifey and rush to Kropex Chevrolet to check out the Beat. The Beat had etched an image in our heart and mind since the last 2-3 months when we have been seeing the Print and TV Ads.
Enter Chevy showroom compound and we see a lineup of Beats and Sparks for delivery. And I say to my wife, ours will be lined up soon.
Enter the showroom and I was greeted by the Diesel Rocket (Cruze) and the monster Captiva. Ohh, they looked huge. I was welcomed by a sales executive who was very courteous and guided me to the Beat stand. And lo behold my breath; there was the Chevrolet Beat LT - Cocktail Green on display. I slowly get into the driver’s seat and my wifey into the passenger seat. I touch the Beat's steering wheel for the first time. We smile and come out of the car. We switch seats and my wife experiences the same happiness in the driver seat. We roam around the car for some more time seeing its various features, designs, style, etc etc. The sales executive offered us to take a TD. I requested for a driver since we both didn’t knew driving. So he took us out for a ride. Smooth, silent, cool. We (me n wifey) were smiling at each other suggesting that Yes, this is The One !!!
We come back to the showroom and the sales executive takes us to a couch and offers tea-coffee, cold drinks and explains the cost, finance options, freebies, etc etc. We say Ok. Fill in some forms and pay the booking amount of 10,000 INR. Colour wasn't a problem because ever since we saw the Beat ad on TV, we had already zeroed in the Cocktail Green colour. HDFC Bank finance guys explained us the finance schemes available. We opted for the 3 Year plan with the maximum % financing. The finance agent came to our house. We signed at some hundred places. Finance approved in 3 days flat and I get the delivery on the 5th day from the day of booking.

I had finally bought a Chevrolet Beat LT Petrol in Cocktail Green colour.

Why Petrol ? There was no TCDI engine for the Beat during that time.

Final Costs of Chevrolet Beat LT Petrol, Cocktail Green

Total OTR: Rs.5,15,000/-
Corporate Discount: Rs.5000/-
Free Insurance: Rs.14000/-
Effective Total OTR: Rs.4,96,000/-
Loan Approved from HDFC Bank: Rs.4,09,000/-
EMI: Rs.13,313/-
Tenure: 3 Years.

Delivery and Puja:
Me, wifey and my BIL arrive the showroom at 11:00 AM. From the town bus, I could see a shiny Green car in the showroom compound. We enter the showroom, sign a couple of other papers and take a good look of the car. Took some pictures with the Sales Manager handing over the keys to me and wifey. Took some more pics posing with the car. Then, I sheepishly asked the sales guy, whether I could get a driver drive us home, because nobody knew driving. He readily arranges for a driver and we reach home excited. Puja, sweets followed.










Freebies offered, without any bargains !!

- Floor Mats
- Mud Flaps
- Sunfilm (don’t know which brand, it was already fixed when I reached for delivery). Anyways, it’s gone now.
- Art Leather Chevrolet branded Seat Cover (Total Price 5k. I paid 1.5k. Dealer paid 3.5k). Had to bargain for this.
- 5 Litres of Petrol
- Chevy Teddy Bear
- Chevrolet branded Leather Key Chain
- Chevrolet branded Flip Diary for keeping vehicle documents
- Chevrolet branded Mouse Pad
- Chevrolet branded Chocolate box
- Kropex (dealer) branded Tissue holder paper box (Use and throw type)







Learn to Drive:

I wake up the next day, and hurriedly visit the nearest driving school. Enroll myself and wifey for a 14 day course + LMV Licence.
The next few days, me and wifey take turns to learn driving on a Swift. None of the driving school has a Beat as a learning car for obvious reason of new launch. Everyday, we woke up at 5:00 AM an learn driving, go to our offices, spend a tiring day, come back, sleep and wake up to drive again. Pretty much of a robotic life.
Then came the weekend, exactly after 5 days of learning to drive. What happened next? See below.

Long Drive:

One week down the line, me and wifey have already started learning to drive. While having dinner, we decide to take the Beatie for a breather to Electronics City on the newly opened BETL. 28 Kms of fun ride would it be !! She agreed, and next day (Saturday), we get up at 6:00 AM and I slowly take out the baby out of the garage and venture out on a Long Drive. Some pictures from the drive!! We still look horribly sleepy. And please don’t kill me for the pic of the speedometer. Even after 2 years, I still feel extremely guilty at doing that speed during the run-in period.






Likes:
- Best designed car that I have seen till date. The next best designed car (as per my eyes) is the Mahindra XUV 500.
- Uber Cool Interiors.
- Excellent pricing. Fully Loaded LT version came at 5.15lacs OTR, and 4.96lacs with discounts.
- Good city traffic handling capabilities
- Excellent Fuel Economy. I have been getting approx. – W/AC – 15km/l and AC – 13km/l. My driving is within city. 2hrs of bumper to bumper traffic.
- Excellent AC. Chills up the cabin within 5-7 mins!
- Excellent NVH levels. Quite cabin.

Not much Likes:
- 2nd gear pick up is bad. Its’ become worse with passing days.
- Non confidence inspiring handling at high speeds, particularly in excess of 100km/h. I have done a max of 120km/h and it felt a little scary.
- Too small boot. Practically, can carry a 26 inch suitcase only. I just had a chance to seat in the Sail Hatchback and the boot was super huge like a sedan’s boot.
- The A Pillars create a major blind spot.

[Soumyajit9]

A Photo Post of how we and our Beat spent the last 2 Years.

Few Shots from one of the Team-BHP Quick Meets @ Bangalore.

More pictures from the meet can be found HERE.

[Soumyajit9]

Service and Maintenance: 2 Years

So the Beat has becomes the daily commute for us. I drop my wifey at her work and then head to my workplace. It has been a pleasant experience till now – 2 Years. No problems with the car or its performance (except the infamous 2nd gear pickup problem).

Now comes the most important part of owning a car – Feeding it and keeping It healthy.
I’ll not talk about the feeding part. I have been getting Petrol reimbursements from my company for the project that I work for. So haven’t really got to count the amount that I have spent on fuel in the last 2 years.
I have no jazzy parts like FFE or Race Dynamics installed. The car is very much stock, except for a Designer Exhaust, Blinkers on the ORVMs’ and a Reversing Tweeter (that’s what I can say).

Designer Exhaust – Rs.400
ORVM Blinkers from Kropex Chevrolet – Rs.4000 (for a pair of 2)
Reversing Tweeter – Rs.150

A quick preview of the Beatie's maintenance places:

The Friendly Neighbourhood Car Wash Station. Job done nicely and in a friendly way.






The Kropex Chevrolet After Sales Service Center. Car is kept a whole day (8hrs) for servicing.





My Own In-House Maintenance Kit:





The total maintenance cost for 2 Years has amounted to Rs.12462.5

Below is the complete update on Scheduled Services, with Pricing.

500Kms – Reassurance CheckUp @ Kropex Chevrolet – 06-05-2011 – 361 KMS Done
General Body Wash and Interior Cleaning.
Total: Rs.0


5,000Kms – 1st Service – Free @ Kropex Chevrolet – 23-09-2011 – 4448 KMS Done
General Body Wash and Interior Cleaning.
3M Underbody Anti-Rust Coating – Rs.3500
Labour Charges: Rs.360.50
Total: Rs.3860.50


10,000Kms – 2nd Service – Free @ Kropex Chevrolet – 16/03/2012 - 8880 KMS Done
General Body Wash and Interior Cleaning.
Air Filter Replaced – Rs.398.25
Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing – Rs.446.49
(Horrible service is an understatement here. Personal advice: Never ever give your car for WA & WB at your authorised SC. Always go for a Tyre Specialist shop.)
Labour Charge – Rs.850
3M Interior Enrich – Rs.1024
Total: Rs.2576


15,000Kms – 3rd Service - Paid @ Kropex Chevrolet – 07-10-2012 - 13438 KMS Done
General Body Wash and Interior Cleaning.
Engine Oil Change – Standard GM Synthetic Oil – 5W40 – Rs.1100.44
Pollen Filter Replaced. – Rs.72.49
Paid Service – Rs.975
Consumables – Rs.450
Labour Charge – Rs.650
Brake Cleaning – Rs.500
Nitrogen Filling – Rs.150
Total: Rs.3674


Wheel Alignment and Balancing @ 14000kms @ G Wheels, BTM Lake Road, Bangalore
Wheel Alignment and Balancing – Rs.600 (I don’t recall the exact breakup)
More Details about the machinery and the readings are HERE.


20,000Kms – 4th Service - Paid @ Kropex Chevrolet – 04/04/2013 - 17407 KMS Done
A very horrendous experience at Kropex Chevrolet Service Center. Details are ranted out HERE.

General Body Wash and Interior Cleaning.
Poller (Air) Filter: Rs.410.48
Paid Service: Rs.975
Front Brake Cleaning: Rs.350
Consumables: Rs.350
Blah Blah Taxes: Rs.267
Total: Rs.2352

Issues Faced Till Date

Cracked Windshield:

As with many cars, I noticed a minor crack from the base of the windshield, near the wiper resting place. I tried to check it by running my nails over it to feel the extent of damage. Couldn't feel anything. Kept on driving for another 50kms (~ 2 days) and noticed that the crack started growing and went on to the center of the windshield like a money plant !! Apart from the ugliness, I started getting a bad feeling of having a cracked windshield on a 2 months old car. Took it to the Kropex Chevrolet Service Center. As expected, the 1st thing the SA says "Saar, someone has thrown ball on the glass". I mean, how could a ball land on the windshield and not cause a web looking, but rather a spiral crack ! I called up some of the other SA and they checked whether the crack was felt from the inside or the outside of the windshield. Finally they concurred that the crack had started from the inside of the glass. Basically a manufacturing defect in the glass / glass fitting. Promptly, the SA says "No problem saar, we'll claim insurance and replace it". I strongly pushed for "Warranty Replacement" to which he didn't negotiate further and agreed to replace it under warranty. I gave the car for 2 days and on the 3rd day got back the car. As expected, the interiors were all filled with shredded rubber and bit of gum and hand stains. Pulled up the SA and asked him to get it cleaned. He obliged, but the car was never new from inside. However, all ordeal ended during the Reassurance Checkup and it was all shining and new.
Windshield Replacement under Warranty: Rs.0

Fuel Pump Wiring chewed by Rats:

Oh well, more than me, rats loved my car. I assume that it’s the essence of Petrol that drives the rats to cars. A fine sunny day, I wake up, get ready and drive to office. Finished work early and planned to take an early day off at 4PM. The car won’t start. Suddenly I notice that the fuel gauge is showing as empty! I was shocked to the core since I had almost full fuel as I had refilled just a day back. I come out and start shaking the car. Felt silly, but that’s the best that could come into my mind. Few of my colleagues also joined and tried to think of ways of helping me. One of them went to the nearest petrol bunk and got 2 litres of petrol and filled in the car. Still the fuel gauge won’t move a bar even. Finally frustrated, I call up Kropex Chevrolet (My dealer) for help and to send a mechanic. That was the first time I got a taste of the real dealer within. They flatly refused to come stating that they were on Hosur Road and I was in Whitefield and they cannot come that far (~25kms) to help me. I offer them money and also said that I could bear all the costs of towing away the car. They wouldn’t agree to anything. I called up my wife and she got some Helpline number from the Chevy India website. I called and was given another helpline number. I call the 2nd number and it was picked up by a guy who asked me for do a certain test. He asked me to switch on the ignition and hear for a whistle noise for about 3 seconds.
I did the same and there was no noise. There was pin drop silence in the cabin. The mechanic said that the Fuel Pump wires were cut off by rats and that’s why my car won’t start. He said that he would come in 1 hour and fix the wires. As promised the guy arrived. He removed the back seat and opened the fuel pump covering and as you can see below, the rats had chewed up everything possible in the fuel pump wiring. The guy took out his toolkit, took out some spare wires and fixed the wire cut. Finishing was good and he sealed all the open joints carefully and nicely. Gave me a bill of Rs.500, I paid and we left.
Rat Cut – 03/05/12 – Rs.500



Fuel Pump Whistle Noise continuously ON during driving:

Since the last 8 months, the Fuel Pump noise has been coming on and off during driving too. This whistle noise should be ON for the 3 seconds when the ignition is turned On, and should disappear after that. More discussions about the technicalities HERE.

That's how our past 2 Years have been with the Beat. It's a lovely car to drive. People drool over its looks. Very much decent city driving car. This is surely going to be a long term partner in my life.

[dZired]

Hey that was a great write-up Soumyajit. Congratulations for completing two years with your heartBEAT.

Your car looks very well maintained and still has the new-car-like shine even after two years of ownership.

I hope you spend many more happy years with the beat.

Take Care and Drive Safe.

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by dZired

Hey that was a great write-up Soumyajit. Congratulations for completing two years with your heartBEAT.
Your car looks very well maintained and still has the new-car-like shine even after two years of ownership.
I hope you spend many more happy years with the beat.
Take Care and Drive Safe.

Thanks dZired for the kind words .
This report had been pending for a very long time. It was already in the draft state and I needed some time to put it into production.
I have tried my best to keep the car in its pristine condition. Thanks to B'lore's bikers, there are a few scratches here and there on the front and rear bumper.
The major thing that is pending is the customary visit to the HSR 3M Store for the Detailing tasks. May be another couple of weeks before I meet Sidhu and other BHPians at 3M HSR.

[Blow Horn Ok]

A review straight from the heart. Nice details and super nice pics. From the narration and pics it is clear that how much you and your wife love the car!

The intermittent whistle of fuel pump started coming only after the rats chewed up the cables? I would suggest to take it to the workshop and get it addressed asap.

Drive safe!

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by Blow Horn Ok

A review straight from the heart. Nice details and super nice pics. From the narration and pics it is clear that how much you and your wife love the car!
The intermittent whistle of fuel pump started coming only after the rats chewed up the cables? I would suggest to take it to the workshop and get it addressed asap. Drive safe!

Yes, me and wifey are absolutely gaga over the Beatie. She mostly joins me in all the car washes and in house detailing that I do. Apart from that she is the DJ of the Car.

Ohh, yes !! The fuel pump issue is actually intermittent after the rat chew was fixed. Never thought that way. Yes, I have to take it to the A.S.S at the earliest. But the thought of wasting an entire weekend at the service center arguing with dumb people there gives me a shudder and I put it in the backseat for the next weekend. High time, I should gather that strength and actually get this sorted out.

[Burn_out]

Amazing write up. Very detailed. Wishing you many more miles with the bolt.

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by Burn_out

Amazing write up. Very detailed. Wishing you many more miles with the bolt.

Thanks Abhishek !! And its Kms that shows on my speedo, not Miles.

[faustus77]

Soumyajit
Hi.
Great and informative post.
One thing I didn't understand.The third service was frre.
After the reassurance and the first and second service I had to pay for the third service. It was written in the service book that the third was to be a paid service.Mine is a 3 year old Beat. Did the company change it subsequently?
Regards

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by faustus77

Soumyajit
Hi.
Great and informative post.
One thing I didn't understand.The third service was frre.
After the reassurance and the first and second service I had to pay for the third service. It was written in the service book that the third was to be a paid service.Mine is a 3 year old Beat. Did the company change it subsequently?
Regards

Since I have not mentioned the Paid Service amount in the expense breakdown, I assume it was a Free Service that I got. I will once again check with the Bills tomorrow morning and let you know if I had Paid for the 3rd Service or not.

[sukhoi30]

Very nice and informative post. I especially liked the photos taken periodically. I owned a Chevy U-VA untill recently. In my experience with U-VA, I found that the vehicle is literally maintenance free for three years. After three years you need to spend a bit on replacements and parts overhaul. Keep an eye on the radiator of Chevy... Mine developed leaks after four years of running.

Cheers!!! And congratulations on your Chevy's 2nd anniversary.

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by faustus77

Soumyajit
Hi.
Great and informative post.
One thing I didn't understand.The third service was frre.
After the reassurance and the first and second service I had to pay for the third service. It was written in the service book that the third was to be a paid service.Mine is a 3 year old Beat. Did the company change it subsequently?
Regards

Hey faustus77,
Thanks for pointing out the conflicts in service charges. I had made a mess up during noting down the Service Schedule. I have rectified it now.

So basically I have got 1 Reassurance, 2 Free Service and 2 Paid Service till date.

[khoj]

This is the best bit

I have to hand it to you though it takes guts to admit that on an automotive forum, no less.

Originally Posted by Soumyajit9

Then, I sheepishly asked the sales guy, whether I could get a driver drive us home, because nobody knew driving. He readily arranges for a driver and we reach home excited. Puja, sweets followed.

A very enjoyable read overall but this was the damper for me

Originally Posted by Soumyajit9

The car is very much stock, except for a Designer Exhaust, Blinkers on the ORVMs’ and a Reversing Tweeter (that’s what I can say).

Designer Exhaust – Rs.400
ORVM Blinkers from Kropex Chevrolet – Rs.4000 (for a pair of 2)
Reversing Tweeter – Rs.150

please have this Godforsaken contraption removed. It is so annoying when this thing goes off late in the night / early morning or on a SAT/SUN afternoon. Another thing that I have noticed is that it makes drivers careless. They just assume that whoever or whatever is behind them will automatically make way and they simply do not bother to use either the rear view mirrors or to crane their necks and the results more often than not are dings, avoidable arguments and hurt egos.

I know this is my pet peeve but I if I could I would rip out all of the reversing sirens in the whole wide World

[faustus77]

Khoj
Hi.
Totally agree that reverse beepers are painful specially when you hear them in the middle of the night. Why cant people install a switch which silences the beeper.
On a different note, thanks to mobile phones you do not hear people honking to call somebody down.
I have a vague recollection that reverse horns were banned at one time.Any idea?
Regards