Quote:
Originally Posted by pradipk However as this will be my only family car I am not able to digest couple of issues with it.
Is it wise spending 7.5 L OTR for Bolero and keep it for family use? Please share your comment. Spitfire: can you please share feelings of your family members when they travel with you in Bolero? I mean I am nowhere close to it as since 10 yrs our Matiz serves as our family car . |
First and foremost, to be honest I do not understand what a family car means.
To me my Bolero is my Family car. Why?
- It acts and looks like private transport. Lot of others feel otherwise.
- Air Conditioning (No heater but I have fixed that)
- Power Steering.
- Enough space for 5 people and their luggage.
- Drinks Diesel - cheaper then petrol.
- Cheap no make it dirt cheap to maintain compared to newer gen options.
- Has had 2 breakdowns in 7 years - both times I was not stranded.
- Travelled 1.4 lakh kilometers till date.
The vehicle (touchwood) has never let me down. I know many other cars wont but then the perception is this one may.
Also consider I got this 7 years back, when options to my requirements were limited by my capabilities. Think bachelor with first job. Until then I was driving a Classic with no top or doors. But was used to better cars owned by us otherwise.
Coming to my family. My son 2.5 years, adores the Bolero. But that maybe due to the fact that he always had this one and no other choice. He feels claustrophobic in small cars though. My wife, if her preference is to be considered she wants a Honda CRV. But then..
She has travelled with me for like 60K kms of the total run of the vehicle. When we got back from Goa this Diwali on entering our Bangalore house her exact words were, "that was better then the train and faster." 5 years in marraige if she didnt like the Bolero she
"would" have made me change it.
She hasnt so...
My dad loves it, he is 6'4" and sits only in the codriver seat if he is not driving.
My mom has had a knee operation and she is hates travelling in cars (any cars).
Hope that gives a perspective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4x4addict @spitfire:
No offence meant, but just because you use your Bolero as a family car doesn't make it a good family car. |
No offence taken dude. I never do, just that some people miss the humour in my posts.
Like I said earlier I am not clear what a good family car is. Mine and a few other friends who use it as such are totally fine with it as a family car.
Which vehicle in India sells as Family Car as its USP? Dont say M800..
Quote:
The engine, interiors and chases are very dated.
|
Agreed. How does it affect my family use of the car? Dated is not crude.
Engine is 72bhp as per specs, hits a max of 110 kmph. But at 60-80 kmph it doesnt make a sound. The wind noise with open windows is an issue though.
Interiors are basic but they work quite well. I know about the rigid middle seat. If something was that big I carry it overhead. But till today other then carrying cycles I never had any other issue.
The 3rd seat is horrible. But then we never used it for passenger use.
The NVH levels are quite reasonable. The AC works well. The seats are not all comfortable on long drives but then I never had a sore back or a sore rear. To be honest sometimes I did but that was because it was marathon driving nonstop. I would surely like to have better, but this works for me.
Is the Bolero CRDe chassis different from the DI Chassis?
If you are talking safety yes, its not safe. But I believe we are as safe as one wants to be here in India. I am no rash/fast driver. Never exceed 90-100 kmph on our highways ever. A very defensive driver. Maybe the Bolero made me like that but when I look at my insurance claim it makes me a happier person.
Quote:
The main advantage of the Bolero is that it is cheap to buy and maintain and bullet proof.
|
The USP that works for me. Perfectly.
Quote:
It is in no way a modern vehicle? Can you please tell me what is the difference (non cosmetic) between the Bolero and the Armada that was launched in mid 90s?
|
You would be knowing wont you? I have seen your posts on this board for a while now. Unless you really want to know.
Quote:
In my view a family car used for Touring should have at a minimum,
|
Is there something called Family car used for City driving? Family car used for Grocery Shopping? Family Car used for dropping the kids to School? Family Car used for carrying the LPG cylinder? Are they all one or different type of Family cars?
For me the Bolero acts as both touring and city use which is a Family Car.
Quote:
1) Atleast 100+ bhp engine
|
The XD3P takes about 30 secs to reach 80 kmph (my driving) I am perfectly fine with that. If it could have done it in 15 secs I still could have been fine with it.
72.5 bhp (on paper) is good enough for me.
If the Bolero CRDe could have come with that instead of the LSPV I could have bought one.
Yes ABS, Airbags et al is surely required.
Its a bread box on wheels for heavens sake. If you are going to go corner carving you need your head examined. Tell me one vehicle in that price range in those dimensions that has "Good" (relative term) Handling?
Lot many have dumped the OE seats for others. I havent, I could like to have better but I am ok with this. The bench seat is comfortable though as per me.
Quote:
5) Reasonable Ergonomics.
|
Again a sore point agreed. Its build on a 50 year old design. But its build well. You want better ergos you need more money. But honestly I have never suffered any issues. I got a remote on the steering wheel.
Quote:
Just to put things in perspective, my maids father took a loan a year back and bought a Tata ACE. When he is off on Sundays they use it as a family vehicle. Does this make Tata ACE a family vehicle?
|
You tell me? I dont know. Couple of folks before me seem to know better what a family vehicle is maybe you should ask them.
Quote:
I am no fan of the Sumo Grande
|
My experience on this is nil. So no comments. Maybe folks who use one can shed more light.
And I didnt buy the Bolero to pick up family or go on long trips alone.
Quote:
I can't imaging taking my family on a trip in a vehicle that makes 63 bhp at a max of 3200 rpm. Do you realize that entry level sub compacts from Maruthi make more power than this?
|
I am thinking it would be less then 63 bhp, anyone dynoed?
A small example, a friend in a 90 bhp car travelled with us to Goa from Bangalore in November. He took exactly 40 mins more then me to reach Goa. 40 mins is no huge concern for me.
But frankly if I want what I really think I want. I would be driving a Toyota Fortuner. But I aint that rich... yet... And when I do the Bolero will still stay.