| From Maggi to Maverick : My Maruti Ritz
2nd May 2011, the date destined for Maverick "The Bull" Ritz to unite with his master, 4 days after the True Value personnel took possession of Maggi.
Before I go on to the Ritzperience, just want to share a few words about Maggi.
Year 2006 , after selling my first car "Cherry" (1997 Maruti 800 DX) ,I was was on the verge of picking up a 2002 Zen from a leading used car dealer in Bangalore. Took the TD , paid the advance and while leaving the showroom , my eyes fell on a phoenix red beauty in the corner. Two hours before the promised delivery time , the dealer called me up to inform that Zen was involved in a fender bender in the show room and offered me another Zen.
I wasn't happy with TD and was about to collect the advance refund as I felt the phoenix red beauty inviting me for a drive. I asked for a TD and Maggi came into my life. She was a 2000 800 DX. Together we traveled for 65K kms in 5 years, and when it was time for me to officially bring my lady love into my life, I insisted on Maggi being the chariot to the church.
But after 5 years and countless adventures , finally with a heavy heart we had to part ways as she was getting on in age and was no longer an easy maintenance babe. The final straw was when she broke down bang in the middle of Bandipur forest. Though I tried convincing myself for 6 more months on keeping her, it was time...
So the contenders
Eliminated first round
i10 - Not happy with highway handling and wife didn't want it as her friend has the same (ah girls !!!!)
Polo - Waiting period was oomph
Punto - Turning radius was a turn off and horror stories about the service
Eliminated Second Round
Beat - Too small a Boot and poor rear comfort
Swift - Wife absolutely vetoed it as she was afraid it will re-ignite the dormant racer boy in me - My bad- Kept talking about handling and cornering.
Final Elimination
i20 - Amazing vehicle , except for the power and dead steering
Figo - I felt it is only behind swift in handling , but very underpowered
Choice
Ritz Vxi - Even though Ritz wasn't a winner except for reliability and service network in any of the features considered , it was always in the top three and hence the most practical car in the list. And about the rear design - I can live with it.
Booked the vehicle with Pratham Motors Bellandur . I knew Mr.Madhu GM sales from my earlier stint with a private insurance co. He made sure the entire process was smooth and on the fourth working day the Black Bull was delivered.
21 days and 800 Kms later my observations :-
Likes
Amazing engine smooth and silent
Reasonably good handling for a tall boy
Front seat comfort
Responsive steering
Tons of storage space
I love the Tacho
Road presence
Not so good ones
Side and Rear Visibility due to thick A and C Pillars
Rear Seat comfort is so-so
Boot space could have been better.
Service
Pratham Motors will never see my car again as their service is legendary.UM cars kodihalli has been servicing Maggi and I guess I will continue with them
ICE Matters
Fitted Maverick with Pioneer 6050 UB double din head unit
JBL CS and GTO 948 speakers. which may not be a killer ICE but serves my purpose.
OT - was searching for speakers for my cousins car in Cochin and came across a guy who wanted to sell fake JBL speakers, which as per him "JBL-ne tholppikkum" "will beat JBL" and I thought "Yeah Right - you want me to believe that part". Since it was fort Cochin , notorious for goons (and the guy looked menacing at times) I didnt pursue it any further. I hope the moron tries to sell one of those to Sam Kapasi. | 
23rd May 2011, 12:43
