Make : Chevrolet Model : Optra Variant : Magnum LS Fuel : Diesel Booking Date : 28 Oct 2010 Color : Sanddrift Grey Expected Delivery Date : 03 Nov 2010 Dealer & City : Dynamic Motors, Ambala Freebies : Mats and mud flaps Others : Rs 25000 dealer discount
My Hyundai Accent (2001) was nearing her 10th birthday and the wife decided that it was time to change cars. Though the Accent had only 55000 on the odo, had been completely problem free, and meticulously maintained, I reluctantly agreed to retire her. The following is a brief chronicle of how I finally ended up booking a Chevrolet Optra Magnum as a replacement.
I needed a car that would be used largely for city driving (Delhi) involving a work commute of about 30 Km, some pleasure driving on weekends, and occasional (twice / thrice a year) holidays trips (Averaging an estimated 1200 – 1300 Km per month). Most of the time the car would have one (me) or two occupants (Self and wife) but on occasion would have to ferry visiting family and friends. Fairly simple requirements that could be met by several hatchbacks / sedans that are currently available. But life is never simple. To the list of requirements I added fuel economy, adequate comfort features, good after sales service, and proper safety features. The better half had two more additions: the car should be an upgrade on the Accent and have some “snob value”. Difficult to meet all these conditions with a budget of about Rs 7.5 lakhs (I would be buying the car through the Army CSD canteen so the budget would be equivalent to about Rs 8.00 lakhs for a market purchase).
I read a number of reviews, trolled through Team BHP forums, spoke with :knowledgeable people” and narrowed down my list to three options. The ANHC, SX4 (Zxi), and Hyundai Verna (Petrol or CRDi). Since I had never driven any of these cars, I went to their respective websites to request for a test drive.
Honda had the promptest response. I got an email acknowledgement of my request almost immediately followed by a phone call the next day. I then got a call from “:Southend Honda” in Delhi who agreed to test drive at my convenience the next day. They sent the car to my residence absolutely on the appointed hour (ANHC V MT) with a driver and a sales representative (Varun). The sales rep was well informed and courteous and made the test drive a pleasure. He was in no hurry and explained all the features of the car. He had also brought along brochures and price lists for me and gave me a token gift (pen) for the test drive. The test drive was followed by phonecalls requesting my decision on the purchase. The calls from Varun were unfailingly polite, never hankering, and informative (free insurance offer from Honda during Oct 10). Full marks to Honda for this entire experience. However, I decided not to buy the car simply because it appeared overpriced for the features offered and other cars very more value for money (I might regret this later).
Hyundai were the next to respond. No email acknowledgement but a phone call the next day seeking my exact location so that the appropriate dealer could be informed about my request. The dealer called a day later. He informed that the Verna petrol was not available for the test drive but the diesel was. He was reluctant to send the car to my house for the test drive and wanted me to come to the dealership. On my refusal to do so, the test drive was fixed for the following Saturday and did not take place because the car was never sent. This was followed by calls from another dealer who was always unsure of the car I wanted to test drive (He always thought that I wanted the i10). He fixed the test drive on two occasions and did not reach at for the test drive on both of them. Even though both my current cars are Hyundai (Accent and i10) and I am very happy with the cars, I was sorely disappointed with the Hyundai response to my test drive request. I eventually drove my neighbours Verna CRDi. Really liked the car (my first diesel drive), but am not acquiring it for the same reason as the ANHC (Appears overpriced).
Maruti never responded to my test drive request. No email, no phone call, nothing. So i went myself to their dealer (Rana Motors). The sales rep was courteous and well informed. I was shown the SX4 (ZXi). However, only the AT version was available for test drive. Since I was looking for a MT, I was promised that the car would be sent to my house the following Saturday. Sine I mentioned an interest in diesel cars, they promised to also send a Swift Dzire (ZDi) for me to try out. Sadly the promises remained only promises and the test drives never materialised. After three appointments they eventually expressed their inability to organise the test drive.
On 19th Oct, there was a full page advertisement in TOI new Delhi about the Optra Magnum LS at Rs 8.09 Lakhs. I had not considered the Optra earlier as it was way over my budget. Following the large price drop, I went to Metro Chevrolet to see the car. Again a good experience at the dealership. I had called in advance about my desire to see the Optra. The sales rep was ready at the appointed time. I was shown the car immediately (It was the LT version) and all the features explained. Even though it was late evening (Past 7 pm), I was offered an immediate test drive (wasn’t expecting one). Took a short drive in a fairly crowded area. Immediately liked the drive. The sales rep intelligently asked us to also experience the rear seat as he gave us a chauffeured test drive. The spacious, comfortable rear seat and the luxurious interiors immediately won the wife’s approval. The Optra Magnum LS appeared to be within reach by stretching my budget somewhat (Rs 8.6 lakh on road with Haryana registration). The car price appeared to be even lower than the Army CSD Canteen price.
Came back home and spent the next couple of hours reading everything that Team BHP had on the Chevrolet Optra Magnum. Overall, the views were positive. Having mulled over what car to buy for almost a month, I could suddenly wait no longer and decided to pay the booking amount the next day.
Luckily, better sense prevailed. As advised by Team BHP members, checked the CSD prices again and found that they too had dropped. At CSD rates, the Optra LS would be around Rs 8.25 Lakh on road (Haryana registration). This is considerably above the planned budget of Rs 7.5 lakhs, but have decided to go in for it. The choice is eventually a combination of both dispassionate (Brain) analysis as well as what the heart says. Paid the booking amount of Rs 10,000.
I need advise on a specific point. The Chevrolet free maintenance package ( 3 years / 45000 Km) is not available for the Optra Magnum. I will have to pays Rs 27000 for this. The option has to be exercised at the time of taking delivery and cannot be delayed. I need to know whether I should go in for this option. |