Finally after having done 6000 kms, I thought I will pin down some experiences so far. It's been 10 months I bought the car, and since then it has been a good experience overall with the ownership. I know 6000 kms in 10 months - that's an average running of 600 kms a month - One of the good thing to work from home (save on fuel, hendious traffic and time
). Of course, there were some itching problems before (A-pillar and dashboard rattling due to faulty wiring of reverse parking sensors, not so smooth gears, vibrating clutch.).
* The dashboard rattling issues were resolved earlier by tapping every inch of reverse parking wirings.
* But the hard gears and vibrating clutch were still there even after 3-4 visits. The clutch vibration is more prominent in higher revs and according to dealer's workshop, its normal.
Yesterday I got a call from the dealer that Maruti has send them modified drive shafts for both left and right wheels. Today I watched the whole time, from replacement to the test drive,
I found the gears to be butter smooth and driveability at lower gears were much better now (no more do I have to bear the aweful ghakk, ghakk sound when changing from lower to higher gears). But the clutch vibration still remains. They told me to bring the car on 19th April for inspection by visiting MSIL Engineers. Hopefully, they say, the engine mounting rubbers or cascade (not so sure what it is) will be replaced with a modified one. Keeping my finger crossed ! (If anyone of you are facing the hard gear issue, ghakk, ghaak noise, please insist your dealer to replace with the modified drive shafts from Maruti - it reads 'SHAFT ASSY, FRONT DRIV' 44101 - 55K60 on the sticker)
* I have taken 2 long trips so far - one to Agra (Wah Taj!) and another to Jaipur. I am impressed by the overall handling and speed on highways - but the noise, uhhh at above 120 kmph is pretty irratating. The car is a fuel guzzler above 4000 rpms. So, I always intend to drive at around 100 kmph ( less than 3500 rpm), but the seeing the long stretch of road, it just manage to accelerate well past 130-140 kmph unknowingly.. Anyhow, I get an average of 14.5 kmpl in my entire trip to Delhi-Agra, and 15 kmpl on Delhi-Jaipur, all these with spirited driving. I get around 12 Kmpl in city condition with 80% AC on.
* Regarding Maruti services, I think this makes a big difference in my ownership. So far, my dealer (Rana motors) had been very pro-active in my dealings with them. They were kind enough to send engineers at my home for attending to certain issues (dashboard rattling, hard gears, clutch vibration). For servicing, they also offered to send driver to pick the vehicle, though I promptly refused (because you never trust how they gonna do the driving).
* Recently added MGA body kit. Costed me 20K including labor and paints. Though, it brings an agressive looks, initially I was sceptical about the impact it will have on speed breakers and uneven roads. But after been with the kits for almost 2 months, I only had a minor bottom scratch on the front skirt, that too, not in a speed breaker, but on a parking lot, that have the half-a foot stopper wall. Overall it's a better quality and finish than other after markets ones. I would definitely recommend to anyone who plans to put skirtings. (You can find pictures of the car with the bodykit on my gallery - Enjoy!!)
There you go mate.. I'll keep updating this thread from time to time.