[prabhuferrari]

Originally Posted by Poitive

I don't even like steering mounted audio controls. They are an arm's length away when needed, so don't like those to disturb the steering use. For me 'not having steering controls' was a bit like a feature!!!

Actually this is one place where Optra loses big time IMO. Nowadays it is a boon to have steering wheel controls atleast for the phone. Music maybe not. Also the features like MID etc are not there. Technology has improved a lot and adapting some of them is beneficial. Maybe items like cruise control, start/stop button are not that important. But steering wheel controls and MID are! If they do that, Optra will sell even more I feel.

[Jakku]

Originally Posted by roadtrip

@ poitive,
Yup, I've paid my 50k booking amount, just going through each step of the buying process.

Congrats on your booking mate, looking forward to your buying & ownership experiences.

Originally Posted by roadtrip

Anyway, what I'm paying:
OTR (Mumbai registration): Rs 10.95 lakh
Standard discount: Rs 30,000
Corporate discount: Rs 10,000
They're giving rubber mats, basic sun-film and mud-flaps for free (yeay, hurray, champagne all round), but nothing else. I could have haggled for more, but I'm one of those retarded people who can't bargain to save their lives, and in any case, I was more interested in getting good service, so didn't want to get into hassles over a couple of grand here and there.
They did match my bank's interest rate, though the difference wasn't really that much.
Accessories:
Parking sensor - Rs 2700
Emergency kit - Rs 1200
Carpets - Rs 1800

Total price (car itself): Rs 10.61 lakh

Thanks for sharing the detailed break up of the final price you shell out.

Originally Posted by roadtrip

Am not going in for the extended warranty or maintenance programme at the moment - let me see what the service is like. Can always go for those in a few months' time.

IMHO the Chevy Promise package would really help and is a boon. I was told by opting for this, the warranty gets automatically extended (request you also to check on the same with your dealer).

Originally Posted by roadtrip

3) I'm wondering whether I can swap the 6-CD changer for a single-DIN unit (at the dealership itself, in exchange) that has a USB slot as well. Has anyone done this? Do dealerships do this sort of thing? Also, if I go for a single-DIN, can I get some sort of tray for the empty space, so it becomes a cell-phone etc holder?

I had seen CASKA unit which is really good and goes very well in the Optra. This gives you all the required accessories like reverse parking sensor, bluetooth connectivity, etc in addition to a good DVD player with USB/ AUX connectivity etc.

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

On road price was 11.44 lakhs. After discount she offered me for 11.15 L. And since I will be going via Orix lease scheme, she said I can get another 10k or so as discount.

I suggest you check with other dealers as well before booking. I am sure you will get a better deal. I checked with Trident at Kalyan Nagar and Kropex nearby to Electronics City and there is definitely a change in final OTR price. Apart from that you can negotiate for more freebies.

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by NoRules

Stumbled onto this thread of raaga. New owners and prospective Magnum buyers please check it out:

Thanks for sharing. Let us keep sharing links (from the forum or otherwise) which we come across, which are useful in selecting a diesel sedan in this segment guys.

Now this was really funny! This thread has become so Optra-centric that one doesn't even end up mentioning which car is being talked about

Thanks for sharing the TD experience Prabhu. Am adding comments to some points below, in bold.

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

2. Almost zero turbo lag, my current car is an esteem and am used to shifting ti lower gears in bad roads. - Aah! Good to see others who feel that this car has almost no lag.

3. The turbo pull was linear and i didn't even realise when I touched the 3 digit speed. - Happened to me a few times. One doesn't realize the speeds one is doing in this car. At times, it seems that one may think that this car doesn't handle as well, as one may not realize how fast one actually is.
----------
5. Seats are extremely comfortable and the steering wheel response is also good. - Prabhu, if you TD it again, please check for how quick the steering response is. I found it a bit slow.

6. Horn placement and indicator stalks could have been better. Or maybe matter of getting used to. - One of the few gripes I DO have with this car.
-----------
8. I am short and seat height was pretty good. But getting in and easy were not that easy. Maybe for taller people it's easy. - It just goes to show how TD experiences can be so different. I found the Esteem one with the most difficult ingress/egress. And moving from one, you find Optra such
------
10. Cabin is airy but the head unit is lame. Actually lame is a polite word. It seems you cannot exchange it for a new one. - Was it the newer Clarion one or the old Alpine? From the look of it, it seemed like a standard Double-DIN size and that should be very easy to change. Shouldn't it?
--------
She said service interval is 10000 kms - AFAIK, it is 5k. Oil change at 10k
-----------
They had no plans of discontinuing this model. - Sales chaps may be the last to know. Ask the Ford Fiesta guys

Max power according to brochure is 120.5/3000
Max Torque is 314/2125 - What brochure was this? The ones I got had different specs on the front and back. Could you please check the month-year on it?

Originally Posted by Torquedo

I don't really remember this clearly but I think it was Oct 2010.

Thanks for the update Torquedo.

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

Actually this is one place where Optra loses big time IMO. Nowadays it is a boon to have steering wheel controls atleast for the phone. Music maybe not. Also the features like MID etc are not there. Technology has improved a lot and adapting some of them is beneficial. Maybe items like cruise control, start/stop button are not that important. But steering wheel controls and MID are! If they do that, Optra will sell even more I feel.

Yes, I totally realize the market demand for all this. All the Optra really needs is a total dash revamp. The rest of the interior is fine. It would include all the stuff talked above. However I suspect they don't want to do that as it will hit their flag-bearer the Cruze.

About a steering without misc. controls - It was only about my personal opinion.

@Prabhu, do you or any of your friends use the phone on speakers after living with the feature for a few months? I do think people do, but want to check on the practicality. (IMO, the voice controls in the Linea and Fiesta won't really be used)

[Jakku]

Originally Posted by Poitive

@Prabhu, do you or any of your friends use the phone on speakers after living with the feature for a few months? I do think people do, but want to check on the practicality. (IMO, the voice controls in the Linea and Fiesta won't really be used)

@Poitive:- I am having 2 of my friends who wanted this feature (bluetooth connectivity & steering controls) badly and chose Linea over Optra solely for this feature. But after about 3-4 months, they have lost the interest in this bluetooth functionality and they are now using their bluetooth headsets while driving (but they won't give up the idea of talking while driving !!!). Another friend of mine who is an ardent Maruti fan (just for the reason of the A.S.S network) bought SX4 and bought a car bluetooth device (about Rs.2500) from Sony Ericsson which can be just clipped to the driver side sun visor and is using it to the maximum extent.

So, as you right pointed out, it is purely person dependent. IMHO, bluetooth connectivity can be used only if we are travelling alone in the car, else a bluetooth headset will do the duty. However, at the same time, I feel the music controls on the steering is good. Might be, I am liking it because my car does'nt have one. All put together, Optra is an Optra!!!! and I really love that car (minus it's horn which can be easily replaced).

[prabhuferrari]

Originally Posted by Jakku

@Poitive:- I am having 2 of my friends who wanted this feature (bluetooth connectivity & steering controls) badly and chose Linea over Optra solely for this feature. But after about 3-4 months, they have lost the interest in this bluetooth functionality and they are now using their bluetooth headsets while driving (but they won't give up the idea of talking while driving !!!). Another friend of mine who is an ardent Maruti fan (just for the reason of the A.S.S network) bought SX4 and bought a car bluetooth device (about Rs.2500) from Sony Ericsson which can be just clipped to the driver side sun visor and is using it to the maximum extent.

So, as you right pointed out, it is purely person dependent. IMHO, bluetooth connectivity can be used only if we are travelling alone in the car, else a bluetooth headset will do the duty. However, at the same time, I feel the music controls on the steering is good. Might be, I am liking it because my car does'nt have one. All put together, Optra is an Optra!!!! and I really love that car (minus it's horn which can be easily replaced).

I have an esteem and have a Bluetooth headset on the rear view mirror. Costed me around 5k. But it's a great boon for me in Bangalore's infamous bumper to bumper traffic where I get to do many of my project reviews over phone while crawling to office and crawling the way back home. Music maybe not that important for me. But Bluetooth handsfree is one feature I use extensively and makes it very easy if it's on steering wheel. Have been using it fir 8 months now and i am so used to it. Now I need to pause the music and then click accept on the mirror. If all can be integrated in one switch it will be nice. Maybe Caska HU will provide that integrated feature.

[mdsaab]

Hey Jakku thats really interesting to read.
While i do like the bluetooth on steering feature some cars have. I still wonder if i would use it. I have a strict no talking on the phone while driving policy. I prefer to park on the side of the road when possible and take the call. Or call back when i reach my destination.

Regarding steering mounted audio controls. Dont have them on the civic. But they are on the ANHC which has been with me for a couple of days. Now its great to have them on the steering. But honestly its not to difficult to reach out for the media player and make the change.
Infact when you want to select a song deep in a playlist you will have to find it through the head unit.
As you can only forward one song at a time from the steering. So overall while useful. Yes i could live without it.

Not so much without the MID though.
It is a rather useful thing to have.
Barring the instantaneous fuel efficiency.
Other parameters such as
Driving Range and overall fuel efficiency are highly useful pieces of information to have at a glance.

[NoRules]

Originally Posted by Poitive

Now this was really funny! This thread has become so Optra-centric that one doesn't even end up mentioning which car is being talked about

@Prabhu, do you or any of your friends use the phone on speakers after living with the feature for a few months? I do think people do, but want to check on the practicality. (IMO, the voice controls in the Linea and Fiesta won't really be used)

Lol. My thoughts exactly when I saw guys talking about the car asuming it is about Optra only.

Poitive, The bluetooth is one feature I fell in love with. 3-4 years ago I was at Jakarta and saw this Sony Ericsson blue tooth handsfree kit in my friend's Camry and immediately purchased it. At that time I think it costed me some 8k INR. I got it installed in my Baleno and now, after 4 years, I just cannot do without it.

Yes, there is lack of privacy but since most of the time I am the only occupant in the car it works for me. When Missus is in the car and I want to avoid any call on the speakers, i just pick the phone and choose 'handset' option. You can even say i am addicted to it and it is must have feature in any car that i might buy in future.

For the info of people shopping for Magnum, I visited 2 showrooms yesterday and the following is the quote I got:

Orange Auto, Banjara Hills:

Ex-Showroom: 9,53,142.00
Discount: 30,000.00
---------------------------
Ex-Showroom: 9,23,142.00
MV Life Tax : 1,11,100.00
Insurance : 30,000.00
Handling : 5,000.00
Registration : 3,000.00

---------------------------
OTR Price : 10,72.242.00

CPCO Optional@ 31,500.00

This guy did not talk about any freebies and I did not ask but I am sure they will throw in mud flaps, matting and teflon whatever.

KUN Automobiles, Kavadiguda:

Ex-Showroom: 9,53,142.00
Discount: 32,000.00
---------------------------
Ex-Showroom: 9,2,142.00
MV Life Tax : 1,10,788.00
Insurance : 30,398.00
Handling : 5,000.00
Registration : 3,000.00

---------------------------
OTR Price : 10,70.328.00

CPCO Optional@ 31,500.00

Matting, mud flaps and teflon coating free.

I do not carry any corporate badge. So, additional 10k corp discount not applicable to me.

I will be talking to them again to see if I can squeeze anything more. I hope this will help others looking to buy.

The leather seats seem to be the same that I saw in the 2010 TD vehicle.

While the decision to go for the beast is not absolute, it is almost done and I should be booking the car next week with delivery before the month end. Colour options: I somehow have a fascination for the Red (My Baleno is Wine Red), wife dislikes it totally and prefers Black about which I have no opinion. Looks like we will end up finalising Sandrift Grey. My son liked it a lot. Family council will meet and finalise before I pay the advance

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by NoRules

Lol. My thoughts exactly when I saw guys talking about the car asuming it is about Optra only.

Poitive, The bluetooth is one feature I fell in love with. 3-4 years ago I was at Jakarta and saw this Sony Ericsson blue tooth handsfree kit in my friend's Camry and immediately purchased it. At that time I think it costed me some 8k INR. I got it installed in my Baleno and now, after 4 years, I just cannot do without it.

Yes, there is lack of privacy but since most of the time I am the only occupant in the car it works for me. When Missus is in the car and I want to avoid any call on the speakers, i just pick the phone and choose 'handset' option. You can even say i am addicted to it and it is must have feature in any car that i might buy in future.

For the info of people shopping for Magnum, I visited 2 showrooms yesterday and the following is the quote I got:

Orange Auto, Banjara Hills:

Ex-Showroom: 9,53,142.00
Discount: 30,000.00
---------------------------
Ex-Showroom: 9,23,142.00
MV Life Tax : 1,11,100.00
Insurance : 30,000.00
Handling : 5,000.00
Registration : 3,000.00

---------------------------
OTR Price : 10,72.242.00

CPCO Optional@ 31,500.00

This guy did not talk about any freebies and I did not ask but I am sure they will throw in mud flaps, matting and teflon whatever.

KUN Automobiles, Kavadiguda:

Ex-Showroom: 9,53,142.00
Discount: 32,000.00
---------------------------
Ex-Showroom: 9,2,142.00
MV Life Tax : 1,10,788.00
Insurance : 30,398.00
Handling : 5,000.00
Registration : 3,000.00

---------------------------
OTR Price : 10,70.328.00

CPCO Optional@ 31,500.00

Matting, mud flaps and teflon coating free.

I do not carry any corporate badge. So, additional 10k corp discount not applicable to me.

I will be talking to them again to see if I can squeeze anything more. I hope this will help others looking to buy.

The leather seats seem to be the same that I saw in the 2010 TD vehicle.

While the decision to go for the beast is not absolute, it is almost done and I should be booking the car next week with delivery before the month end. Colour options: I somehow have a fascination for the Red (My Baleno is Wine Red), wife dislikes it totally and prefers Black about which I have no opinion. Looks like we will end up finalising Sandrift Grey. My son liked it a lot. Family council will meet and finalise before I pay the advance

You seem like you are in the final stages of buying.
Good on you mate. I think the sandrift grey is a nice colour and suits the car pretty well. The discounts offered seem ok. But i do see some scope in there. Do haggle further. As they have offered only the standard offers so far. Try and make them bend backwards with a better deal. And do not forget to get the body cover thrown in before you hand over the cheque. Remember Thats the last freebie to ask for. Good luck!

[prabhuferrari]

Just a question which might not be relevant in this thread. Whats the petrol equivalent of a reliable spacious sedan?

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

Just a question which might not be relevant in this thread. Whats the petrol equivalent of a reliable spacious sedan?

Good question. IMHO, reliable and spacious in this price range should be Honda City.
Just reliable, but not so spacious in the rear could the New Ford Fiesta
Another spacious option (almost in this price range) could be the Laura TSI classic.

Originally Posted by mdsaab

While I do like the Bluetooth on steering feature some cars have. I still wonder if I would use it. I have a strict no talking on the phone while driving policy. I prefer to park on the side of the road when possible and take the call. Or call back when I reach my destination.

Totally agree with your thoughts on the usage of phone while driving. That said if there is a need to use the phone, I feel voice activated controls to dial a number and getting the conversation going through the car speakers are better than concentrating on dialing a number on phone and listening through the puny phone speakers. Even then, IMHO phone is safety hazard while driving.

Note/OT: I read a few of the luxury cars now have 3G SIM slots available inbuilt so that internet can be accessed on the go via the display unit (IIRC it was the new Audi A6). And I think BMW have gone a step forward with their ConnectedDrive Technology. Driving is not just driving anymore

[mdsaab]

Yes was always envious of those bmw's which had google on the screen upfront.
But quite a distraction and ofcourse should not be used while driving. But mostly i think this is for the google 3d maps which are integrated into the navigation system. And i think which requires an internet connection.
Here is a quick.fix for a similar setup for anyone who needs or wants the same.
Buy a nice android or iphone4 and get a windcreen or dash mount. gprs or 3g connection and you should be pretty much up and running like those bmw's and audi's. But with an added advantage. You can take your setup to any of your other cars.

[prabhuferrari]

Thank you vb-san for the inputs. So far my short listed cars are Optra Magnum, ANHC AT and Fiesta provided the test drive makes me feel good. I want a very comfortable sedan petrol or diesel around 12L budget. Since am going for a company lease planning to keep it for 5 years. Does anyone know how good Fluence is?

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by NoRules

For the info of people shopping for Magnum, I visited 2 showrooms yesterday and the following is the quote I got:

Orange Auto, Banjara Hills:

Ex-Showroom: 9,53,142.00
Discount: 30,000.00
---------------------------
Ex-Showroom: 9,23,142.00
MV Life Tax : 1,11,100.00
Insurance : 30,000.00
Handling : 5,000.00
Registration : 3,000.00

---------------------------
OTR Price : 10,72.242.00

CPCO Optional@ 31,500.00

This guy did not talk about any freebies and I did not ask but I am sure they will throw in mud flaps, matting and teflon whatever.

KUN Automobiles, Kavadiguda:

Ex-Showroom: 9,53,142.00
Discount: 32,000.00
---------------------------
Ex-Showroom: 9,2,142.00
MV Life Tax : 1,10,788.00
Insurance : 30,398.00
Handling : 5,000.00
Registration : 3,000.00

---------------------------
OTR Price : 10,70.328.00

CPCO Optional@ 31,500.00

Matting, mud flaps and teflon coating free.

Congrats on your decision. It's a great car. Btw, I know someone folks in KUN and can "try" to see if some more price can be reduced or more freebies can be added.

Also, do check out yesterday's DC paper. Seems there was an advertisement of offer on Optra.

[prabhuferrari]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Congrats on your decision. It's a great car. Btw, I know someone folks in KUN and can "try" to see if some more price can be reduced or more freebies can be added.

Also, do check out yesterday's DC paper. Seems there was an advertisement of offer on Optra.

Is it possible for only 1 city to get such offers? Is it dealer specific? I met Sundaram guys in Bangalore yesterday and there was no offer. Thanks to Jakku I came to know of the offers in other dealerships in Bangalore. Anyway I want the car only on August 18 so checking to see if there are good deals around.

[Rameshdude]

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

Just a question which might not be relevant in this thread. Whats the petrol equivalent of a reliable spacious sedan?

Vento AT Maybe considered.