This is my first post in TBHP. My membership got approved after a long wait. This forum was a great help in chosing my car and the ICE setup for it.
My search for a new car started in September after my 12 year old esteem gave up on me. The requirement was for a car thats peppy, with decent FE, has all basic features (read AC, power steering, power windows) and will fit in my portico. Budget was around 4 lakhs. My first choice was the Xeta just because of the sheer VFM. But top end variant without power windows was a major let down. Also read mixed reviews about the ride quality as the car ages and the resale value. So that was off the table. Didn't want to own a Maruti or Hyundai for no obvious reason. Probably because there were just too many of them on the road already.
Dropped in to Kropex (GM dealer in Bangalore) for a TD of U-VA and Spark on Sep 28th. Tried the U-VA first. I felt it was very underpowered and sluggish. According to me it was priced steeply for the package. The Spark on the contrary was fun to drive. The dash with the speedo console in the center looked different but not very odd. It looked a lot bigger inside atleast from the drivers seat compared to the exterior look. The boot was tiny and the rear looked not so appealing. The sales guy offered a 55K cash discount on it. On top of that 3 year/45000 KM service warranty was offered for free. That includes even the oil change and labour costs! That means I just spend on the fuel for next 3 years. That was an offer I couldn't refuse.
The next two days were spent on reading owership reviews and research. Thanks to TBHPians for providing all that information which is otherwise impossible to know. Didn't take long to make the decision. Was swaying between the LS and the LT variant. Only the LT variant had the 60:40 split seat with the head rests (very handy given the tiny boot space). With all four PW, all painted exteriors, roof rails, rear wiper & demister and roof rails, at 30K extra it was a no brainer. Booked the top end black LT variant on Oct 1st. On road price was 3.93L. Talked the sales guy into throwing in a Autocop security system and the tints worth 5K for free.
So far the experience with Kropex was pleasant. Very courteous staff, and the entire deal went very smooth. They promised delivery on Oct 11th initially, later postponed to 16th. Recieved a call on 14th from them letting me know that the vehicle has arrived at the showroom. The sales guy said that installing ICE outside the dealership might void the warranty. They had limited options inhouse which was also expensive. That to me, didn't make any sense. However he agreed to do a free installation of the ICE that I can source outside. I was planning on a basic ICE setup with just the HU and 4 speakers for now anyways. So I dropped the HU and the speakers at the showroom on 14th. The vehicle was registered on the same day and was due for delivery the next day.
Got a call from dealer on the 15th, asking me to pick up the vehicle in the afternoon. By the time I got there all the accessories were installed and the car was ready to hit the road. Everything was in place and even the ICE was installed very professionaly. They even had the number plates put up. They gave me a demo and ran me through the paperwork. Also got the usual Chevy doll and the box of chocolates. I was one happy customer driving out in spanking new car with a big grin on my face.
Nothing like the smell of a new car. I am loving it!
The dealer put in 5 ltrs of fuel. Got out of the showroom and did a tank up using auto cut-off. Now the odo reading shows 170. Reset one of the two trip meters after the full tank. After 100.5 KMs and did a full tank again. It took in 7.29 Ltrs, leaving my FE at 13.78 Kms/Ltr. This was mostly in the city with AC on most of the time. The ride quality is very good for whatever little driving I have done. But the engine is not as silent as the test drive vehicle or like what the fellow TBHPians have experienced with their Spark. When I am changing gears and releasing the clutch I can feel the engine revving up a bit, like I am pressing the accelarator pedal. Any insight on this would be helpful, before I get it checked on 1st service at 1000 KM.
Otherwise I am thoroughly enjoying the drive. Taking it easy to run it in. Absence of a tachometer even in the top end variant is frustrating. Its very difficult to maintain the RPM limits during the run-in period. The manual doesn't have the optimal speeds for different gears. It would be great if someone can tell me whats the optimum speed for different gears during the run in.
Likes:
- Pricing
- looks
- ride quality
- interiors
- attention to detail
Dislikes:
- Absence of Tacho
- boot space
I have attached a few pictures. Will add more later.
Cheers