Feb 04, 2008 05:23 PM
20847 Views
(Updated Aug 29, 2008 02:08 PM)
I have taken about 2 yrs to upgrade from 800 to my next car, Versa DX2. I have gone through every site and comments made by every users of every car, also gone through all the car magazines available in the newsstand. I found one thing, there are very few comments on this car and few people care about this car.
My first criteria was space and second price limit of five lacks, and third, reliability(Service, maintenance, consumption). When I put all these together, I always found, the search ends with either Wagon-R or Swift. But I was looking for more space, where my wife, mother and my child can sleep well, while touring from Navi Mumbai to Goa(575 Kms, 10-11 hrs.). I was looking for driving ease, where I can sit up-right and can see more distance on the road. I was looking for more than a simple small hatchback. I have taken test drives on all the available small hatches on road, not once, but twice and some time more for some vehicles.
However, I was delighted first time when I drove Versa DX. It was a nice experience. For people like me who keeps an eye on RPM not on the Speedo, it is like a tiger on the road. Very smooth(Maruti does provide refinement of engine), and strong on the road. It keeps her wheels steady at very high speed.
I have taken a short trip of 600 km(Vashi to Shirdi via Chakan and back via Nasik) with in 4 days of delivery(825 kms on odometer till date) and it is a complete delight. Car was packed with my parents, my sis and bro-in law and my wife and total 3 children of 5-8 yrs. I have driven the car at a range of 60-90 kmph and got an mileage of 15-16 with out Acs. I believe this is a good average before the first service. If I am not wrong, after first servicing it will be more.
I am planning for a 1500 kms trip, soon after the first servicing and will let you the details. Only one thing, which could have been better, is the headlamp. On high ways with std. light, you may find trouble, if not trained to drive on highways at night. I am trying to find out a solution without tampering the std electrical system in place.
In one line, do not compare with Innova or Tavera or even Sumo, this is a car different from any specification, but very useful if you know your usage. This is not Swift, so do not race, this is not Safari, so do not surface, this is a car like your old Zen or new Wagon-R with more space inside(40%), taking only 10% more space out side(at parking).
29th Aug, 2008.
As I have promised, I am back with my experience to share with you. I have started the journey at 7.00 am and reached Mapusa, Goa by 6.00 pm. Total traveled distance was 1425 km from home to Goa and Back. I have planned to keep the journey in three different driving ways. From Mumbai to Goa is the first leg, inside Goa, for sight seeing was the second leg and return from Goa was the third leg. The result was fantastic with four adult and one small kid with 60 kgs of luggage.
In the first leg, I have kept the speed at 80-90 kmph @ close to 3000 rpm. With four/five different stop for refreshment, I have completed the journey of 575 km in 11 hrs with a milage of 15.2 kmpl.
Inside Goa, the local sight seeing was done as per the speed limit given, as there was a huge police checking for speeding. So the mileage check for this 275 km is included in the over all coverage.
But while coming back, I have decided to break the journey at Ratnagiri, to make the journey comfortable to my aged parents. We have started at 12 pm from Mapusa to cover 610 kms. I have kept the speed limit at 60-70 kmph @ below 2200 rpm. With a lunch halt at Sawantwadi, we have reached Ratnagiri city by 7.30 pm. Next morning we have started at 9.30 am and with three refreshment break we have reached home at 5.30 pm. During this drive of 610 km, the mileage was 18.5 kmpl. The over all mileage was 15.5 and total distance covered was 1425 km.
To check the max mileage possible, I have taken this vehicle for a short trip to Pune, via expressway. Keeping the rpm below 1800 at a speed of 55-60 kmph, I have clicked a mileage of above 21 kmpl in this vehicle with only two occupants.
All these check were done without operating the Air conditioning. If any one having any dilemma about the mileage of this car, please be comfortable. This is your vehicle and you are best person to judge the driving condition and the vehicle. Next time if you have time to travel and want save more money, please follow this driving conditions, (mainly rpm and change the gear at recommended speed only). You will get better mileage. And about the vehicle, I have already talked about it, this is a gem of a vehicle if you know your way of use.
I would also request people to share your experience so that we can make our journey more comfortable, safe and economical, the fuel price is killing.
