Congratulation black perl...
My "silverqueen" baleno will be completing exactly 2 yrs on 6th june 08. I have exact figure of 22367 on my odometer. for some it may not be great mileage in two years but considering the fact that I am the only driver in our family ( the problem is my silverqueen doesn’t allow anyone else to ride/drive her...hahahaha) and I spend more than 182 days in a year out of India, its good mileage that I clocked in a year, you will agree.
Just like black pearl I too was disappointed with looks when i bought it,
(you may refer my detailed report
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Review, Maruti Suzuki Baleno Price, Mileage, Killer Looks II - MouthShut.com)
i guess baleno did have problem with paint finish. of all the cars maruti sells and have sold, baleno has the worst paint sheen. Even a year old alto outshone a brand new baleno.
But negating all this looks and bottom scrapping, my silverquuen surpassed every other expectation and glows like beauty that she is even after two years of some rough treatment.
I love driving hard ( read - distance of 400 kms from riverview hotel chiplun to thane in 4 hrs or from kolhapur to thane in 3 hrs 40 minutes)
Especially I love to dive in and out of fast moving traffic ....
So next time you see that silver streak zoom dangerously close to your car you know who to blame...
Maximum speed clocked 160 kms on super express highway when I reached from thane to chandani chowk pune in 1.75 hrs flat.
No I am not boasting or trying to show off, If I sound so then pls excuse me.. all I want to say is the car is so responsive that she cajoles you in driving her faster.. at least in my case I just sit behind the steering and silverqueen drives herself.
………..
I just survived a major scare last month on my journey back from goa. On my way back from goa just after the check post once you enter maharashtra i was clocking 120 kmph and suddenly a truck in opposite lane turned in, to cross the road. I left a mile long mark of scorched tire when i hit the brakes but never once the car severed she stayed planted firmly arrow straight. Not only the speed, stability and pick up but even breaking is one of baleno's strong points
To the great delight of my better half after this scare, i have sobered down and i like to now just putter around Mumbai, thane traffic and the amazing engine of baleno makes that possible very much possible even in 4th gear without any need of down shifting. Actually it is this ability of baleno during my test drive hooked me on to baleno or I was completely "fida" over fiesta.
So guys that’s my “silverqueen”…….