Nov 01, 2007 04:56 PM
45054 Views
(Updated Nov 01, 2007 05:05 PM)
Have you ever dared to compare the difference between taking the stairs and the elevator to the fourth floor? Really! I experienced the same difference when I shifted from my Maruti 800 to my Honda City. I bought this City (1.3 Exi) from a cousin of mine real cheap.
What I like about the old City is the look and feel. Yes the new version is more sporty, but the old City is more elegant and looks bigger...I like it...bigger the better! I have no complains about the interiors too. The dashboard gives a leathery feeling although it is not, but nevertheless doesn't look plasticy like the SX4.
The pick up is great...Zoom it goes. I have tried a couple of other cars in the same segment, but the City beats all. No wonder why you see so many Citys on the road.
Maneuvering within the city in a City is fun. Old habits die hard...so I continue to maneuver my City as I did with the 800. No problem at all.
The rear leg space in enormous and even King Kong could sit without much growling. The boot space is also good and since I usually participate in Delhi weekend getaways, stuffing food for the road, it serves as a good dining table.
And I should not forget the AC. The cooling is great and I have never heard my friends in the rear seat complaining even in the May-July Delhi heat.
However the City is not without certain drawbacks too. Even the smallest pebble (with very little exaggeration) can be felt. I have changed the suspensions, but only after shelling out heavily on its servicing, I came to know that there was always a problem in the old version of Honda City. When I hit the rubble strips on the VIP roads my heart sinks.
The ground clearance is also low. The floor of the car seems to have fallen in love with the road always trying to kiss it. So every time I see a speed breaker I have to 'break' my car's speed considerably, least it 'breaks' my car instead of the speed.
The bumpers are very sensitive. One touch and you will have a 3-piece suit on your hands. Thankfully the bumpers are 3 pieced.
The ceiling could have been better. I hate soft ceilings.But the worst part is servicing my City — costly, lousy and irritating. Can you imagine telling the doc, 'I have this ailment so give me this particular medicine.' The service station guys use no brains and unless you point out the problem, they will just change the oil, wash it and give it back to you.
Spares are costly. I changed the side rear view mirror and it cost me a fortune. Pray to God that I don't need to change anything again.
But all in all, the City is the king of the city roads. I have one and will always have one...unless of course I win a lottery!
