6th May 2007, 17:55
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| BHPian  | Indica V2 DLX @48,000 kms Hey everyone! Figured the best way to integrate myself into this forum is to put up a post which I hope will help. I own an Indica V2 DLX purchased in Oct 2003. Have got it serviced at regular 5k kms intervals at Prerana motors and so far the ownership experience has been mixed. I had no issues at all for the first 20,000 kms barring some fogging on the windscreen when the air-con was switched on and apparently that leakage is present on all Indica's, a problem Tata motors have been able to do nothing about. The pick-up was acceptable for a non-turbo diesel though I'm sure it could be tweaked a little to get some more juice out of it. Irrespective of whether the rev's were pushed or not, I still got (and continue to get) 13-14 km/lt with the air-con switched on in the city. The power steering was good but certainly not best in class, though Tata could certainly do well to reduce the size of that steering wheel. Feels like driving a truck (should've guessed!). The quality of plastics is not great but after 48k kms I have not had to change anything except for the wiper stalk and that was only because there was a loose connection in the one touch wiper action. No electricals have malfunctioned ever and I haven't had to change a single bulb or wire so far. At 40,000 kms I had the engine decarbonized which seems to have made a slight difference to the emission levels and a huge difference to the engine note. Sounds like it was given a full body massage and is very happy at the moment!  At 42,000 kms I had to change the clutch pressure plate which I am told is about the life one can expect from it in stop and go city traffic. While on that, I have to say what really bugs me is the complete inability of the car to move at low rpm's in second gear forcing me to remain in first and crawl or move to second and use the clutch, a habit I can never bring myself to do. There have always been a bunch of rattles and at every service I have to tell the technician to fix them all. Its like they are programmed to surface every 5000 kms so that the service station can make some money on it. I have found the braking to be adequate but curiously my car has handled a lot better in the rain and on the highway than it does on the city. It has always returned 18-20 km/lt on the highway and corners like a dream hugging the road all the way even while crusing at 80 kmph and the suspension eats up the small pot holes with no complaint. In the city however, it feels like the car has a mind of its own, with pick-up varying all the time, feeling really heavy at times and flying at times. Changed a couple of the tyres at 45,000 kms only because the sidewalls were damaged. No sense taking a risk on safety. Also changed all four tubes at the same time given that punctures were becoming a little frequent. Right now there are some irritating sounds from under the hood, like some metal piece is loose and tightens up as soon as the revs move beyond 1800. There is also that scary screech of the fan belt everytime the air-con is switched on in the mornings! Don't know what causes that and have to get it fixed. Barring these issues, it has not given me any major cause for concern. Oh, I forgot, the battery was changed after 3 years and 2 months of good service. I could've gotten a few more months out of it, but I'm the kind of person who would rather not have that hanging around my neck continuously. My philosophy is to change it now if it will have to be changed in the next 1000-1500 kms. The paint work is still looking good barring a few scratches and scrapes, thanks to idiots on the road! Seems it is very difficult for people to see an indicator blinking at night!!! The fabric is still in good condition and so are the door pads and dashboard! I expected faster deterioration considering tata built the car but will happily admit that I am wrong. Well that's it for now and I hope I have addressed all the issues that should be spoken of in a long term ownership report. It might be the last on the Indica since I should have a Swift Diesel soon. Will post reports on that baby once I have it. Cheers! Kartik |
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7th May 2007, 12:38
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| Team-BHP Support   Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore
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7th May 2007, 13:34
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| Team-BHP Support  | |
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7th May 2007, 13:46
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| Senior - BHPian  | Nice honest review. Quote:
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7th May 2007, 16:24
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| BHPian | Thanks guys! Appreciate the honest feedback. @esteem lover: you are right, I am buying the Swift for refinement levels. I would like the experience of a car as opposed to part-car part-lorry @Jaggu: I'm assuming that would answe your question as well on why another diesel. Quite happy with the Indica but it has served its purpose and done its time. Just time for change that's all. |
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8th December 2010, 21:08
| #6 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: PCMC, Pune-MH14
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