ANHC S/AT Ownership Review - A little late in the day The search for THE perfect car is an endless journey. Come 2009, my Swift Vxi was getting a little long in the tooth. After having clocked 60,000 km in 2 years, the car was showing signs of age. So the search began for the perfect car to replace it. Since my daily inter-city running was 120+ km, a diesel was preferred and keeping with the Dilliwala attitude of jitna bada hai utna aacha hai, I zoomed in on the Safari. Multiple test drivesand comparisons with the Scorpio later, I had almost decided.
However, man proposes and god disposes. My dad decided to go and check out the Safari for himself. He didn't quite like it (As an aside, he seemed to like the xenon before I drew him a mental picture of me going to court in a pick-up truck). Next up came the Linea which believe you me I test drove 10 times before I finally let go, the only issue being that my ample girth was not comfortable in the driver's seat what with the dead pedal, narrowish seats et. al.
The next logical option was the Optra Magnum. Drove, loved and booked (GM's financial woes notwithstanding). They promised delivery before the financial year drew to a close which was a prerequisite for me. That unfortunately didn't happen and the order was canceled.
Till this time, I had spent 4 months and an unbelievable number of work hours (for which some poor sod got billed) researching. Thoroughly frustrated, I was considering getting the Swift overhauled and use it for a few more years till I could go a few segments higher.
It would have all been well had one learnt to live in peace but t'was not the case. The thought bothered me that all the hard work would go to waste. So I kept looking, started looking out for pre-owned cars as well. Discovered a Civic S/MT, a year old, 5,000 km for roughly 9 lacs. Immaculate condition and being sold since the owner was moving. After ruminating and thinking and consulting numerous people, decided no point in paying 9 lacs for a pre-owned car. Besides with the distance I drove everyday and the Civic's low suspension over bad roads, it didn't look like a very good idea. Returned to hibernation.
One fine Sunday, a friend who had recently bought a ANHC manual called to rave about his uncle's ANHC A/T. My curiosity got the better of me and I decided to drop in to the nearest Honda showroom to check the ANHC out.
A caveat before I proceed. I don't like Honda. I prefer heavier, solid feeling cars. Besides found Honda over-priced but since a number of people harped on Honda quality and reliability, I decided to go anyways.
Drove the manual (had driven it before) found it nice. Then drove the A/T. Checked out the paddle shift and all I could think of was imagine not having to move your left leg the entire drive. Thrilled with the thought, decided that the A/T it is. Paid the booking amount there and then (I do have a tendency to be impulsive).
The loan and delivery process took about 1 week and and on April 14, I took delivery of the car. What I love
1. The comfort and ease of an automatic tranny is unmatchable. During the Delhi rains, I was stuck in crawling traffic for 4 hours and the extra paid for the A/T(over the M/T) stood redeemed. In fact, I strongly feel that automatics are really the way to go forward. You lose a km or so in mileage but make up for it in terms of comfort.
2. The fuel efficiency is pretty much at par. I pull 14 km/l (tankful to tankful) so not much of a hit there. (The swift used to give me between 14 and 15)
3. The Ipod sync is excellent. Love it. Really do.
4. It is a beautiful ride and on occasion when the engine is revved to 5000, the sound is sweet. What I hate
What I hate is as much about the car as it is about the dealer I bought it from (more on that later). There was a rattling sound coming from the dash board from the passenger's side airbag slot which would go off every time some pressure was put. It took me 4 visits to the service station in the first week before they actually fixed it.
A mild rattling from the passenger's side rear window.
Pathetic pathetic pathetic service from the service station.
Overall, it has been a satisfying buy and a good ride. Have done 25,000 km and the year is yet to be up. I will update on the ownership updates, servicing.
Pics to follow soon. |