[kaviprem]

Originally Posted by chase_nt

A video of my Honda Brio.

<< Video content >>

Good show man. I like the crisp [nailed on] 5 mins quick review about the interior, exterior and the mods you made for your BRIO.

Have a safe driving and add more KM's to it
Prem.

[superbhikari]

Could you please share your experience of Brio vis-a-vis Beat since I am planning to but between two of them?

[chase_nt]

Originally Posted by superbhikari

Could you please share your experience of Brio vis-a-vis Beat since I am planning to but between two of them?

Where can i start these are two completely different hatchbacks.

The Pros of the beat are its radical design and hence masculine shape, super silent/smooth petrol engine, the design of the dashboard (meters,gauges), the suspension that is able to eat up bad roads with ease, the Chevrolet 3 year/100,000 km warranty, the fact that it uses synthetic oil and hence oil changes were either once every year and a half or 15,000 km whichever was earlier, the fact that it was relatively maintenance free (i just drove it 2800 km during the year and 11 months that i owned it and then it was sold so i may not be the best judge in terms of this aspect), its robust build quality.

Coming to the cons of the Beat It was just an average performer when it comes to power/handling. The boot space was scant similar to the brio but i would say it was a tad bit better than the Brio. It wasn't all that great when it comes to overtaking on the highway due to the fact that it had lesser power and more weight compared to the Brio. Driving in city traffic isn't that easy due to the fact that it has prominent blind spots. The glasses on the rear being small (both the rear doors and the hatch) you will have to crane your neck when you end up reversing this car in traffic and this also creates a claustrophobic environment for passengers in the rear.

The pros of the Brio are its amazing engine which has good power (it never gives you the feeling that it has reached its max potential), the handling characters of the car which allow you to push it hard around corners (more fun quotient), the cabin space is a lot more than the beat especially in terms of rear leg room, the beige interiors though difficult to maintain give the car a bright feel, the large glasses on the vehicle improve visibility and hence blind spots are virtually negligible (in terms of maneuverability in city traffic i found the Brio to be like an Alto on steroids), the car can be driven at 20 km/hr (without a/c) even in the 5th gear without the engine wheezing and this helps in our city traffic, even the base variant of the Brio comes with decent equipment levels, i like the low stance of the Brio compared to the tall boys, engine sounds sporty when made to rev higher, the brand image of Honda, the steering is very light in city traffic and hence a breeze.

The cons of the Brio are the impractical boot, the suspension that feels rough when driven on the slightest semblance of bad roads, cost cutting that is pretty evident (like the lack of bonnet cladding, paint job in the engine bay etc), the engine uses regular oil instead of synthetic oil hence oil changes are every 6 months or 10,000 km, the engine though it is silent its still not as silent as the beat when idling, beige interiors are difficult to maintain especially when a family has kids, the power steering feels light even when on the highway, the Brio comes with a 2 year/45,000 km warranty.

[tarunchoudhary]

I bought my Brio V MT (Silver) on 30th December 2012 (yep, December discounts ) and have now clocked 2100 kms in about 2 months.

Thought of writing a mini-ownership report here itself, rather than starting a new thread.

Choices:
Not much really since I was looking to buy a car for my wife. It had to be a small petrol car. We had a Swift, i10 and a Santro in the garage already. So choices were far and few. Really wanted to get the big H.

Did think between MT and AT, but AT wasn't available in December 2012.

Disclaimer
Althoughbought for my wife, but been driven till now by yours truly for those 2100kms. And given the way its "loving ME back", the wife may never be able to drive this lovely car.

Positives

1) Big car feel from the inside: Top notch plastic quality, A+ knee space for driver, can accommodate 5 ppl easily

2) Great mileage: Been driven in the city only, consistently delivered 14.5-14.75 kmpl for the 5 tank-fulls that I have had (not tested with air conditioner yet). The MID although shows 1-1.25 more than actual realized mileage. Evening commutes are in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Always try to drive with a light foot on the Gas such that that ECO lamp glows as much as possible.

3) Sturdiness: I had a bad accident on a foggy Delhi morning where the Jazz in front me braked a wee too bit harsh and I 'bumped' into it. Given the strong impact, I was expecting deep damage to bumper/ headlights/ fog lamps. But thankfully, the bumper got away with only a 2 inch crack and nothing else.
Will get the bumper replaced in the next service. Dont want a local guy to repair it by heating it and then repainting.

4) Driveability and Handling : Its actually a fun car to drive, cuts corners easily and is a breeze in city traffic.

5) Boot Space: Given all the negative PR around boot space for this car, I have to list this as a positive. I managed to put in 2 full sized suitcases after removing the tray. I cant fit these 2 bags in my Swift whichever way I try. Trust me, the deep boot can take in much more than what one can imagine.

Few Irritants:

1) No rear wash, Defogger Becomes a pain in rains

2) Roof Sheet I would have not come across this problem had dogs in my locality not decided to make my new car's roof a nice cosy bed for themselves. Everytime these dogs climb on to the roof, it is left with a dent (which when pushed out from inside goes back in its place - but the roof isn't as plain and smooth after all these dog incidents) The dogs do leave nail marks which I need to rub later with a rubbing compound. Don't know if all cars roof have this problem or not, but my Swift's roof did not cave in with such incidents (although the dogs ate its antenna is another story altogether)

But, net net, I am super happy with the performance of the car till date and look ahead for many a more years with this gem.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by chase_nt

Lack of under hood cladding or paint job.

Attachment 1048512

Why is this scoop missing in your BRIO? Did Honda delete this in their later models?

Originally Posted by chase_nt

The IVTEC mill.

Attachment 1048511

And it looks like Honda has shifted to engineering plastic based manifold from their cast aluminium manifold.



Pics from: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ml#post2497612

[chase_nt]

Originally Posted by Sankar

Why is this scoop missing in your BRIO? Did Honda delete this in their later models?

Yes the latest Brio's no longer have this scoop.

Originally Posted by Sankar

And it looks like Honda has shifted to engineering plastic based manifold from their cast aluminium manifold.

More innovative cost cutting measures from Honda.

[saion666]

Originally Posted by tarunchoudhary

I would have not come across this problem had dogs in my locality not decided to make my new car's roof a nice cosy bed for themselves. Everytime these dogs climb on to the roof, it is left with a dent (which when pushed out from inside goes back in its place - but the roof isn't as plain and smooth after all these dog incidents) The dogs do leave nail marks which I need to rub later with a rubbing compound. Don't know if all cars roof have this problem or not, but my Swift's roof did not cave in with such incidents (although the dogs ate its antenna is another story altogether)

!!!!Are they normal dogs or mutants?? Thank God such dogs don't exist in this part of the country. Never seen such climber dogs climbing cars and eating antennas. I would have been having sleepless nights leaving my car to the mercy of these mutants.

[Chitta Pradhan]

Originally Posted by tarunchoudhary

I bought my Brio V MT (Silver) on 30th December 2012 (yep, December discounts ) and have now clocked 2100 kms in about 2 months.

But, net net, I am super happy with the performance of the car till date and look ahead for many a more years with this gem.

Hi!

Having experience of both Brio & Swift ( I guess you have a petrol one), which one will you advise to go for with regard to the following requirements:

1. City drive-ability.
2. High speed stability & power of engine on NH.
3. Ride quality at slow & high speed.
4. FE in City & highways.
5. Quietness inside the cabin.
6. Ease & cost of maintenance.
7. AC performance.
8. Comfort level in long journey.
9. Build quality & rattling problem.

Thanks in advance in anticipation of a prompt reply.

Cheers

[amazer2013]

Originally Posted by chase_nt

Moderators note: Back to back posts, please use Multi Quote (Quote +) instead. Thanks

Thanks bigron. I have used several types of alloys on my prior vehicles however i had never used chrome and i made a conscious decision to go in for it. They do attract a lot of attention especially if you keep them shiny as i do. I am kind of getting used to the attention however when i have someone riding shotgun in the vehicle they are taken aback by the stares

Apologies for reviving an old thread..
Hey chase_nt,
I'm totally obsessed with your alloys. I'm about to receive my silver Honda amaze shortly and would like to go for the same alloys. Would you mind telling me the model number of your alloys?
Thanks

[chase_nt]

Originally Posted by amazer2013

Apologies for reviving an old thread..
Hey chase_nt,
I'm totally obsessed with your alloys. I'm about to receive my silver Honda amaze shortly and would like to go for the same alloys. Would you mind telling me the model number of your alloys?
Thanks

Thanks amazer2013. Congrats on picking the Honda Amaze. The alloys are by HRS and i don't have this car or the alloys anymore as i've moved on to the GT TSI. Unfortunately i do not remember the model number of the alloys. You might be able to find them in a catalog by HRS.