[gt3t0uring]

Originally Posted by GTO

Great review of an iconic car!

Thank you so much!

Wish Tata had handled the sales, marketing & PR better. But the company has learned = just look how aggressive Tata's sales & marketing push is today. Highlighting why the Nano unexpectedly failed:

Your analysis is precise. I'm happy to see Tata's marketing team has learnt lessons and have made huge improvements.

Originally Posted by KeepReading

Nice post on ownership

Thank you!

Originally Posted by KeepReading

I felt AC is not strong enough. Wife find it noisy compared to Honda City.

Surprising, first time I've seen/heard someone who didn't find Nano's AC adequate.

Originally Posted by silverado

Congratulations on a really well maintained car. Mine turned 11 on 21st March as well . It is impressive to note that color has stayed well in all these years of usage.

Thank you! We're impressed by the paint quality too, Tata cut corners everywhere but paint quality.

I hope you keep it for as long as its possible and also maintain this thread at the same time. Good luck

We will be keeping it for as long as we can and as the time progresses, updates will appear in this thread as well!

Originally Posted by clementw

Great post, pushing the Nano for 100000 kms and showing that it was good product killed by wrong positioning. Had it been sold as the People's car and not the cheapest car, we may have seen many more on the roads. I have had the pleasure of driving it apart from the initial feeling of driving a bare bones car you settle down into the oodles of space and yet small footprint squeezing in and out of traffic with a smile on the face

Thank you, As I've said earlier, Nano is the best city car that money can buy. It being a bare bone is such a boon because you don't have to worry about something major going wrong.

Originally Posted by Siddarth_Ramani

I bought a 2010 Red Nano std from my neighbor. It was their 3rd car and was always kept in a closed garage. When I bought it, it had 17,000 on the odo (yes I know it is very less). The best thing is I paid 40,000 for it. I don't think I can get even a new two wheeler for that money today.

40k for a well kept proper car? That's an absolute bargain of a deal.

Originally Posted by Siddarth_Ramani

But as a preventive measure, I gave my car to a nearby painter and asked him to wash, dry and then paint it with same color. I'm talking about the inner area of hood and firewall. He went ahead and disassembled the child parts and then painted it. Charged 800 bucks, the color doesn't match.

We've done on ours as well along with anti-rust spray.

Originally Posted by hagarthenormal

Hearty congratulations to you and your Nano. I have one (2011) and really like it very much.

Just sad that it didn't sell much, for well researched reasons (I think prejudice is a key, less documented reason).

I think everyone should drive it once for themselves - just to see how it was designed to be a cute little city car - very simple, fuss free, comfortable and spacious (unbeatable legroom and a rear seat that can keep 3 reasonable adults happy).

The Nano may not win any races, but does win a simple man's heart. Not many cars can claim that!

Thank you so much, yes people should at least drive the car and experience it before making assumptions.
Actually it does win races if there is a huge pile of traffic ahead!

[pandabear]

Originally Posted by gt3t0uring

Greetings everyone!

Finally the time has come to write down a long ownership review of our ten year old papaya Orange Tata Nano which has just done over 100,000 kms! I was waiting for her to either reach the 100k mark or turn 10, coincidentally, she reached 100k the day after she turned 10. So here I am presenting this review. There have been a few hiccups here and there but for most of the part it's been our reliable friend.

Thanks for the beautiful review and i have always been waiting for the rebirth of the nano as a beautiful smart electric city car.

Trust me the potential is so high across the world, not only in India. Obviously goes without saying that for a world class product, cheap cost cutting should not be done but it should be executed similar to the smart (MB Geely offspring) launched on the JLR badging.

[arjab]

Lovely ownership thread. Finely written capturing all the nuances of the Nano, warts and all.

We have a 2016 Gen-X AMT and it continues to give us stellar service. The Nano is simply unbeatable as an urban runabout with its tight turning circle, bone chilling AC and spacious interiors for 4 people.

Seniors in our family swear by it, as none of them have to duck their head or bend their waist while getting in, my wife loves the convenience of the (jerky) AMT and my 6year old daughter lovers her "Nanny Car" to bits - so much so that I have been threatened with dire consequences should I even mention of selling it.

It has done 4 Chennai-Kolkata round trips. Without missing a beat. Without any breakdown or overheating. It takes its own sweet time to reach 80-85kmph, but once there you can sit on it whole day long with the two cylinder thumping away merrily.
You feel every gravel, every ripple on the road and every "twingg-twangg", jingle-tingle-rumble the car makes! Driver Drowsiness Detection System is an inbuilt feature in the Nano. You'll never feel sleepy. It'll keep you awake!

More of concern are the brakes. In the Nano, the front wheels lock-up prematurely under hard braking and then the car can go in any direction, other than the direction you want it to go! For old dogs like me, brought up on a diet of non-assisted, apallingly equipped drum braked models of Ambassador's, Standard Vanguard's and Hillman Minx's, "cadence braking" is second nature, but for today's "ABS-EBD" Gen-Z , the Nano's brakes are a nightmare.

Less is mentioned about the Little Bug's illumination. One of the rare cars which have all its interior controls backlit - including power window buttons. The headlights too, are excellent, both in reach and spread. The high mounted fog lights of the Gen-X model, neatly fills in the dark patch between the bumper and the nearest point of the high beam, making night driving an easy affair.

Attaching some pictures for your viewing. The Nano is Dead. Long Live the Nano.

[Sran]

You have maintained it very well, I can see. Nano like cars with battery are the need of the hour for city commute. I wouldn't mind buying a nano now even with a ICE engine, just for it's small footprint, which will make it truly useful in my city due to lack of parking and congestion.

Anecdotal about Nano drivers; I have never come across any good nano driver. Everyone who drives Nano seems to be a rough driver and in a hurry. I have also never seen a clean(dent free), good looking nano(no scratches). It seems to me that everybody who bought a nano, never gave it their respect. For them it was always a beater car and a "in between car" to climb to next segment.

Above 85 km/hr the engine is working just too hard for the liking with spinning at high RPMs, I don't think it can sustain such speed for long distances without overheating. (If anyone has done the same let us know!)

The year was 2012. Four of us friends were going to a village in Mohania from Patna in a Safari. The road between Buxar-Mohania at that time was single lane. Good road, with no potholes but it was not leveled properly which made it bouncy. After having a heavy lunch of Desi chicken and Steamed rice with other assortments and a nap at a village in Buxar we left at 6 o'clock. Relaxed and in no need to hurry, I was driving at 70kmph. The sun was down, headlights were on, suddenly a roaring engine went past us like a small caliber bullet. At that time of evening and given the bouncy road conditions, we looked ahead to find a yellow Nano driving speedily in all its glory. Road adulation did not mattered. We all laughed and decided to just give the guy a reality check, I sped up to 85kmph, went past him and then the Nano decided to accelerate more, it was almost heroic. We then decided to let the guy drive fast in peace as he maybe in some kind of hurry. I maintained my speed 80 kmph and he was almost 5 seconds away, so I guess he must be driving at 90 kmph for almost 20 km.

[gt3t0uring]

Originally Posted by arjab

Lovely ownership thread. Finely written capturing all the nuances of the Nano, warts and all.

Thank you so much!

Originally Posted by arjab

We have a 2016 Gen-X AMT and it continues to give us stellar service. The Nano is simply unbeatable as an urban runabout with its tight turning circle, bone chilling AC and spacious interiors for 4 people.

I've said earlier and I'll say it again, Nano is by far the best city car, it has the creature comforts, it has enough power to keep up with the usual urban traffic and the best space management. A/C deserves a special mention.

Originally Posted by arjab

Seniors in our family swear by it, as none of them have to duck their head or bend their waist while getting in

So do I! Getting inside a Nano is as simple as sitting on a chair, no squeezing yourself to get in and out.

Originally Posted by arjab

I have been threatened with dire consequences should I even mention of selling it.

Haha! You should keep your car, Nano is a future classic, a car that will never be made again, best we can do is preserve our examples.

Originally Posted by arjab

It has done 4 Chennai-Kolkata round trips. Without missing a beat. Without any breakdown or overheating. It takes its own sweet time to reach 80-85kmph, but once there you can sit on it whole day long with the two cylinder thumping away merrily.
You feel every gravel, every ripple on the road and every "twingg-twangg", jingle-tingle-rumble the car makes! Driver Drowsiness Detection System is an inbuilt feature in the Nano. You'll never feel sleepy. It'll keep you awake

You just summed up the driving experience of Nano on a long journey!


I just recalled after seeing the photos you posted, it was your travelogue thread which led me to TeamBHP! THANK YOU!

Originally Posted by arjab

More of concern are the brakes. In the Nano, the front wheels lock-up prematurely under hard braking and then the car can go in any direction, other than the direction you want it to go!

I second this, has happened a few times with me too.

Originally Posted by arjab

Less is mentioned about the Little Bug's illumination. One of the rare cars which have all its interior controls backlit - including power window buttons. The headlights too, are excellent, both in reach and spread. The high mounted fog lights of the Gen-X model, neatly fills in the dark patch between the bumper and the nearest point of the high beam, making night driving an easy affair.

Personally I've never driven the GenX Nano, but from what I've seen, GenX Nano doesn't look or feel cheap from ANY angle.

Originally Posted by arjab

Attaching some pictures for your viewing. The Nano is Dead. Long Live the Nano.

Your GenX Nano is C-L-E-A-N, I hope you hold on to it for long! All Hail The Nano!

[gt3t0uring]

Originally Posted by Sran

You have maintained it very well, I can see.

Thank you, actually all the credit goes to my father who has spent countless hours in keeping the car in mint shape.

Originally Posted by Sran

Nano like cars with battery are the need of the hour for city commute. I wouldn't mind buying a nano now even with a ICE engine, just for it's small footprint, which will make it truly useful in my city due to lack of parking and congestion.

Nano is truly a blessing when you're stuck in jampacked traffic.

Originally Posted by Sran

Anecdotal about Nano drivers; I have never come across any good nano driver. Everyone who drives Nano seems to be a rough driver and in a hurry. I have also never seen a clean(dent free), good looking nano(no scratches). It seems to me that everybody who bought a nano, never gave it their respect. For them it was always a beater car and a "in between car" to climb to next segment.

I've experienced this as well, most of the surviving Nanos have fallen into the hands of second owners so they don't really care.

Originally Posted by Sran

so I guess he must be driving at 90 kmph for almost 20 km.

Oops, I might have underestimated Nano here.

[MaheshY1]

That's a lovely car you have there. It looks beautifully maintained. Mine is the beater and looks like it too. I found that the second-gen model had all the major complaints sorted out:
- larger fuel tank
- opening hatch
- better steering and stalks touchpoints
- remote central locking
- Bluetooth music system with 4 speakers
- detailed MID
- automatic
- 5-speed (at least with the AMT)
- side impact beams (the Nano AMT is not a light weight - it weighs about the same as a k10 AMT)
- water drain for the frunk (no accumulation in my car)
- power windows (with backlit buttons by the way)
- engine noise (in the GenX, you can't tell how loud it is outside if the windows are rolled up)
- higher cruising speed (While I cruise at 70kmph, my wife often unknowingly crosses 80. it's that effortless because of the 5th gear)

These features took care of all the deal breakers for me and in 2019, I just couldn't resist buying a 3.5 yr old "flop" used Genx XTA for Rs. 1.5L (including registration transfer and new insurance cost). At the time, the on-road price without discounts was around 4.3L for this variant, although no dealer in NCR was taking bookings.

It not only met my needs for a secondary automatic beater car, I also got a cracker of a deal on it because of the 65% "Nano" depreciation on a 3.5yr old example compared to the price of a new one at the time.

The brakes are never a problem for me. If the brakes are locking up, then it means they did their job. The tires are the weak links.

After experiencing the Nano, my wife thinks of an Alto K10 AMT as a compromise. It's too small inside and has low ground clearance. On bad patches, where I have to crawl in my Beat at 20kmph, I glide over such surfaces in the Nano at 60. The suspensions make the usual noise, but they feel robust.

An acquaintance who also has the previous-gen Fortuner at home prefers taking his Nano out for shorter drives. You highlighted it perfectly. I appreciate and respect Mr. Tata's thought behind the Nano but it could've only succeeded if it was pitched as a second city car right from the start. Most people who have driven the Nano, love the car and find that their prejudice against the Nano was not justified. It does exactly what it promised on day 1 and more. In the world of products, delivering on promises alone is a big win.

It is starting to regain respect among enthusiasts long after it's discontinued. These are exactly the ingredients of an icon in the making. I'm sure, it'll come back to life. Tata can't afford to let go of a well-recognized brand like Nano. Usually, these things come back after 20yrs. That's when the nostalgia for a product starts kicking in. E.g. Sierra EV concept, RX100, vintage Bullets and Jawas. Once that happens, we may see well-maintained Nanos like yours commanding a steep premium among enthusiasts who want to own a piece of the Indian automotive history. I intend to hold on to my Nano till at least 2030. I hope you do too. Cheers!

[Vinod_nair]

Beautifully maintained Nano, very well written, Nano can go on and on, without breaking a sweat, costs peanuts to maintain, get all goodies from Boodmoo, they are slow but worth the wait.
My 25k run 2016, got it for 3L.
All the best.

[Nissan1180]

These are some pics of our 2016 Nano Twist XT. It has done about 42,000 km. Maintenance has been reasonable so far. The left drive shaft may need to be changed in the next service. Tires have been changed once because the original tires developed a bulge.

One of the main reasons the Nano failed was the poor quality of components used in the first version. I had a 2011 Nano (bought used) which had barely done 11,000 km and I had to spend 15k on maintenance on a well maintained car that cost 75k. No owner would tolerate this. Critical components like the driveshaft and alternator failed in the car when it was within the warranty period.

I exchanged that vehicle for a new Nano and it is much better.

Tata should not have compromised on the quality for the first batch of cars. There were rusting issues, alternator failures, suspension problems, starter motor issues, all in a car that was carefully driven and maintained at the TASS.

I am happy with the 2016 Nano so far. The space is a blessing for people with long legs and the AC is very effective. Mileage is okay if the right gear shift and speed coordination is maintained.

However, the Nano was priced at close to 3 lakhs by the time the Twist came out. It was still a very value for money purchase, but most people would spend a lakh extra and get an Alto because you can recover that difference if you try to sell the car, and maintenance on an Alto is predictable.

I still cannot understand why the company did not invest in making the platform electric ready. It is a design and engineering marvel let down by abysmal QC standards at Tata back in 2010 when it was launched.

[gt3t0uring]

Originally Posted by MaheshY1

That's a lovely car you have there. It looks beautifully maintained.

Thank you, all the credit goes to my father, all those 3hr long washing sessions have really paid off.

Originally Posted by MaheshY1

I found that the second-gen model had all the major complaints sorted out:
- larger fuel tank
- opening hatch
- better steering and stalks touchpoints
- remote central locking
- Bluetooth music system with 4 speakers
- detailed MID
- automatic
- 5-speed (at least with the AMT)
- side impact beams (the Nano AMT is not a light weight - it weighs about the same as a k10 AMT)
- water drain for the frunk (no accumulation in my car)
- power windows (with backlit buttons by the way)
- engine noise (in the GenX, you can't tell how loud it is outside if the windows are rolled up)
- higher cruising speed (While I cruise at 70kmph, my wife often unknowingly crosses 80. it's that effortless because of the 5th gear)

That's a long list of upgrades! As I've said earlier, the GenX Nano did not feel or look cheap from any angle, the wiper stalks, gear lever, steering wheel were carried over from the bolt. I don't know why they didn't bother to update the old 4 speed gearbox though.

Originally Posted by MaheshY1

It not only met my needs for a secondary automatic beater car, I also got a cracker of a deal on it because of the 65% "Nano" depreciation on a 3.5yr old example compared to the price of a new one at the time.

You really got a good deal!

Originally Posted by MaheshY1

if it was pitched as a second city car right from the start.

Exactly my thoughts, they should've highlighted the actual USPs of the car through commercials instead of pitching it as a cheap first car.

Originally Posted by MaheshY1

Once that happens, we may see well-maintained Nanos like yours commanding a steep premium among enthusiasts who want to own a piece of the Indian automotive history. I intend to hold on to my Nano till at least 2030. I hope you do too. Cheers!

I think it eventually will happen, I've started to notice so many people giving a second glance to our Nano. (Bright papaya orange colour + polish catch a lot of attention)
We'll be keeping it for the rest of it's life.

Originally Posted by Vinod_nair

Beautifully maintained Nano, very well written

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Vinod_nair

Nano can go on and on, without breaking a sweat, costs peanuts to maintain, get all goodies from Boodmoo, they are slow but worth the wait.
My 25k run 2016, got it for 3L.
All the best.

I hope you hold on to it for long! I really like the blue colour.

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

These are some pics of our 2016 Nano Twist XT. It has done about 42,000 km. Maintenance has been reasonable so far.

Nano looks good even in understated colours like white.

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

The left drive shaft may need to be changed in the next service.

Does it make "tak-tak" noise when starting off in 1st gear?
Because that's when we got our Nano's LH drive shaft changed. It had become loose.

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

One of the main reasons the Nano failed was the poor quality of components used in the first version.

They did learn from their mistakes but the damage was already done.

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

I exchanged that vehicle for a new Nano and it is much better.

Props to you for believing in the Nano brand!

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

I still cannot understand why the company did not invest in making the platform electric ready. It is a design and engineering marvel let down by abysmal QC standards at Tata back in 2010 when it was launched.

If only people cleared their minds and bought a car on the basis of what it offered instead of how it'd be looked at.
But Nano can make a change in the EV scenario if priced correctly.

[nik0502]

Wonderful. One lac kilometres in a Nano is phenomenal. I am an an ex Nano owner. Bought it used for my father. I only bought it for making my father learn how to drive. I only intended to keep it for six months however ended up keeping it for three years. I became such a huge fan of this capable car that I ended up buying one for one of my close friend in AT avatar. I have an automatic Civic and a 2020 automatic Ecosport but I still crave for a Nano. Hopefully I will buy a Nano XTA soon.

[sgmuser]

This is one of the Engineering Marvel from India. I wish Tata does some adjustments in the strategy to develop this as a city car as Smart or Toyota's IQ at the price of 4 lakhs+ or so.

Wishlist:
1. Solid build/air bags/ABS/ESP/14 inch wheels
2. Peppy 600 CC with a Turbo gas burner (later an EV with 250 kms range) with a focus on spirited driving rather than FE
3. Effortless & stable at 80-90 kmph bursts in the city runabouts
4. Automatic with Power Steering
5. Matured interior styling and finishes
6. Lastly, better design than now (looks very flimsy compared to e.g. IQ). The design itself is not giving confidence. IQ and Smart looks solid and proportionate.

This will sell decent numbers as a second car and as well as ladies car as it is easy to park/maneuver in metros. Nano originally flapped mostly because it was projected as a Cheap car and even though we/Indians like cheaper price but not cheaper (in image) products. It hurts our ego big. This is one of the major reason and along with the rear engine could have had some design flaws.

[Freespirit27]

Originally Posted by Sran

You have maintained it very well, I can see. Nano like cars with battery are the need of the hour for city commute. I wouldn't mind buying a nano now even with a ICE engine, just for it's small footprint, which will make it truly useful in my city due to lack of parking and congestion.

Anecdotal about Nano drivers; I have never come across any good nano driver. Everyone who drives Nano seems to be a rough driver and in a hurry. I have also never seen a clean(dent free), good looking nano(no scratches). It seems to me that everybody who bought a nano, never gave it their respect. For them it was always a beater car and a "in between car" to climb to next segment.



The year was 2012. Four of us friends were going to a village in Mohania from Patna in a Safari. The road between Buxar-Mohania at that time was single lane. Good road, with no potholes but it was not leveled properly which made it bouncy. After having a heavy lunch of Desi chicken and Steamed rice with other assortments and a nap at a village in Buxar we left at 6 o'clock. Relaxed and in no need to hurry, I was driving at 70kmph. The sun was down, headlights were on, suddenly a roaring engine went past us like a small caliber bullet. At that time of evening and given the bouncy road conditions, we looked ahead to find a yellow Nano driving speedily in all its glory. Road adulation did not mattered. We all laughed and decided to just give the guy a reality check, I sped up to 85kmph, went past him and then the Nano decided to accelerate more, it was almost heroic. We then decided to let the guy drive fast in peace as he maybe in some kind of hurry. I maintained my speed 80 kmph and he was almost 5 seconds away, so I guess he must be driving at 90 kmph for almost 20 km.

Well there are quite a few well maintained Nanos, mine is despite wifey driving it most times and then she never lets me get my hands on it till I'm driving her!
Highway manners too, many times while on the high road in the XUV there are these tiny little munchkins puttering along, you lovingly overtake them and then at the next red or city rush, there they are smartly slotting ahead through gaps which the XUV won't dare
Like mentioned here knowing how to brake and the non centering electronic steering at normal speeds are the only driving grouses.
The front tires too have a tendency to show uneven wear.
I too wish someday I'm able to extend the life of mine with a battery swap. Never gonna let it go, that's for sure!

[ObsessedByFIAT]

Wonderful write-up! Congratulations on completing the big milestone with a 'big' small car!

I too owned a Nano XTA for a good 6 years with only around 27K kilometers on it.
Took it out quite a few times on longish drives and never failed me.
However, the day it failed me, I knew I had to let her go. The dreaded AMT gave up on me. The repair cost was almost the same as the resale value of the car.
I could not hold hold on to her anymore as the fear of the AMT failing again wouldn't let me enjoy the drive.

I enjoyed each and every moment of this beautiful car! Nothing comes close the to practicality it offers for within city drives and a few on highway!

[TaurusSHO]

The Nano is seriously one of the most misunderstood cars in the world, the perfect city to ever exist!
We were looking for a small beater/commuter car in Bangalore and finally purchased a pre-owned 2016 GenX Nano last October.
Gave her a bath yesterday. The previous owner really took great care of this little beast!