Dear bhpians,
This is my first post after my introduction post after gaining my membership. Thank you all for providing such a great review and updates about your ownership of beloved machine.
I have been looking out to replace my dad's Ford Figo.
Love at first sight
I happen to look at Jeep Compass on Bengaluru roads back in 2017 and fell in love with its stance. Later in 2018-2019 I happen to drive my friend's Compass since we worked in same company and also in same building. Our outings for weekend were planned as family outing and I absolutely loved Compass drive and handling. I happen to drive the car occasionally and loved ut. But, I was not so serious to replace the Figo at that point of time.
After WFH due to the covid then job switch during the pandemic I happen to stay with my parents along with my wife and kid.
Love for 700:
Later in 2021, the urge to replace the Figo started increasing slowly. I was looking at Compass but I felt that it was priced higher for what it offered and decided not to go with Compass. And during that time, I came across the mighty 700 teaser.
Fell in love after the teaser and started browsing about the release date, specs, etc. extensively.
I even added the car to the cart and tried to book on the first day with introductory price. Booking failed and I tried again. Even after repeated tries, the booking didn't happen. Later I decided not to go ahead with the booking.
I happen to get a call from the dealer on the 2nd day of booking and they were ready to punch a booking in my name with the first day's introductory price. But I did not go ahead with it.
Took my first TD in March 2022 and was all smiles after the TD. The car was HUGE! For someone who has driven a manual hatchback all his life and jumping into AT SUV, I felt the car to be huge and the TD was done in a very high volume traffic road. But I absolutely loved the raw power and decided this will be my first car (purchase out of my own pocket).
Coming to September 2023, I booked online for AWD version with dealer #1 on my parents 40th anniversary without telling anyone about it. I thought to keep it as a surprise even after knowing that the delivery dates on web showed somewhere in June-Aug 2024.
Come October, our figo has sudden loss of power and the service people informed that there are rat bites and hence the problem. It was rectified and put a huge hole into out pockets. I asked them to spray rodent repellent on the engine bay.
Slowly I disclosed to my family that I have booked AWD version of 700. I wanted my dad to TD the 700 and hence I asked for TD at my place. The showroom provided AX7L Petrol AT and my dad was impressed with the performance.
We were dicussing about Scorpio-N and decided to take TD of Scorpio-N in another dealer #2 from my hometown. In November, we TDed Z8L petrol AT. I fell in love for a very high seating position in the Scorpio-N.
My dad wanted petrol car for its refinement but I wanted diesel as our place in Tamil Nadu or Bangalore (work location) has no ban on diesel engines yet. And another reason, wanted better mileage.
After driving Scorpio-N, I was in a confusion whether to go with XUV or Scorpio-N and cancelled my AWD booking as this dealer at my hometown promised early delivery of 700.
For past 2 years I wanted XUV700 in my den but TD'ing Scorpio-N started confusing me.
But I being more of a highway traveller, deicided to go with my love 700 ❤️ as I won't be going for any off roading.
Now comes the part where I need your suggestions
I booked 700 AX7L D AT (non AWD) Midnight Black with the dealer by paying the booking amount and booking was punched on 9th December. Fortunately or unfortunately, on our small outing for shopping on the same evening, our Figo starts acting wierd. Think it has smelled that it is going to be replaced sooner or later
On the same day, almost near midnight dropped a message to my mahindra SA to check if I can get early delivery of the vehicle from first lot of 2024.
On 13th morning, I was told that the same variant and color 700 is going to be billed to the dealer and they asked if I'm ok to go ahead with the delivery of the vehicle. I quickly had a word with my family and said ok to it. I was promised that invoice will be done in my name and sooner VIN will be shared to me.
Meantime, I asked few doubts regarding loan processing to my SA and he told finance team will help me with loan process. Through my preferred bank, my loan is sanctioned and I told my bank not to disburse any amount before I give a go. I'm yet to sign any bank documents as of today.
Also I asked my Service Advisor for PDI once the car reaches them. I even told him that I need the PDI before paying/releasing any payment. But he told me it is not possible as this car is not my original allotment. He asked me to pay something to hold the car in my name and invoice it in my name. And was told after the car reaches the dealer, I can do the PDI. If I'm not satisfied while doing PDI, they said the amount can be refund to me. All these conversations happened over call with my SA.
My doubt here is, will this car come from factory for real or is the dealer trying to push me a PDI rejected car or may be if someone has decided to pass on the car due to some financial arrangements. I know I'm over thinking, but still for a car of 3Million, I need to be sure that I'm not given a defective product which was rejected in PDI by some other customer. Fingers crossed.
I'm in 2 minds now, whether to go with this vehicle or wait for another 22-26 weeks (waiting time mentioned by dealer for AX7L D AT) for my alloted car to come. But I'm not sure if my Figo will hold up until my allotted car come in.
Please provide your valuable suggestions and ideas.
Sorry for the long post. Looking for your suggestions.
TIA
-ID