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what i have heard as to be a general belief
from certain parts of globe where i have been so far is,
european cars are
more towards driving pleasure, safety measures, pollution norms,
design, art
work etc.
japanese cars are more towards economy, fuel efficiency etc.
US ones are more towards class, comfort, luxury, statement etc.
indian
cars try to combine all of above and end up no where. this happens as a
result of cutting on production costs so as to bring down the ultimate sales
cost, still maximizing profit margins.
Dont know how true is all
this.
I will start with my own experience.
I bought Logan 1.4 GLX in Dec 2008.
I did not have a preference as to
whether hatchback, sedan, station wagon or SUV / MUV.
I was pretty much open
for all.
However i had it clear that if i spend beyond 8L then it has to be
a SUV/MUV.
Also in case if nothing is fruitful i will go in for Honda
City blindly.
I had done lots of reading on internet and zeroed down
on....
Swift, Dzire, Logan, Indigo, Indica Vista, Safari, Scorpio, Ford
Fusion, Hyundai Accent.
Further reading and i made up that if at all
diesel then it should be the Common Rail Diesel Injection technology. I didn’t want to go for
Turbo Diesel TDI as it is bound to cause knocking and noise after some 50,000 kms of usage, based on my past experiences.
All this drove me towards petrol engine and I didn’t want to go for a diesel one as my daily run is
limited to home - office - home which is just 15 kms per day. Also common Rail
is pretty costly... so diesel was totally out.
i went to TATA showroom
though and checked out some models.
- Indigo: The long XLS is nice. Features did impress me, but interiors
did not impress me at all. e.g. they have independent rear a.c. vents.
nice feature but check the plastic quality. Apart it is a costly affair
and i don’t think worth the price.
- Indica Vista Terra Aura Aqua:
Powerful. Again Interiors did not impress me at all. Petrol version is useless one. Quadrajet impresses. But overpriced.
- Safari DICOR: Best thing one can possibly own. But huge for the roads
here. Personally i felt reluctant in handling this huge car on daily
basis. Also it is not meant for daily purposes.
then i somehow felt that TATA
expertise is diesel, TATA went out.
Now i was left with
Swift, Dzire,
Logan, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Accent.
Scropio was also out, as by this time
for a machine of that segment i had fallen for Safari, which was already out due
to size constraints.
Next i went to maruti guys.
the showroom they
had within city did not have all models for me to check them out and have a test
drive.
So i had to go to their stock yard where they had everything....
somehow all this gave me an impression that they are not bothered any more as
they know they are amongst the brand names.
There i tested
- A Star: Too
small. Good for college kids (what abt money? he he he.... they have it in
black)
- Wagon R: Looked OK from out. I entered and i can not rate it as a
car. Rear seat is like a soft bench. Plastics are cheap. Car shakes above 60.
Not at all safe....
- Swift: Very nice engine. Powerful. Strong. Interior is somehow very
conjusted, all in black, gloomy, small windows, feels like trapped.
Full version almost at par with Logan cost. Why to go for small hatch
back when a sedan is available. answer is may be just to follow
Legacy.
- Dzire: Like this one. Good. I almost decided to purchase this one.
At the very moment unfortunate event for Maruti guys. During test
drive i parked the car at one highway dhaba (small motel kind of) which
is very near to that stocking yard. The guy with me had to drop some
money in there. Just besides was a good old Ambassador. I felt that
Dzire is nothing but refined version of Ambassador. They looked very
similar. Round, Fat, Curvy....... Nopes... I imagined myself getting
out of it. Not my type... Would have suited me and my family if we
would have been amongst fat ones. Now i am back to square one.
Now i
was left with
Logan, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Accent...
I was pretty much
convinced on Logan by this time.... One of the main reasons was
Renault...
Next ford:
- Fusion: Gives good feeling. Plastic job is
pathetic. Engine questionable.
- Ikon: The newly done front grill looks good. Again plastic job
is pathetic.
Seems to be worst in Ford.
Next Hyundai:
- Verna: costly.
out of budget. better get a Honda City with that money. Equation Japanese expertise > Korean Expertise.
- i10: Good for college kids (what
abt money? he he he.... they have it in black). Sporty.
- Santro:
Nopes...
- Getz: Powerful. Good. Not too convinced overall.
- Accent: Low
on mileage. Old outdated model. Same model been on market for at least some 8 years now. Though looks nice.
Finally Mahindra
Renault:
Logan gave a true professional executive classy look from its
shinning headlamps...
- Limited Edition: Above budget... No discount
offered... Best car of all... Fabulous color. You will fall in love with that
purple. Dealer not ready to change the company fitted music system for another
one. Overpriced.
- 1.6: again costly even after 50k discount. at this price somehow i
felt honda city would be better.
- GLX 1.4: after checking it out, seemed
to be a bit overpriced. 50k discount offered on the spot. a toll free number
discovered with 24x7 anywhere support. i get what i wanted.......
this
ends my quest.....
My Conclusion for below 7 lac
options:
TATA: Go blindly if you want Diesel
excellence.
Maruti: Go if you don’t want to break traditional
values.
Ford: I dont see any reason going in for this one
with the models they have.
Hyundai: If you prefer Korean car
technology go in here.
Skoda: Frankly I havent seen this on
roads in other places as much as i see it in india. Again i would definitely
prefer Honda over Skoda. However Skoda looks good and performs
well. Anticipate maintainance costs.
FIAT: We used to call this First In All
Troubles.
Chevrolet: Models available seem to be outdated.
Not too keen on this. GM as a company questionable, may declare bankruptcy give the ongoing recession. however this is not the only reason.
Mahindra Renault: Save money. Get more out of your money.
If you still want to
spend go for Honda City or if size does matter go for Scorpio with discounts
offered or Safari Dicor.
My Conclusion around 5 lac options:
LOGAN:
Push your mark.
Make a point to Visit:
Various features of Logan other then obvious ones:
http://mahindralogan.forumotion.com/technical-f6/unveil-various-logan-fea
tures-t362.htm
Beautiful Black Machine, Very Unconventional:
http://mahindralogan.forumotion.com/gallery-f8/if-you-like-it-dark-fiery-black-
is-the-way-to-go-t351.htm?highlight=dark
clublogan.com
All cars are generally SHE. Logan definitely is a HE.
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Pros: |
Space, Mileage, Unconventional Looks, clublogan.com
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Cons: |
Fortunately none so far
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How useful was this review?
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Purchase Price (INR):
5,25,000 on road in Dec 2008
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Dealer Name and City:
Punjab Motors
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Model Year:
No Comment
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