Price negotiations
The Whitefield Honda rep never called back the next day on the offer I asked for (he called me the day after, by when the deal was finalized). In the meantime, the Magnum Honda rep kept calling me for the final decision. I called him home for negotiations. He came with his manager. He had initially quoted 11.38L OTR - 65K cash discount, which was 10.65L. This was without 3+4 yr warranty + RSA. I asked for the same 85K cash discount, plus accessories listed above. After a little haggling, the price was finalized. The final deal:
What I pay:
10.68 OTR (which is 80K less than the OTR including 3+4 yr Warranty).
What I get:
Of course a ANHC VAT
3M sun films (windows and rear, no front)
Body Colored door protectors
Black Bumper protectors (I can get the body colored ones by paying 6K extra)
Reverse Parking Sensor
Floor mats (these actually come from Honda itself. So nothing from the dealer)
Body Cover.
Gave an initial booking amount cheque and said we will visit the showroom next day for choosing the color and other formalities. All colors were available for ready delivery.
Dealer Experience (booking) at Magnum Honda, Kanakapura Road:
We had a black car all these years. While it is a great color on any car, we also knew even a small scratch and a little dust would show up on dark colors. So we wanted a light one. White was not considered. We had to choose between Alabaster Silver (AS) and Bold Beige (BB).
Wife and I went to the show room the next day, i.e. on Thu 18-Aug-2011. A BB and AS were standing next to each other for delivery. We took our time. Walked around the cars. And both agreed AS was better, looked more sober and classy (yes, we are husband and wife, but somehow agreed on this point).
Once we confirmed the color, the rep gave us the VIN, which confirmed it to be an Apr 2011 made car. We walked down to the stock yard (which was right next to the showroom). Checked the car which looked fine. No issues visible to the naked eye. He then offered to wash and bring car to the showroom for a short spin within showroom. The drive was tense and slow, but was a trailer to what would come in future.
I asked for the invoice breakup. Everything seemed fine. We then finished the remaining paper work and handed over the cheque for remaining amount of our contribution. He said he would get the car registered the next day, and I could take delivery the day my cheques got cleared. Fair enough. Since I was going for silver, and silver color sensors were available for the reverse parking sensor, asked them to fit that and left the showroom. Overall the booking experience was transparent.
Before leaving the showroom, snapped the car that would enter our life soon (mobile pic, pardon quality)
Dealer Experience (delivery) at Magnum Honda, Kanakapura Road:
On Sat Aug 20, 2011, my bank statement indicated my cheques had cleared. I called the rep, who asked me to send him a copy of my statement and he would deliver. I sent them an email and was asked to come by 4:00 pm for delivery.
I had printed my PDI checklist. Took gifts for the two reps I dealt with. We went to the showroom by 5:00 PM. The rep was waiting for me. A board at the showroom read out my name, and congratulated me for taking delivery. The car was there; ready to join its new family. All accessories were fitted.
I took out the PDI check list. Checked the car in and out for the next 30-45 mins. The rep and their PDI manager waited patiently. No issues found. Only two minor ones:
1. Bad painting of the body colored side protector at some places. I was promised this will be rectified in first service.
2. Air bubbles in the sun film on some windows. Was told these should go away in the next 24 hours. If not, it will be replaced.
A pooja was done, photos taken, and chocolates given to our little princess. The photo was immediately printed, framed and given to us (impresive).
We then went in, finished some paper work. The number plates were fixed. Happy we got a good number; some people ask if I paid for it.
I was then introduced to the service manager. I asked him if he had any tips on maintaining the car. He said for ATs, people mostly wait in D at signals. Make sure you shift to N or P. Point well taken. Then asked him for tips on improving mileage. Was told to anticipate traffic and drive. Knew that, but a reminder always helps.
Overall a great delivery experience. Also checked the new Jazz. Not much different from the old one I thought. In any case my new car was calling out for me. So sat in the car at around 7:00 pm and drove out. As soon as we drove out of the showroom, the Gods decided to bless the car with light showers. Felt great. Went to a near-by petrol station, and filled in some petrol. Did not check tire pressure due to the rains.
The Initial Experience
It has been close to 20 days and 800 kms since I have been driving this car. So time to put down the initial feeling.
The Drive
In essence, this was the most important factor which pushed me to buying this car. The super smooth, reliable engine, and the spacious interiors. So far, no disappointment on this front.
The engine seems to be becoming more and more smooth as it runs in. I can hardly hear it at idle, and even while cruising in 5th gear. Puts a smile on my face when ever I drive this beauty. The gear shifts are very smooth, contrary to what I noticed during the first TD that I mentioned above. I am getting used to the paddles, though I have used it only in the D mode so far.
The Comfort
The interiors feel good and comfortable. There is ample space for every one. No one has complained about the lack of it so far. And people are amazed with the boot size. The beige fabric interiors are a dirt magnet. The driver door handle was clean when I reached the showroom to do the PDI on the delivery day. By the time I was done with the PDI, it already looked dirty. They had to clean it again at my request. The fabrics need a change. And I did not remove the annoying plastic covers on the seats till I did that. The car comes with City badged, black colored fabric floor mats, which seem easy to clean. All I have had to do is take them out, and dust them. This has made me push the 3D Kagu mats purchase. The only benefit now I see with the 3D mats is they may not allow the dirt to spread across. The cabin is fairly quite at most speeds. This is not the season to test the AirCon. We usually switch it off after 2-3 mins, and switch it on again when we feel sultry (I can see the Vento owners smiling...the lack of ACC).
The ICE
The music system sounds very good. Used mostly for the FM radio. Have hardly used the USB, and never used the Aux. The sound quality is good, with more of bass, which is good for me. However, on some songs, when the volume is set higher than 10, there are some vibrations. Point to be mentioned during the first service. It took me some time to realize there are steering mounted controls. My wife used to laugh when I at times took my hand to the central control for changing the volume, and then remembered about the steering control and used that instead. Am now used to the steering controls, and are very convenient.
Head Lights
Decided to have a separate section for this since this is one thing which bothered me, and I thought this is pretty important for safety. The car has been to only one long drive so far. Bangalore-Mysore-Bangalore. Both the onward and return journey were mostly after sunset.
The onward journey was in rains. The headlight felt very in-adequate on the highway in the rains. Had to use the high beam to be able to see the road somewhat clearly. The fog lamps seem to illuminate the road very close to the car, which hardly is of any use. Not sure if this is the case with all fog lamps (never used fogs lamps before, nor have researched their use). The return journey was ok since there were no rains, and speeds were low due to heavy traffic. But I think headlights need to be better.
The FE
The fuel efficiency is hovering around 9 in the city. I mostly drive in bumper to bumper traffic. The FE indicator reached around 15 during the onward journey to Mysore. The return journey was pathetic with a lot of traffic, including bumper to bumper traffic at some points on the highway! The overall FE of the trip (410 kms including within city runs) was 13.3, calculated Full tank to Full tank. The real time FE bar was annoying in the beginning (I think some one else pointed out the same in their thread). But then, I have gotten used to it now.
Other Nuances (likes/dislikes)
Automatic Locking of Door (dislike): I really wish the doors locked on their on their own when the engine is started. I had this in my Alto which was fitted the Minda central locking. My family is used to being driven that way. And my 3 year old is getting naughtier by the day. So it is really a pain for me to remember to lock the doors every time we start out in the car. I forget to do so on most occasions. The sales rep said this "feature" is available only in higher end cars of Honda, Civic and above. Not sure how true that is.
Also, my alto used to lock/guard itself once the engine was shut off, and the driver got down (meaning, open the driver door and close it). This kind of comforted me even if I did not remember if I had locked the door. The City does not do it. It however locks itself if we press unlock on the remote, and none of the doors are opened within 30 secs. So the system is in place to lock all doors, the computer needs to be tweaked.
Sounds on locking the door (dislike): This is one thing I always forget..."have I locked the door or not". The alto used to give me a beep (not very loud to wake every one up) when I locked/unlocked the car. I also had the option to operate the locks silently. For some reason, Honda has decided not to give any kind of noise making device in the car. So after I park my car in the office lot and got a little distance, if I want to check if the car is locked, I need to walk back, and be in a position to see the indicators, to make sure the car is getting locked. Why can't it just beep? A feature I sorely miss. I believe there is no break-in alarm too.
Storage spaces (like): There is lots of it. Am not referring to the boot. There are 5 cup holders in all (2 in front doors, 2 in front of the gear lever, 1 behind the handbrake). And 3 storage compartments that I have seen so far (driver arm rest, glove box, and a small one to the right of the steering). The rear seats have space under them too.
Will add more of these if and when I come across them.
Credits
Thanks to all ANHC/Vento ownership reviews in T-BHP.
Thanks to T-BHP for some great and detailed official reviews on Vento/Fluidic/New Ford Fiesta/ANHC
Photos will follow shortly