Apr 07, 2006 05:59 PM
5987 Views
(Updated Jun 14, 2006 12:54 PM)
Hi! I also bought an Alto LXI about a month back and yes, I am also having certain problems like those described here. For example: 1. The pickup has gone down a lot after the initial 1500 Kms 2. There is a strange ''empty cylinder'' sound that comes everytime the cltch is released. This happens specially when the car runs for more than 50 KMs at a stretch. 3. Even the AC is taking some more time to cool up. Althogh it does COOL UP! 4. The frinction and sound is there if the car goes over the sligtest of bumps. It feels as if teh rear tires dont have a grip of the road But there are also a couple of things that my Alto takes care of pretty well 1) The power steering is AWESOME!!! 2) Believe it or not, the car's giving me an average of 20-22 on highway and a stunning 19 in Pune city's pathetic traffic conditions.
Continuing with the facts written above, I would like to bring out to your notice an incident which described the best and worst of my Alto LXI
As written earlier, the rear tires skid on the smallest piece of gravel. This fact became more prominent when I met with a serious accident in Lonavla last month. I was at 30 Kmph and the car flipped after skidding over gravel on a hill turn!! Well...showed what bad quality balance and suspension the car has.
However, the same incident brought forth a great property of the car which made me decide not to sell it off till the day I die. The new 2006 model has the reinforced chassis and crash gurads. Believe me folks, when your car falls down a ravine and flips to a side, you have already said your last goodbyes. However, me and my wife were scratchless!! And we knew why the moment we got out. The entire impact of the collission was taken by the front right portion of the car and the metal was heardly bent! It looked as if the engine and suspension were damaged beyond recognition. But then...I drove home to Pune! Yes, the security features of the car and its sturdiness are AWESOME. I could have been up there had it been some car like 800 or even Santro.
I seriously recommend all of you to drive your Alto LXI very carefully when on the hills, during rains or while on gravel. I would also suggest to switch to broader steel radials or tubeless tires, like I have done now. However, I am planning to write a letter to MUL R&D for their flaw in the suspension and road grip and to thank them for making a no-bull chassis like the alto LXI.
And lastly, I am buying a Toyota Innova 2.5V and you can expect some reviews from me shortly. So keep watching the space and drive safe! After all, we would all like to enjoy those four wheels for as long as life permits, wont we?
