This is my second car and I decided to buy this beauty after a lot research:
Budget: 4Lakhs to 4.5Lakhs;
Preferred Brands:
-Maruthi Suzuki-(Swift Lxi and Zen Estilo Vxi)
-Hyundai-(Getz Prime Gle and i10 magna)
-Fiat-(Palio Sle)
Tata motor cars are cheap and are good value for money but low on quality & image and high on maintanance. SO NOT PREFERRED.
Chervolet cars- weak service back-up and costly spares. Not a choice.
Maruthi Suzuki:
ZEN ESTILO Vxi:
This car will offer you every feature that you would want in a small car inclusive of power steering, power windows, central-remote locking, AC with heater, beige interiors, tacho meter, electronically adjustible ORVMs, etc etc.
Pros: Fully loaded with features, mileage(13 to 18) Kmpl, great service back-up, cheap spares and confortable front seats.
Cons: Very unstable and tensed at more than 80 Kmph, Build quality is not good, road presence after paying 4.3lakhs is not worth- hardly anyone would notice you/your car, rear seats are cramped and practically not fit for adults at all(of any size) I felt as if I was sitting on a school bench, engine noise in the cabin no better than a 800.
"good car for city use and I din't buy this because of the Cons that I have mentioned above, they do matter a lot for the price that I would pay. So not my choice!"
SWIFT Lxi:
rip it and it will rip you, I mean there is no way you can downsize its performance, great engine with immediate and prompt response. Enjoyable.
Pros: 1.3 L engine is smooth and powerful, can take up speed challanges easily, good mileage if you make proper use of the gears and drive smoothly, great service back up, great style with good road presence(see the number of swifts on road and you can know its popularity),
Cons: Build quality, doors and boot will start making odd sounds like a jeep doors after an year or so- all my friends have this complaint. Interiors are not very impressive for this price. Back seat is cramped and not very comfotable. Ride Quality is is good but more is expected from a performer like this one. Bumbers are made of what? thinnest possible plastic sheets, you can press them with one hand. No Tacho Meter, No Tilt Steering, No Split rear seats, No Boot Space(one mid size bag and its packed) No left Side ORVM, No Dual horn.
" buy it if you are the one to be in the driving seat always, many features are missing, ride quality has to be improved- its very bumpy. sounds from all the corners after few months. I like this car but not this variant. Buy a VXI if you can strech your budget."
Fiat:
Palio SLE:
Great built quality and good styling.
Pros: Sturdy and strong body, interiors are good but the dash board looks outdated, lot of features like in Estilo Vxi, good ride quality, sportive looks, decent car.
Cons: Under powered engine only 56-57 bhp, dated interiors- instrument panel, Poor service back, and drinks like an elephant as per many owners mileage is still a problem.
The major reason behind me not buying this car was not because of any technical aspects or such stuff. The presentability of the sales person at the TATA showroom was pathetic, no one would even bother you untill you go to the reception and mention that you are here to buy a car. And then the knowledge about the car was so poor that the sales guy had to refer to the brochure every time I ask a question. reasons might be many, but the customer would go to a car showroom with a lot of enthusiasm and with the kind of response I rec'd was yaak, I dont even talk about that brand any more. This is good car, but the service, spares, repairs and all are like taking a chance.
Hyundai:
i10 magna:
Cool, easy and fun filled car. Good in city and does quite well on the highways as well.
Pros: Fresh styling, good interiors, lots of features, i-shift gear, easy handling and spacious.
Cons: Head lamps- I feel most of the modern bikes will have better coverage, very bad in this aspect. front seats are not very spacious and you feel like you are sitting in a bucket. Stabel at high speed but not very impressive, Pricey, Odd shaped tail lamps, No fog lamps for the top end variant?
"nice car to own with fresh looks and styling. Not worth paying almost 4.6lakhs"
Getz Gle:
WOW! what a car this is. Looks great, sportive, fresh and stylish. Sit inside and you will feel airy and very comfortable, HAPPY CAR FOR A HAPPY FAMILY.
Pros: Space Space Space. Rich and fine finishing at the interior and exterior. Smoothest possible ride. AWESOME gear shift- better than many sedans. Tilt steering- great option. High seating position and you feel like driving an SUV, speacially beacuse of the very well designed dash board with all the options/buttons placed very well. Cool and impressive instrument cluster with tachometer. Good quality plastics. Double folding seats and once you fold the seats completely its a flat space from the boot till the front seats, kids can have a great time and 4 elders can easliy sit in circle and keep gossiping for hours while in the drive. Built quality is excellent, no unwanted sounds or gaps found anywhere in the car. BIG boot which can take 4 mid size bags if adjusted properly. Dual horn. This is a comlete package of great motoring. BIG CAR FEELING
Cons: Not very powerful but again does well if you can use the gears properly and is supported by a smooth and effortless gear shift so not a big problem. No more issues on this car at all.
With all those beautiful features and excellent driving experience I was completely impressed by this car and I decided to buy it. On top of everything, my dad and my wife liked the ride quality and pleasant interiors and this is what every other family member would expect from the car.
There was a discount of around 15k plus got MP3 player with 4 speakers free!
I spent around 8K on top of the car's price and it is now exactly what I wanted my car to be:
1) BIG
2) Rich and quality stuff in and out.
3) Great Driving Experience
4) Decent Mileage 13 to 14 Kmpl in city with AC
5) Stylish and Sturdy.
6) Easy and Comfortable to drive.
There is no second thought about this being one of the best cars in the country. Take a test drive and feel all the aspects of the car personally and you will know for yourself.
This complete review is based on my personal research and experience and opinions might/will defer. I strongly recommend this car in the price budget that I mentioned above.
