Review on Optra 1.6 LS - Ownership experience. Review on Chevrolet Optra

My comments and inputs mentioned below are my personal

ownership experience of 1 year & 10 months. I bought the car just

after launch of 1.6 LS version. The car was chosen after

test driving several cars in C and D segment. For detailed specs

of the car and models available - I would suggest

you to refer to the Chevrolet website or any of the auto magazine.

Things I like most in Optra 1.6 LS

1. Sexy looks. Looks are subjective but most do agree that the

car still looks fresh and beats all the old and new launches

in the looks compartment. Be it Elantra or Corolla - Optra

stands apart in the looks compartment.

1. Car has excellent road handling in both city and highway

driving.

1. Interiors though are sober - reeks of quality and it

is a pleasure to be inside the car. The rear seats are the best

but then I don’t have ANY problem complaint about the front seats either.

1. Cabin noise if very less and it takes time and practice to

keep note that engine is running and don’t gun for the ignition

key.

5.Huge height adjustable seats, adjustable steering wheel

provide option to make adjustments to have maximum

comfort and driving pleasure for long trips.

1. Huge boot space is sufficient to take 2 large suitcases.

   
   




2. Remote boot opener is a feature I appreciate when I have to carry bags of shopping stuff back to car and don’t have to fumble with opening the boot. Press of the remote switch is sufficient to open the boot. Same goes for the keyless entry feature.

   
   




3. Fuel efficiency: I normally use BPCL Speed or IOC's Extra Premium petrol.

   
   

7~8 KMPL in city only and 16 KMPL on highway both with AC ON during most of the journey. I am a spirited driver who would like to take off in a zoom. Light footed people might get better mileage.

1. Taking U turns in 40 feet road is a breeze! I have seen Zen cars struggling to take

a U turn, while Optra can take the U turns without a problem without any reversing required.

1. Road presence of the car. You can make out the difference when vehicles give way for this car.

   
   




2. Glove compartment is a cooling area. Use it for cooling your breweries. One of the most appreciated features in the car during summer to have a cool drink of water! It has adequate space to hold at least 4 Pepsi cans.

   
   

Things I dislike:

a. Optra 1.6L feels Under powered when 5 well built adults travel. Consequently,

Need to be very careful while overtaking on highways and need to work on right gear to get optimum performance.

b. Gear shift is not so smooth. Not as smooth as Corolla or even Zen!

c. Steering wheel does not look attractive - better to have it leather wrapped.

I prefer the looks of Optra 1.8 LT model's steering wheel.

d. The centre horn takes time to get used.

e. Indicator and windscreen wiper control location is better suited to left hand drive cars.

some TIPS for Optra owners:

1. Be careful when driving on highways and never hit a stray dog at the right most

corner of you car. Reason?.. The Radiator can get damaged and needs to be replaced

as an entire unit. AC compressor is located just behind the Radiator. Upon impact the AC radiator gets damaged and needs full replacement. This is an expensive proposition and pray God that you are covered under adequate insurance as well as product warranty.

1. When the car is driven in water clogged (1.5 ~ 2 feet level) roads up to - there is likelihood of water entering inside the underside of the car. You observe the noise of the shifting water whenever you break or shake the car. Don’t panic. Take the car to the service centre - jack it up and open out the plastic caps located just below the front door under the chassis. After the water is let out fit the cap back and ride away.

   
   




2. The day and night rear view mirror can be adjusted to avoid those nasty high beams of Lorries and buses - Read the manual to learn how to set the mirror for the day and night operation. This is a very useful feature I use almost every day.

   
   




3. Use the humidifier to clear the rear windshield during those rainy days. Very useful feature.

   
   

Update(31-Dec-2005):

Just returned back from a trip to Ullal-Mangalore-Malpe. Driving Optra in the Western Ghat section roads was a pleasure. Xlent road handling and adequate power even with AC switched ON right thru the journey, very minimal level of noise made the journey fatigue free. I was not tired at all. I did not check the mileage in this trip. However, observation on the fuel level indicator did indicate that the mileage returned was good.

A few words about travelling in M'lore section - defensive driving is the best way to keep away from possible accident with #$%^& private buses and the maniac drivers. Senseless driving by these private buses spoils the pleasure of driving.

A good mental health check up and medication is needed for all these maniac drivers!!

Update (15-Feb-06):

The car had clocked 30145 kms and due for its third service.

I got a shocker bill of INR 6547/- which included about INR 2500/- worth of BBrake Pads that needed to be replaced as they had almost reached their EOL. However,

I was informed that there were incidents where the same brake pads were replaced when in 19000 kms. Other items that included are over all oil changes, coolant change and wheel alignment and balancing.

Not much of problems and I am happy that I bought this car. It is a beauty even today and its road presence is par excellence.

Update (23-Feb-2006):

Looks like the battery is getting weaker. Not able to start the car in the morning at the first crank. Never ever faced this problem for the past 2 years. Planning to get this battery changed this weekend. I am not that happy with the re-alignment done by Garuda. Car seems to be moving to left and need correction on a straight line.

Update (03-Mar-2006):

Car is back to normal state. No battery problem. Spark plugs were cleaned. I did not expect GM to skip this when the car was left for servicing and specially after charging me a hefty service bill. Anyway, I have become more skeptic about the service rendered by Garuda Motors at Ulsoor road. Fuel efficiency recorded at 9KM on 100% AC in Bangalore city driving condition. Which I presume is reasonable for a car of this size and weight.