My Maruti WagonR LXi is sweet 18! EDIT: Now sold Way back in 2000, when my dad showed me a photo of the WagonR in an auto magazine, as the new offering from Maruti, both of us had a hearty laugh at its odd shape. I had an 800 for the preceding 12 years and was very proud of it--it had a Suzuki engine and a monstrous pickup that was lacking in Maruti engines made in India. A few months later, I spotted a WagonR on NH5 proceeding towards Vizag, and I too was going to Vizag from the Steel Township.
Seeing its odd, un-aerodynamic shape, I overtook it and gave a 'kaise gaadi khareeda tumne' look at the driver. It was one of those golden brown WagonRs that were launched in India. Probably my condescending looks put the driver off and he started chasing me. We were at the airport stretch of the highway, generally devoid of traffic. Taking the challenge, I stepped on the gas and was doing around 100--but restrained myself as my 800 was floating at that speed. 'Zooom'---that guy overtook me, to my surprise, and soon I lost sight of him! He must have been doing at least 120, and it was this defeat that changed my attitude towards the WagonR.
A year later, I badly wanted to buy a new car, and my choice was limited to Santro, WagonR ,Indica and Matiz---Palio was not yet launched, and Zen did not have an MPFI version then. I ruled out Indica because I took a ride in a week-old V2 model in Bhilai, and found it bumpy on the rear seat. Morevoer it was diesel, and my running was only 20 kms a day. I researched lots of magazines, and almost homed in on a Matiz, as almost all magazines said it was the numero uno among the three. Only issue was a bad gearshift. But my good pal in Delhi, who owned one cautioned me that the factory in Korea was closing down, so that left me in a dilemma, as I hated the looks of both Santro and WagonR.
I test drove both and found the pickup of a Santro in lower gears better. The driver's seat also seemed to be better for long drives.This apart, the A pillar did not obstruct vision, and its gearbox was better.
But after driving a WagonR, my perception of the vehicle changed drastically. I found many advantages over the Santro, such as:-
Steering more effortless, due to EPS
Better brakes
Better handling
Very good ride even in the rear seats, unlike Santro.
Bigger boot space
Lots of cubby holes for putting items in the cabin.
The most decisive factor was the reclining rear seats---my kids adored this feature, as they could both sleep on our late night return trips to the township from Vizag city.
So I went and bought it on July 31st, 2001---it was the second WagonR in the township, so I had to face a barrage of questions.Some were even jealous, as they were on the verge of retiring, and felt that buying a new car was not a good option. I bluntly told them that I had 20 years to go for retirement, so my perceptions need not match theirs!
One great feature that I used couple of times was the facility to join the front and rear seats into a 'bed'. I had to receive my mom-in-law from Vizag Station (30 kms away) at 2 a.m., but on reaching the station, was told the train was an hour late. It was in peak summer, and we were sweating on the platform. So I retreated into my car, joined the seats, started the engine with handbrake on, and relaxed with A.C. for about 45 mins till my mom-in-law arrived. Though I must have burnt some fuel, the returns in terms of comfort were superb. The other time I used this feature was last year, when I had to drop my cousin home after a bypass operation.
You just dont get this feature, even in C segment cars. Not sure if this feature still exists in new WagonRs.
We had a long trip to Bbubaneswar in April 2002, and to Hyderabad in September to take up a new job. We also drove down to Vizag from Hyd and back in 2 days for some urgent work in May 2003. On all these occasions, we did not feel exhausted at all, and were able to drive at speeds upto 100 comfortably. Only feature that was missing was under-thigh support for such distances.
It is now 6 years from the date I bought this car, and it has clocked 41500 kms so far--could have been 44.5K if I had not bought a Fiesta in March. I am proud to say that I had my first puncture only a month and half ago, when the odo read 40600 kms. Very honestly, I had never changed a wheel in a WagonR, so took the help of a puncture wallah . I found the wheel rod a bit rusted, and kinda stuck to the mat, as it was in that very position for 6 years!
So kudos to Bridgestone radials, to roads in A.P. and of course, to me!
My mileage figures during highway driving with 90% A.C. was around 16 to 17 (could have been more without AC and if I drove at 60 to 70, which is only theoretical as one tends to drive above 80), and in Hyd city it gives me 12-13 with AC, and 13 to 13.5 without A.C. Not bad for a 1061 cc car. My pal who owns a Santro reports similar mileage.
As regards condition, it is still as good as new, nary a few scratches, thanks to Hyd bikers. My front and rear bumpers have taken quite a few thuds, but are intact, thanks to Maruti's good quality bumpers (compared to the bent Santro bumpers you see very often). Moreover, they are black, so no scratches are visible--I've resisted the urge to paint them body-coloured.
Maintenance of my car is around Rs 900 per year on servicing and oil changes. Only thing I had to spend on so far was Rs 120 for a reverse light bulb !
I expect to spend a bit this weekend when I give it for servicing, as it is a '40000 km servicing', where they might need to change brake pads, etc.
When I found my AC's efficiency going down, I blew compressed air at the radiator with my vacuum cleaner, and now it is as good as new.
As regards gear shift, I had problems with the 5th gear and reverse only for the first 1000 kms, and have never faced any problems so far. I 've read many horror stories about the gearshift, but they must be new cars. Admitedly, the gears are not as smooth as the Fiesta's, but they are not on level playing ground. I must say, however, that my son, who is used to the gear play of a WagonR, got a chance to drive the Fiesta on the highway. When he was slowing down below 45kmph, I advised him to change to 3rd, but he changed to 1st !!
Arrgghhh! My heart stopped a beat, but luckily he pressed the clutch soon after he realised his mistake.
Overall, I am very happy with this car.
If you ask me if I would advise people to buy this car, I certainly would. However, they also need to check up new cars like the Spark. The Santro xing looks good too, compared to the old Santro. But the Waggy is certainly tried and tested, as brought out above.
Will post pics soon after servicing is over. |