[vasanthn21]

Originally Posted by saket77

I said pricey but not at all a bad deal.


My point is that now even if you would sell your car, you can still have a great resale! After driving 50-60K kms, all you lose is just about a lac of rupee! That is why I said that it was a pricey, but still turns out to be a great deal.

Thanks for the calrification Saket. I have to say, I agree with your point. May be I was not too good at striking the deal at the right price when I bought this car.

Originally Posted by shinuak

The Zen has been and is still one of my favorite cars. I have a 2002 model,MPFI one and still is going on good. I remember the Zen being mentioned then as a pocket rocket by many of its reviewers and fans. But I cannot agree to the mileage figure of 20kmpl as I don't get more than 13-14 kmpl for mine on highways. But definitely I share the same sentiments on Maruti's decision to discontinue /replace with Estillo.

I am surprised with your mileage figures on the highway. I get 18-20 kmpl on the highway depending on the conditions. Once, I drove with the AC blower on max speed, all the way; and constantly touching 100 kmph, and I got 15 kmpl. That is the worst mileage I have got on highway.

I gather from other Zen ownership reviews, almost everyone has been getting 18-20 kmpl on the highway.

[Sebring]

I gather from other Zen ownership reviews, almost everyone has been getting 18-20 kmpl on the highway.[/quote]

I remember our carb zen returning 10-12 KMPL only. Next time I am in town need to get that looked into. Shall post some pics of the ride then, as well. Can the VXi gear shaft console with cubbies for coins/bottles be retrofitted to older LX? How much would that cost?

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by Sebring

I gather from other Zen ownership reviews, almost everyone has been getting 18-20 kmpl on the highway.

I remember our carb zen returning 10-12 KMPL only. Next time I am in town need to get that looked into. Shall post some pics of the ride then, as well. Can the VXi gear shaft console with cubbies for coins/bottles be retrofitted to older LX? How much would that cost?[/quote]

My car has done 2.13L kms. Front tires are 165/60r13 while the rear has 175/60r13. I get about 14kpl in city with AC. My usual Bangalore - Mangalore drives give me around 16kpl with AC on only for the last 100 kms after the ghat with speeds hovering around 140-150kph.

This time I stuck to 100 kph and AC on full time. Got around 18.xx kpl on the highway.

[(Alok)]

Originally Posted by vasanthn21

That is an interesting way of looking at it, but can you elaborate?

People recognize ZEN because for performance. IMPO being a small car ZEN if having a very good road behavior & control like a seaden (tyres are always have well gripped with road car always follows the command it got from steering perfectly i.e. called a driver’s car).

[powerband_rider]

@vasanth Am i jealous or what! I am a big fan of this car and had one in the family. Would always pounce upon the opportunity to drive it whenever i got one. The low slung design, light steering, butterly gears, sprightly engine were all FUN. I am using the past tense because that car was unfortunately lost in a crash recently. Now that its been discontinued by MSIL, it has certainly left a void. Alto K10 may come close but not up there and the zen estilo, just forget about it.
I will be in the market for a new hatch soon and would have totally lapped this one up had MSIL not killed it. Damn!
So hold on to it and enjoy it. Dont worry about the dated interiors, its something that a driving enthusiast can totally live with in this car.
All the best.

[vasanthn21]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Can the VXi gear shaft console with cubbies for coins/bottles be retrofitted to older LX? How much would that cost?

IMO, it can be retrofitted. Could not get cost details though.

Originally Posted by speedsatya

My car has done 2.13L kms. Front tires are 165/60r13 while the rear has 175/60r13. I get about 14kpl in city with AC. My usual Bangalore - Mangalore drives give me around 16kpl with AC on only for the last 100 kms after the ghat with speeds hovering around 140-150kph.

This time I stuck to 100 kph and AC on full time. Got around 18.xx kpl on the highway.

You Zen with 2.13L kms on the odo is nothing short of a legend. I remember I came very close to getting a chance to look at it about 2-3 years back when you attended the "For driving skills for life" session in Bangalore. You attended the morning session and I came for the post lunch session. Missed meeting you and your Zen by a few minutes.

Why the different specifications on the front and rear tyres?

Originally Posted by (Alok)

People recognize ZEN because for performance. IMPO being a small car ZEN if having a very good road behavior & control like a seaden (tyres are always have well gripped with road car always follows the command it got from steering perfectly i.e. called a driver’s car).

Agree with that, but still don't see how the car can correct mistakes done by the driver.

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by vasanthn21

IMO, it can be retrofitted. Could not get cost details though.

You Zen with 2.13L kms on the odo is nothing short of a legend. I remember I came very close to getting a chance to look at it about 2-3 years back when you attended the "For driving skills for life" session in Bangalore. You attended the morning session and I came for the post lunch session. Missed meeting you and your Zen by a few minutes.

Why the different specifications on the front and rear tyres?

Agree with that, but still don't see how the car can correct mistakes done by the driver.

Cheers !

Wanted to edit my earlier post. I don't drive at 140-150 kph on 2 laned roads with oncoming traffic. I meant to say ,I get those FE figures with speeds touching 140 kph on the 4 laned stretches.

Different tire sizes actually don't help much. I wouldn't recommend anyone to do that on a zen. I actually felt handling has changed for the worse, not sure if its because of the wider rear tires. But yeah , I can see a difference in ride quality...it better.

The console from the newer zens can be fitted easily. I have one in my car since 2005 ( whenever this version of the Zen was launched )

Recently , I replaced the OE headlight reflectors at Suraksha. It's actually worsened !! I see a big difference in the headlight throw. The earlier 12 year ones were still better than these ones. Tried aligning the headlights at Suraksha. Funnily , they have no equipment to adjust this !! They park the car in front of a wall and do the settings. Wll try another workshop to correct this. Till then , all night driving has stopped.

[vasanthn21]

Originally Posted by speedsatya

Cheers !
Different tire sizes actually don't help much. I wouldn't recommend anyone to do that on a zen. I actually felt handling has changed for the worse, not sure if its because of the wider rear tires. But yeah , I can see a difference in ride quality...it better.

The console from the newer zens can be fitted easily. I have one in my car since 2005 ( whenever this version of the Zen was launched )

That is surprising, I assumed that with the different tyre setup, you would have better handling than ride, but what you say is the opposite.

The good thing about Maruti is that though production of Zen has stopped long back, it is quite easy to get the parts in the service center even now.

BTW, do you get your Zen serviced at the Company service center or you have found better alternatives. I am finding the Maruti serivce centers getting pricier these days.

OT: How is your Amaze performing. I am surprised you haven't started an ownership/review thread!

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by vasanthn21

That is surprising, I assumed that with the different tyre setup, you would have better handling than ride, but what you say is the opposite.

The good thing about Maruti is that though production of Zen has stopped long back, it is quite easy to get the parts in the service center even now.

BTW, do you get your Zen serviced at the Company service center or you have found better alternatives. I am finding the Maruti serivce centers getting pricier these days.

OT: How is your Amaze performing. I am surprised you haven't started an ownership/review thread!

I wasn't comfortable with the handling at higher speeds. That's the reason I stuck to a max of 100 kph on my last drive to Mangalore.

Service is just as good as the workshop. It was the service experience over the last one year that made me swear off maruti. Maruti service isn't really cheap. I end up spending at least 5 K every 5K kms and at the end of it , you don't even get proper service ! I am now looking out a MASS or a smaller workshop to service the car. Dealer service centres have been useless.

I have just done 500 kms on the Amaze and that too just city driving. I would say its easier to drive in the city than the zen ( though I am still learning to drive in bumper to bumper traffic ). The information display has been showing 19.6 kmpl since the last 400 kms. Have never exceeded 2000 rpm with AC on most times.

[vasanthn21]

Originally Posted by speedsatya

Service is just as good as the workshop. It was the service experience over the last one year that made me swear off maruti. Maruti service isn't really cheap. I end up spending at least 5 K every 5K kms and at the end of it , you don't even get proper service ! I am now looking out a MASS or a smaller workshop to service the car. Dealer service centres have been useless.

I have just done 500 kms on the Amaze and that too just city driving. I would say its easier to drive in the city than the zen ( though I am still learning to drive in bumper to bumper traffic ). The information display has been showing 19.6 kmpl since the last 400 kms. Have never exceeded 2000 rpm with AC on most times.

I am having similar experiences with Maruti service. I have also started giving my vehicle for service to a local but trustworthy mechanic.

19.6kmpl with AC in city driving is very good mileage.

Amaze is definitely on the list of my "next car possibility" list.

[dezrskb]

Hi Vasanthn21.
This was my first car and have very fond memories of same. 2002 model, MPFI Lx, miami gold. Touched a truck and cracked front windshield on way back from dealership while taking delivery. Replaced it next day. I ran it for next 7 years with minor troubles. Have driven for max 600kms in a day without trouble. Service was cheap, mileage good (18+ with A/c). My wife says it was the one she liked most (we had a Swift Dzire Vdi and then now a Skoda Laura Elegance Tdi). Minor troubles - 1.A bus banged the car and damaged rear right door, replaced under insurance . 2. Battery died after 5 yrs, replaced (not bad at all). 3. A/c cooling reduced and the OEM gas was not available anymore. Filled another one with improvement. 4. A nut at floor dropped off, rain water leaked in and started smelling. Took some time for me to notice and repair it. 5. As far as I remember, back seats didn't have seat belts, no ABS/ airbags/even power steering but never failed me when I needed it.
But when I wanted to sell it after 7 yrs (basically I needed more space, more powerful engine as roads were getting better and boot space), there were many customers. Had no trouble selling it but sold with a heavy heart as this was the car which I bought with learner's license. I learnt good driving habits with this car. This was the car I had when I married and had my first child. Even now my wife is very emotional about it as it was the one she drove a bit (didnt drive the dzire / Laura). If I could afford to keep 2 cars then, I wouldn't have sold it. Later few of my friends wanted a pre-owned Zen, but couldn't find one in market for reasonable price.
All in all, I would say it was a reliable sweet little car for me.

[deadguy25]

Zen is one of the best cars. Had a Zen (December 1996 to August 2011). The only thing needed was petrol. She would take care of the rest.

[vasanthn21]

Originally Posted by dezrskb

Hi Vasanthn21.
This was my first car and have very fond memories of same. 2002 model, MPFI Lx, miami gold.
I ran it for next 7 years with minor troubles. Have driven for max 600kms in a day without trouble.
My wife says it was the one she liked most (we had a Swift Dzire Vdi and then now a Skoda Laura Elegance Tdi).

Minor troubles - . 5. As far as I remember, back seats didn't have seat belts, no ABS/ airbags/even power steering but never failed me when I needed it.
But when I All in all, I would say it was a reliable sweet little car for me.

Care to share some pics of your car?

It is nice to see that your wife likes it over the Dzire and Laura, that is some competition for the little guy.

My cars back seats had seat belt. May be these were introduced sometime after 2002, not sure.

Reliable sweet little car - yes, very well summarised.

Originally Posted by deadguy25

Zen is one of the best cars. Had a Zen (December 1996 to August 2011). The only thing needed was petrol. She would take care of the rest.

That is 15 years of ownership Deadguy! You should have put up an ownership review!

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by vasanthn21

...

There are times when I regret having sold my Zen. And this moment is one of them !

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...n-tribute.html

Nice review Vasanth. Brought back a lot of fond memories.
Though my 1997 Zen was almost a generation older with the carb etc everything else seems to be the same.
Hope you have a long innings with your Zen and good luck !

[deadguy25]

Originally Posted by vasanthn21

Care to share some pics of your car?

That is 15 years of ownership Deadguy! You should have put up an ownership review!

yup mate, should have.