In the End Satisfaction Guaranteed!!!. Review on Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI

I had been looking out to buy my first car for a year and had cut down on three models based on my requirements. Since my daily running is not more than 40 km and the substantial difference in the price of petrol & diesel variants. My chosen 3 models were:

1. VW Polo Highline

   
   




2. Swift ZXI

   
   




3. I20 Asta

   
   

I had taken at least 2 test drives of  each shortlisted models and had finally come down to swift zxi as my preferred choice. But I was skeptical of my choice because of the longer delivery period.

Fortunately I got a Black car immediately available at Mahalaxmi Motors Pune. The sales team was very proactive and arranged a pickup and drop for me to visit their stockyard to check the car. The car was delivered 2 days back from Gurgaon and I got the opportunity to drive that in their stockyard. After the ride I immediately made up my mind and gave them the booking amount of Rs. 10,000.

Loan Processing:

I had pre approved loan of HDFC Bank and had applied at Axis as well, till then I had not approached SBI bank for a loan since I wanted to avoid paper work.  But fortunately due to HDFC’s failure in delivering what it calls instant disbursement and loads of required paper work, I got all my guts and approached SBI Bank’s Golibar Maidan Branch.

I am surprised to see that SBI banks have changed so much, with improved branch layouts & customtakeouter oriented employees. The branch   manager Mr. Rawat was very courteous and personally gone through my documents. He asked to bring some additional papers from the dealer, which I arranged by calling the sales representative and he personally brought them in the branch within half an hour’s time.

Meanwhile I completed all required forms and got them verified by a bank employee. Since there was a holiday day after, I had been told that the address verification will be done day after and once the report is received the amount shall be disbursed in a days time.

All went fine and on 3rd day I got a call from SBI to come and get the sanctioned loan amount  which was 90% of the car on road price (HDFC 75% ex showroom, Axis 85% ex showroom).

I paid all and got my car next day.

About finance from SBI

Amount covered: 90% of the vehicles on road price @ 10.5% (HDFC offered 75% exshowroom @ 11.25% and Axis 85% @ 11.25%)

Loan tenure: 84 months (HDFC & Axis max 60 months)

EMI: 1684 per lacs

Prepayment charges: NIL (HDFC & Axis 3%)

Documents: last 2 years form 16, address proof, salary slip, photo id, pan card, car booking receipt.

The only problem in SBI case is that you have to personally go to the branch. Which I guess is a small hassle as compared to the deal you get from SBI. SBI staff has become quite customtakeouter friendly. I remember I have to run to different windows to get loan amount disbursed, which was my own choice to get the loan processing fast since the branch was about to close at that hour. But every window I went to the employees were nice asking m which car am buying and when am I going to treat them with sweets. Nice people and overall  good and satisfying experience. I would recommend this bank (SBI bank Golibar Maidan, Pune- Go and talk to the branch manager Mr. Rawat, he is a wonderful guy and tell him about the experience I shared and he will be all smiley smiley) to all who wants to have low interest rate and maximum loan amount.

Update 20/11/12

Running: 3455 km ; Serviced: Once at 1000 km

Milage: 16.5 to 17 km/l City; 18 to 21 km/l highway (21 is with gear shift when rpm at 2k, no over rev, minimal breaking, speed range max 85 kmph) 17.5 km/l at an avg speed of 100 kmph; all with full AC

Max Speed attained: 145 kmph (ZXI handles really well, will go beyond this after my 2nd service)

Accessories Installed:

3D matts – 3500/- (benefits: the matt fits well and does not respond to the happy feet’s of the co-passengers. Looks nice and gives a premium look)

3M RE 70 Films on side and rear: 5500/- (benefits: although the car comes with tinted glass but I had observed sun burning my hand while driving. Installed and now the burn & discomfort has gone the film is almost transparent thus cops can also not figure out whether a film has been installed or not. (Recently being spared by the cops since they thought that the tints are from OEM))

3M CR 70 Film on the windshield: 7700/-(benefits: drastchandru021y reduced the glare of the car headlights at night. This has made my night driving comfortable and enjoyable. Also during the day time the reduction in heat from the windscreen has made my cabin more soothing and my AC working normally- experts say the windshield film itself blocks 70% of the heat from outside)

3M paint sealant: 2990/- (benefits: well this has given my car a shine which just makes me love her more. Even Maruti failed to give me the surface finish which 3M has given to me. Although the swirls and minor scratches have again come up (thanks to my car washer) but I have decided that I will pamper her more and will go for 3M body treatment every quarter.)

3M underbody coating: 1900/- (benefits: the car does not come with an underbody protection layer. Initially I was very reluctant to go with this type of treatment but when they showed me the underbody and some rust on the silencer I said fine to this. I took 2 years protection package and after having this I suggest this to all new car buyers.)

3M Engine protection treatment: Nil (benefits: I didn’t find it very attractive for a new car but since I had spent so much they gave this to me for free, which I guess is not bad at all)

Door guard: 1024/- (benefits: protects my car paint from clumsy people who dont pay attention while getting off from their cars, some protection from bike riders. Gives a nice look to the car)

Now some likes & dislikes:

Likes:

1. The interior looks really very classy (in comparison my sisters Honda City Exclusive/ Friends i20 & polo). Dash is best in class specially HU & climate control display.

   
   




2. Although the plastic is not that good but the finish is really good. At this price I guess its really a steal!!

   
   




3. Climate control is a must I would say nowadays since it just release you with constantly monitoring the temp & speed of the AC, helps in saving fuel.

   
   




4. The ride quality is fantastic. You can actually bend this like Beckham. Overtaking is fast and you can easily take sharp turns.

   
   




5. Ground clearance is adequate and makes you tension free when you encounter a nasty speed bump. My friend’s i20 kisses most of the speed bumps, Polo & Honda city are just in love with them.

   
   




6. Service has become good nowadays as service people are now concentrating more on the customtakeouter satisfaction which has been closely monitored by Maruti itself. One negative point on service person and he is doomed. I had give one and the service guy had come running to me apologizing and have given me free polishing, washing and wheel alignment. In between I also asked him to check my car for some unwanted noises and he got my car fully cleaned and polished. This is a good way to keep your customtakeouters coming for the service.

   
   




7. Braking is superb and responds instantly. (Don't use clutch while braking, you will find it adequate but not as it is with ABS)

   
   

Dislikes:

1. The audio system is not as great as it looks. Can only play PEN Drives of max 4 GB capacity. Sound quality is just sufficient; this is going to be my next upgrade.

   
   




2. Cabin could be quieter than what is now.

   
   




3. Some minor rattling noise.

   
   




4. Boot space is a disappointment

   
   




5. Parcel tray over the boot could be better.

   
   




6. Power window button quality

   
   

Well am happy driving now !!! How about you??