Like many, I have learned a lot about the Indian car scene from Team BHP and am so grateful to all of you on this forum.
So, about six months ago we started shopping for a car for my father.
Budget was under 10L and given the low usage only petrol cars were considered.
Initially hatchbacks were also in the running but after our lovely 2000 zen lx, we wanted to 'graduate' to a sedan. In quotes because I understand that quite a few folks don't share this view.
Safety was a huge factor and though the need for airbags in city driving is probably considered overkill, I subscribe to the 'safety above everything else' ideology when it comes to family. Good space utilization- comfort for four five people, relatively low A.S.S headaches, good handling, decent set of features and a touch of class perhaps?
Cars satisfying the above criteria : ANHC, Linea, SX4, Fiesta, Optra Magnum
Reasons why we chose Linea:
The Linea is a gorgeous car. looks are subjective but the Linea turns more heads than any other car this side of 10L. those classic lines, that mona lisaesque grill...this is one classy car.
Handling is precise and the ride is supple. It doesn't pin you to your seat when you hit the gas but then my father isn't aspiring to be a street racer anytime soon. I think the power is just fine. it responds very enthusiastically in any gear and all the second gear sluggish talk is something I haven't experienced.
The fit and finish is decent and it comes loaded with excellent features - alloys, steering mounted controls, abs, airbags, blue n me, fog lamps. I can't get over how great the handling is, lovely, just lovely. It corners with much grace and aplomb.
The rear seat comfort and space is great and unparalleled by any other car in this category. The build quality is solid and it looks, feels and drives worth every penny it costs and more.
Booking and Delivery:
Surprisingly, in Baroda there is no Fiat dealership. In Anand(40km) and Ahmedabad (100km) however, there are Fiat-Tata dealerships. We asked for test drives from the Anand dealer and ASPI in A'bad. ASPI was prompt to schedule one and my father enjoyed the test drive. This was two months ago when I was still in the US and after my arrival we requested a TD again. ASPI again was the only one to entertain a TD while entails sending the vehicle to Baroda from A'bad. One Mr. BalKrishna Bhatt with ASPI is a great salesman and comes across as genuine and knowledgeable. We booked the petrol emotion pk on the 16th and were promised delivery on Dusshera, the 28th.
On 25th evening received a call from Mr. Bhatt informing that the car had arrived and would be ready for delivery on the 28th. Made the full payment and got to ASPI dealership around 10 in the morning on the d-day.
It took about an hour and a half to go through the PDI with my brother, father, a friend and myself all four going through the checklist. found a couple of niggles(hope I can call them niggles). The panel under the driver seat door has a dent and the front bumper has a minor scrap. Got that acknowledged and written on the delivery note and the service staff promised to fix it during the first visit. I will post pictures soon.
Besides that, no other problems. Balkrishna is a pleasure to deal with and the entire staff at ASPI comes through as a genuine bunch of folks geared towards making the sales/delivery experience pleasant and trouble-free.
The RTO passing is pending and upon receipt of the papers from ASPI today, I will go to the RTO office tomorrow for the passing.
Team BHP is a goldmine of information and I hope to add a few nuggets of my own. would write more...but its time to go for a drive!