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-   -   Grand Vitara 2.4 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/74256-grand-vitara-2-4-a.html)

After http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post1574535, had booked with Mandovi. Since they wouldn't give a delivery date, I started regularly following up with MSIL (on their 'contact' email id) about a possible date. After about a month of this, made contact with an MSIL rep in Bangalore, who promised that he would "look for a GV with other dealers in India". I wasn't holding out any hope since this exercise was (supposedly) done after the Pratham episode without any success.

So imagine my surprise when he calls me four days later saying there were 3 (silver, black and white) GVs available with 2 different dealers in Chennai! He put me on to his MSIL counterpart in Chennai, who arranged with dealers so that I could land in Chennai, do PDI, and drive back with the car the same day.

A friend drove me to Chennai. We started at 5 AM and was at Cars India (dealer with the silver GV) at 9.30. Had coffee and went out on a TD. Drive went fine and we went back to the showroom to do a PDI (many thanks to all the BHPians who helped compile that very very useful checklist!). There was a bit of a delay because I couldn't do 4H to N. Should have RTFM, but didn't, and wasted sometime experimenting to find the right way to do it. By noon car was sent to RTO, registered (temp), and delivered. I was a GV owner!

It was a wonderful sales experience, thanks to the MSIL reps. They facilitated the whole thing, and was with me on phone or person whenever I needed them. I now know why there are so many Maruti fanboys! Hope their service support (for GV) also lives up to the billing.

On the way back, never exceeded 3000 rpm and got an average mileage (displayed) of 10.9kmpl. Not bad I guess.

I promptly fell sick after reaching Bangalore so all plans of going on long drives, completing 1000km over the weekend etc. went kaput. Though, last two days, did go on short drives around the city "to get to know each other". My impressions so far:

Pros
- SWMBO likes it! She hadn't sat in one or even seen one up close until now.
- Absolutely no body roll
- Peppy engine
- Great suspension

Cons
- Long gear throws. Need to get used to this, changing gears on the Palio 1.6 is a dream!
- Pathetic car stereo
- Switching ignition on doesn't lock doors
- Double clicking to open all doors

Next steps
- Register in KA
- Get first service done (300km to go)
- Replace music system
- Install skid plates
- D.R.I.V.E

Will keep updating this thread with pics/drives/service experiences etc.

Oldmonk,

let me be first one to congratulate you! What happend to Palio 1.6? is it still with you or sold?

pics are eagerly awaited!

Finally the thread is up as promised, but where are the photographs? Who is SWMBO... (checked in google, now I know)

Your CON list looks like petty excuses...:uncontrol
Drive a Jeep, your first problem goes away. The second thing can be fixed in ICE section.

The GV really had just one problem, that has been fixed with engine upgrade.

Too late... that honour already went to current GV boys over PM.:D

Congrats Oldmonk on your new possession.

When i read SWMBO, i thought it was Sister, Wife, Mother, Brother, Office stupid:. Then googled and now i know what it means.

MSIL has really co-ordinated your purchase process very well. Happy driving..

Congrats oldmonk, looking forward to plenty of photos!

Lol, I also thought SWMBO was Son, Wife, Mother etc. Had to google to find out :D

Still with me. But it's now parked on the street so will have to decide soon whether to rent a parking spot or sell the car..

Hehe

As in, shifting gears in a jeep is more painful? Actually, I've been keenly following the Thar thread, so may be that'll happen sometime too!


Yes, they came through, finally.

Thank you all for the wishes. Will click pics when I get to go on the highway. Though it's a bit intimidating (to post pics on the forum), looking at the consistently high quality of car pics posted by users here!

Congratulations on your new acquisition oldmonk!
Have a happy driving and please post some pictures.

Thank you!

Today, went on a 250km round trip to grab lunch. Crossed 1000km, so will get 1st service done this week. Couple of pics from the drive:

250 kms for lunch :D where is this place from Bangalore; Mysore?
Thanks for the pics dude. please share some more details of trip as well!

Near Srirangapatna, the military hotel (Jai something?) made famous by 'highway on my plate'.

Car does 110 in 5th gear at 3000rpm, so could get away from most holiday traffic. Was home in about 5 hours..

Thanks oldmonk. wonderful piece of information.

Last week my friend had was telling me about this militry hotel at srirangapattana. he advised me to go over during yesterday's holiday quoting" you will see all big cars lining up there for lunch"!

i was doubting about big car thing. now, no more doubts :)

Congrats on the car! Thats a nice vehicle.

But one question that's coming to my mind is, since there was quite a bit of hassle in buying the Vitara, did you consider buying a Fortuner?

Thank you. I was looking for a compact SUV so only GV and X-Trail fit the bill. Though I do think Fortuner is the most VFM in the 20L range.

Congratulations on your new acquisition old monk. It was nice of Maruti to go out of the way and source a car for you. The GV looks sweet in silver. I'm guessing you've picked up the MT. Looking forward to updates on your ownership experience here. Please do put up more pictures.

Drive safe.

Thanks Dippy. It's an MT.

Got the 1st (free) service done today. Changed engine oil and oil filter, even though service guys said it is ok not to change those till 10k on VVT engines. Bill was Rs. 1,895.