Jul 26, 2003 06:54 PM
15009 Views
(Updated Jul 26, 2003 06:59 PM)
I still believe that a car is an expensive investment, and therefore must offer value for money; I am talking of middle class cars, that are compact, sub compacts, and mid level saloons like Esteems/Ikons / etc. I am not competent to pass opinions on a Merc, Maybach etc, since the guys who can afford them don't judge it from my viewpoint of affordability, value for money etc. So, here goes.
1) Good Old ambassador.Mark 1, 2, 3, 4 to N: Costs as much as a smallcar these days, but doesnt do your ego any good to be seen driving one, unless you are a cab operator. Not too bad mileage and possible best priced spares( they sure need a lot of spares to keep you on the road), but soon you get tired of taking the car to a mechanic twice a week.
Advantages: Comfort levels at the back and ability to squeeze in many persons
2) Cielo: dead and buried, but still warrants an opinion, just to make the guys who own it, a bit mad. Dated, inefficient consumption, and almost a ransom to repair these days. Hope GM doesnt want to rebrand it and launch it as a'Chevorlet Cictra!'
Advantages: When it was launched, everybody wanted to be seen in one!
3) Palio: Very good looking car with very very plasticky interiors, worst mileage in the country, and a set of dealers who don't have faith in themselves, let alone the company to set things right. Doubt if having Sachin as Brand Ambassador made any difference.
Advantage: Rainbow color range!
4)The very first Indica; Tatas really learnt their lesson real fast and came up with the V2; wish they had done more tests and trials to have launched the V@ itself forst. or did they think that the Indian consumer only went by price and did not look for quality?
Advantage: Makes its owners envy the new Indica V2, so they'll sell this off and buy a V@ faster, so more sales to Tata Motors
5)The discontinued Tata Estate: Still being seen on the roads, since the owners cant find any one to buy it off them. One word. terrible car, except for mileage. Actually, this review is wrong. its not a car at all, ita a mini truck!
Advantage: ROOMY!
