[Poitive]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

About the unavailability of spares for the Optra (in case it is discontinued); I drive a '05 Corsa and spares have not really been a problem actually.

Generally manufacturers ensure spares up to at least 10 years from date of discontinue, so that shouldn't bother you.

It was stories from the Fiat Uno days which got me more worried. But experiences like yours makes it easier to go for an Optra. Thanks for sharing mate.

Originally Posted by specialist1968

Great car indeed. Great interiors. Styled by legendary Italdesign! However, please do a spare parts price comparison (available elsewher for most of the models you considered so far elsewhere in the relevant forums of Team BHP) before taking a decision. While taking a TD of Verna and New Fiesta, try to extract the cost of spares like say Bumper assembly, Head light assembly, Tail light assembly, oil filter etc. etc. For example, the front bumper of new fluidic verna is reported to cost around 4k+, painting extra.

Checked out on Italdesign. Didn't know this. It is in some seriously good company. Thanks.

Could you please guide me to the relevant forums where I could compare the spares' prices? Do you mean checking long term ownership reports? (That may be a tad too cumbersome).

Originally Posted by visweshkalambur

Poitive, nice write up. I purchased an Optra Magnum two months back. I did my checks and I understand that GM currently has no plans to discontinue the Optra. I can relate to you when you said "the handling was a LOT better than what I would expect from such a soft suspension. Didn't have a sharp feeling, however surely had a very composed and predictable feeling from the little I pushed it.". I was on the highway recently, i could take a pretty decent curve at 130 kmph without any fuss. If you refer to the thread "Best cars under 12lacs" by smartcat, most were surprised to see Optra Magnum top the charts for diesel cars. It was ranked 2 in the entire list. Its a car which gives you super value at the given price point with the only compromise being dated interior design (though not much can be said about the quality).

Thanks for the appreciation Viswesh. Congrats on your purchase. Presume it would be the diesel and that you would be having a blast with it.

I too have been following smartcat's ranking thread. I am not maths/stats wiz, but it is a overly simplistic rating system used. It surely is a wonderful thread for the sheer data easily accessible. We need to interpret it based on our needs. Now, I too love the Optra and was happy to see it ranked the highest in the Diesels

IMHO, besides it having a dated look, the Optra may be better than many cars selling at 3-4 lacs higher. Total VFM if one wants to keep the car for a long time.

Originally Posted by hondacity

I also had a chance to drive the sx4, vento, verna and linea back to back last weekend. Unfortunately the vento was a TL version and looked really out of shape , infact it was knocking badly in 3rd and 2nd gear at relatively good speed. I wanted to TD a Diesel which is the real superstar car but the showroom didnt have one .

Linea TD was a great experience with the super cool TJET engine and effortless high speed handling. The staff was courteous and very knowledgeable. The Linea ranks very high in my regard but for the poor design of the rear seat which makes an impossible fit for tall people. I wonder what FIAT was thinking while designing the rear seats.

Sx4 Diesel was a very usual experience with a typical Maruti feel. Having driven ritz diesel and swift diesel , I didnt notice much difference in the mid range performance.

Yes, the gearbox was super slick and so was the quiet engine noise , apart from that it disappoints in the cabin quality and any other innovative features. I will pass on this car since except the ground clearance advantage, the number of aces up SX4's sleeve don't add up .

Nevertheless, in the end the Verna stole the show and I would surely take another TD of the petrol version just to make sure if it is as good as ANHC or Fiesta. The sx (o) price is too good to be true and it wins hands down.

I would pick either the Petrol SX (O) or Diesel SX version if I do end up buying the Verna which looks extremely likely now.

Mate, with the rising prices, Diesel may be the way to go. Also keeping in mind the huge improvement in diesel engines in the past few years. If you aren't too tall, the Vento diesel may be a good car, though I personally don't like it. If you intend keeping the car for long, the new car novelty factor may not be worth much.

The Hyundai may seem better value, but see that in perspective of the badges. Honda has built a reputation around it's reliability and longevity of it's engine. The Vento is likely to have a very sturdy and lasting body. The engines should be good too.

[visweshkalambur]

Poitive, yes it is a diesel and thank you for your wishes. I have no two thoughts in agreeing to you that it could be a better deal as compared to cars 3 lacs above it. I had test driven only two cars, the Linea diesel and the Optra Magnum Diesel and I flipped for the Optra after I had two test drives. I am a huge fan of Fiat myself. I upgraded from a Palio MJD. With respect to handling, i would not say the Optra is a slouch. The hydraulic steering is very comfortable but the only grouse is the weight of the steering. If only the weight of the steering was better (i find it light), i guess the feel would be much better. I think it s impressive for this car to move where it is pointed to, considering the speed and the mass it is moving. Needless to say, straightline manners of this car are impeccable. Good luck on your buy and do keep us posted on your final choice.

[manikjeet]

I own a Vento optra magnum and verna and i would like to say that for outright performance and cheap service and comfort nothing beats the optra
its just class apart and if i had to buy a car in the same segment i would just buy the optra without even thinking only downside being that its a bit dated

as for the spares the same engine does duty in the cruze and captiva the elentra and tucson so spares will not be a problem any tiime soon

[visweshkalambur]

Manikjeet, same engine does duty in elantra and Tucson? I am not very sure about that. My understanding is the engine for Optra was built by GMDAT in 2006. Not sure if they are shared with Hyundai.

[AirWind]

2L block for Elantra, Tucson and Sonata came/comes from Detroit Diesel whereas Chevy sources it from Italian VM Motori and was designed by GMDAT.

Originally Posted by visweshkalambur

Manikjeet, same engine does duty in elantra and Tucson? I am not very sure about that. My understanding is the engine for Optra was built by GMDAT in 2006. Not sure if they are shared with Hyundai.

[visweshkalambur]

Is that the case? Cos i thought GM has access to the Crdi that it built with Fiat while at FPT? Is this the block productionized by Bosch or a different block? Can anyone throw more light on it please?

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by visweshkalambur

Good luck on your buy and do keep us posted on your final choice.

Thanks. Will surely update, though it may take a while. Just in case there is no news, it would mean that there has been no purchase :(

Originally Posted by manikjeet

I own a Vento optra magnum and verna and i would like to say that for outright performance and cheap service and comfort nothing beats the optra
its just class apart and if i had to buy a car in the same segment i would just buy the optra without even thinking only downside being that its a bit dated

as for the spares the same engine does duty in the cruze and captiva the elentra and tucson so spares will not be a problem any tiime soon

Since you own the three and clearly opt for the Optra, it is reassuring. How would you rate the reliability of the Optra? Any unexpected repairs or breakdowns?

From your signature, Manikjeet, one notices that you also have an Altis. How would you compare it with the Optra Magnum, especially for in-cabin comfort (am thinking about a scenario of my parents using this car oftener).

Thanks for sharing, mate.

[manikjeet]

Originally Posted by Poitive

Since you own the three and clearly opt for the Optra, it is reassuring. How would you rate the reliability of the Optra? Any unexpected repairs or breakdowns?

From your signature, Manikjeet, one notices that you also have an Altis. How would you compare it with the Optra Magnum, especially for in-cabin comfort (am thinking about a scenario of my parents using this car oftener).

Thanks for sharing, mate.

reliability is top notch for the optra haven't faced a single issue with car its has only been to the service station for its regular service nothing else

but one thing i would like to comment is that if you buy the optra please change the headlight bulb to 90/100 and the horn also. they are very weak and dont gel with the car you will get to know once you buy the car.

as for altis the car is totally in a different league as it offer alot of goodies but the space inside is very much comparable and i will rate both equally

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by manikjeet

reliability is top notch for the optra haven't faced a single issue with car its has only been to the service station for its regular service nothing else

but one thing i would like to comment is that if you buy the optra please change the headlight bulb to 90/100 and the horn also. they are very weak and dont gel with the car you will get to know once you buy the car.

as for altis the car is totally in a different league as it offer alot of goodies but the space inside is very much comparable and i will rate both equally

Thanks manikjeet. Just to get a suitable perspective, how much has the Optra done, mate?

And if one leaves the gizmos aside, between the Altis and Optra, which one feels better to be driven in, and which one to drive?

[manikjeet]

my optra has done around 20k and its 09 model the running is not much but uncle has the same car done about 1.30lac km and its still going strong and nothing has been done except regular service

as for optra and atlis i would prefer the optra as it gives a more upmarket feel and the price for which they come i would again lean towards the optra

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by manikjeet

but one thing i would like to comment is that if you buy the optra please change the headlight bulb to 90/100 and the horn also. they are very weak and dont gel with the car you will get to know once you buy the car.

Will keep that in mind, if I end up with the Optra. A good horn makes ample difference on the highway.

Originally Posted by manikjeet

my optra has done around 20k and its 09 model the running is not much but uncle has the same car done about 1.30lac km and its still going strong and nothing has been done except regular service

1.30L of troublefree running is confidence inspiring. Yet another plus on the Optra scales

Originally Posted by manikjeet

as for optra and atlis i would prefer the optra as it gives a more upmarket feel and the price for which they come i would again lean towards the optra

It just reinforces the thought that if one is not really into gizmos, the Optra may be a better car to use than cars priced upto 3-4 lacs or more higher (unless one doesn't mind Skoda service).

Thanks for sharing mate.

[Rodeo]

Originally Posted by specialist1968

Great car indeed. Great interiors. Styled by legendary Italdesign! However, please do a spare parts price comparison (available elsewher for most of the models you considered so far elsewhere in the relevant forums of Team BHP) before taking a decision. While taking a TD of Verna and New Fiesta, try to extract the cost of spares like say Bumper assembly, Head light assembly, Tail light assembly, oil filter etc. etc. For example, the front bumper of new fluidic verna is reported to cost around 4k+, painting extra.

I own a Magnum from close to 4 yrs and i can say its super cheap to maintain it given its size.

More you drive more you will fall in love with the engine... You will love the way it climbs slow at very low speed (like coming out of mall parking).

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by Rodeo

I own a Magnum from close to 4 yrs and i can say its super cheap to maintain it given its size.

More you drive more you will fall in love with the engine... You will love the way it climbs slow at very low speed (like coming out of mall parking).

I am already in love with the engine, even without owning one!
(I presume you too are talking about the Diesel one)

@Rodeo, in case you have a Long term ownership report, could you please point to that.

Could you please tell us the following:
1) How much has your car run?
2) Any repairs out of the service schedule?
3) Any breakdowns?
4) Typical service cost?
5) What is the service schedule? Every 5k or 10k?
6) How often is the Oil to be changed? Mineral or Synthetic?

Thanks in anticipation

[Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Poitive

I am already in love with the engine, even without owning one!
(I presume you too are talking about the Diesel one)

@Rodeo, in case you have a Long term ownership report, could you please point to that.

Could you please tell us the following:
1) How much has your car run?
2) Any repairs out of the service schedule?
3) Any breakdowns?
4) Typical service cost?
5) What is the service schedule? Every 5k or 10k?
6) How often is the Oil to be changed? Mineral or Synthetic?

Thanks in anticipation

1) How much has your car run?
Not much 43k kms.
2) Any repairs out of the service schedule?
Fuel pump failure. Replaced for free after a debate with service folks.
Now a tick tick sound that is coming.

3) Any breakdowns?
Yes once when fuel pump failed
4) Typical service cost?
40000 kms service costed me Rs 1500/- . Every alternate service cost me around 3k. If i remember it correct 30 k service costed me Rs650/-

5) What is the service schedule? Every 5k or 10k?
every 5k
6) How often is the Oil to be changed? Mineral or Synthetic?
10k. Mineral

After owning Lancer diesel , Indica v2, Palio 1.9 D , i20 CRDi (one of the worst cars for city) and Magnum and now i have become a big believer in bigger engines when it comes to drivebility in city.

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by Rodeo

1) How much has your car run?
Not much 43k kms.
2) Any repairs out of the service schedule?
Fuel pump failure. Replaced for free after a debate with service folks.
Now a tick tick sound that is coming.

3) Any breakdowns?
Yes once when fuel pump failed
4) Typical service cost?
40000 kms service costed me Rs 1500/- . Every alternate service cost me around 3k. If i remember it correct 30 k service costed me Rs650/-

5) What is the service schedule? Every 5k or 10k?
every 5k
6) How often is the Oil to be changed? Mineral or Synthetic?
10k. Mineral

After owning Lancer diesel , Indica v2, Palio 1.9 D , i20 CRDi (one of the worst cars for city) and Magnum and now i have become a big believer in bigger engines when it comes to drivebility in city.

Thanks mate.

* Rs.650 and Rs.1500 for service sounds ridiculously low for the service a 10L car! Could that include Oil change etc? Was it subsidized by any warranty/service plan?

*Any idea of the cause of the Fuel Pump failure? Could it be related to any mods you have made in the car? If I remember correctly, I had read somewhere on the forum about a series of Magnums which had faulty pumps. They, probably, were identified by some sticker color.

* Was it difficult to get the service chaps to change the Fuel pump for free?

* The I20 Crdi being bad in the city is a surprise! Bigger engines being better for city use would make the Optra a better choice than the 1.3MJD and tilt the scales even more.