[condor]

Originally Posted by smartcat

No kidding. My brother took my A-Star AT to Goa from Bangalore. Here is his full "whatsapp review" -

Is it ok to shift from D to 3 or 2 when in motion ?

Originally Posted by smartcat

Did not upsize or bother about the brand of tyres. Because the car had never crossed 60 kmph till now.

Our A-Star is used only in city, but I have up-sized. I would have liked to see your brother's reaction if you had upsized your tyres

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by condor

Is it ok to shift from D to 3 or 2 when in motion ?

I have frequently moved from D to L while in motion (for engine braking).

On the highways with heavy traffic and in ghat sections before overtaking, he should have moved between L/2/3 modes, rather than just stepping on the accelerator in D mode.

Our A-Star is used only in city, but I have up-sized. I would have liked to see your brother's reaction if you had upsized your tyres

Something to think about I guess. Will 14 inch alloys fit? Something like 185/60 R14 on black alloys would do wonders for both looks and handling.

[condor]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Something to think about I guess. Will 14 inch alloys fit? Something like 185/60 R14 on black alloys would do wonders for both looks and handling.

I am on 14" Celerio Rims. After the upsize, it bounces less and is more stable at higher speeds.

[rajathv8]

Originally Posted by condor

I am on 14" Celerio Rims. After the upsize, it bounces less and is more stable at higher speeds.

Can you please post a side profile pic? Is it 4.5J or 5J alloy? Does it rub anywhere on load?
Would love to see what they look like.

Smartcat,
I sort of expected your reply about the wheel caps was coming
The problem is the wheels look really ugly with dirt on black. For day to day use the caps appeal to me.

I have been looking for simple+elegent alloys and have narrowed down to plati PY-8016 in gunmetal shade. The design should be easy to clean too.
I prefer the high profile tyres so will be opting for 13 inch rims.

PS: I must add that mine is a MT Zxi.

Image from google :

[condor]

Originally Posted by rajathv8

Can you please post a side profile pic? Is it 4.5J or 5J alloy? Does it rub anywhere on load?
Would love to see what they look like.

Here is a pic of the wheel. No problems with the wider tyres. Does not rub at any time.

Hope this helps.

[SmartCat]

Some updates:

1) Got the 40,000 kms service done. Along with the usual stuff, I also got rat mesh and 'throttle body cleaning' - something that the service advisor recommended. Amazingly, after the service, the car is noticeably sprightly from stand-still and on inclines. Money well spent on throttle body cleaning (Rs. 800) and the overall service (around 8k)

2) De-badging, Polishing and Quartz coating done. The car looks showroom fresh now.









The following words were removed from the back -

Maruti
Suzuki
A-Star
Automatic
ABS

for a new improved clean look.

3) Downloaded MARUTI CARE app from Google Play Store, only to discover that the previous owner never gave the A-Star for servicing in the year 2015 . Note the rising maintenance costs are years roll by.



4) Got the wheel alignment done again last week, because I felt something was off. Noticed that the front steel wheels are slightly bent out of shape. So I put them at the back. Next step -> get 13 inch black alloy wheels OR exchange the new 13 inch tyres with 14 inch, and get 14 inch black alloys. Let's see.

5) I have a feeling this A-star is going to be a "keeper" - as long as the gearbox remains reliable.

a) Initial issues with ride quality sorted after new tyres
b) Sluggishness on inclines sorted after 40,000 km service
c) Very very useful in tight parking spaces. Cars are getting bigger and bigger, and its unlikely I'll ever find such a tiny car in the future.
d) No risk of airbag inflators deteriorating with time, since there are none. After airbag issues with both our Honda City and old Honda Civic, I'm quite scared of those darned things blowing up on my face.

Suzuki A-Star AT Duties:

1) School pick up and drop
2) Short 4 to 6 km grocery/errand runs
3) Destinations where parking is expected to be tight.

Honda BR-V CVT Duties:

1) Highway drives
2) Longer city runs (like visit to shopping mall etc)

[Swarit19]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Very very useful in tight parking spaces. Cars are getting bigger and bigger, and its unlikely I'll ever find such a tiny car in the future.

That looks so good! And those tyres also look so much better than the ones with a wheel cap.

Slightly off topic, What makes you think you won't find many smaller cars much anymore? I mean even now there's celerio to look at and I can imagine even two seater city cars (eg - smart etc) being sold successfully as the traffic and parking problems keep growing wouldn't you agree?

[mtnrajdeep]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Downloaded MARUTI CARE app from Google Play Store, only to discover that the previous owner never gave the A-Star for servicing in the year 2015 . Note the rising maintenance costs are years roll by.

I see this anomaly for my swift too. On analysing this, I found out that the Service Center updated the service details wrongly as running repair. Hence all those services were listed under the running repair tab. You may find the missing service details under that.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by Swarit19

Slightly off topic, What makes you think you won't find many smaller cars much anymore? I mean even now there's celerio to look at and I can imagine even two seater city cars (eg - smart etc) being sold successfully as the traffic and parking problems keep growing wouldn't you agree?

Celerio is bigger at 3.6 metres when compared to Maruti Alto/Zen's 3.5 metres, A-star's 3.4 metres and Maruti 800's 3.2 metres. The reason for relative failure of A-star is obvious from the above - not enough room for 4 adults. Manufacturers will probably not launch new 2 seater or 2 adults + 2 kids seaters cars like A-star.

Tata Nano is one tiny car that can seat 4 adults comfortably though!

Even if a new ultra-compact car comes up, the cost benefit analysis does not work out - what I essentially need is a Honda Activa, but with a roof over the head and higher levels of safety. This car will probably never cross 40 - 50 kmph. Decently equipped Celerio AMT already costs Rs. 6 Lacs on road Bangalore.

Originally Posted by mtnrajdeep

I see this anomaly for my swift too. On analysing this, I found out that the Service Center updated the service details wrongly as running repair. Hence all those services were listed under the running repair tab. You may find the missing service details under that.

aah, OK. I don't know how I missed the "Unscheduled Repair" and "Body Repair" tabs, even though they were right there. Looks like this A-star was involved in a little fender bender.





One single "expenses" report would have made more sense, rather than breaking it up.

[rajathv8]

The car looks great after the de-badging! Maybe a de-stickering on the front and rear glass is in order?

You are spot on about tight parking spaces. It is a breeze and fun the squeeze through gaps. Parking is a breeze.

Where did the add the rat-mesh??
Also do get the cabin air filter installed. Requires a small DIY

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Did not upsize or bother about the brand of tyres. Because the car had never crossed 60 kmph till now. The A-Star AT is primarily used for school pickup/drops and grocery runs.

Your A-Star AT didn't come with a Tachometer, Right?

Not sure if it would be useful though.

[condor]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Amazingly, after the service, the car is noticeably sprightly from stand-still and on inclines.

Nice ! Our A-Star sometimes goes softer in response. Has happened twice so far.

With those changes, I will know it is you - if I spot your car

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Your A-Star AT didn't come with a Tachometer, Right?

Did any models come with that ?

[rajathv8]

Only Zxi comes with a tacho.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by condor

Nice ! Our A-Star sometimes goes softer in response. Has happened twice so far.

With those changes, I will know it is you - if I spot your car

Did any models come with that ?

Only ZXi model came with a Tacho.

It looked just like how Ritz had it except it was black in color with red backlight and mounted on the right side of the instrumentation console.

Image shared by BHPian Leoshashi. This is the ZXi panel with Tachometer mounted in its designated area.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by rajathv8

Maybe a de-stickering on the front and rear glass is in order?

Those buggers keep putting them back!

Where did the add the rat-mesh??

Apparently, rats have got into the cabins of many maruti cars via the AC vent. And some rats have got stuck there, and died inside the AC vent stinking up the car. So this rat mesh covers up the AC vent entry points

Originally Posted by condor

With those changes, I will know it is you - if I spot your car

This car doesn't go far from my house - maximum 6 km radius!

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Only ZXi model came with a Tacho.

It looked just like how Ritz had it except it was black in color with red backlight and mounted on the right side of the instrumentation console.

How difficult would it be to source this part from Maruti and fit it to VXi AT model?