[SRKHYD]

Hello BHPians !!

This is my first thread on the forum. Aptly the thread is about my journey so far with my Ford Figo TDCi Exi. In fact this car is the reason why I have started reading Team-BHP since early 2010. Finally after so many trials to join the forum, here I am to share my views / experiences about Ford Figo.

Can't help but the post will be highly influenced by fellow members views, as I have read them numerous times !

Special thanks to GTO, gemithomas, Captain Slow, joethomasv, RGK and trrk (R.I.P) for their valuable inputs in making my buying decision easy / maintain my car well. Any question I had during my ownership was ALWAYS asked / answered by fellow bhpians. A big thank you for you all - The Definitive Indian Car Website indeed !!

What I like in Figo
1. Driver's view of road / surroundings ahead
2. Diesel engine with good driveability
3. Nice steering
4. Right stock Tyre size - IMO plays a big part in the way the car behaves dynamically
5. Complete car package (at least at the time I bought) - Audio unit, floor / boot mats, mud flaps, fabric seat covers - all included.

What I don't like in Figo
1. Rear door glasses NOT fully coming down / no power windows. Can't understand the design limitation on this.
2. No TEMP gauge - would have preferred a preventive approach than corrective.
3. Headlights. Appearance wise they look good, but on a 2-way road with oncoming traffic with high beam OR in a rainy evening the throw is not effective.

The Journey So Far. On our way to Shirdi from Hyderabad.


Why Figo?
Go onto a decent road, attain a speed so that you can slot into 5th gear and start meditating !
Engine, Chassis, Steering, Low Slung Stance and Good Music system will take you to a different level.

The best part of the car. Easy to drive. No super turbo kick (may be not not for everyone's like, but that is how I prefer - linear progress)


Other Cars Seriously Considered (at Jan-Mar 2013 time-frame):
1. Maruti Suzuki Swift
+Ves
Good Engine. Enough Spirit. Silent, compared to competing cars
Sense of doing something right. So many swift owners around, you cannot go wrong with decision.
-Ves (strictly personal)
60K Rs. more compared to competing cars, with not much difference in equipment level
Cramped rear seat - compared to Figo and Vista.

2. Tata Vista
+Ves
Good Engine. Not very silent, but not loud either.
Proper 5 seater. Very comfortable.
VFM

-Ves
Tata Indica Vista
Question on long term reliability.
Sense of 'not well screwed together'

Finally it was a close call between Vista and Figo, but once I test drove Figo everything else blown out of my mind.

Some Stats:
OTR (May 2010): 5.8 L with 3rd Year Extended Warranty ODO Reading: 53K KM

Usage Pattern:
Daily office commute ~ 30 KM round trip, with decent traffic and less of b2b traffic.
Once in 2 / 3 months - out of station trips of ~ 1200 Km round trip

Mileage:
Hyderabad City Traffic with A/C ON ~15 KMPL
Hyderabad City Traffic with A/C OFF ~16 KMPL
Highways with A/C ALWAYS ON and cruising @ 90 KMPH ~20 KMPL (majority of ODO reading from this style)
Highways with A/C ALWAYS ON and pushing @ 120 KMPH ~17 KMPL

All the above figures are very sensitive to the Tyre pressure (no other car in the segment and segment below is so sensitive IMO).

Services Done: 7

1st Service
ODO Reading: 2525 KM
Total Billed Amt: 1342
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change

2nd Service
Total Billed Amt: 4630
ODO Reading: 10476 KM
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Waxoyl Under Body Treatment


3rd Service
Total Billed Amt: 2932
ODO Reading: 17788 KM
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Air Filter Change
Service Charges for the first time.

4th Service
Total Billed Amt: 5223
ODO Reading: 26122 KM
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Air Filter Change
Filter Air Cleaner
Fuel Filter Assembly

5th Service
Total Billed Amt: 7192
ODO Reading: 34246 KM
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Air Filter Change
Brake Fluid
Brake Pads
Wheel Balancing & Alignment

6th Service
Total Billed Amt: 4066
ODO Reading: 42461 KM
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Wheel Balancing & Alignment


7th Service
Total Billed Amt: 5923
ODO Reading: 51699 KM
Key Repairs / Jobs undertaken:
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Wheel Balancing & Alignment
AC Filter
Brake Fluid
Complete Vehicle Checking

Problems reported & solved till date

1. Classic driver's left rear squeak - resolved the same day I reported. Possibly by better damping they have provided for the suspension / hatch door lock.
2. Steering gear & link assembly replaced under warranty - 5th service. Did NOT complain - but replaced as they have found some oil leakage.
3. AC letting out fumes, on a highway after 150 - 200 KM. The problem was more to do with the fan than the compressor, as the air was very cool but the fan blower couldn't blow fine - as if it choked off. Searched the forum and bingo! found a solution. Suggested the service center guys about potential problem area and they have promptly replaced the thermostat.
4. Engine tension pulley and belt are replaced (pulley under warranty) because of a slight noise that was coming on hard acceleration.
5. Last and most disturbing issue resolved. While in motion, when engaged the gear from 2 - 1, there used to noise in gear box, as if I am not dis-engaging the clutch. Finally it was found that it is malfunction of the synchro and got that replaced under warranty. Issue never surfaces again.

More importantly all these issues never had me strangled in middle of the road.

After couple of months of ownership, I got the seat covers installed.


Car is very spacious for its segment and don't have any complaints when traveled with 4 on-board and even 5 occasionally. Gear lever is placed at convenient position and slick gear box is easy to use. In fact getting used to this gear box has spoiled me. I 'plan' to shift gears in other cars.

Build quality is 'solid'. Doors shut with proper thud. When cruising, wind noise is resisted till ~100 kmph. After this engine + wind noise become audible and I feel that mill is going 'out' of its sweet range. I usually never push it over this range.

Figo has got decent ground clearance. The reason I believe for its under body scrapping is its long wheel base. I used to ride Kinetic Honda in my college days and I believe experience in riding that has given me some insight into the way we can avoid under scrapping. The rule I follow is - never apply brake when you are very near or over the speed breaker. Plan to brake early. What this will do is, your front suspension of the car is not compressed while going over speed breaker - effectively maintains the ground clearance.

If the speed breaker is 'super' sized, try crossing it with some side angle (not a straight ahead approach) at < 5 kmph speed.



Next accessory I got installed were fog lamps. They add just a little near area throw to the very poor headlight. The time when I realized the full usage of the fog lamps is this.

Drive through a village where one side is lush green fields and the other side is canal, at night / with fog.

You see the road side limit is beautifully illuminated by fog lamps, so that you don't miss those edges.

Just to demonstrate, without fog lamps, what you see it just a plain wall before you.

With fog lamps ON, do you see a small bush at the edge? This will be just enough to give you the confidence that you are right on the line !


IMO Best angle to look at car:


External design / styling is very neutral to my liking. It's like a melody tune than a fast number. Will not get bored pretty soon !

Interior design is very functional. I am 5' 8", and don't find anything that is ergonomically misplaced. Bonnet release lever is on passenger side, but I am not complaining - less levers on driver side !



Car bumpers, both at front and rear are of soft material. If there is low / medium impact on bumper, you are lucky - just comes back to its shape. If the impact is heavy, no energy is absorbed by bumper - internals will take impact. For strictly city traffic, I would say this is a positive feature.



Accessories / Changes done till date:

1. Seat Covers. Cost @ 5500 from Chequered Flag
2. Universal floor mats. Cost @ 600 from Reliance Auto
3. Tyre change @ 37000 KM. Cost 21000 for set of 4 - Yoko A Drive
With this change I can see that the directional stability of the car has increased with road Tyre noise considerably decreased. The stock Tyre was Good Year GT3.
Definitely recommend the Yoko A Drives.
4. Flexible Front mud flaps


Things I always do / try to do:
1. Switch on ignition only after all the beeps are done
2. Idle the engine for ~30s so that it settles into nice rhythm
3. Cruise at ~2K rpm wherever possible

Finally, many thanks to bblost, GTO and Rehaan in guiding me to complete the report. Your feedback has been very helpful.

Thanks for taking time in reading my first thread !

Q: Will I still go for Figo in current scenario?
A: Definitely Yes, if you like Timeless Styling, lag-less diesel, HPS and Ford Dynamics. Can live without 'some' gadgets.
Look else where, if you can't digest feel of road undulations @ < 30 kmph and HPS.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Initial Ownership Section. Thanks for sharing!

[eq24]

Srkhyd, very well written ownership review and I am glad you are happy with the Figo. I too own a black tdci titanium model and absolutely love the drive of the car.

Agree with most of your points, in the 2.5 years it has been, I have never been let down by my Figo.

Happy driving.

[a4anurag]

Nice review of the Figo.

A very under-stated car and a nice handler too.

All looks good on the interiors front but I don't like that steering cover. No offence but if I was you, would have removed it right away.

Wish you many more miles with the Ford.

Anurag.

[sansvk]

Good review and write-up.
Some weird problem you have been through, apart from the squeak, haven't come across many owners complaining about the rest (2 to 5).

[girishglg]

Firstly must say that is a very neat and well maintained car there! Yes the red makes it look fab!

Also came across as a very well rounded review of the car with the summary of servicing and issues as well. The Figo TDCi for sure is one of the most competent and proven oil burning hatch and earns great respect only after the national hatch (read Swift).

Infact a lot of buyers turned towards the Figo as the natural alternative when the Swift lines were choked or due to MSIL's troubles and have had a good experience with it.

Wish you many happy miles with it and keep us updated!

[SRKHYD]

Originally Posted by eq24

Srkhyd, very well written ownership review and I am glad you are happy with the Figo.
Happy driving.

Thank you eq24 ! Delhi is probably a better place to own a Figo, as I believe you will maintain good speed on majority of the roads.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Nice review of the Figo.
Wish you many more miles with the Ford.
Anurag.

Thank you Anurag !

Originally Posted by a4anurag

All looks good on the interiors front but I don't like that steering cover. No offence but if I was you, would have removed it right away.

Never noticed . Unknowingly, I think I give priority to functional aspect than 'looks' aspect. While using in multi level parking, I love the way the steering cover helps - gives enough traction to hold steering wheel in place.

Originally Posted by sansvk

Good review and write-up.
Some weird problem you have been through, apart from the squeak, haven't come across many owners complaining about the rest (2 to 5).

Thank you sansvk !
Weird problems indeed. Glad that service engineers @ Fortune Ford were patient enough to attend my problems, and more importantly fixed them in a way that they never resurfaced again.

Originally Posted by girishglg

Firstly must say that is a very neat and well maintained car there!

Wish you many happy miles with it and keep us updated!

Thank you Girish !

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by SRKHYD

Never noticed. Unknowingly, I think I give priority to functional aspect than 'looks' aspect. While using in multi level parking, I love the way the steering cover helps - gives enough traction to hold steering wheel in place!

I was given the sane steering cover when I bought the Ritz. Got it home after the puja and took the cover off. Like the plain one more.

No offence buddy. Just my opinion.

Anurag.

[shuvc]

Nice crisp review. Thank you !

"4. Engine tension pulley and belt are replaced (pulley under warranty) because of a slight noise that was coming on hard acceleration."

Can you please try to describe the noise ?

[SRKHYD]

Originally Posted by shuvc

Nice crisp review. Thank you !

"4. Engine tension pulley and belt are replaced (pulley under warranty) because of a slight noise that was coming on hard acceleration."

Can you please try to describe the noise ?

Thank you shuvc !
When I came back from office, left the car to idle before shutdown, I heard a little 'hissing' sound from right front end. When took it to service station, the engineer opened the bonnet and 'raised and left' accelerator in neutral. The sound was even exaggerated and can see that it was because of off-set belt moving. While replacing I even saw that there were 2 cuts in the belt too. While in motion, I could barely hear this sound.

Also, I believe, a relatively sudden drop in acceleration power (especially in 2nd gear) is a good indication of that. After the replacement, I could see that there was more linear power delivery.

[SRKHYD]

Got the car serviced for 80K KM with 71K KM reading on ODO (got earlier services done 8- 9K KM, so the 80K KM 'technical' service done at 71K).

Total bill: Rs. 1910
I have taken a 3 service package HAPPY POCKET SERVICE at the last service, so there is nothing charged for regular consumables.

Since it was 80K service, extra consumables are only charged - AC Air Filter, Brake Fluid. Vehicle alignment done @ 30% discount, because of service package.

Thanks to Surya and Shiva @ Fortune Ford, Tolichowki, car feels much better after service. In fact at the time of handover, I have asked for a re-test to see everything seems fine, and they noticed some noise in front brakes. Fixed in flat 20 min. They have added some extra tape for a bolt, which fixed the play. I never realized that this simple fix will result in so much more free acceleration in 2nd gear .

Finally, ready to go !!

[SRKHYD]

83 K KM update:

Got the car a new set of shoes - Continental Comfort Contact 5.
Same stock size.

Earlier at 37 K KM I got the stock tyres replaced with Yokohama A Drive and they lasted till now. Yokos still had some thread life with them, but there were frequent punctures to tyres and they have become brittle and noisy.

Would have gone with same Yokos but thought of trying something new, especially an even more better rubber.

Compared to Yoko, Conti are much more comfortable, less noisy. Though it is very early to talk about road grip (just replaced them a week back), IMO, Yoko has better road grip (may be they are softer).

Got 4 of them replaced @ Rs. 19 K.

[SRKHYD]

Journey continues, 100K KM Up !

What I still like:

Understated Looks - nothing flashy. It started being just neutral to good and now to neutral.
Engine that loves cruising. Get a feeling that engine just got settled down.
Solid build. With Hyderabad old city traffic, takes hugs in positive way
Apart from some minor rattles on rough roads and low speeds, the car is super silent while cruising @ > 60 kmph.

What I don't:

May be with car age / my age / experiencing other better rides, feeling the harshness of drive even more. Question to experts: Does this harshness anything to do with suspension age? Anything I can get corrected?
Not really a dislike, but the decision to go with EXi - no airbags & ABS. With increasing speed / decreasing discipline, probably the biggest gap.

Ready to GO
-SRK

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by SRKHYD

Question to experts: Does this harshness anything to do with suspension age? Anything I can get corrected?

Yes it does. With time and usage, suspension mounts bushes and end joints tend to become hard and transmit more vibrations to the driver and occupants. At 100k km, it is not a bad idea to have the suspension throughly checked and the required parts replaced.