Team-BHP > Team-BHP Reviews > Test-Drives & Initial Ownership Reports


Reply
  Search this Thread
11,261 views
Old 2nd July 2010, 16:35   #1
BHPian
 
niranjanrvce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 382
Thanked: 652 Times
My Paprika Red Fiesta

Hi all,

I started hunting for a sedan sometime back and had shortlisted the SX4, ANHC, Fiesta and the Cedia. Around the same time, my dad decided to sell his car and start looking at alternatives as well. After test drives, research and t-bhp time, I was almost decided on the Cedia and then things decided to go crazy; my work location et al became uncertain and I backed off on booking the Cedia. Meanwhile, my dad started leaning quite heavily towards a Fiesta as his next car, the reason actually being my cousin who owns a Fiesta for long now and all his praise about the car. Now with my being in Bangalore not a certainty, we were apprehensive about going in for two cars.
Let me just cut a long story short, I booked the Fiesta Sxi and my dad decided to hold on to his current car for an year. After that I will be passing on the Fiesta to him and then hunt again for something (the new lancer if it gets released by then and if that doesn't happen then it is tough to imagine something else winning over the Cedia for me ).

The Booking:

I went to the Metro Ford Showroom on St.Marks road, Bangalore at around 2pm on 8th June. I was still undecided on whether it was going to be Sxi or S. I wanted the Aquarius Blue S but family firmly rejected the colour. I later found out on t-bhp forums that the Blue S was discontinued so I wouldn't have got it anyway. The beige interiors, the wood console finish and better rear seat ride quality of the Sxi scored over the awesome manners of the S especially since dad was going to use this car long term rather than me and I booked the paprika red (the only colour which received zero 'nay' votes form the family) Sxi, paid a 10k booking amount and was told that it would take 4 weeks for delivery. I also asked them to book a spoiler and again thanks to t-bhp forums (Gilead specifically) found out that there are two versions of the spoiler - the regular one and the S one. I asked them to book the S spoiler but it is yet to come. another 10 days is what the dealer says. That done, I was off on my stupid business trip.

The Delivery:

While I was away on the trip, my dad got a call saying the car is ready sometime in the 3rd week of June. My dad asked them to hold the car as I wasn't there and they did that with no issues. I was back on the 28th, saw my jet lag disappear in the excitement of the new car and ended up at the Metro Ford showroom at around 12pm. The formalities took an hour and the process for registration was set into motion. 30th June was the promised delivery date and I want back home counting the hours to delivery!
The dealer duly called up on the 30th afternoon and asked me to come collect the car. I wound up my office meetings as fast as I could and rushed to dealer at around 5pm. The car was parked right in the middle of the showroom and boy, did she look beautiful! The sales rep did her part well: she duly explained all the features of the car, ran me through the handbook, had some complimentary stuff ready and had remembered to get two sets of carpet mats as I had asked her to. I check the car with the helpful PDI list posted somewhere here and everything seemed good to go. I asked them remove the plastics covering the seat covers as I find it irritating to sit on them with the plastics on. The car did not have any scratches/dents/colour differentials that I could make out but the inside area to the side of the foot mats was slightly dirty on the passenger side as well as the driver side. Seemed to be shoe marks but apart from this the rest of the car was well cleaned. They got the number plates done and fixed in about half an hour. The entire process took slightly more than an hour, and after thanking the sales people and distributing some small gifts, I happily drove away - straight into Bangalore's chaotic traffic!

The first 100 kms:

The drive home was splendid, stopped on the way to pick up my mom and the admiration from her colleagues for the car and colour added to the joy. The car was super smooth, I felt at home even in the heavy traffic and purposefully avoided being too apprehensive about the first scratch: I know it's going to happen in a city like Bangalore sooner rather than later and I can't help that. After the customary temple visit, I took her to the new airport to pick up a friend and her behaviour on the semi-highway like stretch to the new Bangalore airport was immaculate. At slightly below 3k rpm on the 5th, she was doing 100-110 kmph and I kept her there. The steering response felt brilliant, it's neither too tight nor too light, and I never needed to slow down or downshift even on the curves for the car felt well planted. I did one silly traffic signal drag race against a Laura and hit 5k on the 2nd but kept my idiotic urge to push her quiet after that. A more elaborate and better report will surely be due once she hits 5000 kms.

The basic add ons are due:
1) Headlights upgrade: The current set are highly insufficient especially on unlit stretches of roads: the high beam is just about decent but the low beams are pretty poor.
2) Window Tints: Plan to get this done tomorrow> Garware? What's the best in the market now?
3) Horn: The horn sounds weird to me. At times it sounded loud enough but at times I hear a slight double sound and the horn got lost in traffic noise. I definitely need a better pair of horns.
4) Reverse horn: It's high time this is fitted as a standard accessory by all car makers. It's a must if you are backing up anywhere in Bangalore and I am sure that's the case everywhere else as well.
5)Tyre upgrade: On the cards. No decision on profile or any other details yet. Stocks are mrf zvts 175/65 R14.

The pics below are very basic and shot urgently; pardon the poor quality:
Attached Thumbnails
My Paprika Red Fiesta-dscn0487.jpg  

My Paprika Red Fiesta-dscn0493.jpg  

My Paprika Red Fiesta-dscn0497.jpg  


Last edited by niranjanrvce : 2nd July 2010 at 16:39.
niranjanrvce is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 16:51   #2
Senior - BHPian
 
RajaTaurus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tenkasi, TN
Posts: 1,119
Thanked: 473 Times

Smashing color Mate. I love Red for cars. Is that ORVM chrome cap is standard or you added?
With double lamps each side, i thought the headlamps would be better than Cedia, for example. Surprised to see not sufficient.
About horn, I agree with you, as we have a Fiesta in our office and it sounds many times like struggling as if it comes from inside a well.
Enjoy the beauty and safe driving.
RajaTaurus is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 16:52   #3
BHPian
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 952
Thanked: 8 Times

Alakh Niranjan! Welcome aboard Fiesta family.

Nice to see a barrage of new Fiesta threads among the Figo/Polo madness.

2 Sets of carpet mats?

IMHO, SXI looks better without the spoiler (S or Non-S)...clean looks. I have the non-S ones, but not liking it...

Also, please remember that the spoiler will be painted by the dealer and paint shade match may become an issue..I am already noticing this on my moondust silver a slight shade mismatch..which is bound to get worse as it ages. I am saying this becos a OEM spoiler cost 10K+ and IMO, not worth on SXI.
sanjayc is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 16:53   #4
Senior - BHPian
 
nairrk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kannur
Posts: 2,441
Thanked: 673 Times

Wow... Congratulations!
Another proud owner of Fiesta!

Neat and breif write up

Definitely you got a Driver's car and you will enjoy driving her all the time!
nairrk is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 17:23   #5
BHPian
 
carfanatic007's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 207
Thanked: 10 Times

Congrats mate, the car looks damn good, what was the OTR for it?
carfanatic007 is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 17:50   #6
BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 416
Thanked: 221 Times

Congrats Niranjan, Welcome to Fiesta family! Nice writeup!

About upgrades,
1) Headlamps: Did you try to adjust headlamp in low lamp? There is dial next to Lamp switch, which can adjust how far the low light can go. Setting it 1 gives me max distance. And I always keep it at that. Check this out first.

2) Sun film depends on your budget. If you vitamin M is not issue go for Vkool. HuperOptik is nice film little expensive than 3M though. Though doesn't come in darker shades, but cooling is very effective! Search accessory thread, you get enough hints.

3) Tyre: I got mine changed to Yokohama 195/60 R14 for 3.5K, dealer took mine to 2K! I needed my tires to be comfort one, less noisy. You should again decide what you want from tire change. Stock tires are very good one in-fact!

I find Horns are pretty powerful. I rarely use them, because in Bangalore traffic it doesn't matter if you honk it or not.
RaguHolla is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 18:28   #7
BHPian
 
niranjanrvce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 382
Thanked: 652 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by RajaTaurus View Post
Smashing color Mate. I love Red for cars. Is that ORVM chrome cap is standard or you added?
Thanks Raja! Yes the Chrome OVRM cap is standard on Sxi model: the OVRM has an embedded side indicator as well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sanjayc View Post
2 Sets of carpet mats?

IMHO, SXI looks better without the spoiler (S or Non-S)...clean looks. I have the non-S ones, but not liking it...

Also, please remember that the spoiler will be painted by the dealer and paint shade match may become an issue..I am already noticing this on my moondust silver a slight shade mismatch..which is bound to get worse as it ages. I am saying this becos a OEM spoiler cost 10K+ and IMO, not worth on SXI.
I prefer to have 2 sets of carpet mats as the mats get dirty the moment it rains here because of all the slush and I changeover to the extra set whenever this happens.
I really do like the S spoiler on this. Sort of adds a bit of character to an already beautiful car me thinks! But the colour mismatch issue you mentioned seems to be a worry; I will talk to the dealer about this and see where it goes. Thanks for the heads up!

Quote:
Originally Posted by carfanatic007 View Post
Congrats mate, the car looks damn good, what was the OTR for it?
8.72 is the OTR minus 15k corporate discount + free goodies worth 7k approx + free insurance

Ragu have replied in bold and italics:

Quote:
Originally Posted by RaguHolla View Post
Congrats Niranjan, Welcome to Fiesta family! Nice writeup!

About upgrades,
1) Headlamps: Did you try to adjust headlamp in low lamp? There is dial next to Lamp switch, which can adjust how far the low light can go. Setting it 1 gives me max distance. And I always keep it at that. Check this out first.
Yup I did try adjusting this but since I travel a lot on the outer ring road and mysore road, really need a better set: there are usually potholes/ditches today where none existed yesterday on these roads and I want to be able to see them a little early!

2) Sun film depends on your budget. If you vitamin M is not issue go for Vkool. HuperOptik is nice film little expensive than 3M though. Though doesn't come in darker shades, but cooling is very effective! Search accessory thread, you get enough hints.
Will search. Vitamin M is not that big an issue but I don't want to go too overboard either.

3) Tyre: I got mine changed to Yokohama 195/60 R14 for 3.5K, dealer took mine to 2K! I needed my tires to be comfort one, less noisy. You should again decide what you want from tire change. Stock tires are very good one in-fact!

I agree on the stock tires. That is why no decision to change as yet. But did the 195/60 R 14s fit well? I thought 195/60 R15 was the way to go. And yes, comfort and minimum noise are my criteria as well.

I find Horns are pretty powerful. I rarely use them, because in Bangalore traffic it doesn't matter if you honk it or not.
One way of looking at it yes But I usually prefer to honk at crossings before I pass as I have had incidents with people (autos especially) not bothering to slow down at crossings.

Last edited by niranjanrvce : 2nd July 2010 at 18:33.
niranjanrvce is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 18:33   #8
BHPian
 
niks_devil666's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pune
Posts: 535
Thanked: 237 Times

The car looks fantastic ! congrats buddy !
niks_devil666 is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 19:01   #9
mkh
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,072
Thanked: 133 Times

congrats! If i had not gone in for the ANHC, this was the car of my choice, even the colour. You will need to take a lot of care to maintain this color, but its worth all of it.
I thought they would offer more freebies, but what you got is a lot anyways!
I agree- the fiesta is a super car to drive does not even feel that its going at the speed that it actually is on.
The SXI really gives that premium feel too, got all that one can ask for!
mkh is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 19:49   #10
BHPian
 
HappyRoadie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Lucknow
Posts: 538
Thanked: 303 Times

Congratulations. The colour is looking great. Do post some interior pictures also. Wish you many safe miles.
HappyRoadie is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 20:39   #11
BHPian
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 603
Thanked: 123 Times

Congrats niranjan for the Fiesta. Aquarius blue and red both suit the car really well. Your looks great in that red.
Happy mile crunching.
Utopian is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 21:15   #12
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,769
Thanked: 1,266 Times

Congrats on the Fiesta niranjan!! Looks damn good but definitely warrants better set of pics for such a beauty.

Congrats once again and wishing you a lot of happy miles with the car until the Cedia/New Lancer next year
abhinav.s is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 21:32   #13
Senior - BHPian
 
_raVan_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Pune
Posts: 1,074
Thanked: 660 Times

Excellent choice of color! Guess a tyre upgrade and the spoiler addition will bring out the best in her. Congrats!
_raVan_ is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 21:48   #14
BANNED
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,379
Thanked: 109 Times

Niranjan

You got a superb car,Nice color with that Beige Interiors.I just love the handling characteristic of fiesta.

I like that FOrd Alloys a lot.when did ford started coming up such decent designs
joshguy is offline  
Old 2nd July 2010, 21:59   #15
BHPian
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: India
Posts: 674
Thanked: 150 Times

Congratulations Niranjan.
The car looks great in red the silver color front grill makes it even more gorgeous. Happy driving.
AvonA7 is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks