Well..Just reached 13K. So i'm using my car much more than i expected while making the purchase. Thanks to the very comfortable ride and the silky smooth engine. We all know what the adventure is all about so i'm not starting all over again on what all i love about this car. Just a few
updates
1. Got my first dents by some "great guy"(read differently) who just decided that the Formula Red Colour and those bull bars with extra fog lamps combined with the roof rails and wheel arches was just too much for him to digest. He just banged his hand on one of my doors while my car was parked. Had a huge dent but managed to pull it put with the vacuum tool that the service centre guys had. There is still a small dent in memorial of his gratitude towards the vehicle!!
2. My rear doors are still as new. One of them wont close unles you push it hard and the other one just slams in at the smallest push. Every time i went to the service center the guy who is specialized in door setting would not be there. And i insisted that nobody touches anything on my car unless they are sure about what they are doing. So things have been left just as it has been!!
3. Had water vapours in my headlamp. After 3 calls confirming that the spare is available i go to the service centre and spend half a day sitting in their lobby waiting for my car to be delivered. By after noon. Everything is ready to them. But to my eyes, the electric level adjustment is not working. THats when they realize that the adventure has a motorized headlamp. I ask them to put back my old headlights and spend another 1 hr. GO back home spending 4hrs just for some idiotic guy to learn how to remove and put back the FIAT Adventure Head Lights!!
4. Tried putting an air pressure of 32psi in all four tires and managed to get F.E figures nearly upto 10km/l in city with a/c. But was not satisfied with the ride comfort. SO recently switched back to 30psi. I feel its not worth that saving since you might have to spend on suspension work pretty early if you maintain such high pressure in tyre. Its better to drive comfortably right?
5.The rear seats could have been slightly more inclined. Its would have given a more luxurious feel sitting at the rear. The front with the raised seating position might be a problem for tall people who might end up hitting their head on the roof when getting in and out. But the good thing here is that you get a real cool driving position. Just as an SUV. Not like normal cars where you raise your hand to grip the steering. But the rear leg room is slightly compromised. It is not as spacious as it looks from outside.
Well, how do i feel after owning the FIAT?
Its sheer comfort as long as you are in the drivers seat. But do pray that you never need to sit in the service centre lobby. Though things have come a long way since the TVS days, its still along way to go. Its not about customer care. ITs about the technical knowledge of handling a car that has been build with the experience gathered over 100 years. And how well can someone with just over 10 yrs experience handle such a car. Well...visit a TATA service centre. You'll know.
Personally i'm really satisfied with the choice. The car is worth atleast 3L more the price. Just look at what it gives you and compare it with cars at that price.
Pirelli Tyres
Real Solid looking Alloys
Bull Bar
Roof Rack
100PS/137NM silky smooth engine
Adjustable steering
Additional Fog lamps
Rear Wiper
Rear Defogger
Roof Antenna
Central locking
All Four Power Windows
Independent suspension
and all those headturns when you pass through -
Priceless!!
The one thing i miss is a sun/moon roof. The vehicle would have felt great with one of those.
But we end up paying that extra money over years as fuel costs. BUt i feel its worth every penny you pay.
Future plans - advice needed.
1.Thinking of switching over to synthetic oil during the 15K service. PLease advice on brand / grade. And If possible do mention experiences on the FIAT 1.6 engine.
2. Is there any fluid that needs to be drained/flushed/replaced during this service or after 1 yr.