Team-BHP - Review: 1st-gen Ford Figo (2010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by amit1234singla (Post 2402717)

Hello folks, I need some advice here. Please help.

I have just booked Ford Figo 1.4L Titanium for my dad. He is 5' 10" has been using a Santro for last 6 years and likes the relatively straight sitting position of the car with still space left above the head. We sold this santro and he is driving my sister's alto for last one week till we get the delivery of the figo. After using alto he asked me how's the driving position of Figo wrt to sitting position and straight posture of someone who is 5' 10". This made me thinking and I checked the height specs of these cars. Santro is 1590mm, Alto is 1460mm and Figo is 1427mm. So on paper, height of Figo is even less than alto.

I have test driven Figo and did not find this as an issue. I am 5' 9". I have also asked my dad to take a test drive and feel it for himself.

I the meantime, I wanted to request opinions of fellow Figo owners on this. Also, please consider that Titanium variant has driver seat height adjustment. How good is range of adjustment?

Other than this, Figo diesel seems to be a perfect fit to his requirements and budget. Many thanks in advance for replies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha (Post 2402903)

@amit1234singla: I have a Figo Titanium and I am 6'1" tall. I have found it very comfortable even on a non-stop 5 hour drive.
The height adjustment works - kind of! It tilts the seat base, which makes your back-side go down. Works for me.
Personally, I prefer the low-down seating position, it suits my body. I have used a Santro and a Ritz in city traffic but I find tall-boy cars uncomfortable.

Suggest you ask your father to test drive a Figo over 8-10km of B2B city traffic, and take his opinion.

+1 to that.

Even I am 6'1" and I find that initial getting in needs a little getting used to. But once you do that then its ok. Although it is lower than alto and santro there is nothing that hinders the road view I mean the bonnet/dashboard does not interfere in your road view and aids in city driving.

On long distances (not just hightways) the seats are very comfortable and along with thegood combination of suspension, AC and the music system you just do not feel like getting off the car. I travelled from Chennai to Guruvayur in mid april in the sweltering heat of Tamilnadu. It was 36C outside and it was chilling inside. Stayed on the road for almost 10 hours (around 750kms). I could drive another 600kms :)

One more thing, if I sit in the driver's seat I keep the height adjust to max and still find 1.5-2inches between head and roof.

Also If i am the driver my friend who is also 6'1" can sit comfortably. There is enough and more legroom in the rear. I have nt found that in any other hatch in that segment other than Indica. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by achilles101 (Post 2402780)

Hey Amit,

I am 5 feet 11 inches tall and i don't have any issues with the sitting position and posture. As you might have noticed in the TD, the Figo has a lower Sitting position than other cars and as such the height difference is mitigated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha (Post 2402903)

Quote:

Originally Posted by figo_mba (Post 2402999)

Thanks guys, my dad just did a TD of Figo in Patiala and he is happy. So as you all said, this is not an issue at all to him. Me happy as well. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gharika (Post 2403140)

Hey Guys,

Anybody know what make and model of H4 bulb to use to improve night visibility? The A.S.S. at Bhagat Ford Chandigarh are not aware of any upgrade available for Figo headlight bulbs. Can any one point my nose in the right direction.

I use H4 Philips extreme power 60/55W as per the Ford specifications.
Pl check the post # 3443
(http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...tures-230.html)

I have driven at 100kmph with this bulb and feel OK.

Recently I saw my colleague's Figo with 100/90W with a relay for better light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha (Post 2403635)

I have the 100/90W with relay fitted, and feel comfortable at 120kmph in the night. Added benefit is that the low beam actually illuminates something in my path for me to see, as opposed to being a light that merely signals my presence to other road users!

Well, I was also quite pleased with my upgrade to a 100/ 130 W a few days back. But a single two liner from an experienced Ford owner has spoilt my sleep now. Check out his remarks and also go through his experience on the link he has provided.click here

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha (Post 2403635)

Please refer Post by dhanushmenon (Quoted Below). Can you please post, how long you have upgraded the bulbs ? Have you done any 4/5 hrs night drive with those bulbs and what is your experince w.r.t. problem mentioned in the link provided by dhanushmenon. Have you faced any problems like fading/melting of reflector, front plastic glass etc. etc. I am planning to get Phillips 100/90 bulbs with relay for my Figo as soon as its delivered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon (Post 2403716)

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelion (Post 2404078)

I upgraded about 9 months back. I drive mostly after dark and I routinely do 4-5 hours driving with lights on. So far I have not seen any fading or warping or any such problems. Headlamps are as good as new.
I think the problems start when you fit a 130/100W bulb. Things look fine with 100/90W.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha (Post 2404093)

Thanks KiloAlpha for quick response, I feel much relieved. I feel that I should follow your footsteps. So next obvious question is, Make and specifications of Relay, bulbs and cost of upgrade ?

BTW what are your thoughts for any warranty issues (if at all they crop up in future).

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelion (Post 2404119)

I have used Philips H4 EssentialVision (or some such thing, don't exactly remember). Light is bright white - not blueish.

The place I upgraded was recommended by @Sumathindra (another BHP-ian), the shop fitted the bulbs, relay and upgraded all headlight wiring for Rs.1200 or so.

It is important to replace the OEM headlight wiring kit. Factory-spec wires might not handle the 100W load.

Electrical warranty, I think, will be voided by this upgrade.

Please see my response below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha (Post 2404138)

I have used Philips H4 EssentialVision (or some such thing, don't exactly remember). Light is bright white - not blueish.

I think it might be Extreme Vision.

The place I upgraded was recommended by @Sumathindra (another BHP-ian), the shop fitted the bulbs, relay and upgraded all headlight wiring for Rs.1200 or so.

It is important to replace the OEM headlight wiring kit. Factory-spec wires might not handle the 100W load.

Is the wiring need to be done from Steering Switch or in the engine compartment ?

Please let me how wiring is done and which gauge of wire were used, so that I can insist upon same quality of wires here.

Electrical warranty, I think, will be voided by this upgrade.

Well, then I should also have to make up my Mind. Any ways if you have not faced in any electrical problems within 9 months then a calculated risk of warranty can to be taken. After all life is priceless, many figo owner's have expressed risk of fatal accident due to poor visibility of stock Head Lamps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGK (Post 2404208)

Ford can very well upgrade the bulbs to 100/90W and bill the customer and provide warranty.
It will become a headache if something happens in the wiring after the upgrade is done outside. So far no complaint of figo owners who use 100/90w with respect to wiring, but in case if it happens then Out of Warranty bills with respect to electrical components will rip the customer. Also since this car is driven by sensors/ecu etc, I feel bit scared to go for 100/90W.

Yes they can, but not doing it as of today. Other features of car are better compared to other cars in this segment, so one prefers Figo. I am aware of few major problems figo has.

1) Poor Head Lamps.
2) Scraping on Speed Breakers with 4+ persons on board.
I have discussed these with many Figo owners prior to booking. All of them suggested me to go for figo in spite of these problem since it has other pleasant features. They suggested me to have fog lamps and HL upgrade to solve head lamp problem. For scraping they suggested me to keep tyre pressures 36/41 and cross bumps diagonally. Nothing more can be done for this except above since it has large wheel base which translate in to ride quality.

As you have rightly put about warranty issue, I am having dilemma between 55/60 and 90/100. If you have studied both upgrades then your opinion on this will help me in resolving the HL upgrade issue. Please do comment on this.

3) Rattles. What I perceived from discussion that it is much less than its nearest rival which I was considering. So had made up my mind to ignore it. After all buying decision is resultant of many factors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGK (Post 2404208)

Drove a Vista which had OEM bulbs but the light and focus was much better than the famous Figo.

When HL problem was being discussed a owner who has studied the problem in detail told me that its reflector design which scatters light evenly on large area rather then forming beam to which we are used to. That's why we feel the visibility problem. My Figo is yet to be delivered so can not comment on his views. Fellow Figo owners, please do comment on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGK (Post 2404208)

I am myself driving a 2006 Scorpio with 100/90 bulbs with no issues for last 3 years. One of the bulbs required replacement after about 2 years when its low bean went kaput. My only concern with Figo HL upgrade is the warranty. I fail to see why a relay setup should cause warranty issues as the load is taken up by the separate wire running from the battery.
Any one have any idea how good the Figo fog lights are in illuminating the night time under normal conditions? what wattage of bulbs are used (assuming they are H3).