Chevrolet Optra 1.8

ajmat · 4th November 2004, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

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

Quote:

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!!

Luckily we've "dated" before and you know that I'm not that kind of guy !!!!

satish_appasani · 5th November 2004, 16:04

Here's a thought. Instead of GM launching this model in India, Maruti Suzuki should have used this car to replace the Baleno. Maruti's after sales support would have helped putting this car ahead of Carolla in sales charts.

BTW Chevy optra is called Suzuki Forenza in USA.

aadix · 5th November 2004, 17:59

it wouldnt have sold at all satish
rmember baleno a few years back was price simliar to the optra 1.8,who bought it?no one
imo maruti is not associated with a premium tag feel

satish_appasani · 5th November 2004, 18:04

This has looks and quality that a premium buyer wants and Baleno doesn't have them.

Anyway that was just a thought. In India I believe GM has no interests in Maruti.

Rtech · 11th January 2005, 14:42

Well, I finally got to drive the Bling machine late Sunday night.

First thing I noticed when i reached for the handbrake was that there was none! Nope, wait a minute, there it was...on the other side of the center console. Great if this was a left hand drive vehicle!

The engine. Its smooth, silent and reasonably swift. However, it had those typical Holden charicteristics i.e. slow revving, not much power low down, but decent amount of torque midway, useful in everyday driving I would imagine.

The gearbox had some wide throws, especially the 2nd to 3rd shift, but was not clunky as I thought it would be. Smooth, but lethargic is how I would classify it. But these are things you automatically acclimatise yourself to after a few minutes in the car.

The new tyres were awesome. To me, the ride was perfect. Not harsh at all at low or high speeds and compliment the very capable suspension well. The Corolla does not have a patch on the Optra in ride quality. I took a few corners at a fairly decent clip(yet restrained as I could sense Rudra flinching

) and not a sound from the tyres. They look terrific on those 15" multispokes too.

Steering feel though was all but missing. Its just too antiseptic, too disconnected. Great for traffic and parking, but not what you want when the speeds rise. This i would have to say was my biggest dissapointment.

Now, for those interiors. They are simply great. The seats are really supportive, much better than the Octavia's. That sunroof adds to the open feeling of the car, however does cut in on headroom. The drivers' seat is height adjustable, but not the passenger's. A bit of cost cutting there.

The materials used are really good too, although that fake wood looks cheap. Rudra's speakers and boom box were terrific. Very pimp indeed...cruising down the strip with the 'box thumping away...I can see him now!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Optra is one heck of a car! No, its not a "driver's" car, but not everyone wants one either.

Rt

Rudra Sen · 11th January 2005, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtech

Rudra's speakers and boom box were terrific. Very pimp indeed...cruising down the strip with the 'box thumping away...I can see him now!

rt

Rtech if you say my audio setup is pimp then I really don't know what are those loud thumping ones. I've tried to keep the overall sound quality as close as possible to my home setup.

System doesn't have that thump. In fact you cannot hear anything from outside. I don't want people to know what's cooking inside.
Anyway my music sense is bit wonky so less I share with outside, the better.

Rtech · 11th January 2005, 15:35

Hey Rudra,

I'm sure if you turn your bass up, you'll get that thump! But yes, as I mentioned, I love the setup, both at your home (all rooms...lol) and in your car.

And I could grow to like some of that music too, so long as I'm sleep deprived...lol

Rt

aadix · 11th January 2005, 19:00

hmmmmm.....u guys forgot to call me back!!!!busy with rudra's cars r??

ajmat · 2nd July 2005, 21:21

Drove the bling machine last week - it is as if Rudra poured his single malt + some spanish fly into the tank, the car is suddenly smoother and friskier!

Rudra Sen · 2nd July 2005, 21:55

Ajmat, of late I'm driving out almost every Sunday..anywhere for 150km plus. Let's do it with again and along with your VTEC.
By the way, 7500km report coming up soon.

supremeBaleno · 12th January 2006, 22:11

rudra, I don't think you are very particular about your car's FE.
Anyway, just some info on the OPtra's FE for those planning to get it.
A guy in my apartment bought his Optra LS (1.6L) around the same time I got my Baleno.
We were comparing notes about the cars after a few months and when I mentioned an FE of 12 in city with A/s, he was like, is it for real ? He said he gets around 8 in city with a/c.
I was a little curious about the huge difference (since both are 1.6L) and did some investigation. Found that while the Baleno weighs in at 975 kgs, the Optra was a massive 1600Kg (50% more than the Baleno). No wonder it gives a measly FE of 8 (50% more for the Baleno).
Agreed that the weight would add to the safety and ride comfort.
But for those out there who are conscious about FE, this is not the car.

BUSA · 12th January 2006, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Baleno weighs in at 975 kgs, the Optra was a massive 1600Kg (50% more than the Baleno). No wonder it gives a measly FE of 8 (50% more for the Baleno).
Agreed that the weight would add to the safety and ride comfort.
But for those out there who are conscious about FE, this is not the car.

Optra weights between 1200 kgs and 1300 kgs depending on the model. 1600kgs is laden weight for the car.
Some people would sacrifice FE for stability and thats is wise.

Rudra Sen · 12th January 2006, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUSA

Optra weights between 1200 kgs and 1300 kgs depending on the model. 1600kgs is laden weight for the car.
Some people would sacrifice FE for stability and thats is wise.

1250 kg (for 1.8 LT) to be precise. Traffic from my house to office doesn't allow me to go to 4th. Most of the time I'm well below 50 km speedo mark. What FE can I expect?

Long drive report is here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...tra-1-8-a.html

v1p3r · 12th January 2006, 23:09

Rudra ji, to be honest, with the amount of torque your car generates, you can drive around all day in 5th gear!!!

Rudra Sen · 12th January 2006, 23:16

May be. But really not a healthy prescription for a car of that size.

5th November 2004, 16:04	#47
satish_appasani Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,112 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	Here's a thought. Instead of GM launching this model in India, Maruti Suzuki should have used this car to replace the Baleno. Maruti's after sales support would have helped putting this car ahead of Carolla in sales charts. BTW Chevy optra is called Suzuki Forenza in USA.
	() Thanks

5th November 2004, 17:59	#48
aadix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: hyderabad Posts: 1,597 Thanked: 14 Times	it wouldnt have sold at all satish rmember baleno a few years back was price simliar to the optra 1.8,who bought it?no one imo maruti is not associated with a premium tag feel
	() Thanks

5th November 2004, 18:04	#49
satish_appasani Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,112 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	This has looks and quality that a premium buyer wants and Baleno doesn't have them. Anyway that was just a thought. In India I believe GM has no interests in Maruti.
	() Thanks

11th January 2005, 14:42	#50
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Well, I finally got to drive the Bling machine late Sunday night. First thing I noticed when i reached for the handbrake was that there was none! Nope, wait a minute, there it was...on the other side of the center console. Great if this was a left hand drive vehicle! The engine. Its smooth, silent and reasonably swift. However, it had those typical Holden charicteristics i.e. slow revving, not much power low down, but decent amount of torque midway, useful in everyday driving I would imagine. The gearbox had some wide throws, especially the 2nd to 3rd shift, but was not clunky as I thought it would be. Smooth, but lethargic is how I would classify it. But these are things you automatically acclimatise yourself to after a few minutes in the car. The new tyres were awesome. To me, the ride was perfect. Not harsh at all at low or high speeds and compliment the very capable suspension well. The Corolla does not have a patch on the Optra in ride quality. I took a few corners at a fairly decent clip(yet restrained as I could sense Rudra flinching ) and not a sound from the tyres. They look terrific on those 15" multispokes too. Steering feel though was all but missing. Its just too antiseptic, too disconnected. Great for traffic and parking, but not what you want when the speeds rise. This i would have to say was my biggest dissapointment. Now, for those interiors. They are simply great. The seats are really supportive, much better than the Octavia's. That sunroof adds to the open feeling of the car, however does cut in on headroom. The drivers' seat is height adjustable, but not the passenger's. A bit of cost cutting there. The materials used are really good too, although that fake wood looks cheap. Rudra's speakers and boom box were terrific. Very pimp indeed...cruising down the strip with the 'box thumping away...I can see him now! I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Optra is one heck of a car! No, its not a "driver's" car, but not everyone wants one either. Rt Last edited by Rtech : 11th January 2005 at 14:44.
	() Thanks

11th January 2005, 15:35	#52
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Hey Rudra, I'm sure if you turn your bass up, you'll get that thump! But yes, as I mentioned, I love the setup, both at your home (all rooms...lol) and in your car. And I could grow to like some of that music too, so long as I'm sleep deprived...lol Rt
	() Thanks

11th January 2005, 19:00	#53
aadix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: hyderabad Posts: 1,597 Thanked: 14 Times	hmmmmm.....u guys forgot to call me back!!!!busy with rudra's cars r??
	() Thanks

2nd July 2005, 21:21	#54
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,863 Thanked: 27,973 Times View My Garage	Drove the bling machine last week - it is as if Rudra poured his single malt + some spanish fly into the tank, the car is suddenly smoother and friskier!
	() Thanks

2nd July 2005, 21:55	#55
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,590 Thanked: 6,532 Times View My Garage	Ajmat, of late I'm driving out almost every Sunday..anywhere for 150km plus. Let's do it with again and along with your VTEC. By the way, 7500km report coming up soon.
	() Thanks

12th January 2006, 22:11	#56
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,698 Times View My Garage	rudra, I don't think you are very particular about your car's FE. Anyway, just some info on the OPtra's FE for those planning to get it. A guy in my apartment bought his Optra LS (1.6L) around the same time I got my Baleno. We were comparing notes about the cars after a few months and when I mentioned an FE of 12 in city with A/s, he was like, is it for real ? He said he gets around 8 in city with a/c. I was a little curious about the huge difference (since both are 1.6L) and did some investigation. Found that while the Baleno weighs in at 975 kgs, the Optra was a massive 1600Kg (50% more than the Baleno). No wonder it gives a measly FE of 8 (50% more for the Baleno). Agreed that the weight would add to the safety and ride comfort. But for those out there who are conscious about FE, this is not the car.
	() Thanks

12th January 2006, 23:09	#59
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,334 Thanked: 6,896 Times View My Garage	Rudra ji, to be honest, with the amount of torque your car generates, you can drive around all day in 5th gear!!!
	() Thanks

12th January 2006, 23:16	#60
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,590 Thanked: 6,532 Times View My Garage	May be. But really not a healthy prescription for a car of that size.
	() Thanks