Feb 10, 2009 01:24 AM
7879 Views
I have bought a Zen Estilo sports on 14th Dec 2008. I had been driving a Matiz for last nine years, which is still working fine. I was getting impulses to buy a new car for past 2-3 years. I gave a thought each time when new shape of wagon R was launched, when estilo was launched, and lastly when i10 was launched, but couldn’t have guts shed out 4 lacs+ from pocket, especially when matiz was doing without any trouble.
In Nov 08 I heard of some really massive discounts going on for automobiles. When I checked out at a dealer on phone I was shocked to hear that Estilo VXI (top model) was offered at 3.65 lacs on road, moreover he said ‘Aa jaana, aur bhi dekh lenge’. This sentence kept echoing in my ears, as I knew that the same model was costing 3.95 lacs, an year earlier. And I ended up at a dealer with family, and u know who can come back empty handed from the attractive world of shining cars.
We saw A-star, wagon R and Estilo. Estilo was my favourite, and was almost decided, and its sports limited edition made it final. A cousin who is too good at bargaining accompanied me, and we bargained for 10, 000 more, and 3.55 was done.
Same night luckily government announced a 4% reduction in some tax, as a part of economy booster. I two days the dealer confirmed that the whole benefit of 13, 000 will be passed on to you, and the figure finally became 3.42.
Coming to the car, I was impressed from the first sight 2 yrs back. I was actually experiencing the car, as one of my known had it for 1 and half yrs, and was very happy, especially with its milage, pickup, and AC.
Its practically an alternative shape for tried and tested wagon R. Engine, transmission, and suspension are almost identical. Rather it is more refined and fine tuned.
If compared to wagon R:Its milage and pickup are better AC is at par. Seating is adjusted to increase leg room for rear seats, in WR its too cramped. Speaker provisions are in 4 doors, so no need to put a tray in the boot, and u can enjoy the boot to the fullest. Seat size, and even seat covers are same for the two. Being a few few unnecessary inches shorter its more balanced and stable.
Limited Sports edition is mere 4000 more expensive than top end Vxi. Three features have been stripped off from the Vxi, namely rear power windows, rear defogger, remote center locking. What has been added is as follows:
Sicker job at rear side doors and boot door. Chrome muffler at silencer end. Sporty silver and black interiors. Sporty seat covers and a leather steering cover A kenwood 2-DIN beautiful CD player, with remote, and speakers fitted in 4 doors
So u absolutely don’t need to go to an accessories shop after purchase.
I have done 1100 kms, got the Ist service done.
About performance:
· Its very swift, eager to run at slightest press of throttle.
· Braking is very uniform and confident
· Doesn’t feel the drag when AC is switched on, this is a problem with my 800 cc matiz.
· Milage is definite 15+ in city, and 19+ on highway (based on my and my colleagues experience)
· Maruti’s electronic steering is very smooth, maintenance free.
· Gear shifting is also smooth, (feels more similar to santro gears than wagon R’s)Very value for money car
