[mkc15]

Originally Posted by csentil

I bought my AT at 13.4 Lakhs in Jan 2007

Looks like you bought it before RTO increased road-tax. IIRC, road-tax took a steep plus from 12% to 17% sometime in late 07 or early 08.

[penpavan]

Originally Posted by mkc15

Seems like a decent deal. I had got 15K cash discount. What about insurance ? Are they OK with outside insurance ? Like other threads mention, you can save upto 40% in insurance. You can speak to that insurance guy I mentioned in my reply, if you want.

MKC15 - one of my close friend also mentions the same, i haven't explored this insurance part yet, but will definitely go for outside insurance if i get 50% DIFF

[penpavan]

One more upate

at whitefiled honda i saw 3 new civics - all of them had different tryes
one had Michelin, another bridgestone and another goodyear, i asked dealer why its so, they say it comes like that from factory, they fit whatever is available at the moment of assembly - LOL, but they are not ready to change goodyear to bridgestone/michelin which is strange out of showroom....

[ImmortalZ]

Originally Posted by penpavan

1. I asked about why there is no rear AC vents, he mentions to me that there is a hidden AC vent below driver and co-passenger seats, he asked me to check it myself and i could feel there is some cool air coming out as well from mats below indeed, but did not go further to remove mats and check further, is this true at all ? looks like he was giving some goli

There are vents under the seats. But they are active only if you manually turn on the low vents. This can be annoying if you are barefoot when driving.

Originally Posted by penpavan

2. Asked him is there a auto AC, he says yes, brouchure also says Auto AC, does civic has Auto Climatic control as well ?

.

Yes, Automatic Climate Control is standard.

Originally Posted by penpavan

3. He metions to me that Alloy between SMT and VMT is different, VMT has new alloys and i could see some slight variation in pictures in brouchure and no major diff as such.

Pre-facelift models had the same alloys across the range. I'm not sure post-facelift.

Originally Posted by penpavan

4. asked him about tyre upgrades for Michelin primacy 205/60/R15 he mentions no SIR , it will be out of warraty - standard answer as expected.

Depends on your rapport with the SA.

Originally Posted by penpavan

5. he mentioned only engine is 4 year warranty, is this correct ? are any other parts in warranty ? if engine is only in warrantly and not anything else why Honda doesnot allow any mods out of their showroom ? I dont understand their logic ?

Check the warranty booklet. Everything is covered until 4 years. A few items are covered for several years more.

Originally Posted by penpavan

11. Although mind and heart says Civic , want to TD Laura and Corolla Altis as well. I am pursuring TD with Toyota folks on Richmond Road.

Altis if you're feeling sensible. Laura if you are feeling suicidal.

Originally Posted by penpavan

15. asked him about rear sprolier , he says he has to check with accesories dept and no answer given.

Spoiler is around 12k including painting. The identical Modulo spoiler is available abroad for around 3k, so it's a monumental ripoff.

[penpavan]

Here are the revised pricelist ( for Bangalore) - excludes civic as already provided/posted earlier - please see same thread for Civic prices

Jazz
Ex Bangalore - 7.15L, On Road - 8.45L

New Honda City
EMT- Ex Bangalore - 8.12L, On Road - 9.61L
SMT- Ex Bangalore - 8.59L, On Road - 10.17L
VMT- Ex Bangalore - 9.04L, On Road - 10.69L
VAT- Ex Bangalore - 9.76L, On Road - 11.53L


Accord
2.4MT-Elegance- Ex Bangalore - 18.11+0.30L, On Road - 22.241L
2.4MT-Inspire- Ex Bangalore - 18.11+0.90L, On Road - 22.841L
2.4AT-Elegance- Ex Bangalore - 18.86+0.30L, On Road - 23.141L
2.4AT-Inspire- Ex Bangalore - 18.86+0.90L, On Road - 23.74L
3.5AT-Standard- Ex Bangalore - 24.69+0.55L, On Road - 30.42L
3.5AT-Inspire- Ex Bangalore - 24.69+0.97L, On Road - 30.84L

CRV
2.0 MT-Ex Bangalore - 21.97L, On Road - 26.59L
2.4 MT-Ex Bangalore - 23.42L, On Road - 28.34L
2.4 AT-Ex Bangalore - 24.17L, On Road - 29.24L

[penpavan]

Here are New Altis prices efffective 1st Jan 2010
1.8J - Ex Bangalore - 9.78L , on Road - 11.55L
1.8G - Ex Bangalore - 11.28L , on Road - 13.68L
1.8GL - Ex Bangalore - 12.53L , on Road - 15.18L
1.8VL - Ex Bangalore - 13.52L , on Road - 16.37L
1.8G-LE Sport - Ex Bangalore - 11.63L , on Road - 14.10L

[penpavan]

Originally Posted by penpavan

Here are New Altis prices efffective 1st Jan 2010
1.8J - Ex Bangalore - 9.78L , on Road - 11.55L
1.8G - Ex Bangalore - 11.28L , on Road - 13.68L
1.8GL - Ex Bangalore - 12.53L , on Road - 15.18L
1.8VL - Ex Bangalore - 13.52L , on Road - 16.37L
1.8G-LE Sport - Ex Bangalore - 11.63L , on Road - 14.10L

although pricelist shows 1.8G LE sport - per toyota dealer this model is stopped from Jan 1, 2010

[penpavan]

More updates
I also took a test drive of Skoda Laura TSI and a Chevy Cruze high end version
Here are the details
Chevy Cruze
+ points = has moon/sun roof, Switch button start,150HP power, Diesel advantage
- points = very very very poor plastic quality(i could bend the plastic on storages on doors with fingers - LOL), poor leather quality( there is a half rear center armrest :-) ), although 150HP of power, in city driving i didnot find pickup and power the way Civic responded, too hard clutch, no usb, average quality music system, breaking was good, steering was same(hydraulic) as in Civic - On Road Bangalore 15.5L( looks like Chevy also increased Cruze pices recently)
Civic is anytime better quality and build when compared to Cruze


Skoda Laura
+ points
1.150 hp engine has great power and pickup, pickup is better than civic
2.Handling and suspensions are much better than civic, 150HP power
3.Plastic quality and build quality was impressive
4.8 speakers, some speakers in strange locations like tweeters near rear door handles ?
5.Good view of road, large boot space,60:40 split from rear center
6.rear AC vents, good music system, and built in rear parking sensors and information on dash itself
7.good steering response(hydraulic like civic)

- points
1.a bit uncoventional gears(1st Gear is Reverse) - i guess its just a matter of getting used to it, felt lack of power in lower gears especially in 3rd gear atleast.
2.there is a very good hump in rear center, Cant seat an adult comfortably in rear center for sure, may be only a child can sit there comfortably
3.no controls whatsoever on steering

I have seen several reviews about cost of ownership of skoda's is very high and low reliability and also after sales service is bad. With VW setting up big plans in India, shouldn't that be resolved ?
Rest apart - I felt Skoda is a great build car but still misses that WoW factor of Digital Displays of Civic

I have following offer from 2 dealers for Civic VMT
Offer 1
20K corp disount + 10K accesories discount

Offer 2
20K corp disount + Rear parking sensors free + sun films free + 10% OFF on any other accesories.
i guess both more or less are the same

[yogeshnaik]

Hi,

To my knowledge, Whitefield Honda is good in Honda. Saw huge space there. In comparison with Altis, the Altis is new and should go on road for time test. Honda Civic is well proven car on Indian roads. Altis gives good space in interiors.

Wishing you good luck !

[mkc15]

Originally Posted by penpavan

2.Handling and suspensions are much better than civic, 150HP power

Definitely; Laura comes with multi-link suspension, which is technically superior to double wishbone in Civic. If you are not a petrol head, you can try Jetta as well.

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by mkc15

Definitely; Laura comes with multi-link suspension, which is technically superior to double wishbone in Civic. If you are not a petrol head, you can try Jetta as well.

I think I read elsewhere in the forum that the Civic does have a multi-link independent setup in the rear. The website says double wishbone.

Could it then be a Double Wishbone Multi-Link setup as described here?
Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible page 1 of 2

[mkc15]

Originally Posted by shuvc

I think I read elsewhere in the forum that the Civic does have a multi-link independent setup in the rear. The website says double wishbone.

Could it then be a Double Wishbone Multi-Link setup as described here?
Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible page 1 of 2

Indian Civics have vanilla double wishbones. USDM Civics have multilink as standard and others have reactive link in 2.0/Type-R models.

[rr_zen]

Originally Posted by iTNerd

I think you should only go for those accessories from the showroom, which require messing with the electrical/wiring of the car such as rear parking sensor (so as to not void the warranty

How does the side step garnish illumination work ? Is it not through electrical means ? If not, it would be a wiser choice to get it from the outside market.

[penpavan]

Originally Posted by rr_zen

How does the side step garnish illumination work ? Is it not through electrical means ? If not, it would be a wiser choice to get it from the outside market.

I have seen 2 types of side step garnish
one in showroom where there is a black plastic one which has CIVIC logo with Blue illumination(only in front doors and not on rear) and outside showroom where there is Stainless steel ones with blue LED CIVIC logo illumination (on all 4 doors), the ones outside showoom had 3M stickers below to stick them up , i dont know if its going to hold longer, the ones in showroom were nicely fitting properly though, cost wise outside it was 5-6K approx and in showroom first they said 10.3K and they were ready to give it for 5K later.

[rr_zen]

Originally Posted by penpavan

In showroom first they said 10.3K and they were ready to give it for 5K later.

10.3K vs 5K

Looks like you have brought to the fore the best of your bargaining skills. If the dealer is prepared to give it for 5K, you might as well pick it up there than going for the aftermarket one, unless the latter looks impressive than the former.

Did you check how the illumination is powered, by the way(in both cases) ?