re: Tata Nano and life beyond. Update: 60k km and 12 years! HI Silverado & sebastian and other Nano owners,
Was going through this article and could not rest without sharing my story - quite similar to silverado's. Me, wife and daughter were out in CP, New Delhi on 30 Dec 2010 shopping for a shoe for my wife. She is a learner and I had done the rounds of True Value, First Choice, etc and had a WagonR in mind, when some of my colleagues suggested the NANO. Being a TATA owner (have a 2002 Indica DLE, clocked over 1L kms now and a CR4 CS, bought Aug 10) i had considered the option, but was not very convinced due to one fact - no power steering.
We went over to A-One Motors on Barakhamba Road and were mildly surprised - not to find it ! Found it eventually - they were winding up the next day ! They had a blue NANO on display - checked that, but since they were closing shop for good, could not TD it. LEft my no and was in CP when the delaer rep called me - they had a TD NANO which they were willing to sell for a bargain - we went back to see this S Yello NANO - man it looks real cute ! Drove it around the building (narrow lanes in CP) and was surprised at the effortless drive ! It does NOT need a PS at all ! The engine is peppy, you can do most of your city driving in 2nd and 3rd (with A/C on). My wife was in two minds - when I went to an ATM, withdrew Rs 10K cash and sealed the deal ! The next day, I made a draft for the remaining amount and we were the proud owners of a Yellow NANO ! The car had 22xx Kms on the odo, on 31 Dec 2010 when we drove to the New Year Party in it - ADMIRATION is guaranteed with this car, I must admit !
My ownership experience till now (about 6 months):
1. Fuel average - I get 19kpl on the avg (with A/C) in Delhi. Nano owners - check air pressures regularly - fuel consumption increases (i have got 13 kpl when driving with very low pressures (20 front, about 21 rear))
2. The A/C is a real chiller - tested in Delhi's summer.
3. The heater is akin to a barbeque - pretty hot !
4. The fuel filler inside the "bonnet" is not to my liking !
5. I have installed a plastic box under the console (near the pedals) for storing nick-nacks and another under the fromt left seat.
6. The horn is meek - not heard in Delhi's roads !
7. The interior is SPACIOUS ! It can seat 4 adults and 1 child comfortably. Leg room and head room is great - more than my Indigo CS too ! For my 6 ft height, there is enough legroom both in the front and rear.
8. Plastics' quality is good - for the cost.
9. Driving position is great - you sit high, have a good view, although the A pillar blocks vision at times (sharp right turns).
10. Turning radius - WOW ! I once did a U-turn on Karol Bagh's lanes on seeing a jam ahead ... to the envy of most car owners waiting there !
11. I have got the FREE wiring harness upgrade Kit installed, have installed my old SONY Xplod car stereo - with new speakers. Mounting the speakers is a big job - actually. I then opted for small boxes (for the dual cone 5 inch speakers I had bought) and placed them under the seats. The carpeting is fastened with velcro fasteners, so no cutting the carpet for the wires.
12. Have installed an Autocop gear lock (pin type), it's a bit difficult to reach. With some practice, I can open it now even in the dark.
13. Ingres / Egress is superb - one enters easily and sits straight on - no collapsing into a hole akin to an 800 / Alto / Zen / Esteem.
14. The rear storage is good for two bags at most - although they get warm - to hot depending on the temp outside.
15. Great car for city commuting, shopping. Has great height - my Sunshine Yellow NANO can be spotted in an underground mall parking lot - easily !
16. Headlights are BIG and bright, although there is no adjustment. The fog lights up front are also good, worked well in the fog during Jan-Feb 11.
17. Difficulties faced :
(a) The spare wheel has to be removed to fill air - the nozzle faces the inside !
(b) The fuel filler should be on the outer body.
(c) The windshield wash tank is too small - mine takes in hardly 200-300 ml !
I have done about 2000 kms since I bought it. The driver door lock came undone once - the dealer opened the panel inside (was pretty well fastened with snap-on plastic pins) and re-fixed the U-shaped clamp used to hold it. The A/C switch would get stuck in pressed position sometimes - plastic on the outer rim was causing it to stick - the dealer (Autolinks, Rama Road) replaced the HVAC switch - OK now.
I hope to put in some pictures and will post on the overall ownership experience. |