My All New Honda City - It was worth the wait!

petertheo · 14th March 2009, 21:43

Dear Friends,

Several months ago, I had asked TeamBHP members for advice between a Fiesta and SX4 –based on my requirements, the general consensus was, wait for the NHC – and boy am I glad I did! Am sharing my initial experience.. please keep in mind I am a lay car person not a team BHP guru, so you can read something from this perspective also.
I bought the new Honda City from Arya Honda, Mumbai. Cost on Road, Company Registration was Rs. 10 lakhs.

Dealing with Arya Honda- they know they have a hot seller on their hands so we have to chase them after paying 100% advance, instead of them chasing us. That said, they are reasonably efficient and they delivered what they promised, more or less in time (about 3 weeks, they had promised 2 weeks) .. and most importantly.. they stuck to their price for 2 months.. did not call and say, buy now, take a discount.... that gives confidence that I am not paying more than what anyone else is, at least at Arya Honda..

Pre-delivery inspection - printed out the checklist from Team BHP and went to their warehouse to check it out.. was very useful thing to do.. seems not too many people do it..

Actual Delivery : Went armed with the Team BHP Checklist again.. Checked everthing systematically one by one -- gave me a good feeling that I am not missing anything. Arya Honda got almost all of it right.. only forgot the dealer stamp on the warranty booklet - fixed in 2 min! But they asked me where I got this checklist from

Car : Exterior – chose snow white, since it looked the neatest amongst the other readily available choices – silver and polished metallic . For red, black etc waiting time was 8 weeks so I was not interested. When I am walking towards my parked car, the exterior looks really cool, really great.. great feeling that this is MY CAR!!

Car Interior – Very decent, spacious, roomy. No headroom or legroom issues, front or back (I am 6 feet tall)...

Aircon – Is a chiller

Accessories: Since I bought the top end Manual variant, it was more or less fully loaded for a guy like me. Based on a friend's recommendation, Visited Sainath Car Accessories in Khar.. Mr. Rishi Panjabi – 022-26460545 or 3244 6421. My impression was that he was a nice and knowledgeable guy, not a typical sales person, did not try to over sell me accessories – instead just suggested I go for floor mats (Rs. 650), mud flaps (Rs. 300), reverse parking sensor (Rs. 2200), sun control film (Rs. 2000 for the basic version for sides and back) and two-tone artificial leather seat covers (Rs. 4500) . I asked him if I needed to buy anything else and his answer was NO... unless I wanted a high end music system.. which I did not.. so that was end of story. Even the sun control film, though had variants costing ten times as much, he said that the basic one for Rs.2000 would do the job. Would recommend at least speaking to him for car accessories in Mumbai

Drive – Unbelievably smooth and quiet. Wife was doing 120kmph on the highway without realising it!

Ground Clearance – was not a problem as I feared.. Went through most ups and downs smoothly

Boot – Very large and spacious

Power – I read somewhere that this car was underpowered, could not overtake anything faster than a bullock cart. At least that is not my experience.. while it may not be a beast, it is reasonably good for city drives and highway also

Mileage : During the first 1000 km, Got average of 12 km per litre, for a drive 50% city and 50% highway. Will post exclusively city average in next post

Stock music system – seems ok for a non-audiophile like me, but it suddenly comes on at times. need to get this minor error fixed

First service done – nothing to write home about - there were no problems to report– Arya Honda sent a driver to pick up and drop the car back, free of cost.

Summary : Looks and feels and drives like a 10L car!!

Will post some pics next time..

Thanks Team BHP for all the advice and guidance... am a very happy NHC owner.. so far... keeping fingers crossed!!

Now, I also need some advice from the gurus...

-Should I install transparent sun control film on the windshield? Thinking of Garware, Icy cool or something, seems to be the cheapest options. The imported ones cost Rs. 5000 onwards
-Is rust proofing the underbody a good idea, given the humidity of Mumbai and that the monsoons are a few months away? During the first service, the Honda service centre offered to do it for me at Rs 5500 with 3 year guarantee. My accessories guy offered to do Dinitrol for Rs. 2200.. any suggestions?

-Intend to stick to the stock wheels and tubeless tyres supplied by the vendor.. am not changing to alloys.. any suggestions I should follow to make this work..?

Cheers- Peter

karanraheja · 14th March 2009, 22:41

Peter, Congrats! Nice review there. Those FE figures are quite good !! Will be joining the New City club soon

.

revved_up · 14th March 2009, 22:43

Congrats for your new car Peter!
I would certainly recommend the anti rust treatment, it is certainly worth the money.

Drive Safe!

RX135 · 15th March 2009, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by petertheo

-Should I install transparent sun control film on the windshield? Thinking of Garware, Icy cool or something, seems to be the cheapest options. The imported ones cost Rs. 5000 onwards

V-kool is arguably the best thing available. For front windshield, do not go for cheaper options. Llumar are supposedly almost as good, though don't have first hand experience for that.

abhinav.gupta88 · 15th March 2009, 02:25

Excellent review.
Just the one any honda guy would post.
Waiting for some pics of your ride.

I have used Llumar films (70% visibility) on the front after using the dark ones on the sides and back for a week and definitely helps reduce heat.
Makes me use the air conditioning at a lower fan level and higher temperature.

I would recommend you get one to get a better feel in your car.

Llumar Grey ( / silver) 70 is available for around 1200 or something here in Delhi.

netarchie · 15th March 2009, 09:56

hey peter
congratulations on your new ride. nice review.
Get a good sun film, Cooling without a decent sun film was not upto the mark in the new city. Do post some pics.

Vikster · 16th March 2009, 12:40

Congratulations - the white really shows up on this car. Think again about some alloys and the door guard - the car in the white with these accessories looks simply stunning. Hey, and free-of-cost pick up and drop - how did you convince them to do that?? Good stuff.

Guna · 16th March 2009, 13:40

Congrats Peter!
You may want to get the grill also painted with body white.
I have got it done for my silver city and it has dramatically improved the looks. I will be posting the pics very soon.

petertheo · 19th March 2009, 22:10

Mileage of New Honda City in Mumbai City - 10.34 km per litre.. Car has done 1500 km so far.. see pics below!

Cheers- Peter

Elito11 · 20th March 2009, 09:52

Congrats Peter! Great car and looks neat in white!

Few suggestions from my side

-- If possible try and be at the service centre for your car service. Atleast till the oil change is done. It goes a long way in ensuring your car is not mistreated at the dealership
-- Try Lumar or v-cool for front windshield. But maybe you can first see a few cars with windshield films to gauge if you are comfortable with them
-- Lastly enjoy your car!

Elito

HappyWheels · 20th March 2009, 10:28

A neat write up and a beautiful car!

Good to know that you found the advice useful and to your need.

And yes, do get the anti-rust coat done. As early as possible.

Happy motoring, Peter.

SkyWalker · 20th March 2009, 11:18

Peter - congrats on your car.
for ANHC owners - anyone shifted to alloys/fatter tyres? If you are considering it, what is recommended?

chipfoose · 20th March 2009, 14:48

Peter, Hearty congrats on your new car, looks really majestic. Seat covers are nice. Drive safe.

sathee46 · 20th March 2009, 15:29

Congrats on your new ride, White is the colour for ANHC. And you seats look fab, matching your car perfectly

vijaythacker · 20th March 2009, 15:38

peter,congrats on your new ride, cool colour and superb set of seat covers you got. Firstly though honda's are nothing to write about but still prefer to be at the service centre at the time of your car;s servicing, as dealers do sometimes mess up with that, else have a safe ride and keep upating!

14th March 2009, 21:43	#1
petertheo Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 14 Thanked: 5 Times	My All New Honda City - It was worth the wait! Dear Friends, Several months ago, I had asked TeamBHP members for advice between a Fiesta and SX4 –based on my requirements, the general consensus was, wait for the NHC – and boy am I glad I did! Am sharing my initial experience.. please keep in mind I am a lay car person not a team BHP guru, so you can read something from this perspective also. I bought the new Honda City from Arya Honda, Mumbai. Cost on Road, Company Registration was Rs. 10 lakhs. Dealing with Arya Honda- they know they have a hot seller on their hands so we have to chase them after paying 100% advance, instead of them chasing us. That said, they are reasonably efficient and they delivered what they promised, more or less in time (about 3 weeks, they had promised 2 weeks) .. and most importantly.. they stuck to their price for 2 months.. did not call and say, buy now, take a discount.... that gives confidence that I am not paying more than what anyone else is, at least at Arya Honda.. Pre-delivery inspection - printed out the checklist from Team BHP and went to their warehouse to check it out.. was very useful thing to do.. seems not too many people do it.. Actual Delivery : Went armed with the Team BHP Checklist again.. Checked everthing systematically one by one -- gave me a good feeling that I am not missing anything. Arya Honda got almost all of it right.. only forgot the dealer stamp on the warranty booklet - fixed in 2 min! But they asked me where I got this checklist from Car : Exterior – chose snow white, since it looked the neatest amongst the other readily available choices – silver and polished metallic . For red, black etc waiting time was 8 weeks so I was not interested. When I am walking towards my parked car, the exterior looks really cool, really great.. great feeling that this is MY CAR!! Car Interior – Very decent, spacious, roomy. No headroom or legroom issues, front or back (I am 6 feet tall)... Aircon – Is a chiller Accessories: Since I bought the top end Manual variant, it was more or less fully loaded for a guy like me. Based on a friend's recommendation, Visited Sainath Car Accessories in Khar.. Mr. Rishi Panjabi – 022-26460545 or 3244 6421. My impression was that he was a nice and knowledgeable guy, not a typical sales person, did not try to over sell me accessories – instead just suggested I go for floor mats (Rs. 650), mud flaps (Rs. 300), reverse parking sensor (Rs. 2200), sun control film (Rs. 2000 for the basic version for sides and back) and two-tone artificial leather seat covers (Rs. 4500) . I asked him if I needed to buy anything else and his answer was NO... unless I wanted a high end music system.. which I did not.. so that was end of story. Even the sun control film, though had variants costing ten times as much, he said that the basic one for Rs.2000 would do the job. Would recommend at least speaking to him for car accessories in Mumbai Drive – Unbelievably smooth and quiet. Wife was doing 120kmph on the highway without realising it! Ground Clearance – was not a problem as I feared.. Went through most ups and downs smoothly Boot – Very large and spacious Power – I read somewhere that this car was underpowered, could not overtake anything faster than a bullock cart. At least that is not my experience.. while it may not be a beast, it is reasonably good for city drives and highway also Mileage : During the first 1000 km, Got average of 12 km per litre, for a drive 50% city and 50% highway. Will post exclusively city average in next post Stock music system – seems ok for a non-audiophile like me, but it suddenly comes on at times. need to get this minor error fixed First service done – nothing to write home about - there were no problems to report– Arya Honda sent a driver to pick up and drop the car back, free of cost. Summary : Looks and feels and drives like a 10L car!! Will post some pics next time.. Thanks Team BHP for all the advice and guidance... am a very happy NHC owner.. so far... keeping fingers crossed!! Now, I also need some advice from the gurus... -Should I install transparent sun control film on the windshield? Thinking of Garware, Icy cool or something, seems to be the cheapest options. The imported ones cost Rs. 5000 onwards -Is rust proofing the underbody a good idea, given the humidity of Mumbai and that the monsoons are a few months away? During the first service, the Honda service centre offered to do it for me at Rs 5500 with 3 year guarantee. My accessories guy offered to do Dinitrol for Rs. 2200.. any suggestions? -Intend to stick to the stock wheels and tubeless tyres supplied by the vendor.. am not changing to alloys.. any suggestions I should follow to make this work..? Cheers- Peter
	(1) Thanks

14th March 2009, 22:41	#2
karanraheja Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 436 Times	Peter, Congrats! Nice review there. Those FE figures are quite good !! Will be joining the New City club soon.
	() Thanks

14th March 2009, 22:43	#3
revved_up BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 802 Thanked: 791 Times View My Garage	Congrats for your new car Peter! I would certainly recommend the anti rust treatment, it is certainly worth the money. Drive Safe!
	() Thanks

15th March 2009, 02:25	#5
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Excellent review. Just the one any honda guy would post. Waiting for some pics of your ride. I have used Llumar films (70% visibility) on the front after using the dark ones on the sides and back for a week and definitely helps reduce heat. Makes me use the air conditioning at a lower fan level and higher temperature. I would recommend you get one to get a better feel in your car. Llumar Grey ( / silver) 70 is available for around 1200 or something here in Delhi.
	() Thanks

15th March 2009, 09:56	#6
netarchie BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 397 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	hey peter congratulations on your new ride. nice review. Get a good sun film, Cooling without a decent sun film was not upto the mark in the new city. Do post some pics.
	() Thanks

16th March 2009, 12:40	#7
Vikster BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 45 Thanked: Once	Congratulations - the white really shows up on this car. Think again about some alloys and the door guard - the car in the white with these accessories looks simply stunning. Hey, and free-of-cost pick up and drop - how did you convince them to do that?? Good stuff.
	() Thanks

16th March 2009, 13:40	#8
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,007 Thanked: 4,189 Times	Congrats Peter! You may want to get the grill also painted with body white. I have got it done for my silver city and it has dramatically improved the looks. I will be posting the pics very soon.
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 22:10	#9
petertheo Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 14 Thanked: 5 Times	City Mileage in City - and pics Mileage of New Honda City in Mumbai City - 10.34 km per litre.. Car has done 1500 km so far.. see pics below! Cheers- Peter Attached Thumbnails Attached Images
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 09:52	#10
Elito11 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 509 Thanked: 107 Times	Congrats Peter! Great car and looks neat in white! Few suggestions from my side -- If possible try and be at the service centre for your car service. Atleast till the oil change is done. It goes a long way in ensuring your car is not mistreated at the dealership -- Try Lumar or v-cool for front windshield. But maybe you can first see a few cars with windshield films to gauge if you are comfortable with them -- Lastly enjoy your car! Elito
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 10:28	#11
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	A neat write up and a beautiful car! Good to know that you found the advice useful and to your need. And yes, do get the anti-rust coat done. As early as possible. Happy motoring, Peter.
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 11:18	#12
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	Peter - congrats on your car. for ANHC owners - anyone shifted to alloys/fatter tyres? If you are considering it, what is recommended?
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 14:48	#13
chipfoose BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: blr Posts: 86 Thanked: 0 Times	Peter, Hearty congrats on your new car, looks really majestic. Seat covers are nice. Drive safe.
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 15:29	#14
sathee46 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 465 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Congrats on your new ride, White is the colour for ANHC. And you seats look fab, matching your car perfectly
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 15:38	#15
vijaythacker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 1,498 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	peter,congrats on your new ride, cool colour and superb set of seat covers you got. Firstly though honda's are nothing to write about but still prefer to be at the service centre at the time of your car;s servicing, as dealers do sometimes mess up with that, else have a safe ride and keep upating!
	() Thanks

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search