[phamilyman]

Yes,

I'd wholeheartedly recommend the Palio for Bengaluru. Though at your running, even the 1.6 *gasp* makes sense

The UVA/i10 Kappa (esp I'd recommend the Sportz AT) would be competent vehicles decent for your mileage!

[soumikn]

Firstly, thanks all for all the replies to my first post in Team-BHP.

Finneyp, Thanks for the reassurance. I have been reading posts on the service quality of Concorde and Greentracks. And honestly most of them have been quite mixed. So, was a bit concrned on that front.

Architect, thanks. Yeah, I will do the TD. But like you said, listening to my heart, it has to be the MJD. I have always drooled over Palio. And i still think it is one of the best lookers on Indian roads. It might be a dated model. But, I guess, there has never been too many on the road and the eyes are not tired seeing the Palio yet.

Phamilyman, well 1.6 was under consideration. But I work in a I-Bank and that too on the derivatives side. The recent crisis has made me a little nervous to get into any project which might be a financial strain in the longer run. More so since I plan to keep this car for 5-7 years.

Questions:

1. This will be a my first brush with a diesel if I go for the MJD. Anything else that I should be aware of in terms of additional maintenance, run-in time etc? If you can guide me to the relevant section in Team-BHP, just want to read up anything available.

2. Not sure if any of you will have a ready answer. But is there significant waiting time involved for a MJD in Bangalore. Can't afford to be without a car for too long.

3. Any recommendation on the Ford Ikon (both Petrol and TDCI)? They are about the same price range and I have been toying with that option as well. Though sedan is not my first choice since mine is mostly city driving and I can do without a lot of boot space.

Thanks again,
Soumik

[phamilyman]

Soumik, i-bankers don't bother about a 4.x lakh car man. Please!! Bother about property instead!

1. common sense really. No rocket science
2. 20-30 days. quicker if you whine/email tata motors.
3. Do you love end of lifecycle models by any chance?

PS: Aveo UVA diesel is also expected, but God knows when. If that comes, that'll be my whole hearted recommendation by miles

[soumikn]

Wish was true! Some poor souls like me work in a Bank but are not the famed (or infamous) front-end bankers. Guess, not such a bad thing in current market scenario.

Well the wait time sounds quite reasonable. Looking forward to the TDs and car-hunting in December. Thanks for your relies. They have cleared some doubts in my mind.

[shakaman]

Thanks Architect for your reply. Good to see another architect in Gurgaon here, and that too with a MJD Palio. Its a small world.

I will be going to Elegant this weekend probably for service for the car. Lets hope its good.

All in all, the best part of the car is its fuel economy and strong hardworking engine and body. Its probably the coolest diesel around.

Have taken 3 trips of 1000 km in a weekend and each time the car took everything thrown at it. Everyone who sits in it appreciates the car, and its looks are always appreciated.

Personally I have always loved Fiat engines, and this is no exception. It just keeps getting better with time.

A FE of 21 at this stage on the highway is definitely a big plus. Driving 400 km and still seeing the fuel needle above the halfway mark is very comforting.

[architect]

Hi Shakaman

One minor correction... while I am an architect as my TBHP handle suggests, I am not in Gurgaon, but in Delhi. And from your signature, I can say you would be "super senior" because I joined college the year you passed out. But I was in SPA.

[Abhiraj]

Hi architect.
Last day i took test drives of Palio MJD and Vista for one of my friend ... and we were too much disappointed with the NVH of Palio. Particularly vibration - I could even feel vibration even on my seat while driving.
I wonder whether the tata dealer did something to the palio to promote Vista sales.
I had driven the 1.9 Diesel Palio long before and it was superb.

How do you feel about the overall NVH in your car?

[phamilyman]

Mods

Please update the title to 11000km.

[backrub]

Great thread and lots of information being passed around. Thanks architect for detailing on every aspect of the ownership of a stile.

The mileage figure seems impressive and the 20+ with ac on in city is an excellent mileage.

Hope the car is going great and wish you a great experience further on also

[architect]

Originally Posted by Abhiraj

Hi architect.
Last day i took test drives of Palio MJD and Vista for one of my friend ... and we were too much disappointed with the NVH of Palio. Particularly vibration - I could even feel vibration even on my seat while driving.
I wonder whether the tata dealer did something to the palio to promote Vista sales.
I had driven the 1.9 Diesel Palio long before and it was superb.

How do you feel about the overall NVH in your car?

Noise is higher than the Swift. No vibrations on the seat and maybe very slight vibes on the floor. But nothing you can't live with. Could be a difference between the NVH of Poland built engine-gearbox on the initial lot (like mine) and the Pune built ones. For all you know, Pune built could be better too.

Originally Posted by backrub

Great thread and lots of information being passed around. Thanks architect for detailing on every aspect of the ownership of a stile.

The mileage figure seems impressive and the 20+ with ac on in city is an excellent mileage.

Hope the car is going great and wish you a great experience further on also

I get only 15 kmpl in city on a regular basis. Highways is 18-20 kmpl.

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Mods

Please update the title to 11000km.

Yes, mods please update title to 11000 kms. No more title changes on this thread. . Will move to Long Term after 18 months - 30,000 kms.

[Bubby]

This is my first post on Team-BHP, I have been following Architects posts on MJD from past 3-4 months, first of all thanks for all the details that you have provided in all of your posts. You are one of the few BHPians who own a MJD in Delhi. My delivery of MJD ( Carbon Black ) is due in next 2-3 days, i have opted for the SDX model. I still have all the time in world to switch to Ikon TDCi, but for some reason I do feel that the SDX is better buy and will any day be a more desirable car to drive and to look at, as compared to new Ikon TDCi, no offences to anybody, but it looks really ugly faced. What are your thoughts on the same.

[architect]

Hi Bubby

Please do a TD of the new Ikon before taking any decision. I have not done a TD but here's my take on the issue:

1. Ikon TDCi, being an Ikon and a sedan, should have very good ride and handling. The Ikon was always a great handler. That department will be better than the Palio (although the Palio itself has one of the best balances between Ride and Handling) .

2. The engine at 68 BHP will be a little underpowered than MJD's 74 BHP. Check accelaration figures. What I do know is that the Fiesta TDCi is VERY DRIVEABLE in city traffic with less turbo lag. It could feel a little underpowered on highways (esp because its a sedan, so you expect more power)

3. A.S.S. experience could be similar overall, in fact better than Fiat.

4. Palio FE will be better than Ikon, but maybe only by 20-25%. (IIRC, Fiesta diesel owners report 14 kpl in city, while I could get around 16-17 kpl in sane traffic. Please check around this forum.)

4. You will have a sedan and hence more space and a boot (and image if you are that kind).

5. Please upgrade to better (tubeless) rubber on the Ikon and wider rubber on the Palio. However, the Palio is offering Tubeless rubber as standard.

6. Personally, I hate the new looks of the Ikon and I wish Ford had left it like the Nxt.

They are both end-of-lifecyle models, remember. It's your decision, ultimately. All the Best.

[RX135]

Originally Posted by architect

1. Ikon TDCi, being an Ikon and a sedan, should have very good ride and handling. The Ikon was always a great handler.

Not necessarily true always! Diesel powerplant weighs more and changes weight distribution.

Better way to know is to TD it and find out yourself.

[Bubby]

Thanks for a such detailed reply.

I would have definitely gone for an Ikon if they could have kept the old looks, the new look is like a design from some one who is not so good in solving jigsaw puzzles, it completely looks out of sort ( in pictures ) to me as an individual. The car is not available at NCR Ford in Def Col., so no question of TDing it as of now. I called them up a they said the delivery will begin in December.

Regarding the difference in BHPs of engines, the MJDs engine suits me the best, as I am either driving very slowly or very fast, so a linearly powered engine is not suited for my style of driving, it will impact FE even when I am driving slowly.

I locked in on Palio because of its better FE if driven the way it is suppose to be as compared to a Vista or a Swift. I drive for around 60-70 kms daily.

Sedan or Hatch, does not make any difference to me, FE is the key, and I still feel that Palio looks ( exterior ) better then quite a few sedans in the market.

Is it really necessary to change Palio to wider tyres? Also, how much will it cost?

Once again thanks for your time.

[architect]

If you've decided to go with the Palio, go for it. I haven't regretted it so far.

For your kind of running, you will be happy with the FE, which could be anything between 15 and 20 kpl depending on the conditions you face. Trust me, I face one of the worst and still get 15-16. And except for the heavy clutch, you will feel comfortable while driving this car than most other hatchbacks because of the nice seats, seating position and ergonomics.

Please try to get your services done at Samyak (Elegant Cars) as many people including those on TBHP have found them way better than Vivek Auto or any other.

I agree with you about the looks.

I have been driving on stock rubber so far and I feel this car needs better and wider rubber, especially on the highway. Despite that, its still quite stable even at 120-130 kph. And remember, wider tyres will reduce your FE!