My New Tata Manza comes home ! Thought Seed:
We have been using a Santro (2003) for the last 8 years. Even though it served us well, and is serving
well, the itch for next level of luxury started. As a family, we grew, and in our respective professions as well. So we could afford a little bit more luxury. On top of that there was a mandatory requirement of more space. So the requirement could be summarized as below:
1. Space: More members, more luggage
2. Deisel: Petrol price, and the itch to own a deisel. I'm a long drive fan, and want to make it more frequent.
3. Budget: Around 8 lakhs
4. Luxury: Maximum luxury/features that 8L can offer.
5. Good blend of Economy and dual purpose; city & highways Options considered:
1. Tata Manza:
It was in the corner of my mind, ever since it was launched, sometime in 2009. I had a feeling that this
is my next car. The pricing was just right, and I could see good reviews. Mostly, every one said its a frog-leap from the normal Indigo standard. Unfortunately, I was out of action due to health reasons (I underwent a kidney transplant in March-2010) and everything took a back-seat for a while.
2. Mahindra Verito:
Contrary to many views here, I'm ok with its looks. Taxi image was'nt a problem. Requested for a test drive, and got a call from the dealer, and fixed an appointment for 2 days later. He never turned up or called back, and we too did'nt bother and moved on to other options. Also, the car did not give us a feel good factor, niether for me or wife. It did not really provide that "next level of luxury". Meanwhile, got 3 calls from mahindra asking whether I got to do test drive. Looks like dealers have sold enough !
2. Ford Fiesta classic:
Fiesta classic deisel seemed to fit the bill. Positives being,
1. Time tested. On the road since last 4-5 years or so.
2. Deisel version.
3. In budget
4. Ford brand was appealing. Br-in-law owns one (petrol) and he's very happy.
Negetives:
1. Rear space was a concern. Did'nt feel like it would accommodate 3 adults in the back, comfortably.
2. Did'nt like the looks. Too rounded, and lacks a mean look.
3. Power & mileage lesser than manza.
4. Did not offer features for that price. I had to go for the top-end which was ~1.5L more.
5. Did not like the short test drive that I took.
6. The ford folks seemed to have an attitude, and I did'nt like that one bit.
3. Ford figo:
Breif consideration. Do not have that big car image. Really doubt about the interior space, especially at the rear.
5. Honda city/ Volksvagen Vento/Verna Fluidic:
Out of budget, and very less features for the ones within budget. Have a "Just not my car" feeling. Did not test drive any of them.
6. Scorpio/Safari: Too big to handle for city rides. May be my next car ! Did not test drive.
7. Back to Manza:
Requested a test drive. Got calls from both concorde & prerana. Prerana guy followed up with me constantly
and he showed up at my house on time. Had a very elaborate test-drive. The guys were very much willing and
coperative. The attitude was like "we have a bad name, and we want to change that with this car", and I liked it. The car met all my expactations.
Positives:
1. Space. Rear space is best in class.
2. National Engine !
3. good power and mileage
4. Budget: Needed a little stretch, but manageable.
5. All good fatures, including the ABS.
6. The new Aura ABS was offered in Tyrian Wine color, which was the instant favourite.
7. All the features we wanted/liked: Good music system with all options, blurtooth, ABS, fog lamps
Negetives:
1. TATA ! Everyone said, beware !
2. Tight clutch/gear. may be part of my shift to deisel. will be felt more in city traffic.
3. Rear de-fogger will be sorely missed (as I'm missing now in my present car)
4. A rear AC vent could've been better, as this is a big car.
5. Does'nt have the killer looks, but ok.
6. Niggles reported Decision:
So MANZA it is ! Wife had apprehensions about the quality. Somehow I felt like taking those risks and go for it. Apparently, I've decided long ago to buy Manza, and was trying to find excuses not to but any other cars.
Model: We compared the list of our must-have's and the features offered by manza. The Tyrian wine was our choice, and that was offered in Top-end Elan & Aura ABS. We were not keen on the additional features that
Elan offered. So the decision was narrowed down to Aura ABS. Later, much later, we realized to our disappointment, that the new Aura ABS does'nt have rear de-fogger. Sob !
So, the final spec is:
Car:Tata Manza
Variant: New Aura ABS
Fuel: Diesel
Colour: Tyrian Wine
Dealer: Prerana Motors, Lalbag road, Bangalore
Discounts: 15K cash discounts, 6K corp discount
Freebies: Sun-film, mud-flaps, floor-mats, car cover, Idol Perfume
OTR Price: 8.36 Lakhs Buying:
The next hurdle was the finance. Evaluated loans from HDFC/Axis bank, but finally decided to do away with loans, and go with our own finance. 11.5% was a waste while we are having the funds. Needed a little running around to arrange it from diversified channels.
Prerana said the vehicle is immediately available and delivery will take only 2 days after payment. Went to the showroom on a saturday and made the booking by paying 10k. I was wanting the VIN on that day, but they said the vehicles are not yet "Billed to Prerana" from the manufacturer. Monday passed without any incidents, and on Tuesday came an SMS saying that the vehicle is allotted and the VIN (Chassis number). This was decoded to Sept 2011 which was the current month. Releif ! Decided to do an inspection the next day at the showroom. Went to the showroom next day, and saw my car there. It was the only Tyrian wine colour there at that time. Did the PDI there, could not find any issues. The ODO reading was 45km. Made a part payment there by cheque.
The funds were available by Thursday and full payment was completed by same day noon. He promised the delivery on Sunday, or max on Monday. On saturday he calls me and tells he can deliver only on Monday. That was kind of expected and I was not very keen on taking the delivery on sunday, because in case of an issue, most people would be off on that day and it could not be resolved.
Come monday, and we are there at the showroom by 11, he said the vehicle is being prepared and will be ready in half an hour. Meanwhile I inspected the vehicle once again and made sure that its the same one which I saw before. Waiting continues, and Raghavendra (sales executive) says we can finish the paper work in the meantime. I went through all the papers and made sure that VIN is same in all papers, and my name & address are spelt correctly everywhere. This takes another half hour with Qns & Answers. He then hands me over the keys & papers, and me & raghavendra goes down to the car. He explained the fatures of the car, which was not really necessary, as I knew more than him. There was a photo taken with me accepting the delivery. I took the key, sat inside the car and starts the engine. It would not start. I tried 3-4 times, with no luck. ANother SA came to me and said, I need to press the clutch. I did that but no luck. Finally I press the clutch full, with the pedal touching the floor, and engine coughs to life ! And what a silent engine. I could hardly hear the sound of engine running. We roll out of the showroom after two, to thick traffic in lalbag road.
Initial impressions:
Much better interior qualities, from Indigo & Indica and my santro.
Steering wheel & music system console, DIS gives a very rich look
Extremely good seating position, with fully drwan back & fully raised drivers seat.
Glove is large.
Lots of storage space.
Very good music system. May not be a geek's own, but will satisfy 95% of users. Has all the options I
would need. I will not think about enhancing it.
AC is adequate, can't say great.
Sunfilm felt to be just right. Not too dark/light.
Engine felt sluggish at lower rpms, especially 2nd gear.
Gear/clutch are very tight. Deisel?
Need to press the clutch to the floor for changing gear. Adjust? Again, deisel?
Not enough steering grip. Steering cover?
May miss a rear AC vent.
Throw the perfume out of the window as soon as you can.
The car came home around 3pm and entire family came down to see and admire the car. Declared holiday for
myself in office, and took her for a photoshoot in the evening. Pooja is planned for tomorrow morning.
Thanks.
Last edited by vrvarier : 10th October 2011 at 17:10.
Reason: Re-writing according to Tbhp guidelines
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