Dec 10, 2008 03:17 PM
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After driving a Scorpio(yellow - sports edition) for nearly 3 years(approx 1, 00, 000 kms), it was time(Apr 08) for a change. Though the average running was in the range of 3000 kms/month, this time around I wanted a'reliable' car. My work takes me to places where there are no roads sometimes - and one of the shortfalls with the Scorpio was the lack of a 4-wheel drive(though they came up with a variant later, it wasnt anything worth talkign about).
Affordability being an issue, I almost considered a regular jeep from M&M - but then since I take kids on long drives(Mangalore to Goa, Pune, Mumbai), safety and comforts was an important criteria. I test drove the Nissan x-trail and Honda CRV and I wasnt happy - especially feedback from owners complaining about high cost of maintening and owning it. Both these were beyond my budget too. Just when I was considering slowing down on work related trips and going for a skoda, I chanced upon this vehicle -THE Grand Vitara! - I really wonder after nearly 9 months of owning it, why more people dont buy it! Its troble free, the service is magnificient and being Maruti, it's hardly costing me a fraction of what I was spending on a Scorpio. To illustrate it, a regular 5000km interval service costed me almost Rs4, 000 and this is hardly Rs.1000 on an average. Spare parts are dirt cheap too. Oil filter is under Rs.100!
Of course, mileage is something of a concern, but then it isnt actually too bad. In the city it averages 8.9kms/litre and on certain long drives, iv actually managed a little over 10km/l. I have known a dozen or more mid-size car owners who dont get this mileage. Space is real good - though sometimes, I miss the convenience of a 7 seater layout. Music system's good, the A/C is great!. and in 9 months that iv owned it, I havent really had a problem with it. Reliability 100%. Oh, I touched 185kmph on NH4 between Belgaum and Nipani(Karnataka-Maharastra border)
On the whole, its a fantastic car! We even pulled out a CRV stuck in a puddle once(that car isnt a'real' 4X4). Now the most important thing - it costs a lot less than most 4X4 SUVs(im not counting Scorpio as a 4X4) and the cost difference to the next nearest is really considerable.