Recently sold my swift vxi (red) which was with me for over 2.5 years and driven 38000 kms.
As a car lover, I was in a fix - so many cars to choose from, what do I buy, do I like it, can I afford it, is the fuel economy good enough, how much is the maintenance etc etc. the below cars were considered before I froze on Ford Ikon TDCi 1.4.
New Honda City:** I was excited when I saw the car, ABS, Airbags, VTEC engine offered as standard three models to choose from E MT, S MT, AT- E MT was something which was considered at 9+ L (BLR) and not available until Feb 09, S MT close to 10 L, gave it a thought for a few days and decided not to go in for it as it was a stretch, the car is great no doubt, but value for money wise not sure.
Ford Fiesta: Loved the car, interiors and the Dash looked great, again looking at the value prop, the petrol was well within reach but heard a lot about the resale and other issues with petrol and looked at the diesel, engine is great, looks great, feels great but the price: the base version costs 8.4 L (BLR), which was again a stretch for me, I dont blame the car.
Hyundai Verna: Superb pickup, good interiors, sporty image. but this time I felt the cost was slightly on the higher side, not the exact value the car brings for my hard earned money. love the car if the car was more affordable I would be the 1st person to buy it, anyways moved ahead in life.
Hyundai Accent: didnt like it much
Maruti Esteem: production was stopped, did not show interest on the left over stocks
SUVs:not a SUV person, if I decide to buy one it will be CRV or the outlander types.
Baleno / SX4: checked the car out, the car is great value for money, fully loaded for the price you pay, excellent ground clearence, the one reason which kept me away from the SX4 was the interior feel, I flashbacked into my Swift. hence wanted to buy something different.
DeZire: Driven the swift, moving ahead
Logan: I really like the space it offers, mileage, and sure value for money, but the looks could be better, frankly not my choice in terms of looks. if logan would have got the looks right they would be sitting in the bank all days counting the money nonstop.
800: driven it before my Swift
Alto: nice car but wanted a sedan, as I travel quite a bit and wanted a car with a boot.
Santro: nice car, but not attracted to it.
Fusion: nice feel on the steering, good engine, but something told me look ahead.
and finally the new Ford Ikon TDCi was launched, promptly walked into Metro ford showroom to check out the vehicle
Ford Ikon TDCi: the test drive: Frankly the new ford ikon looks ok, but I liked the older version. but definitely better looking than some cars in its class, the driver seating position was great, the engine response, pick up was great. AC was on full swing but still the car was waiting to be accelerated. offers great mileage as it is 150 KGs lesser than the fiesta, engine from the tried and tested Fiesta, rear seat comfort is brilliant, rear seat thigh support is great, suspension is brilliant, I have driven many many cars I am not biased towards this car but frankly the suspension works superb on the non-existing roads of bangalore. boot is 400L which is great for the weekend trips. coming to the point the price. 6.2 L on road BLR and it put a smile on my face the (+) sedan, fiesta engine, great suspension, 400L boot space, good AC, great rear seat comfort, 2.2 L cheaper than the Fiesta sibling but runs the same engine (-) looks are dated
I felt the Ikon TDCi is value for your hard earned money. I went to the nearest fuel station to check the price of diesel ---- 39 Rs. per liter, compared to 58 Rs. per liter of petrol. it really shows the cost benefit it will bring to me considering I drive about 1500 KMS a month.
All the cars mentioned above are great in thier own right , I dont have anything personally against them, its just that I found the FORD IKON TDCi value for money this time around, you never know before I could lay my hands on this one, Fiat Linea might be on my radar.
Hope you liked my review, this is my first time that I am posting something on the NET>
