Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test

4x4addict · 22nd November 2010, 21:26

@supremebaleno:

I agree mate. It doesn't make sense to launch this car with so much fanfare if they cannot deliver for three months !!.

JishD · 22nd November 2010, 22:43

I had booked A-Star AT in Sept with expected delivery date of 28th Oct , taking into account the revised price difference vis a vis the NG i10 when they discontinued the Magna AT.

However , after about a month, the salesperson realized that there was no way he could deliver on the said date and cancelled the booking after discussions. I checked with other dealers too and the common refrain was that there wasnt a single A-Star AT for the local market even available at the factory.

Since the delivery date was very important, I went ahead and booked i10 AT and received the same in 15 days flat ! Thanks Hyundai !

supremeBaleno · 23rd November 2010, 13:41

I raised a ruckus with Maruti and they have come with an option - they have 4 colors (Red, sunlight copper, desert brown, healing green) available which can be delivered at the earliest - I guess early December or so. Our initial option of Black will take time to be delivered. We are leaning towards S.Copper or Red. Can't wait for few more months for black.

jinojohnt · 1st December 2010, 17:59

An executive has promised to visit me tomorrow to accept my booking for A-Star Automatic. Here are some points that he shared:
1. Booking amount = 5000 Rs
2. You would not get the car earlier if you book a 'common' color
3. Now, as per Maruti, it would take 6 months for delivery.
4. If I had booked one month back, I would have got the car within the next 1.5 months, because a new batch of cars have already started 'walking' from the factory.
5. Current Alto has 20 K cash discount, but doesn't matter because I need to pay the price at the time of delivery (less the discount to A-Star applicable at that time of delivery).
6. If Iam not very particular about color, I would be alloted a car if somebody cancels a booking.
7. For additional exchange bonus to be applicable, the old car needs to be in my name (or dad's name), a relative's car won't do.

supremeBaleno · 1st December 2010, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

3. Now, as per Maruti, it would take 6 months for delivery.
4. If I had booked one month back, I would have got the car within the next 1.5 months, because a new batch of cars have already started 'walking' from the factory.
5. Current Alto has 20 K cash discount, but doesn't matter because I need to pay the price at the time of delivery (less the discount to A-Star applicable at that time of delivery).

3. Why do they even bother selling a car that needs them 6 months to deliver ? I am glad the Etios pricing will make them see some sense with the Dzire waiting periods.
4. Ours happens to be one of the cars 'walking' from factory.
5. I guess you meant "AStar" instead of Alto. Kerala has 20K cash discount for A*, while in TN it is 40K. Exchange bonus is extra. This was the quote given to tbhpian Mr.Bean by Popular-Chennai.

Our healing-green A* should be with us in a week or so.

funkydevil · 2nd December 2010, 19:41

I have also cancelled my booking of the A Star automatic due to the irrisposible behaviour of the sales personnel. They don't have a proper answer for anything.

Went for the i10 auto instead......

supremeBaleno · 3rd December 2010, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkydevil

I have also cancelled my booking of the A Star automatic due to the irrisposible behaviour of the sales personnel. They don't have a proper answer for anything.

I was also initially pissed off with the dealer/salesperson and raised a complaint about them with MSIL. But found later that for the AT, it was more of a delay from Maruti that was the cause. Just that these guys were not updating us about the change in delivery schedule.

Aroy · 4th December 2010, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkydevil

I have also cancelled my booking of the A Star automatic due to the irrisposible behaviour of the sales personnel. They don't have a proper answer for anything.

Went for the i10 auto instead......

I think that the problem can be attributed to popularity of A Star in Europe, hence the whole production is being diverted for exports!

Though A Star is the new avatar of the humble M800, I alwasys preferred the Alto, hence had no qualms buying the Alto K10 the day it came to the show room. The only thing missing from the K10 are ABS, Airbags and Rear Screen demister/washer, but then both i10 and A Star with those is over 1.5L more on road.

jinojohnt · 4th December 2010, 13:12

An executive came to me yesterday to accept a check of 5000 Rs for booking A-Star Auto Vxi in Trivandrum.
Here is the On Road Price break-up, could some body verify?

A-Star Vxi Automatic Trivandrum Price Quote:
Ex-showroom: 442854 Rs
Insurance: 13526
Registration: 500
Handlling Charges (by dealer for registration): 2500
Road Tax: 26571
Total On-road Price: 485951 Rs

Discount for A-star this month is 20K cash discount + exchange bonus at Trivandrum, but the executive says the discount at time of delivery only can be applied. Discounts as well as Price increase/decrease would depend on the rates applicable at that time.

supremeBaleno · 6th December 2010, 13:25

^^^
Price looks more or less in line with what we got at Kollam. The 2500 handling charges is a rip-off - try bargaining that off.
After discount (20K + 2.5K), it comes to approximately 4.65lakh for us.

BTW, our A-Star reached the dealer. We should be getting it after registration tomorrow. Phew ! The wait had been maddening.

supremeBaleno · 8th December 2010, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

BTW, our A-Star reached the dealer. We should be getting it after registration tomorrow. Phew ! The wait had been maddening.

The registration was done today morning and my BIL drove the car home. He has never driven an AT before and said he could adjust to it after just 5mins of driving. As per him driving it was fun and strain-free in traffic - obvious advantage of an AT.

A snap of our babe. Color not to my liking, but had to defer to the women-folk's choice.

Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test-astar.jpg

Now, if only Saturday came quickly so that I can get to kerala to drive the car.

sureshkishore · 10th December 2010, 16:37

Seems you managed to get the car from Kollam.

Somehow I like the colour.(Healing Green). My Friend is getting his A* Auto tomorrow. Its sunlight Copper. He wanted white.

. Hail MSIL!
BTW he got it from Hercules Trivandrum. He managed to get it in five months time. Guess he was lucky.

supremeBaleno · 11th December 2010, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureshkishore

Seems you managed to get the car from Kollam.

Yes, Sarathy Motors, Kollam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sureshkishore

My Friend is getting his A* Auto tomorrow. BTW he got it from Hercules Trivandrum. He managed to get it in five months time. Guess he was lucky.

If he is getting it today, then it cannot be more than 4 months, since the A*-AT was launched only on 15-Aug.
We had booked on Sep-20 - took 2.5months for us.

4x4addict · 11th December 2010, 14:01

@supreme: I would like to know your mileage after you run in period. I am hoping that it will bet better than Santro given the three cylinder engine. The best I can eek out of my Santro AT in the city is 10 kilometers per liter with the 1.1L engine and that too with moderately relaxed driving.

sureshkishore · 13th December 2010, 06:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Yes, Sarathy Motors, Kollam.

If he is getting it today, then it cannot be more than 4 months, since the A*-AT was launched only on 15-Aug.
We had booked on Sep-20 - took 2.5months for us.

Got the math wrong. He had booked it in Aug only! His was the first booking in the dealership.

He was supposed to get it on Saturday. Since it was Second Saturday registration couldn't happen. So hopefully He would get it Today.

Kindly post your review of the car!

22nd November 2010, 21:26	#106
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,531 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	@supremebaleno: I agree mate. It doesn't make sense to launch this car with so much fanfare if they cannot deliver for three months !!.
	() Thanks

22nd November 2010, 22:43	#107
JishD BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 579 Thanked: 743 Times	I had booked A-Star AT in Sept with expected delivery date of 28th Oct , taking into account the revised price difference vis a vis the NG i10 when they discontinued the Magna AT. However , after about a month, the salesperson realized that there was no way he could deliver on the said date and cancelled the booking after discussions. I checked with other dealers too and the common refrain was that there wasnt a single A-Star AT for the local market even available at the factory. Since the delivery date was very important, I went ahead and booked i10 AT and received the same in 15 days flat ! Thanks Hyundai !
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 13:41	#108
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,698 Times View My Garage	I raised a ruckus with Maruti and they have come with an option - they have 4 colors (Red, sunlight copper, desert brown, healing green) available which can be delivered at the earliest - I guess early December or so. Our initial option of Black will take time to be delivered. We are leaning towards S.Copper or Red. Can't wait for few more months for black.
	() Thanks

1st December 2010, 17:59	#109
jinojohnt Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1,124 Thanked: 794 Times	An executive has promised to visit me tomorrow to accept my booking for A-Star Automatic. Here are some points that he shared: 1. Booking amount = 5000 Rs 2. You would not get the car earlier if you book a 'common' color 3. Now, as per Maruti, it would take 6 months for delivery. 4. If I had booked one month back, I would have got the car within the next 1.5 months, because a new batch of cars have already started 'walking' from the factory. 5. Current Alto has 20 K cash discount, but doesn't matter because I need to pay the price at the time of delivery (less the discount to A-Star applicable at that time of delivery). 6. If Iam not very particular about color, I would be alloted a car if somebody cancels a booking. 7. For additional exchange bonus to be applicable, the old car needs to be in my name (or dad's name), a relative's car won't do.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 19:41	#111
funkydevil BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 362 Thanked: 102 Times	I have also cancelled my booking of the A Star automatic due to the irrisposible behaviour of the sales personnel. They don't have a proper answer for anything. Went for the i10 auto instead......
	() Thanks

4th December 2010, 13:12	#114
jinojohnt Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1,124 Thanked: 794 Times	An executive came to me yesterday to accept a check of 5000 Rs for booking A-Star Auto Vxi in Trivandrum. Here is the On Road Price break-up, could some body verify? A-Star Vxi Automatic Trivandrum Price Quote: Ex-showroom: 442854 Rs Insurance: 13526 Registration: 500 Handlling Charges (by dealer for registration): 2500 Road Tax: 26571 Total On-road Price: 485951 Rs Discount for A-star this month is 20K cash discount + exchange bonus at Trivandrum, but the executive says the discount at time of delivery only can be applied. Discounts as well as Price increase/decrease would depend on the rates applicable at that time. Last edited by jinojohnt : 4th December 2010 at 13:15.
	() Thanks

6th December 2010, 13:25	#115
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,698 Times View My Garage	^^^ Price looks more or less in line with what we got at Kollam. The 2500 handling charges is a rip-off - try bargaining that off. After discount (20K + 2.5K), it comes to approximately 4.65lakh for us. BTW, our A-Star reached the dealer. We should be getting it after registration tomorrow. Phew ! The wait had been maddening.
	() Thanks

10th December 2010, 16:37	#117
sureshkishore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 478 Thanked: 290 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Seems you managed to get the car from Kollam. Somehow I like the colour.(Healing Green). My Friend is getting his A* Auto tomorrow. Its sunlight Copper. He wanted white. . Hail MSIL! BTW he got it from Hercules Trivandrum. He managed to get it in five months time. Guess he was lucky.
	() Thanks

11th December 2010, 14:01	#119
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,531 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test @supreme: I would like to know your mileage after you run in period. I am hoping that it will bet better than Santro given the three cylinder engine. The best I can eek out of my Santro AT in the city is 10 kilometers per liter with the 1.1L engine and that too with moderately relaxed driving.
	() Thanks