I have now had the Storm for exactly 2 weeks and these 2 weeks have been a revelation for me of the Storm and covered quite a few miles. So thought about sharing my experience. I bought the Storm because of my wanderlust and the utilitarian look and feel of it apart from it go-anywhere attitude suited my style. Before buying I had a 10KM TD of the car and had liked the pick-up but had felt a bit of body roll and bumpiness in the ride. I had also read as many reviews as possible about the Bolero (Not many were forthcoming about the VLX) in order to prepare me for the things that are not so acceptable in Jap/ European sedans and hatchbacks like high amount of body roll, doesn't go too fast, has a harsh ride, high NVH levels, no steering feel at high speeds and what not.
And boy, was I wrong or what!
Likes:
Engine: The engine is a bundle of joy and reservoir of torque. Even though on papers, the storm might just produce 97 BHP, it is the manner in which these 97 horses are deployed, that makes it soo much fun to drive, city or highway irrespective. The torque, all 255 Nm of it is deployed from 1800-2200 RPM. You may be pottering around town at 40KMPH on 4th gear doing about 1K RPM when suddenly you get pissed at the racer boy who cut you in his modded 800/zen/santro with fat tyres, fat exhaust and loud bling music, and decide to teach him a lesson. No downshifting, no working the gears, all you need to do is just press the throttle. The Storm in no time is doing about 80KMPH at 2k RPM and the racer boy is a spec in the RVM.
Suspension: The suspension system has been the most pleasant surprise of all. I had been reading quite a bit about how the suspension system is archaic and only smoothens out when lot of load is put on it. Not so in the Storm. M&M have put the IFS with coil springs from the scorpio and mated with the Bolero's rear to produce a one of the best suspension systems in its price range and class. On my way to Madikere a certain section of absolutely bad roads, where sedans where cautiously treading at 30kmph, I was happily without discomfort doing 80kmph and loving every moment of it. The Storm is so stable on being thrown into the corners in the ghat sections, that it builds up your confidence and pushes the driver. I have pushed the Storm upto 150KMPH (indicated) and no body roll, no flexing, absolutely stable like a rock.
Driveability: Before the Storm, my previous maximum in a day was only about 600 Kms, but all that has changed now. I did close to 900 kms in about 17 hours with power naps and short breaks and I still was rearing to go for more. The driving positions is well designed for the driver to have a good view of the surrounding and as said by a Scorpio driver "look down upon people driving in hatch backs and sedans". Overtaking and getting way in the traffic has become much more easire with the Bolero than it was with my Uno. The other day I was driving the Uno and it felt like as if I was sitting on the street. I guess I hae got used to driving an SUV.
Service Network / Dealerships: This is the thing that takes the cake. Before buying the Storm I had experienced the Mahindra Service network and I was all praises for it. After buying the Storm, the experience is only improving.
To the Mahindra service
to be cont'd....(with dislikes and irritants)