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Old 1st October 2011, 19:17   #241
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by ra'ul M View Post
Just got off the phone with my dealer and according to him Maruti are not focusing on making ZDi's as of now . I don't know how much truth is there in their statement but he keeps pushing my delivery timeframe .
Of all the drawbacks mentioned by GTO in his review this one hurts the most! If only there was a way to be certain of the delivery date and no foul play by the dealer. Sigh!
I got a call from my dealer today. He said Maruti would be calling in a few days to ascertain the booking. Also he said Maruti has promised to deliver the deliver in the next month itself.( We had booked a white VDi about 7 days back and the waiting period quoted was 4-5 months.)
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Old 1st October 2011, 20:55   #242
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

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Originally Posted by amalji View Post
Swift ZDI does have a USB, and aux in. I guess it's fitted in the lower part of the center console.
I was talking about the VDi. The ZDi on-road pushes 7.5L in Bombay.
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Old 1st October 2011, 22:22   #243
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Autocar rates the New Jazz Select Petrol above the Swift ZXi Petrol which are now almost similarly price, and I for one agree with them on this one for a change. They are spot on that Honda Jazz does in fact make more sense if you are going for the petrol.
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Old 1st October 2011, 22:33   #244
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

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Originally Posted by ramzsys View Post
IMHO, the comparison also highlighted ABS, Bluetooth, Steering audio control, Height adjustable seat, Lumbar support, intelligent rear wiper as well. So the common man is not taken for a ride, bumpy ride included.
The comparison in the ad is between Vista VX with ABS and Swift VDi. In which case is it that that Swift VD doesn't have an ABS as option.
The name Sedan Class itself floors the common man; even before he is taken for a ride. A two box sedan.
Quote:
the ACE, which has elephantine (power wise) headlamps, included.
I was making statements in the given context.

Last edited by rajeev k : 1st October 2011 at 22:40.
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Old 1st October 2011, 23:50   #245
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Had Test driven Swift ZDI today. My take on the new Swift.

1. Rides better than Old Swift, Punto rides better than Swift.
2. Sharp Handling and i can say that it handles better than Punto.
3. Low NVH levels better than most of the diesel Cars, but since i am used to Petrol cars i felt a Engine a bit audible.
4. Quality - Interiors are better than Punto, Exteriors cannot be even compared with Punto/Polo doors/boot shut is flimsy compared with Punto. I found problem in locking the doors and boot.
5. Transmission/Clutch - Excellent in my opinion as i am used to Punto's hard clutch and rubbery gearbox.
6. Audio - Best OEM audio in the segment, should have got bluetooth.
7. Ergonomics - Much better than Punto and to be honest iam just 5.6 Feet and i dont have any problems in finding a perfect driving position.
8. Steering - Sharper and lighter and sharper(Quicker) than Punto, but for high speed i will prefer Punto's.
9. Boot - As everyone knows its disappointment.
10. Looks - Again subjective, but i liked the new car than the old one. For my eyes i can see quiet a lot of difference from new Swift to the Old one. As most of the people find the rear as ugly/uninspiring, I found that to be good and nice.
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Old 1st October 2011, 23:54   #246
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by ashok_lat View Post
Had Test driven Swift ZDI today. My take on the new Swift.

1. Rides better than Old Swift, Punto rides better than Swift.
I am assuming you own the Punto 76Hp. How was the drive compared to you punto ? Did you feel the swift was peppy and eager to go fast when compare to the Punto ? More about the engine's performance vis-a-vis the punto will help prospective buyers like me who are confused between the ZDi and the 90HP

Last edited by shashank.nk : 1st October 2011 at 23:55.
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Old 2nd October 2011, 00:12   #247
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Note from Mod: There are several spelling & grammatical errors in your posts. This negatively affects the board experience for other readers.

Kindly ensure that you proof-read your posts prior to submission. Also, it would be a good idea to use spell-checkers.

Last edited by GTO : 6th October 2011 at 12:58.
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Old 2nd October 2011, 08:46   #248
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Even with the negative points on the boot, I felt the new Swift is a major improvement from the older one. Agreed on the mini-like characteristics (and design inspiration), but personally I did not like the car much. I always thought families were going for it in big numbers because it’s a bigger looking hatch from Maruti. But with this new avatar, I felt the car has grown in quality, and can do more justice to the family buyer.

I still feel the car is good for a young single buyer, or for a young couple (maybe with a child seat attached to the rear bench).
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Old 2nd October 2011, 09:37   #249
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

An excellently detailed and honest review. Maruti seems to have done cost cutting galore. Weaker brakes, thinner glasses, and higher pricing for the top end model. To make it worse, engines tuned for efficiency rather than performance (swift was always known to be a fun to drive car). I feel that Maruti will find this tough to sell with its current prices once the initial euphoria dies down.
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Old 2nd October 2011, 13:51   #250
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Anybody got to hear revised waiting periods after the strike got over?
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Old 2nd October 2011, 17:17   #251
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by blue_pulsar View Post
Anybody got to hear revised waiting periods after the strike got over?
About 5 odd months for the Zdi, depending on where you are located.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ashok_lat View Post
Checked with Vishnu Cars, Chennai. The waiting for ZDI is 6 months and VDI 5 months.
Surprising, The sales guy was telling me about higher waiting periods for the Vdi.

Last edited by Furebo : 2nd October 2011 at 17:34. Reason: Adding quote
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Old 2nd October 2011, 17:25   #252
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Checked with Vishnu Cars, Chennai. The waiting for ZDI is 6 months and VDI 5 months.
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Old 2nd October 2011, 21:01   #253
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Finally had the TD of All New Swift today ZDI

I am not going into the pros and cons of interior and exterior here

The diesel engine started without much of a clatter. Was amazed at how refined the engine was. Minimal sound on start even on outside.

The NVH inside too was great. Great deadening by MSIL There was a innova going next to me and not a single sound of it inside. On the contrary through the change from JK vectra to MRF ZVTS tyres is not helping as a lot of tyrenoise was heard inside the cabin.

It takes a while to get yourself into comfortable position so as to avoid your shin hitting the dash. You have to certainly pull back your seat a bit to achieve that. I would anyday prefer sitting upright driving the car than lounge back and drive relaxed. But nevertheless thats the way you have to drive the car if you dont want your shin to hitch the dash.

The turbo kick as in the previous swift is still there. Its a pure pleasure when the turbo kicks in and you watch others as if you are the owner of the road. The turbo lag is there and is very much appreciable and the car moves like a python below 2k rpm. It is going to be a pain in B2B traffic if you are in Mumbai.

The steering is light much like my verna, it doesn't feel chunky and assuring either. I am used to driving my linea, which gives me the right amount of feedback in city and in highways. I had always disliked verna in high speeds just because of this light steering feel. It is the same feel i get when the turbo kicks in in all new swift. It can give excellent maneuverability in city but on highways you always feel a little afraid to push the car more because of the steering.

The turning radius is apt and good. The brakes are not worthy to speak about. even though it has boost assist and abs, the brakes are non assuring. Is there any upgrade that can be done here to get a cushy feel?

The car understeers....IMHO it does. I tried cornering at high speeds and it does understeer. It is may be because of the light steering. i have driven the older swift and i have done the same and i believe old swift was much better in handling than this new one. The right amount of steering turn doesn't turn the car to a right amount. You have to turn a little extra to be on the lane while cornering. going to be certainly difficult on highways. Thumbs up to the old swift. or is it a matter of getting used to?

The car perfectly vrooms from 30 -100 in no time . And it is a pleasure to be on the right side of the turbo kick.

By now i wanted to asses the car from back seat. so i allowed my friend to take the wheel. He is 5'10. The moment he adjusted the seat to his liking my legs were squeezed. The rear leg room is a crap. Where has the 20mm more leg room gone? the boot isnt wide either. i expected the rear leg room to be atleast comfortable, but disappointed. The front seat cant be taken up front either due to the "shin" problem. so it is cumbersome for the passenger at the rear. so is the ingress and the egress.

The car feels small when you sit at the rear and feels bigger when you are in the front. The rear windows are small and gives a claustrophobic feel. The seats are not cushy and comfy either. MSIL has modified the front seats. But why have they not cared about the rear passengers. The front seats are absolutely fabulous. They just wrap you around and hug you. On the downside the rear seats are hard . not much of a back support or thigh support. Again it is going to be a pain for the rear passengers on a long trip. I dont think 5 people can sit comfortable either. it is definitelya 4 people car

I somehow felt not very comfortable sitting in the rear of the car when my friend was driving. I was not able to view the road much from the back. I was worried about the handling as my friend was driving close to 100kmph, which was not very assuring due to the not so good handling (my opinion).

The gizmos are very good. the interiors are plush and nice except for the switches on door. Loved the dash and the a/c cupholders and the ICE.

Overall If the car is going to commute only 2 people and they are going to sit in the front, It is undoubtedly the best car you can get in the market.

But if the car is meant for 4, i think i have to think again the plus and minuses before deciding

Car cost: 7.48l with 6 months waiting period. IMHO torque blue is the colour for the car

Last edited by geeash : 2nd October 2011 at 21:10.
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Old 2nd October 2011, 22:47   #254
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by geeash View Post
The car understeers....IMHO it does. I tried cornering at high speeds and it does understeer. It is may be because of the light steering. i have driven the older swift and i have done the same and i believe old swift was much better in handling than this new one. The right amount of steering turn doesn't turn the car to a right amount. You have to turn a little extra to be on the lane while cornering. going to be certainly difficult on highways. Thumbs up to the old swift. or is it a matter of getting used to?
This is contrary to the test drive report and if it really does the strongest point becomes its weak link. perhaps the last line quoted is the answer.
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Old 3rd October 2011, 07:56   #255
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re: Maruti Swift : Test Drive & Review

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Originally Posted by rajeev k View Post
This is contrary to the test drive report and if it really does the strongest point becomes its weak link. perhaps the last line quoted is the answer.
It does and it definitely does in my opinion. i tried to check 2 times on fast speed cornering.

Lastline quoted was a sort of adustment that you have to bend the steering wheel more

But that never happened in old swift. It had a great handling capabilities even on a fully laden car.

There is certainly something wrong here
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