My Optra Magnum LT

vchounal · 4th September 2008, 11:45

I had been considering buying Optra Magnum for a while. I had read nearly all the posts on Team-BHP about Magnum. Finally I took a test drive of Magnum on 24 July. I drove it around Greater Noida including a portion of expressway. I came back very impressed with the power and handling of this car. I must admit I am not the sort of guy who looks for sheer performance in a car but I was overwhelmed. It just takes off like a rocket when you press the accelerator.

I did not find the car lacking in anyway while driving in low rpm/gear. The test car had only 6000 km on the odometer. I could drive the car comfortably at 100 kmph in 3rd gear and then bring it down to 20 kmph without lowering the gear. There was no cabin noise even at high speeds and you could not tell whether it was a diesel or a petrol engine. Ride was very smooth and comfortable. Braking was efficient and so was the AC. I found the cabin to be spacious and seats comfortable. The position of controls (turn indicators and wipers) on the steering is little akward and takes time to adjust to.

I was also tempted to consider Civic as an alternative to buying Magnum. However, I had noticed not so nice feedback about Honda's after sales service, costlier spare parts/service, and soft suspension (low ground clearance). Also, Civic is much costlier (Civic V AT versus Magnum LT) and being petrol will be costlier to run. Of course, it is a very good car in its own with a higher snob value, is better looking and excellent resale value.

The owners of Magnum on Team BHP reassured me about my decision to buy Magnum. On 28 July, I gave the cheque for booking of Magnum LT through CSD canteen. I opted for Cashmere colour (my son's choice). The car was to be delivered by Padam Motors of Ludhiana.

Then started the long wait for delivery of car. Mr Ravi (GM, Padam Motors, Ludhiana) and Mr Sandeep (Sales executive) gave me incorrect feedback that car had been despatched from Halol on 11 August and will be with them in next 4-5 days. Then they said that due to heavy rains, there will some delay in car reaching tehm. The next week, they came up with the excuse that the trailer bringing the car had broken down at Jaipur and there will be further delay. By now, I had my doubts about various excuses being given by Padam Motors. On 23 August, I contacted Dr JS Madhok (VP of Padam Motors) who confirmed that car had not even been indented by them with Halol. I blew my fuse and told them to cancel the booking. I also complained to GM customer support.

Dr Madhok promised to send me a substitute car till the Magnum was delivered to me. A brand new Spark was deliverd to my residence in Greater Noida on 27 August. Yesterday (03 September), Padam Motors informed me that car has reached them and can be collected anytime. I intend collecting the car tomorrow. I have already taken a printout of check list while delivery of new car. Thanks BHP for great tips.

The pictures and my experiences with the car will follow.

obed5579 · 4th September 2008, 13:23

Congratulations vchoun, i guess the wait is finally over. . You'll surely relish it.

mjothi · 4th September 2008, 15:54

Congrats on your new car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vchounal

The position of controls (turn indicators and wipers) on the steering is little akward and takes time to adjust to.

Yes, its just matter of time and you will be used to it in a day or 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vchounal

Dr Madhok promised to send me a substitute car till the Magnum was delivered to me. A brand new Spark was deliverd to my residence in Greater Noida on 27 August.

Good to see the response. Seems we need to escalate to have things done in GM

Time to change GM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vchounal

The pictures and my experiences with the car will follow.

Waiting for the pictures.

Btw, I always liked the Red or Black Magnum. Just my personnel choice.

snaronikar · 4th September 2008, 16:03

Congrats on your new car. Sorry to hear what has happened for the during the delivery of the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vchounal

Then started the long wait for delivery of car. Mr Ravi (GM, Padam Motors, Ludhiana) and Mr Sandeep (Sales executive) gave me incorrect feedback that car had been despatched from Halol on 11 August and will be with them in next 4-5 days. Then they said that due to heavy rains, there will some delay in car reaching tehm. The next week, they came up with the excuse that the trailer bringing the car had broken down at Jaipur and there will be further delay. By now, I had my doubts about various excuses being given by Padam Motors. On 23 August, I contacted Dr JS Madhok (VP of Padam Motors) who confirmed that car had not even been indented by them with Halol. I blew my fuse and told them to cancel the booking. I also complained to GM customer support.

Unable to understand why all the dealers will always goof up during the deliveries of the vehicles.

sridharps · 4th September 2008, 16:42

Congratulations! We will eagerly look forward to your ownership reviews!

HappyWheels · 4th September 2008, 16:56

Congrats on the new buy. Unfortunate that there are still a majority of dealers who are still a bunch of clowns! But atleast the VP gave you the fact and a corrective temporary relief. (I just hope he has taken care of those other clowns!)

Waiting for the pics! :-)

iraghava · 4th September 2008, 17:38

Congrats VC & good to see GM responding to your complaint quickly. Now do remember to carry the pre-delivery check list & do post some pictures when you take delivery of the car! Have fun!

Eddy · 4th September 2008, 17:52

Brand new Spark !!!

Rest assured, they will sell it off as new to some unsuspecting soul. Anyways, congrats on your purchase

throttleking · 4th September 2008, 18:47

congratulations on your buy, enjoy the ride....Magnum is addictive

dockap · 4th September 2008, 22:10

yes it really is once you are used to a magnum especially on the highway you wont feel like driving any other car

DocG · 4th September 2008, 23:51

The new chevy spark as an interim car, I'm not surprised...

When I had ordered my Optra LT a few years back, GM sent me an LT with a driver for quite some time...In fact that was even before I placed my order...A week after using it, I decided I wanted one...

Don't know how GM is doing now as I don't own any of their cars anymore, but I never had any complaints with them when I used to. [Have had the Corsa, Astra, Vectra and the Optra. Spares and service were expensive for the Opels, but they were great cars!]

vchounal · 7th September 2008, 10:44

Here are some pictures of my Magnum LT.

stable rock · 7th September 2008, 14:10

Congrats vc.Which brand is the music system in your car.My magnum is having Alpine system.Yours cars music system seems to be different.

shuvd · 8th September 2008, 12:04

Congrats sir. Which HU is that?? Mine came with an Alpine..

kewlferrari · 8th September 2008, 13:55

Yup the double din is branded Chevrolet. When I got mine they were installing an Alpine Double Din in the LT version and a Kenwood Single Din in LS.

Congrats on the new car. Welcome to the club and you sure will enjoy your ride.

4th September 2008, 11:45	#1
vchounal BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Greater Noida Posts: 52 Thanked: 0 Times	My Optra Magnum LT I had been considering buying Optra Magnum for a while. I had read nearly all the posts on Team-BHP about Magnum. Finally I took a test drive of Magnum on 24 July. I drove it around Greater Noida including a portion of expressway. I came back very impressed with the power and handling of this car. I must admit I am not the sort of guy who looks for sheer performance in a car but I was overwhelmed. It just takes off like a rocket when you press the accelerator. I did not find the car lacking in anyway while driving in low rpm/gear. The test car had only 6000 km on the odometer. I could drive the car comfortably at 100 kmph in 3rd gear and then bring it down to 20 kmph without lowering the gear. There was no cabin noise even at high speeds and you could not tell whether it was a diesel or a petrol engine. Ride was very smooth and comfortable. Braking was efficient and so was the AC. I found the cabin to be spacious and seats comfortable. The position of controls (turn indicators and wipers) on the steering is little akward and takes time to adjust to. I was also tempted to consider Civic as an alternative to buying Magnum. However, I had noticed not so nice feedback about Honda's after sales service, costlier spare parts/service, and soft suspension (low ground clearance). Also, Civic is much costlier (Civic V AT versus Magnum LT) and being petrol will be costlier to run. Of course, it is a very good car in its own with a higher snob value, is better looking and excellent resale value. The owners of Magnum on Team BHP reassured me about my decision to buy Magnum. On 28 July, I gave the cheque for booking of Magnum LT through CSD canteen. I opted for Cashmere colour (my son's choice). The car was to be delivered by Padam Motors of Ludhiana. Then started the long wait for delivery of car. Mr Ravi (GM, Padam Motors, Ludhiana) and Mr Sandeep (Sales executive) gave me incorrect feedback that car had been despatched from Halol on 11 August and will be with them in next 4-5 days. Then they said that due to heavy rains, there will some delay in car reaching tehm. The next week, they came up with the excuse that the trailer bringing the car had broken down at Jaipur and there will be further delay. By now, I had my doubts about various excuses being given by Padam Motors. On 23 August, I contacted Dr JS Madhok (VP of Padam Motors) who confirmed that car had not even been indented by them with Halol. I blew my fuse and told them to cancel the booking. I also complained to GM customer support. Dr Madhok promised to send me a substitute car till the Magnum was delivered to me. A brand new Spark was deliverd to my residence in Greater Noida on 27 August. Yesterday (03 September), Padam Motors informed me that car has reached them and can be collected anytime. I intend collecting the car tomorrow. I have already taken a printout of check list while delivery of new car. Thanks BHP for great tips. The pictures and my experiences with the car will follow.
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 13:23	#2
obed5579 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 49 Thanked: 7 Times	Congratulations vchoun, i guess the wait is finally over. . You'll surely relish it.
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 16:42	#5
sridharps BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 400 Thanked: 16 Times	Congratulations! We will eagerly look forward to your ownership reviews!
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 16:56	#6
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,143 Thanked: 566 Times	Congrats on the new buy. Unfortunate that there are still a majority of dealers who are still a bunch of clowns! But atleast the VP gave you the fact and a corrective temporary relief. (I just hope he has taken care of those other clowns!) Waiting for the pics! :-)
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 17:38	#7
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 272 Times View My Garage	Congrats VC & good to see GM responding to your complaint quickly. Now do remember to carry the pre-delivery check list & do post some pictures when you take delivery of the car! Have fun!
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 17:52	#8
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 9,454 Thanked: 13,789 Times	Brand new Spark !!! Rest assured, they will sell it off as new to some unsuspecting soul. Anyways, congrats on your purchase
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 18:47	#9
throttleking BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 804 Thanked: 447 Times	congratulations on your buy, enjoy the ride....Magnum is addictive
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 22:10	#10
dockap BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mangalore Posts: 871 Thanked: 481 Times View My Garage	yes it really is once you are used to a magnum especially on the highway you wont feel like driving any other car
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 23:51	#11
DocG BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai - Singapore - Cali - Sydney - S.Korea Posts: 870 Thanked: 12 Times View My Garage	The new chevy spark as an interim car, I'm not surprised... When I had ordered my Optra LT a few years back, GM sent me an LT with a driver for quite some time...In fact that was even before I placed my order...A week after using it, I decided I wanted one... Don't know how GM is doing now as I don't own any of their cars anymore, but I never had any complaints with them when I used to. [Have had the Corsa, Astra, Vectra and the Optra. Spares and service were expensive for the Opels, but they were great cars!]
	() Thanks

7th September 2008, 10:44	#12
vchounal BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Greater Noida Posts: 52 Thanked: 0 Times	Here are some pictures of my Magnum LT. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

7th September 2008, 14:10	#13
stable rock BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 181 Thanked: 50 Times	Congrats vc.Which brand is the music system in your car.My magnum is having Alpine system.Yours cars music system seems to be different.
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 12:04	#14
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Congrats sir. Which HU is that?? Mine came with an Alpine..
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 13:55	#15
kewlferrari BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 176 Thanked: 24 Times	Yup the double din is branded Chevrolet. When I got mine they were installing an Alpine Double Din in the LT version and a Kenwood Single Din in LS. Congrats on the new car. Welcome to the club and you sure will enjoy your ride.
	() Thanks