Aug 27, 2007 10:42 AM
8711 Views
After a year of bike ride I decided to buy a new car. I am totally novice to car experience. My budget was maximum 4.0 Lakhs. After reading thru several reviews in mouthshut.com and other web sites I had short listed, Indica, Xeta and Santro Xing. For two reasons I have finalized santro; Firstly, due to the minimum turning radius (they claim 4.4 m) and ease of driving, secondly it gives better mileage (They claim 15 Kmpl, I have not checked though, as against 12 Kmpl of Xeta).
I had bought the car with total down payment one fine saturday. I was told the car will be delivered by next Friday evening.
Also I was that if I need any accessories all I need to do is to inform a day before i.e. by Thursday so that the car will be ready with all accessories fitted by Friday. I casually called the showroom on Thursday evening to get some of the accessories fitted. I was told that there is a delay in registration due to delayed cheque payment (strangely they know this only now, when I called for delivery.) and the car can be delivered only on Monday. I went to the showroom on Friday to book my accessories.
Now the accessories show continues! I have asked for Teflon coating, underbody coating, tubeless tires (Michelon) and remote central locking. There are two partners in the accessories department to whom Sanjay Hyundai authorized the fitment services. I had got two different quotes for Michelon tubeless tires from both the partners.
After a good deal of argument I achieved nothing, but to pay for the highest quote (with a sorry from one of the partner that he had under quoted). When I called to showroom I am told that the sales engineer who sold the car to me is on leave, and after several follow-ups I am told that accessories are not yet fitted and the car delivery will be only on Tuesday.
The sales person with whom I was assigned with in the absence of the sales person who sold me the car was reluctant to help. I had to call for everything, and there was absolutely zero coordination between accessories department and sales.
Tuesday evening I called the showroom to inform that I am coming to take the delivery. But I am surprised and was greatly disappointed that my car is still not ready. There was big halla gulla happened and finally they asked me to come to showroom 8.00 PM for delivery, which I did.
When I reached there, they were almost about to close the showroom. I had hard time to locate the only sales engineer who is still in office. He told me that my car is in Bhosari workshop and will arrive shortly. I waited up to 9.00 PM and returned with distress.
At last, the vehicle was delivered on Wednesday evening. At the time of delivery I had checked the documents, and some warranty letters are missing.
Especially if you wish to change tubeless tires (I bought michelin tyres), do not forget to get invoice/warranty card of the manufacturer. I had to do some fighting to get those. All the accessories prices quoted to me are at least 30 to 50% more than market rate. IF YOU ARE A NEW BUYER, NEW TO CAR EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IN CHOOSING YOUR ACCESSORIES, YOU MAY BE CHEATED.
Also after 45 days of driving I realised that the price I paid for santro is very high compared to Indica, Xeta for its poor suspension.
Even small unevenness on the road whole vibration is felt in the car. Xeta supposed to isolate vibration well, ‘I was told’. Poor gear shift from top gear to low, especially from third gear to second. You may still wanted to buy this vehicle for the lack of better alternatives, but be extremely careful to evaluate the above points before you buy. If you can stretch your budget by another lakh or so try Chevrolet, UVA or Swift.
