[srinivaspai]

Excellent review calling a spade a spade and not mincing words.As i read more and more paragraphs of the review the horror story started unfolding and I had to stop myself midway.Felt this cannot be true.2015 AD and a new car being introduced with such features/non features.? Are Indians donkeys? Is there no end for us being taken for a ride? This is a pure torture chamber on 4 wheels for sure. Who in their right mind will plonk their hard earned money in this mess which moves? earlier this is withdrawn better lest other manufacturers get inspired to introduce similar brothers and sister models .Sad day.

[lifebuoy]

Thanks for a detailed and well documented review. Yes, the car has cost cutting in every nook and corner, but then, how else do you sell a car this size with profits included at the sticker price ?

Does the junta really care for the safety of the shell and the ABS and other features ? Only seat belts exist, because they are mandated by law, I'm sure they would also be missing, if not !

All in all, a good effort by Nissan to build a cheap people mover. It has the potential to replace many low cost hatchbacks from maruti ! (If we do not consider the service network, of course)

[da_lowrider]

Originally Posted by lifebuoy

Does the junta really care for the safety of the shell and the ABS and other features ? Only seat belts exist, because they are mandated by law, I'm sure they would also be missing, if not !

All in all, a good effort by Nissan to build a cheap people mover. It has the potential to replace many low cost hatchbacks from maruti ! (If we do not consider the service network, of course)

Here's my problem with that line of thought, granted that most people choose to ignore - even basic - safety over cost, but the thing is who is in a better position to decide what's more important? John Q Public or an established manufacturer who's been making cars for decades? For the argument that they are satisfying the current safety norms in this market, the issue here is not just the lack of ABS, the main problem I have is that the manufacturer, in this case Nissan, has taken a deliberate retrograde step while designing/developing a new model WRT to the issues with the body shell just because the existing norms allowed them to & probably their perception that the market they are selling in is not evolved enough to acknowledge that they are being offered a substandard product in terms of basic safety. It's not like the Datsun twins are older models that are struggling to match up to current expectations if safety, these are two newly developed products that have been deliberately designed in a specific way in order to maximize profits at a specific price point. I say retrograde because this isn't a new manufacturer who has just making cars, this is a company that, for a few lakhs more, sells a car that is perfectly acceptable in terms of safety ergo the Nissan Micra.

[LoneRidder]

A good detailed review
I am really amused by the opinions expressed on Go+. We simply cannot be too harsh for ‘nothing’. Yes nothing Just because Nissan has categorized Datsun as low-end car brand, you cannot run a hell on all their products. I am reminded of “Nirma Detergent”. When it was launched all asked what and how and why so cheap? And after all they captured the market and HUL had to release lot of low ends like Wheel etc! There are potential consumers at every price point!
Before I started to write my views, I had to make a relook on the comments of my fellow members on Alto K10 which was reviewed recently. It was a rude shock to see contradicting comments. After reading through, you may want to believe that the comments at ‘Alto k10 and Go+ are from different world!
I believe if Alto is an ‘entry level small car’, Go+ is an ‘entry level wagon’. Both fall in the same line of products, san Suzuki’s network of service centers, all belong to the same basket!
I still believe it is a neat and cheap people mover!

[Equus]

Would this become a city-only taxi? La Nano, albiet with 5 comfy seats + very decent luggage space? No last row of seats at all.

Not a bad option if you come to think of it. They can charge a bit more than the Ola mini and suddenly, there you see the value proposition.

But thats that. No other use case comes to my mind.

[preetamkabra]

I agree with Equus. The brand itself is not so " must have" sort of thing. Hence, very high chances that given the price and specs, it may become the taxi of coming days.

[svsantosh]

People purchased the 5 seater Maruti Eeco (AC Version) and moved the (3 Pax) middle row to rear and purchased the 2Pax mini bench from MGP and installed it in rear - this was done because the Eeco had AC option only in 5 Seater version (And of course the target crowd for a Eeco type vehicle needed the 2 extra seats!!

BUT - the GO+ is simply stupid in providing that good for nothing last row. May be the target crowd is people with trained pets which would not need too much leg space! Its simple Unsafe even to put kids there!!

They could have saved 3000-6000Rs more in selling price, Excise, ARAI charges by simply selling the car as a 5 seater with a big boot!!

[S2!!!]

Originally Posted by LoneRidder

I am really amused by the opinions expressed on Go+. We simply cannot be too harsh for ‘nothing’. Yes nothing Just because Nissan has categorized Datsun as low-end car brand, you cannot run a hell on all their products.

No. It isn't for nothing. Honestly, after spending some time with the car, I developed a certain liking towards it. It has good amount of pep, decent space and the practicality of a large boot (with the 3rd row seats folded). However, the minute you start observing things closely, do you realise how cheap the car is and how cheap it makes you feel. Being practical and affordable is one thing; being cheap is another.

Originally Posted by LoneRidder

Before I started to write my views, I had to make a relook on the comments of my fellow members on Alto K10 which was reviewed recently. It was a rude shock to see contradicting comments. After reading through, you may want to believe that the comments at ‘Alto k10 and Go+ are from different world!

I believe if Alto is an ‘entry level small car’, Go+ is an ‘entry level wagon’. Both fall in the same line of products, san Suzuki’s network of service centers, all belong to the same basket!
I still believe it is a neat and cheap people mover!

When I drove the Alto K10, I knew I was driving a cheap car but in whatever way it did, it gave a sense of premiumness, if not in quality at least in design. I can't say the same about the GO+.

The reason for the rants on this thread are probably because people are expecting Datsun to do something radical and get over the Global NCAP nightmare results. Since Datsun hasn't taken any necessary step in the right direction, BHPians have sidelined the GO+ already.

Originally Posted by LoneRidder

I am reminded of “Nirma Detergent”. When it was launched all asked what and how and why so cheap? And after all they captured the market and HUL had to release lot of low ends like Wheel etc! There are potential consumers at every price point!

Datsun guys too were giving the example of how Kinetic Honda managed to totally overthrow Bajaj scooters. How they wish they could have done the same to Maruti

[mi2n]

Originally Posted by S2!!!

However, the minute you start observing things closely, do you realise how cheap the car is and how cheap it makes you feel.

From my tryst with sub 4 lac offerings from Maruti, I did not even need to observe things closely to get that cheap feeling. On that note though, how would you rate the interior quality say plastic trims, dashboard material, door handles, wiper stalk, steering wheel, etc. of the GO+ vis-a-vis the New K10 now that you've extensively reviewed both?

Originally Posted by S2!!!

When I drove the Alto K10, I knew I was driving a cheap car but in whatever way it did, it gave a sense of premiumness, if not in quality at least in design. I can't say the same about the GO+.

Could it be that you had the appalling innards of the outgoing K10 in mind while benchmarking the new K10 interiors? Taking nothing away from Maruti but wouldn't you agree that giving dual tone color scheme and piano black inserts is a cheap way out to achieve a false sense of feeling premium?

[S2!!!]

Originally Posted by mi2n

how would you rate the interior quality say plastic trims, dashboard material, door handles, wiper stalk, steering wheel, etc. of the GO+ vis-a-vis the New K10 now that you've extensively reviewed both?

In terms of quality (touch and feel) and durability of materials, I'd imagine that the Datsun twins have an edge over Maruti. They also enjoy superior interior room due to their dimensions for the price they offer. If Datsun had probably spent Rs.5,000/ and just added those finishing touches to the interiors (like a covered dashboard lid, a better designed instrument console which doesn't feel incomplete, etc.) it would have been a lot more appealing.

Originally Posted by mi2n

Could it be that you had the appalling innards of the outgoing K10 in mind while benchmarking the new K10 interiors?

Nope, I wasn't comparing the older K10 to the newer one as the former was just an extension to the original Alto that was introduced in 2000. Instead, I was comparing the newer car to the new Alto 800 which we also happen to own.

Originally Posted by mi2n

Taking nothing away from Maruti but wouldn't you agree that giving dual tone color scheme and piano black inserts is a cheap way out to achieve a false sense of feeling premium?

Absolutely

But this "false sense of feeling premium" is where the little Alto scores over the Datsun twins. The cabin is pleasing to the eyes and a person coming from a two-wheeler would appreciate things like dual tone interior or piano black inserts in his Rs.3 lakh car. Heck, there are many who would own the Alto as a second car and still end up finding some similarity (in terms of design elements) to their more expensive sedans.

At the end of the day, everyone wants more by paying less. What the Alto K10 gives you is more power, convenience of an AMT, pleasant-looking interiors, a low price tag and Maruti's trouble-free ownership experience.

On the other hand, the Datsun gives you a car from a segment above at a low price, good interior room, better quality interiors, better ride quality but all this backed by Nissan's after sales and service network which isn't as wide or as competent as Maruti's.

[rajeev k]

Got to see a Go+ today at a road side display point. As was well versed with the team bhp review report, all the negative points immediately caught the attention.

First was the floor level third row seats. Next was the extended front passenger seat, which Nissan themselves claim as for placing nick-knacks or light hand bags.
In which case the third row seat provides a safe spot for placing heavy bags and other luggage.

Nissan is concerned, about bag and baggage.

Now good points. The top variant will be on the road in Kerala for Rs 5.2 L and one get central locking and engine immobilizer. (The Sales Executive present there was not aware of the immobilizer)
There is a mobile phone parking stand attached with the music player, which can charge the mobile too. Interiors and the quality of plastics are not at all that bad.

[LoneRidder]

The sales figures for Jan 15 shows a good number for Go+816 (dec 249) against 840 of Go! In my view its a good number against the competitors. Looking at Enjoy (549) and Evalia (8) definitely a good progress. Though this car comes with a laid back package on safety and other issues, I feel it would have a good buyers there! Would be very interesting to see as months progress!

[aneezan]

Where did Datsun get the idea of releasing Go+? Did they receive any feedback from customers that all that is required is an extra piece of seat?
I get the whole idea of "low-cost", but they could have as well stuck with Go.

IMHO, Go+ is really a gimmick. A 3rd row seat which practically offers nothing, except that you will get reprimanded by everyone seated there.

[Charioteer]

Originally Posted by aneezan

A 3rd row seat which practically offers nothing, except that you will get reprimanded by everyone seated there.

My two year old Lab definitely won't reprimand me!
I personally see it as an excellent alternative to the Alto K10 which I am planning to gift my wife.
She is not a regular commuter, so will be using it basically within the city. Lookswise, she will find it much more appealing than K10. Pride of ownership will be way ahead than a K 10. My kids will be super thrilled with the rear seats, where they will plonk themselves when the grandparents visit.
And otherwise, we suddenly have the option of taking Oliver, our Labrador retriever for all our beach outings - something that really is not easy in my Linea.
And if someone tries to give the junk theory of failed crash teast et al, saying it is not a safe car, my wife is smart enough to understand how safe the Alto is!!

[Nissan1180]

I had a chance to visit the Datsun showroom yesterday.
This was the first time I went to a Nissan/Datsun showroom, and I have to say the experience was quite amusing. A few short illustrations:
1. Another customer (more than 60 years old) asked about maintenance costs- the sales representative said that all spares are imported and no Indian parts are used. He did not answer the question at all.
2. As expected, the sales rep. said that the car can seat 7 people. He claimed to have tolerated the backseat for an hour during a test drive.
3. I asked about the test drive- it was not available.
4. I wanted to register for a test drive- he took my contact details on the back of a restaurant bill that he had. No test drive form.

Then he asked me about my occupation and address- I did not share any details. The attitude of the sales man was clearly depicting a touch of arrogance.
I am no one to comment on the company policies, but how could Nissan have allowed such unprofessional dealerships to spring up? If they cannot answer a question from a senior citizen about service costs honestly, how would they behave after the car is sold.
The Go+ is a capable car for what it offers, but seeing the dealership attitude, I doubt if the popularity would translate into sales.