Dec 12, 2005 02:23 PM
6784 Views
(Updated May 02, 2008 02:38 PM)
Bought this car in Jan 2005. Used to own a M800.The need for a bigger car was because of my frequent trips to Bombay from Pune. And the need to seat 4 to 5 comfortably. With lot of boot space.
Budget was around 4.5 lakhs and did consider Getz at that time of the year when it was just launched.
Ford came up with this Anniversary offer (which probably keeps coming again and again). So far the Car as performed upto expectations. Giving me a mileage of around 13 km/litre with AC during my trips to Bombay and within Bombay thereafter during weekends. Within city limits probably it averages toa 11 km/L.
AC and ride comfort is very good, driving experience is splendid. It is a heavier car and the suspensions are good over bumps and potholed roads of Pune and Bombay. I have touched 140, but do not intend going above this limit. The lack of power over a 1.6 is felt at the ghats section but that is felt only when you see others zipping past you. If you are a speed buff 1.6 is the car for you :-)
The drawbacks are low rear view visibility because of the high boot, but one gets used to the same. The Controls for Head lamps etc are on the left of the steering, this probably is a Left hand drive Steering design but the Sale guy will have his own pitch for reasoning this out as a plus point. But again one gets used to the same.
So far the only problem which I have faced is having to change an AC valve because I used to get hot air during idling from the AC vent. This was covered under warranty.
I have seen lot of Ford Ikons being used as tourist vehicles as well and also makes it a reasonably good car for entry level sedans priced very close to a topend hatch back.
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and 13000 kms later, I still do not have regrets (Touch wood ).
I
have also had Waxoyl coating done after six months. The Car is RED and
this coating gives you piece of mind. I do find the sheen intact after
a good wash. Hope to have it done after a year again.
I have lost a duplicate key and need to replace the same. The Dealer charges 700 bucks a piece. But I do not have any choice.
To
reply to the above comment I am a novice in these matters and I judge
the car by the feel. It is a pure pleasure to drive the Ford ( I have
driven only a Honda City / Zen / 800 / Fiat and test driven a Santro
and a Getz )
Hope this Car lasts me for quite sometime :-)
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and 20000 kms and 3 years later... no issues so far (touch wood again).
Three Punctures but thanks to tubeless they were all discovered / rectified after reaching the destination.
Service
is lax. After the 1st 2 years no reminder calls from the dealer (Talera
Ford Pune). During one service got burnt stain in the trims near the
door. (probably a cig. mark)
They do not update the service book.
Lastly
an early morning start up rattle noise from the engine. They tell me it
is the belt, then the belt housing, issue persists even after recitification
during last service.
No scratches and dents ... countless
trips to Bombay, three trips to Mahableshwar, a couple up to Sinhagad
in the rains and of course to Kashid / Alibagh.
Planning a Goa trip for a long time ... wait for my review then.
Happy driving ...
cheers
