Background:
I decided to switch to an automatic car around last quarter of 2009. Had a Hyundai Getz earlier. Reasons to go for the AT were pretty simple: Would help my wife to drive. Also, being from Bangalore, AT makes driving easy in the bumper to bumper traffic.
I had been working in North America from my company and had rented all kinds of cars for weekend drives there. Got the first feeling of automatic gear boxes from those vehicles. In NA, lane discipline and pedistrian crossings are much orderly and I felt people can manage without an AT. However, most of the cars are ATs there. In India, we have pathetic and chaotic traffic enviornment but most still many look only for a manual probably to save that additional 1 or 2 kmpl. Awareness is spreading and more and more people are realizing the benefits of an AT.
Since my current car was a hatchback, I prefered a sedan but willing to seriously consider hatchbacks as well. As usual, took multiple test drives of the auto variants of i10, i20, SX4 AT and City AT. Airbags and ABS were in the list of features that are a must. I spent lot of time in team-bhp website to know about the dealership and ownership experiences of various models.
Cars considered:
i10 AT: I have to admit it is a wonderful and practical city car. With ABS and airbags, the AT variant is 6.4L on road in Bangalore. Further, I have to upgrade the skinny tyres and buy alloy wheels from outside which would take the price to 6.6 to 6.7L range. My better half was sceptic about the space and comfort of the car to go for the long drives. We wanted to buy and keep a car for long so thought not to go for i10 considering that future requirements might not be served well by that car. At least in Bangalore, I have seen that requirements invariably outgrow what the current house and car can provide. i10 is a smaller car than our Getz and too went againt it.
i20 AT: Had all the bells and whistles which even high end sedans lack. Interior size including the boot were excatly the same as my Getz. It is a bit pricey at 8.76 on road for the AT version without the sun roof. It is the costliest hatchback in India as far as I know. The AT in i20 is basic 4 speed tranny. In fact, other than the Honda City all the other 3 cars mentioned here have basic 4 speed AT gear boxes. I finally decided to drop it because experience taught me that hyundai cars don't hold much resale value (probably Santros do). Also, Hyundai petrol cars are are a bit notorious for the fuel efficency as well.
SX4 AT: Being a Martuti, this was my choice till January when I decided to opt out of it. I was not happy about the 4 speed AT gear box coupled to the 1600 CC engine. Again, I was not sure about Suzuki's expertise in building AT gear boxes. As everyone knows, the previous AT models were not popular at all. As far as opinion in team-bhp goes, Suzuki is still struggling to make big cars successfully. Moreover, reviews in auto magazines and popular TV channels indicated that the AT tranny is strictly average. When I contacted Maruti dealers in Bangalore in Dec, I was told that the car will be available from Jan 2010 onwards. In Jan, I was told that the car will be delivered in April if I book in Jan and make the full down payment immediately. Contrary to straight thinking, it is not because SX4 ATs are in huge demand. In fact, they are hardly selling the ATs is what I know. I doubt if Maruti is trying to fix the initial gitches in the AT model. At least, one dealer indirectly indicated so to me. Even if Maruti had to manufacture the car after the confirmed book, it should not take that much time for delivery.
City AT: As popular wisdom goes, it is not a good idea to strech and buy a car as it is a depreciating asset. This car unfortunately was a bit out of my budget. I have to say that after driving all the above cars, this is the one which I liked the most. A terrific machine indeed !! AT gear box is very good too (doubt if it is same as Civic). It is a 5 speed tranny and also has the option to drive as a manual via the paddle shifter. I decided to go for it even if I have to strech a bit. Once I didn't want to regret my decision once I buy a car.
Buying experience:
Talked to Magnum and Whitefield Hondas in Bangalore. Employees of some companies like Infy, Wipro and TCS may get a corporate discount not from the dealer but from Honda. Bad luck that price of City had increased by another 5k in Jan again. Finally decided to go with Whitefield Honda at KR Puram as they are the nearest one from my home.
Sales guys:
Sales person whom I interacted is 'Deb' who is a nice, soft spoken guy devoid of usual hollow charm and gimmicks of a typical sales guy. I booked Alabaster silver on scond week of Jan and was promised the delivery by last week of Jan or by latest by first week of Feb. By first week of Feb, I was informed that the car had arrived. Went for a pre-delivery inspection along with my brother and noted the VIN and chassis no. Started the engine and noted down the total kms run as 5. Tyres were from Michelin. Looked for scratches and dents too. No scratches and going good so far. Incidentally, met Assitant General Manager Ramdas. He is one of the most interesting person whom me and my brother had interacted with. I recommend him as a must meet if you deal with Whitefield Honda regarding sales.
Finally delivery of the vehicle:
I decided to take the delivery in second week of Feb (Feb 12th precisely ) as it is Shivarthri and an auspicious day. I was given a slot at 2 pm in the afternoon and me, wife, kid and my brother reached there on time. I had the delivery checklist from team-bhp with me and requested Deb to go through item by item which he obliged to do. I had a Hyundai and my brother had a Maruti car earlier. I must say that buying a Honda is an entirely different experience when compared to those.When taking delivery of my Getz from Advaith Hyundai, Residency road Bangalore I was taken from showroom in Residency road to garage in Mission road by Advaith guys where I was made to wait till evening 5. It is 5 in the evening that I finally got the vehicle with accessories fitted. Not a pleasant experience definitely. That was in 2005 though. Contrast this with Honda, the car was ready with all accessories fitted by the time I was in the showroom. Deb was with me all the time till I drove out the vehicle unlike in Advaith where I didn't know whom should I talk to get matters expedited. Checked the vehicle for same VIN and chasis no. Kilometers run were noted again as 9 km. These days, it seems, the vehicles need not be taken to RTO office for registeration. Finished all formalities and paper work, distributed sweets and handed over a token gift to Deb. My son was offered a box of choclate by Whitefield Honda making him the happiest kid in town that day. Lemons were kept under the tyres to avoid 'dhristhti' and a small pooja was done in the showroom itself.
Wanted to enhance the security of the car, an I enquired Whitefiled Honda if I can do so without voiding warranty. I was told that gear lock is not required in AT as the gear selector will already be locked if car in parked position. Unfortunately, as per their advice, a security system too cannot be fitted as it will tamper with the immobiliser circuits Honda had provided. This will void the warranty. Immobliser provided by Honda will prevent theives from driving the car away but it will not raise an alarm if anybody breakes into the car
Finally On the road:
Deb saw us off and we drove to the nearest Shell petrol pump to fill fuel. Had a drive in the Sarjapur road and to a temple again in the evening. Fuel consumption indicator is showing a mileage as 9.8 kmpl in smaller roads and around 10.8 kmpl on wider roads like Outer ring road. Being an automatic, I am not expecting a mileage above 11 inside city.
Thanks for patiently reading my buying process and experience. Hope it will be useful for you. Have a great day.