This actually started off as a 1K km review. I then updated it to 5K kms and then to 10K kms. But it still did not make it to the forum due to a mixture of procrastination, laziness etc.
Add to it the fact that team-bhp is kind of "Baleno country" with umpteen number of Baleno owner reports floating around. And my 2-year, 15K km experience did not really throw up anything that significant which has not been already covered.
Anyway since I did spend quite some time on this report, I thought why not go ahead and post it on the forum ? Also, now that my car had its 2nd birthday on 25th March (yeah, on the track day) and with 15000 kms on the odometer, I decided it is time I posted this finally. So, here goes …
The car search :
In short, I was not looking at a C-segment car at all. Was initially looking at an Alto Lxi, then almost finalised on the WagonR. But a chance test drive resulted in me getting the Baleno.
For anyone with the time and inclination, the full story is at
http://mybaleno.blogspot.com/2005/12/why-baleno.html Purchase date : 29/03/2005
Kms done till date : 15700 (of this 3500kms of highway driving
Max speed done : 160kmph
Fuel Efficiency :
- Chennai city with 100% a/c : 12kmpl
- Highways with 100% a/c : 16kmpl (when driven hard and fast).
Service costs :
1st service at 1000kms - Rs.604 (engine oil & filter + wiper fluid + tax).
2nd service at 5000kms - Rs0.00 (no oil change at 5K kms).
3rd service at 10000kms - Rs.634 (for engine oil & filter + tax).
4th paid service is due at 20000kms.
The car is full stock except for the
- ICE (JVC MP3 player + Blaupunkt speakers),
- Art. leather seat covers
- SST Design alloy wheels.
Planned future mods :
1. A K&N stock replacement filter is on the cards. Will get it this weekend or so.
2. Might consider wider rubber when the current set of tyres come up for replacement.
3. Also toying with the idea of sideskirts, but that will have to wait till the Old Mahabalipuram Road (which I take daily to work) is done up.
What I liked about the car :
1. The power - The main reason why I plumped for the car, inspite of not being in the market for a sedan. Have had real fun on the highways (only with due consideration for others on the road) smoking other cars. But I derived the maximum pleasure from showing the yellow board Sumos / Qualises their place. :-)
2. The ergonomics - seating is a pleasure (like they say, "the seat just hugs you close"). My wife tells me that the rear seat is awesome, but don't think I will ever get to check that out as I do not like anyone else driving my car, especially with me as a passenger.
3. The city drivability (an AT car without paying extra). The torque at low rpms make city driving a pleasure. You can even go as low as 25kmph in 5th gear without the engine knocking. No frequent gear changes.
4. The AC. Well, you all know about this one. In short, it chills and does that in seconds.
5. The FE. I have driven the car always with the AC on and the more-or-less constant figures of 12kmpl (city) and 16kmpl (highways) are pretty impressive, when compared to its peers. I know of smaller / less powerful cars that return lesser FE than this.
6. The ride comfort - the stock tyres (165/80 R13) provide an amazing cushioned ride, even on bad roads.
7. The brakes - just awesome stopping even at high speeds. Had a couple of close calls on the highway at high speeds and braking was neat.
What I don't like in the car :
1. Bottom scrapes on badly-designed speedbreakers with 4-5 people in car. Am now extra careful and either take speedbreakers at an angle OR if traffic does not permit, come to a complete halt just before the speedbreaker, release brakes and go over slowly.
2. The gear shift is occasionally notchy - especially while slotting into 5th or reverse.
3. The fact that the in-car lighting is designed in such a way that the boot light comes on when I open any of the 4 doors (but with boot closed). Could never figure out the idea of having a closed boot lit up every time someone opened a door.
What I would like in the car (the new SX4 / Baleno) :
1. Airbags (atleast as an option, but across all variants).
2. ABS (atleast as an option, but across all variants).
3. Tyres wide enough and tubeless at that.
What I didn't like earlier, but love now :
1. The rear of the car. Since the time the Baleno was introduced, I used to hate the rear and many years ago even wrote to MUL, requesting them to re-design the rear, which will make the car more attractive. But today, I like the way the rear is and would not want to have it changed. It gives the car its attitude and makes it stand apart from the similar looking crowd of its peers.
If I had an Undo option ...
Re-winding back by 2 years, would I buy the Baleno again if I were in the market for a new car ?
Yes, if I were specifically looking at a C-segmenter.
No, if I were just looking at a car which will be the only one I intend to have and use as an allrounder.
Reasons :
1. I usually drive solo or with my wife or carpool partner. In the past 2 years, I did not really use the rear seat or the boot much and hence feel that a small car would have served my purpose adequately. Ofcourse highway driving would not have been the fun it was with the Baleno.
2. I believe in the maxim "Bigger the city, smaller should be your car". Our cities with heavy traffic, all sorts of contraptions on the road, limited or nil parking space etc, call for smaller cars.
Pictures :
Available at the tbhp gallery
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indiancarpicture-212.html