Car that i love much. Review on Maruti Suzuki Zen - Petrol

The car shown in the icon here is the one which I own and after 158 reviews written here, I still think I need to have my review for the car that I loved most.

I bought Maruti Zen LX on 18th Feb 2004, after driving 117890 km in Delhi-NCR+ highways, as far as Jaipur, Ajmer, Lansdowne, Nangal, Mathura, Agra, Lucknow, Allahabad. One thing is sure it’s the best car which Maruti had in India, in parallel to Esteem. I still don’t know why Maruti stopped manufacturing this and Esteem.

So let me have the reason why I love this car and I know in few days from now I would not be owner of this car, as we have put this car on sale:(:-

Now before I jump on to this, let me also tell you, as I love my car I also ensure that I take care of as and when require, so here I go with the reason's that I love this car.

• Truly Driver's car: - after graduating from Maruti 800 to Zen in year 2004, I actually was in peace, such a wonderful drive, seems like one is half inclined on sofa and driving the car. It’s so comfortable and mind you, now I have Skoda Fabia but the feeling is same, whenever I drive this car, it’s so wonderful. Do you know the reason why, it’s because in year 2004, Maruti did not compromised on quality, seats were larger and they had coconut stuff fixed in followed by hard sponge, due to which the driver never had a back pain even on long drive.

Let me share my experience. I had to go to Ajmer with my friends and had to return same day, since it was my car and it was a round trip in 13 hours on same day it was fun, and trust me, my back was perfect, no pain and same was with my legs. [My car is without power steering:)]

• Extremely comfortable & cozy: - the front two seats are so comfortable so is rear, but front two seats can incline up to 180 degree, but in my case it stopped inclining after my marriage:(, anyways, I know sit in this car, with folded legs, with perfect driving condition, like excellent road and excellent temperature, windows rolled down, and much more. I am sure it’s fun. now do not ask me to elaborate, this experience is before my marriage, after my marriage, my kid enjoyed.

  
  




• AC is excellent: - Now don’t laugh, in year 2004, we do not have superior AC’s but I am telling you it’s still worth. Always remember it’s a driver's car. okay let’s add Co - driver also:).

  
  




• Superior ride handling: - No match for this on highways this car is simply superb, when it overtakes, no snag and on local it has complete control, the large windscreen justifies the clear view. I had experienced the perfect ride on Delhi - Jaipur, Delhi - Agra, Delhi - Lansdowne, Delhi - Kasauli and in local trust me on this place, Chandni Chowk lanes, old Mathura, Old Lucknow lanes because in driving the most important thing other than speed is control and how good car respond to when you ask it to respond. I missed head on collision with tanker on Etawah highway, because I dropped from 5th gear to 4th as I need more thrust and was able to criss cross the oncoming tanker, with just inches.

  
  




• Excellent Average: - in year 2004, I got my tank full of 30 liters in 800 bucks, today it cost 1600, then it was delivering 17 km/liter and today its same. any question's. An advice drive on full tank, this car will deliver trust my words.

  
  




• Take a sharp turn and don’t worry:- try this and I am sure Zen owners would love this [ I am not talking about Estillo], in Delhi when we head towards India gate from Akbar Road there are lots of Roundabout, try taking sharp turn at 80Kmph+ speed [try this at your own risk, I tried it before when I was bachelor], and it was excellent, car just turned and came back, and I have done it several times, suspension is no match, it’s the best, I have no words for it. Guess what after 1 lakh Km I had to replace my shocker.

  
  




• Maintenance: - ==Nah. I wonder regular service from authorized service center is all that it take, with Genuine parts which are little expensive, but its fine. Also in a year, Anti rust and Teflon that it, and I think car would be happy, so would be you.

  
  

I think you would like to know more, all right:-

1. Wheel swap and Wheel alignment & balancing, along with steering adjustment after every 5000 Kms.

   
   




2. Oil change on every 5000 Kms, worst case 7000 Kms.

   
   




3. Air filter after every 10000 Kms [some mechanic says no to it]

   
   




4. Engine Coolant every 5000 Kms

   
   




5. Don't drive on bald tyres or on less tread tyres & yes proper air pressure, 32 on rear tyres 30 on front.

   
   




6. Complete wash on every month, if a regular driver, with Oil spray on engine.

   
   




7. Gear oil every 15000 Kms.

   
   

Few things which I wonder why [Cons]:-

• Less boot space: - yeah I realized when my wife had to put her huge suitcase and I wonder where the space.is

  
  




• Rattling Noise of Doors: - Rattling noise of doors in Zen is something, which I had compromised

  
  




• Low ground clearance: ==- I wish government can reduce the height of speed breaker:(

  
  

This car has lot of emotions attached to it, I bought this car when I was bachelor, today its on sale when I am a father, however I know and this car if can speak how much fun we had. I Love you Zen

I Know it was too emotional, but I would love your comments on this, it’s after 18 months I am back on mouthshut.