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From purchase to sale: Life with my Ford Aspire diesel over 1,18,000 km

25th July 2023, 08:03 by Dev Shah

Both, the Swift and Ford Aspire were brought within a year's time. One could easily notice the difference in ride quality by driving them.

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Big Story Alert!

My favourite car has always been the Tata Safari since my childhood and after the Ambassador, this car grabbed my attention during my younger days. We never had a car until 2015. None of us knew driving and we used to hire cars and a driver for visiting Tirumala temple, for long journeys or for going to far away places. I used to sit in the front passenger seat and observe the gear shifts and the way the driver was driving the car like a fanboy throughout the journey.

Our family’s first car was the Maruti Swift VDi. It came home in 2015 and was bought by my younger brother. I am taking baby steps in driving and I really didn’t dare to sit in the driver's seat. By the start of 2016, I was ready for real speed in a four-wheeler.

By 13th October 2016, I bought my first car - a Ford Figo Aspire. We booked it on 6th September 2016. It was suggested by my younger brother and I was in deep thought and confusion about whether to go forward or not. As I am a tough decision maker, I did all my analysis. Starting with the reviews, comparisons, pros, cons, etc., I finally agreed to go with Ford. After visiting Ford, we had our test drive and also visited a Hyundai Showroom which was beside Ford's. I liked the i20 Sportz and really fell in love with it immediately.

My heart broke as the i20's price range was not in my budget. We returned to Ford and booked the Aspire. Before booking it, I saw the Giant Ford Endeavor. That was the first time I saw it, and sat in it. It was so mesmerizing! The salesman claimed a mileage of 7 km/l and it was the most costly of all Ford cars. I liked its younger brother, the Ford EcoSport, but my family pulled me back by doubting my capabilities in handling a brand new first car.

We made the down payment and the bank gave a nod for the loan amount of Rs. 7,40,000. The PDI happened on 10th October 2016 and the second car made its way home by 13th October 2016. The promised NILDIP coverage was not delivered by Ford and I had to write a long email to the Ford CEO. The response was great and so were the results along with an apology. The email was only sent after fights with the delivery manager and much patience. This email worked like a Mantra all through my journey with Ford. As an Indian, I will always like or prefer Indian products and will always be proud if they are a gem.

Swift vs Ford Aspire:

In a year's time, both the Swift and Ford Aspire were brought. One can easily notice the difference in ride quality by driving them. While driving Swift, I always felt like I am driving a lighter version of any car. The steering wheel is very easy to turn and no one has to really put in any effort to drive a Swift. The rear design was good and the front has a bumpy look. The seats are not designed for long drives and the music system puts out high bass.

The Ford, on the other hand, gives us a premium feel at the same price as the Swift. Two airbags, lesser maintenance than the Swift, topnotch A/C, good music system, strong doors, comfortable seats, more knee room, tough body and confidence at the wheel on any road.

I was surprised and also felt disappointed as to why Indians compromise on safety and quality. Even now, I see some Indian websites writing Swift has increased its plastic percentage for speed movements. Maruti has good cars and is also one of the top carmakers in India.

My brother changed the first set of tyres at 80,000 km which were made by Bridgestone provided with the Swift. The tyre shop dealer was in shock and said ‘are these tyres or rocks?’. Me and my brother were laughing at his surprise. The Swift always has some complaints and whenever it visits any showroom, my brother had to bear a minimum expense of Rs. 10,000. There have been no complaints with the Ford and I changed my tyres at 65,000 km.

Malfunction in Ford:

In December 2018, I was travelling to Chennai for my new job in an MNC and out of nowhere, a goat suddenly came on the road. The car before me just escaped hitting it but the goat was hit by the right side of my car. It flew in the air and fell into the plants which were planted in the middle of the National Highway. It ran away immediately and I was relieved that it was alive. It made a small tear in my bumper which was not noticeable.

In April 2019, there was an alarm where the speedometer hit 120 and returned to zero even though the car was in neutral. I was working in Bangalore I and mentioned the issue at a nearby showroom. They said it was a never seen issue and that it was a fault. They connected a laptop and solved it. The rains in Bangalore are always ready to surprise us. Whenever I put the car in roadside potholes or in a pothole clogged with rain water, the light would come on and the car would go crazy.

Many showrooms and many mechanics tried and finally, it didn’t show up again after a battery change. Some places in a Ford car should not be touched during a car wash or you will be surprised to see it behaving like a bad robot.

Maintenance of Ford:

Ford gives a manual for periodic service charges at different km like other car manufacturers. MRF tyres were on the wheels when we bought the car. I spent:

Rs. 19,000 for 4 Bridgestone tyres in 2019 at 61,545 km
Rs, 3,700 for Exide Battery in 2020
Rs. 8,000 for A/C Compressor in July 2021
Rs. 9,200 Yokohoma tyres in December 2021 at 97,000 km
Parts like A Mount, clutch plate, door switch etc. in 21,613 in August 2022
Rs. 8,000 for B, C Mount etc in January 2023
Rs. 8,400 for tyres in February 2023
Rs. 4,350 for battery in March 2023
Rs. 50,413 for all 10 services up to 1 lakh km

I never preferred wheel alignment and balancing at the showroom and got it done outside.

Rs. 9,59,400 was the car's cost with a bank loan.

Pros:

Being a frequent traveller, Ford never disappointed me anytime whatever the road and climate.
Less maintenance compared to other cars except that malfunctioning sensor.
Great A/C. Chills in minutes and Ford cars are very well known for their A/Cs if I am not wrong. Also heard from other car owners.
Ride quality. Very quiet inside the cabin like a petrol engine.
Powerful 1,498 cc engine with 99 bhp @ 3,750 rpm and 215 Nm @ 1,750-3,000 rpm. Although a diesel engine, it's powerful and pleasing to drive.
Great pickup. Takes you to high speed in very quick time.
Great control. I heard great drivers are great controllers of a car. I don’t say I am a great driver, but the Ford can be controlled very well and can be brought from 120 to zero in a blink of an eye blink.
Power steering, ABS, fog lights, alloy wheels, automatic climate control, mileage of 23.85 km/l, front & rear power windows, dual airbags, etc.
Can go for miles with comfortable seating.
Longest single ride with no stops except for breakfast and dinner was from Ooty to Vizag.
Ford parts are cheaper than Maruti and also reliable.

Cons:

If you have a complaint, no mechanic dares to touch it. Many don’t know about the car and call it a computer although they can repair anything in Maruti and Hyundai.
Like all car manufacturers, not all Ford service centres are good. I always prefer Hyderabad’s Tollychowki service centre and it's best till date in my opinion.
Spare parts come from Chennai and are not readily available in many parts of the country.
Not everyone is a fan of Ford and has any idea of the company. Due to the rumour ‘Ford parts were costly’ until the establishment of the plant in Gujarat, it kept Ford as the last choice for many. The resale value is less unless another Ford car owner buys it.

Memories with Ford:

I had many long trips in the Ford. I drove it in all South Indian states. From my jobs to my marriage it was always a part of my life and travelled along. Never left me stranded. First car or first love is always memorable I will always be proud that I owned a Ford. I travelled miles and miles in the Ford. 1,18,000 km were driven in the Ford before it left me on 2nd May 2023. It was gone at a very low price as per my opinion (Rs. 3,20,000) as I had to replace it with a Hyundai Venue. I will surely consider Ford if it returns to India with an electric car.