[ported_head]

Exactly, i'd like them to launch a limited edition with AWD and a 4.2 V8. Someday.... Ohhh wait..this is India isn't it. In that case..NEVER.

[ajmat]

Second Drive

Last night under the toxic influence of single malt, Rudra gave me the keys to his Bling Machine. Mentally, slipping on my five gold rings, the shiny shirt , hip hop denims, coolers etc, I took the wheel.

Getting my driving position was easy, a bit like the Opel Vectra that I used to use a a pool car. Noticed the gear lever had long throws but shift like the Opel Vectra. Took about 10 shifts to acclimatize, I did crunch em during a second to third quick shift. Took it upto 80 - very stable but low speed bumps are apparent due to the wide wheels.
Engine - smooth - not one to be gunned but it has good torque and one does not have to focus on what gear one is in, the torque looks after this. I found myself mainly in third when I could have been in fourth -vtec habit.
Steering - reasonable accuracy not as eager as the Honda. Cornering is predictable. Was not able to judge high speed cornering as I was under the influence of some friends from Scotland so had no room for error.
Only demerit are the headlights which are pathetic on mainbeam.

So - what is this car - is it a Korean cast off ? Nope! why is it good value ? Answer is in the text - read Vectra - it uses Vectra components of the last generation ago - they may not be the latest in technology but they are proven and you get the benefit of amortised costs. It is an optimised product and european in nature.

I would not eliminate this car from my shortlist (I did one year ago due to Daewoo snobbery!). They say the 1.6 has a sweeter engine - may look at a 1.6 and tune it up. Would I buy this over a Corolla - possibly - Corolla looks as if costs have been cut except for the engine. Would I choose this over a new Honda City - in all three options - the desitination is the same, it is how you get there. Well in my mind, it is like the watch that one chooses to wear

Optra- reliable components in an attractive package at a reasonable price
Corolla -Perceived image - good basic mechanicals in a bland package
Honda City - High Image, up to date technology fair but not excessive premium

Now look at watches
- Titan, Seiko or Tissot respectively - all decent brands doing the same thing with a different package.
As for me, I used to have Tissot but now have an Omega - shame that my car does not match up to it.

So thats it, this "Daewoo" ain't a dog, it is the Vectra at an Astra price

[Revvmaster]

Ajmat, ever considered leaving your IT job for the top spot at a car-mag?

Revv

P.S. Just forced a friend into considering a 1.6 over the NHC and Baleno. I hope my guess is as right as yours.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Revvmaster @ Nov. 01 2004,13:22)]Ajmat, ever considered leaving your IT job for the top spot at a car-mag?

He won't 1/10th of what he gets now.

[aadix]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Rudra Sen @ Nov. 01 2004,13:26)]

He won't 1/10th of what gets now.

but wouldnt the job appeal to the heart?

i were were in ajmat's place,i wouldnt leave theIT job,but would be a guest coloumist for one of the carmags!
wat say? killing two birds with one stone!?!?!

[Rudra Sen]

Difficult for Ajmat IMO. He was really charged last night to hit the golf course this morning at 5.30.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ] his Bling Machine. Mentally, slipping on my five gold rings, the shiny shirt , hip hop denims, coolers etc, I took the wheel.

Buttttttttttttttt sweet first drive report. Sure provided me with a different perspective to the Optra.

GTO

[ported_head]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Ajmat, ever considered leaving your IT job for the top spot at a car-mag?

He is pretty well qualified, since he has been reading CAR UK for so many years. Thanks to him, i get to enjoy many of the older car issues from time to time. It's a Motoring treasure.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Rudra Sen @ Nov. 01 2004,13:49)]Difficult for Ajmat IMO. He was really charged last night to hit the golf course this morning at 5.30.

correction, it was 5.10, luckily, rudra's scottish friends did not give me a headache last night !

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (aadix @ Nov. 01 2004,13:31)]but wouldnt the job appeal to the heart?

i were were in ajmat's place,i wouldnt leave theIT job,but would be a guest coloumist for one of the carmags!
wat say? killing two birds with one stone!?!?!

But I would not necessarily be nice about the car so mags could never get a second invite or advertising revenue again

Yes, it would be a dream job

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Rudra Sen @ Nov. 01 2004,13:26)]

He won't 1/10th of what he gets now.

With the stock price as it is, I would probably need that extra wedge !

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (ajmat @ Nov. 01 2004,17:51)]

With the stock price as it is, I would probably need that extra wedge !

Ok, go for it then with the oldest man's blessing

[ajmat]

One more point to add about the Optra - the handbrake is located too far to the left - so your hands wander in the dark. Never drive this car for the first time on your first date !

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (ajmat @ Nov. 03 2004,09:34)]so your hands wander in the dark. Never drive this car for the first time on your first date !

Gee. Thank god I was next to you that night!!

[satish_appasani]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Rudra Sen @ Nov. 04 2004,14:55)]

Gee. Thank god I was next to you that night!!