drdurgaprasan's Timeline

Commented on alok19's review

Excellent Car with Worst After Sales
Skoda Fabia - Diesel

Hi Alok, Which city do you live in? Is the sales outlet the oldest in your city? I live in Calicut, where the older outlet used to behave similarly, and overcharge for everything. I realised that after i met with an accident. Then Skoda opened a second outlet, and closed the first one. Its made a h...uge difference. The service is better, and I realised how the old fellows were taking me for a ride. As commented earlier here, Skoda is a cheap car projected in India as a premium brand, but now Skoda seems to realise its time to wake up. Try writing to auto magazines like Topgear or Autocar, they help you negotiate with company in case the dealer is being unfair and cheating.Read More

Commented on gokuladeepak_2003's review

Not worth investing 10 lakhs
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti's service is anyway quite poor. I have had similar experience with my alto, and decided not to buy maruti again. They keep saying there is nothing wromg with the car, and thats how its built. Its time Indians matured and showed Maruti what it takes to build a decent car. They seem to be going... the ambassador way. I feel there is too much hype over its top notch service.Read More

Commented on own review

Excellent car, wise choice
Skoda Fabia - Diesel

Hi Angaddeeps, Between the two, it boils down to one's individual choice. Swift is more popular, and comes with Maruti's excellent after sales package. Skoda is the other extreme of after sales. I wanted a sturdy safe car with handsome looks, good space and importantly good boot for our long drives.... I dont know the current waiting period for swifts, with trouble in swift factory and limited maruti inventory. Besides, in my opinion, i found maruti to be expensive!!! ( it makes you pay more for same facilities provided by other manufacturers. I have driven both cars, and like both of them for different reasons. So test drive them again and see which suits you.Read More

Commented on own review

Wish it were 50000 rupees cheaper
Honda Jazz

Hi Apurva, You must be right since you own the car. My perception about speed was from my test drive, which i mentioned, and from a test drive car, which maybe why i didnt feel it was fast enough. Unfortunately in Kerala, you dont get empty stretches, so low end pulling is very important, and bein...g used to maruti and fabia diesel's pickup, it seemed less. The price, like i mentioned, is better than Maruti's, which i sincerely feel make overpriced cars compared to Honda. Like i said, Jazz is the best overall package i have seen. Its a pity it wasnt inmy budget when i bought my fabia diesel for the same price, which meant saving for me in fuel costs at my driving needs. I would any day recommend Jazz as my favourite overall car, hands down. In fact, I am looking to buy Brio for my wife, but my eyes are always on the Jazz. Am hoping Honda will give a small festival discount so that i can finally take the plunge. But you must acknowledge that the price is the only factor which prevents this brilliant car from selling like it should. I dont think i20 or swift are a match for Jazz, whatever gizmo's they may provide. Dr Durga PrasanRead More

Commented on own review

Excellent car, wise choice
Skoda Fabia - Diesel

Hi Kamranace, I bought the vehicle in March 2011. Only 3 models existed then, elegance, ambiente and the base version. All 3 versions had twin airbags, tilt steering as standard. I learnt later that skoda increased the price of its cars and reduced the features in the car!! So now only top end mod...el gets driver airbag. I guess the company has learnt that maruti crazy indians want only ac and power steering, and dont care about safety!! Its a bit sad, but even skoda is becoming indianised. When you bought it, previous models had been discontinued.Read More

Commented on sandeepg30's review

I Love its back..It loves me Back
Honda Brio

Dear Mr Sandeep, I test drove Brio today. Am looking for a second car, for my wife. I wasnt impressed with its initial pickup. Unfortunately, there are lots of steep climbs in the place where i stay, especially my wife's hospital, where with 4 people inside car and ac on, it struggled to climb in 1...st gear. Is it usual, or it was a problem with test drive vehicle? Space inside is less, but thats ok for 2nd car. Its stylish enough, but am worried about people banging on its rear and damaging the glass rear door. Your opinion?Read More

Commented on own review

Practical, but could have been better
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Rohan, dont you think that for an essentially 5 seater (95% of time) and 7 seater only 5% of time, top end diesel at 10 lakh on road, its in skoda rapid or honda city territory? I would be very attracted by the alternatives i mentioned, considering image, drive, comfort and other factors if i were s...pending that money. I sincerely wish it succeeds, i think it already is a hit, because it has the potential to opena separate category of cars. But i disagree with pricing,I think maruti prices are somewhat costly compared to their competitors for the value provided. I am a current maruti owner, and am actively researching to buy a second car.Read More

Commented on netbaba's review

ZDI Ertiga Small is not Beautiul
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Engine is great, drivability is great as well. Good car to drive. Wonder whether anyone has driven with 7 people on board to see the performance, i havent done it. It would be interesting, especially with full load climbing slopes.

Commented on own review

Practical, but could have been better
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

I think if Maruti had priced ertiga a lakh less than it is now, they wouldnt be able to make enough vehicles for the demand.

Commented on own review

Practical, but could have been better
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Point taken Ankit. You're right about the flexibility aspect, and i think thats the reason i recommended this car. But about bolero, i am pleasantly surprised that in Kerala, especially Mlabar region, its quite a popular personal transport vehicle, owned by many types of people. Maybe the large fami...lies here and the hilly terrain, coupled with easy maintenence make it attractive. Its nowhere as good to drive as ertiga, hands down. I have driven it, its easy, but doesnt inspire confidence. Just put that comment for people to stretch their imagination. The new white bolero 2012 is all over the place here in calicut, and not one of them is a taxi!!!! Durga PrasanRead More

Reviewed Honda Jazz

Wish it were 50000 rupees cheaper

I dont own a Honda Jazz, and thats simply because folks at Honda have priced it higher than my expectations for a petrol car. If it were 50000 rupees cheaper, I would have bought it for sure. I have taken 2 test drives of the car. I think its the most practical family car in India today, if you ...Read more

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Comments 2

Commented on own review

Practical, but could have been better
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

I have been wondering if the Mahindra Bolero vlx 2.5 litre crdi makes more sense for about 8 lakh on road. Come to think of it, its a proven vehicle, not prone to breakdowns and costly maintenence, seats 5 in comfort, can squeeze 2 more if needed, has enough luggage space as a 5 seater, diesel, trem...endous torque, though not as good to drive as ertiga, but can go anywhere, including steep hills with full load. Its now quite stylish as well. Whats the opinion of readers?Read More

Commented on own review

Can do better
Aligarh Muslim University - Aligarh

Incidentally, AMU is one of those places, where you actually get paid more than you spend. The education was surprisingly affordable, good quality, and was reputed in India and abroad. I laugh today at the pittance i paid as fees for my education, compared to the salary i received as a resident and ...the facilities i enjoyed, it was almost free education.Read More

Reviewed Ford Figo

Titanium petrol, value for money, practical

I have been test driving petrol cars with about 6 lakh or less budget in mind, with safety being top priority, followed by space, practicality and finally mileage in that order. Figo titanium I would rate as one of my top two choices in that respect. I don't have ownership experience, which I ha...Read more

Like 6

Comments 0

Reviewed Fiat Linea T Jet

Difficult to imagine its meant for Europeans

I test drove Fiat Linea T jet petrol, a car I fantasised about as a fiat lover and a person who appreciates beauty in humans and cars. The dealers were kind enough to provide me a T jet, though I didn't go to showroom with buying Linea in mind(i only had punto in my budget). The following is fir...Read more

Like 3

Comments 2

Reviewed Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Practical, but could have been better

I had the opportunity to test drive maruti ertiga zxi petrol variant recently. This is not ownership experience, just test drive and impressions thereof. Zxi costs 870000 on road in calicut, Kerala. It comes with ABS, EBD, air bags for driver and front passenger, and stereo etc, apart from tilt ...Read more

Like 7

Comments 8

Commented on own review

Excellent car, wise choice
Skoda Fabia - Diesel

Thanks neo8. I had my first servicing as i mentioned in my review at 15k. They charged me for oil and filter, and for pick up and drop of vehicle. What i liked was the vehicle was delivered on time. What i didnt like was that the marikkar skoda calicut unit doesnt do interior cleaning and wheel bala...ncing as part of service. I wonder how the other manufacturers ' policy is in this respect. Fortunately, now we have a competitor in calicut, another dealer has opened sales and service, so hopefully we will have some improvement in service overall.Read More

Commented on own review

Excellent car, wise choice
Skoda Fabia - Diesel

Thanks prad_v31815. I am keeping my fingers crossed as far as spares are concerned. My colleagues who own Skoda octavias and lauras feel they are expensive, but are usually of higher quality and longer lasting, so maybe the price evens out. But one never knows with these things. Keeping fingers cros...sed as i said. That said, my Alto regularly needed some or other repair, and cost me quite bit eventually. although not as one lumpsome amount.Read More

Reviewed Skoda Fabia - Diesel

Excellent car, wise choice

I bought my skoda fabia ambiente 1.2 tdi diesel 1 year back. It has done about 16000km so far. I was actually looking for a diesel sedan after driving alto for 5 years. Our baby was 1 year old then, and we drove long distances with lots of luggage. making the alto somewhat inadequate. Unfortu...Read more

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Commented on sachinagr's review

Before you buy an Accent
Hyundai Accent

Thanks for an even review. I am also looking for a petrol sedan, and have looked at the accent. It looks good value for money, though i prefer logan's rear seat. I am yet to drive it. My previous experience with hyundai steerings is that they are too light and lack feel, especially at high speeds. I...s it true for accent too? Accent and logan are high on my list, so your feedback is valuable durga prasanRead More