Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test

supremeBaleno · 14th December 2010, 13:05

^^^
Ours was the 1st booking at Sarathy Motors. They tell me that they now have 4 bookings for the A*-AT. Looks like this car is being well-received - just that the delivery-delay will kill it.

Will post a detailed review with pics. Initial impression was good. Though there was some scepticism in the family about paying extra for AT, once they (wifey, FIL) drove the car and saw the ease of driving, they agreed that it was a good decision to go for AT.

@sureshkishore, once your friend gets delivery of the car, could you please check if it has the "Automatic" label at the rear. Our car does not have it, but the car driven by Ajmat for the official review has it. Left me confused.

jacksons · 23rd December 2010, 21:02

I got my A-Star on 21st Dec. and it has got "AUTOMATIC" badge and also "ABS" sticker on it.
I bought it after reading Ajamt's review and very happy and enjoying to the fullest.

Live To Jive · 23rd December 2010, 22:12

Nice review. However I'm not convinced this is the best Auto Hatch. The i10 is worth the extra money. Rear seat and boot are important factors in India. Also Hyundai interiors and build quality are much better.

jacksons · 24th December 2010, 15:54

Here are some pics of my car.
Modes done:
1. Fog lamps
2. Body color painting on Mud flaps, ORVMS and Door handles.
3. Remote door locking system.
4. Leather steering wheel cover
5. Parcel tray.
6. Foot mats Carpet type.
7. Two sony speakers in rear doors.
Need to change steel wheels to alloy wheels and will do this Sunday.

ani_meher · 24th December 2010, 16:10

Nice mods. I like this blue color. The blue in ritz looks plain ugly, this one on the contrary looks very lively.

supremeBaleno · 3rd January 2011, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksons

I got my A-Star on 21st Dec. and it has got "AUTOMATIC" badge and also "ABS" sticker on it.

Funny. Mine does not have Automatic badge, but has the ABS sticker. It also has the Vxi badge, which your car doesn't have. Looks like shoddy QC from MSIL pre-despatch.

Do you have an ownership thread for your A*-AT ? Any updates on FE ?

sureshkishore · 3rd January 2011, 23:48

My friends car was delivered without the automatic badge. The dealer says the same will be arranged at first service.

jacksons · 4th January 2011, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Funny. Mine does not have Automatic badge, but has the ABS sticker. It also has the Vxi badge, which your car doesn't have. Looks like shoddy QC from MSIL pre-despatch.
Do you have an ownership thread for your A*-AT ? Any updates on FE ?

I think "Automatic" badging is for export model and for domestic supply they just put VXI, I got my car in one day due to some one I know in Maruti, at that time there were 7 car in the factory, may be for export to UK. Its just my guess.
I will start my ownership thread after I complete 1000 kms.
I have driven only 260 Km till now after 1st tank full, waiting for the next filling, though I can safely say its just above 10 kmpl as now, hoping to go above 12 without AC and around 10 with AC during summer.

brijesh1977 · 11th January 2011, 16:43

Finally got my A star Automatic, Quite fun driving , my wife just loved it , I guess it was worth the wait, just did around 130 km , will update after the first service

supremeBaleno · 11th January 2011, 17:38

Congrats, Brijesh !!!
BTW, how much of a wait was it for you from booking till delivery ? And does it have a Vxi badge or Automatic badge at rear ?

scuderiaferrari · 15th January 2011, 03:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksons

I think "Automatic" badging is for export model and for domestic supply they just put VXI, I got my car in one day due to some one I know in Maruti, at that time there were 7 car in the factory, may be for export to UK. Its just my guess.
I will start my ownership thread after I complete 1000 kms.
I have driven only 260 Km till now after 1st tank full, waiting for the next filling, though I can safely say its just above 10 kmpl as now, hoping to go above 12 without AC and around 10 with AC during summer.

What kind of FE are you getting.. And what is your overall impression...

I have booked one in Kerala, and the wait time quoted is 3 months. Hope it will be much faster...

sameer551 · 15th January 2011, 13:50

Hi! Friends,

I just went to ask for A* A/T at Competent motors in Gurgaon, NCR. But the sales guys gave me a bummer that the A* automatic variant production has been stopped and they can't book it further or give any further details about it.
I confirmed it with 3 guys there and all of them gave same reply. I just can't get the reason for them giving such a response or whether its true that the A* automatic has been phased out or something like that.
Please share if anyone got some information regarding the same.

scuderiaferrari · 15th January 2011, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by sameer551

Hi! Friends,

I just went to ask for A* A/T at Competent motors in Gurgaon, NCR. But the sales guys gave me a bummer that the A* automatic variant production has been stopped and they can't book it further or give any further details about it.
I confirmed it with 3 guys there and all of them gave same reply. I just can't get the reason for them giving such a response or whether its true that the A* automatic has been phased out or something like that.
Please share if anyone got some information regarding the same.

I believe that is a totally incorrect information.. (I prefer it to be incorrect too..)

Just checked with my sales rep and reconfirmed.

Also, this is what is the price for Kerala, as per Maruti A Star website.

VARIANT
PRICES (IN RUPEES)
MARUTI A-STAR AUTOMATIC
Rs. 439648.78
MARUTI A-STAR LXI
Rs. 361554.97
MARUTI A-STAR VXI
Rs. 389685.06
MARUTI A-STAR ZXI
Rs. 426365.08

jacksons · 17th January 2011, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuderiaferrari

I believe that is a totally incorrect information.. (I prefer it to be incorrect too..)

Just checked with my sales rep and reconfirmed.

Also, this is what is the price for Kerala, as per Maruti A Star website.

VARIANT
PRICES (IN RUPEES)
MARUTI A-STAR AUTOMATIC
Rs. 439648.78
MARUTI A-STAR LXI
Rs. 361554.97
MARUTI A-STAR VXI
Rs. 389685.06
MARUTI A-STAR ZXI
Rs. 426365.08

I don't know if production has been stopped but they are not taking any booking as of now, I had same problem but after I got to talk with person from Maruti to a dealer who helped me get my car in a day to dealer, they took my booking.
The person at Maruti told me that there is high demand in Europe for A-Star and Auto gear are imported from Japan in limited quantity, they are not able to meet the demand, thats why they are not taking any booking here.
I got around 10 kmpl in my first filling and just finished my second filling with the average of 12.67 kmpl ( 412 km in 32.50 liters of petrol).
Since I have got used to it now and hoping for upto 14kmpl without AC and with AC at least 11 to 12 kmpl.

jinojohnt · 18th January 2011, 16:34

The primary reason why many dealers refuse 'A-Star Automatic' booking is that the waiting period is huge. If the customer cancels the booking during this booking period (quoted 6 months to me), all that the customer stands to lose is a 1000 Rs cancellation fee. If the customer cancels the booking because of delay in promised delivery, the cancellation fee is also not applicable. By this time the dealer would have already placed the (irreversible) order with the factory, and now it would be the dealer's headache to find another customer.
Finding a customer for Auto-gear may not be as easy as finding one for a Manual gear.
This is the reason given to me by an executive who works for a Maruti Dealer.

14th December 2010, 13:05	#121
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,699 Times View My Garage	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test ^^^ Ours was the 1st booking at Sarathy Motors. They tell me that they now have 4 bookings for the A*-AT. Looks like this car is being well-received - just that the delivery-delay will kill it. Will post a detailed review with pics. Initial impression was good. Though there was some scepticism in the family about paying extra for AT, once they (wifey, FIL) drove the car and saw the ease of driving, they agreed that it was a good decision to go for AT. @sureshkishore, once your friend gets delivery of the car, could you please check if it has the "Automatic" label at the rear. Our car does not have it, but the car driven by Ajmat for the official review has it. Left me confused.
	() Thanks

23rd December 2010, 21:02	#122
jacksons BANNED Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 362 Thanked: 67 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test I got my A-Star on 21st Dec. and it has got "AUTOMATIC" badge and also "ABS" sticker on it. I bought it after reading Ajamt's review and very happy and enjoying to the fullest. Last edited by jacksons : 23rd December 2010 at 21:05.
	() Thanks

23rd December 2010, 22:12	#123
Live To Jive BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 698 Thanked: 89 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Nice review. However I'm not convinced this is the best Auto Hatch. The i10 is worth the extra money. Rear seat and boot are important factors in India. Also Hyundai interiors and build quality are much better.
	() Thanks

24th December 2010, 15:54	#124
jacksons BANNED Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 362 Thanked: 67 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Here are some pics of my car. Modes done: 1. Fog lamps 2. Body color painting on Mud flaps, ORVMS and Door handles. 3. Remote door locking system. 4. Leather steering wheel cover 5. Parcel tray. 6. Foot mats Carpet type. 7. Two sony speakers in rear doors. Need to change steel wheels to alloy wheels and will do this Sunday. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

24th December 2010, 16:10	#125
ani_meher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 1,931 Thanked: 3,825 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Nice mods. I like this blue color. The blue in ritz looks plain ugly, this one on the contrary looks very lively.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2011, 23:48	#127
sureshkishore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 478 Thanked: 290 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test My friends car was delivered without the automatic badge. The dealer says the same will be arranged at first service.
	() Thanks

11th January 2011, 16:43	#129
brijesh1977 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: cochin Posts: 45 Thanked: 5 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Finally got my A star Automatic, Quite fun driving , my wife just loved it , I guess it was worth the wait, just did around 130 km , will update after the first service Last edited by brijesh1977 : 11th January 2011 at 16:44.
	() Thanks

11th January 2011, 17:38	#130
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,699 Times View My Garage	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Congrats, Brijesh !!! BTW, how much of a wait was it for you from booking till delivery ? And does it have a Vxi badge or Automatic badge at rear ?
	() Thanks

15th January 2011, 13:50	#132
sameer551 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 309 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test Hi! Friends, I just went to ask for A* A/T at Competent motors in Gurgaon, NCR. But the sales guys gave me a bummer that the A* automatic variant production has been stopped and they can't book it further or give any further details about it. I confirmed it with 3 guys there and all of them gave same reply. I just can't get the reason for them giving such a response or whether its true that the A* automatic has been phased out or something like that. Please share if anyone got some information regarding the same.
	() Thanks

18th January 2011, 16:34	#135
jinojohnt Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1,124 Thanked: 794 Times	Re: Maruti Suzuki A-Star Auto - Road Test The primary reason why many dealers refuse 'A-Star Automatic' booking is that the waiting period is huge. If the customer cancels the booking during this booking period (quoted 6 months to me), all that the customer stands to lose is a 1000 Rs cancellation fee. If the customer cancels the booking because of delay in promised delivery, the cancellation fee is also not applicable. By this time the dealer would have already placed the (irreversible) order with the factory, and now it would be the dealer's headache to find another customer. Finding a customer for Auto-gear may not be as easy as finding one for a Manual gear. This is the reason given to me by an executive who works for a Maruti Dealer. Last edited by jinojohnt : 18th January 2011 at 16:37.
	() Thanks