[sridharps]

Also, while I found a thread on the Cedia LPG version, I haven't seen any short term/long term ownership reviews of the Cedia LPG version..don't we have anyone in the Team-BHP forum who can provide some inputs on this? Any of the moderators, any help on this?

[oss]

Originally Posted by sridharps

Also, while I found a thread on the Cedia LPG version, I haven't seen any short term/long term ownership reviews of the Cedia LPG version..don't we have anyone in the Team-BHP forum who can provide some inputs on this? Any of the moderators, any help on this?

I too am looking for info on Cedia LPG; looks like it is a better buy than City VTEC, except for the resale value part.

[reignofchaos]

It definitely is but I don't think there are any cedia ALPG owners on this forum. Almost everyone is a petrolhead.

[sridharps]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

It definitely is but I don't think there are any cedia ALPG owners on this forum. Almost everyone is a petrolhead.

I got to have a look at a Cedia ALPG vehicle and I must say that the boot space is a serious compromise. I was a bit disappointed with that - but all reviews of the car that I have read point out that otherwise the vehicel is wonderful to drive.

[sridharps]

Originally Posted by sridharps

Hi Vnabhi, some of the other negatives in the Ford Fiesta pertrol(top end model);
a) Only Driver has airbag - not the front passenger
b) The 6 CD player does not play mp3
c) lack of Automatic climate control(admittedly Honda and Cedia also lack this)
While point c) is a minor feature, Ii the new Fiesta takes care of a) and b) then it is a big plus over the existing one.

@ vnabhi, it is interesting that we discussed these points! I guess points a) and b) have been addressed now in the facelift while c) has not been. Still Ford Fiesta looks like real value for money at this point of time. Two things which are concerning me about Ford:
1) As I browse through this forum, I find negative remarks on Ford reliability and the fact that "many people have been seen stranded on highways with a Ford". Surprisingly, I find this comment echoed many times over.
2) I was an owner of a Ford Escort for a couple of years when I was in Chennai and my experience with the Ford Dealers was at best average.
Still, let us see how this goes.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by sridharps

@ vnabhi, it is interesting that we discussed these points! I guess points a) and b) have been addressed now in the facelift while c) has not been. Still Ford Fiesta looks like real value for money at this point of time. Two things which are concerning me about Ford:
1) As I browse through this forum, I find negative remarks on Ford reliability and the fact that "many people have been seen stranded on highways with a Ford". Surprisingly, I find this comment echoed many times over.
2) I was an owner of a Ford Escort for a couple of years when I was in Chennai and my experience with the Ford Dealers was at best average.
Still, let us see how this goes.

Yes, it is good that Ford has set right some negatives in the Fiesta.
About getting stranded on highways, I'm not aware, as it could be any brand of cars, not just Ford.
I too have heard many bad reviews about Ford service, but in Hyderabad, Mody Ford is doing a pretty good job. I would give it 8 out of 10 rating, but my rating for Varun Motors (for my WagonR) would be 6 out of 10.
Earlier, there was only Fortune Ford, and I've heard their service was not upto the mark. Not sure now, however.

[oss]

Originally Posted by sridharps

I got to have a look at a Cedia ALPG vehicle and I must say that the boot space is a serious compromise. I was a bit disappointed with that - but all reviews of the car that I have read point out that otherwise the vehicel is wonderful to drive.

Did you go for a TD? How does it drive in the LPG mode?

[sridharps]

Originally Posted by oss

Did you go for a TD? How does it drive in the LPG mode?

No I did not TD it. The serious compromise on boot space turned me off.

[sridharps]

Hi, I have finally booked a Ford Fiesta 1.6 SXi today after many months of test drives, analysis, comparisons and postponements. It sure has been an interesting journey, with my mind flipping back and forth. Since June, I had been postponing this decision, in anticipation of the impending launches of Linea and G3C.
I had to sell my previous car in June itself to someone I had committed and I found over the past 3 months that I & my wife, with our own work commitments, were struggling to manage with just one car. So, I decided to take the plunge.

In my earlier list were 2 cars - Honda City and Cedia Sports. Cedia Sports got rejected because of the appalling communication I experienced from the dealer. Meanwhile, it also went out of stock without any notice. The dealership, in general, did not inspire any confidence in me. Apart from that, the general apathy from HM in promoting this product scared me off.

Honda City got rejected mainly of the new City around the corner. Or may be, I shouldn't have taken test drives of the Civic, which was not in my budget anyway. After that, I couldn't be satisfied with a City!

I thouroughly enjoyed the many test drives of the Fiesta 1.6Sxi and S that I took. This was clearly a driver's car. The smooth pick-up and high revving capabilities at the top of the powerband had me hooked. I would have gone for the 1.6 S, if not for the appalling lack of headrest and the low height of the seats behind. The 1.6 SXi is not the best for rear seating comfort either, but it is certainly better.

I am no newcomer to Ford, having owned a Ford escort a long time back. I had some apprehensions on service, but hopefully I can manage my way through that.

Thanks to one and all for your wonderful responses here, as well as for the PMs. Not to speak of the wealth of information made available through this forum. All of you have contributed in making this decision and I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude.

[karanraheja]

Sridhar, Congrats ! Yeah i had been reading in few threads that you were waiting for the Linea. Since you urgently needed a car i dont blame you for your decision. How much did it cost you OTR? any freebies? Do update us on your delivery .Cheers!

[JVH]

[quote=sridharps;982573]Hi, I have finally booked a Ford Fiesta 1.6 SXi today after many months of test drives, analysis, comparisons and postponements. It sure has been an interesting journey, with my mind flipping back and forth. Since June, I had been postponing this decision, in anticipation of the impending launches of Linea and G3C.........../quote]

Congrats! Do post some pictures and the ownership experience.

Fiat Linea lost a customer and don't know how many more it will lose.

[vnabhi]

Congrats sridharps! And welcome to the club!
Do post an intial review with photos after you get your babe.
I too, agree with your view on the S version, especially the lack of headrests on the rear seats. But I am told it is a hoot to drive. Did you find any difference between the sxi and the S on the driving/ handling front?
Further, how is the new cd player (mp3 compatible)? Is it a 6-cd changer, or just a single one?

[mobike008]

Congrats on the Fiesta!!!

Btw, just curious to know that you decided to not go for the S just because it does not have a rear seat headrest? Is it that important? i mean even passengers sitting in the back rarely use that ( unless you are sleeping you usually wouldnt want to tilt you head completely back)

I was reading the latest Autocar last night and Fiesta S came out good in a list of a 11-car shoot out drive on Chennai track by Narain. He mentioned that Fiesta S is a drivers car and very good driving seat position and said the new S comes with a better suspension system.

[sridharps]

Karan,JVH,Vnabhi,mobike008, thanks a ton for your wishes!

Originally Posted by karanraheja

How much did it cost you OTR? any freebies?

It cost me 7.95 L OTR in Bangalore with standard free stuff of floor mats,idol,perfume, mudflaps free. The discount is very good because I am going through a company leased scheme. My actual budget was 10 L, so I am a bit happy that some money got saved .
Over and above this, I am going for:
a) Pillows - to be placed on the rear seat.
b) Extended 3rd and 4th year warranty
c) Fiesta door scruff plate.
any other suggestions, guys?

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Further, how is the new cd player (mp3 compatible)? Is it a 6-cd changer, or just a single one?

mp3 compatible, yes, but only a single one! Cost cutting I guess.

But I am told it is a hoot to drive. Did you find any difference between the sxi and the S on the driving/ handling front?

Originally Posted by mobike008

Btw, just curious to know that you decided to not go for the S just because it does not have a rear seat headrest? Is it that important?

Ok, I haven't given a proper account here. To elaborate, I rejected the 1.6 S because:

a) Yes, head rest was important since parents/friends do join in for the occasional highway trip. More importantly, sometimes my wife joins our 4 yr old daughter in the rear seat. My daughter gets travel sickness occassionally and needs to be coaxed to sleep on long journeys. In the process of making my daughter sleep, my wife sometimes sleeps off herself in the rear seat. Yes, I become a 'driver' on such ocassions, with no one in the passenger's seat. Well, let me console myself- Fiesta is a 'driver's car, right?, if you forgive my poor attempt at pun.
Net net, the headrest gets used quite a bit.
Even otherwise, the height of the rear seat itself is a tad short in the 1.6 S. Less comfort for the shoulder itself.

b) My wife didn't like the black & grey interiors too much. That is the main story, if you get my drift!

c) I have to confess that I didn't notice much of a difference between the 1.6 S and the 1.6 SXi in the drives I took and the routes I took them. But then, I am no Narain Karthikeyan and hardly competent to judge the finer points. I am sure that the differences will stand out in a race track, where you need to handle sharp corners at high speeds.
The main difference I noticed was that it had fatter rubber which meant a firmer feel on the steering. The suspension is a tad stiffer, but not so much that the ride becomes rough for the rear seat passengers.
Both the cars are a hoot to drive, no doubt about that. Revv your way to glory!

[HappyWheels]

Sridharps,

Congrats on the new buy. Wishing you a happy ownership experience.

Do post some photos.

Originally Posted by sridharps

...b) My wife didn't like the black & grey interiors too much. That is the main story, if you get my drift!...

We rest our case, sir! No more queries required on why not the 'S'!