Jun 21, 2007 08:17 PM
11624 Views
Back after a break with a review on one of my fav's ie automobiles.
Just a small backdrop. We had 2 cars in the family - A 2002 Santro LS and a 2001 Matiz SG. We wanted to change the car and this time we wanted to try our hand at a diesel car. So we sold both the Santro and Matiz and went to TVS used car showroom in J.P Nagar Bangalore. Here we saw an Indica DLG Sept 2005 model. It had done only 20, 000 kms for 2 years which is very less for a diesel. So we ended up buying the machine.
Now after 8000 kms with the car, I can give a fairly detailed review on it. The car is a Sept 2005 model Indica V2 DLG with AC, Power Steering, Front 2 power windows, Digital Odo and trip meters, fog lamps and body coloured bumpers. Ours is a light metallic green colour.
First Impression: Why we zeroed in on this car?
The first thing that impressed the whole family is the space inside the cabin. There is abundant space for the driver and passenger as well as the people in the back seat. Even with the seat pushed back completely my 6' 1" brother was able to sit comfortably. He always used to complain in both the Santro and Matiz that there is not enough leg room at the back but in the Indica - He is a very happy soul sitting at the back.
The second thing is the interiors which was straight from the factory without any modifications. The same grey seat covers and upholstery and the big dash in the front with the very spacious glove box. It was pleasing if not very impressive. Good interiors for the price of the car.
After getting pleased with the car interiors and space, we asked for a test ride.
Was I in for a shock. I started the car and was taken aback by the noise from the hood. It was like a truck when in idle. I started thinking twice but nevertheless wanted to give it try. Put the car in gear and once it started moving the noise level reduced but it was still evident that it is a diesel. But overall we were pleased and bought the car for 3, 20, 000 from TVS used cars with One year warranty and 3 free services. Good deal for a used car I can say.
Experience with the car: 8000 kms (City and highway)
I really love driving the car. The gear shift is spot on, driving comfort is very good and the under thigh support is really nice when you are on long drives. Comfort for the others sitting in the car is also gr8 and the backseat is also very nice to take that occasional rest and let someone else do the driving for a while.
Well the best part that I think is the suspension of the vehicle. Its miles ahead when compared to the stiff suspension of our earlier Santro or Matiz. Its really smooth and you dont even feel the samll pot holes and road humps inside the cabin. So you dont have to worry about certain potholed roads of Bangalore. But its a low car and you have to be careful with very big road humps or bumps on the road as you might brush the underside of the car and damage something.
Braking is also quite good for such a heavy car. You can manage to stop the car in emergency situations without any hassle.
Headlights of the car are very good and the decals on the car are also well lit up with a white light (not the traditional green one thankfully). Road visibility at nights is very good with the headlights on and the bright light on the highways is also quite good.
City driving is very easy and you can keep going in 3rd gear at 30 kmph thru out. But if you need to overtake then you have to downshift. You have to live with it since its a diesel and a very heavy diesel at that. Its nearly 1000 kgs (I think).
Highways are a treat as you can keep it at a steady 120 kmph without any fears of the car losing balance or going out of control. But overtaking again requires you to downshift. And it does not race from 0-100 in a very short time but it will steadily pick up and once you hit the ton you can keep it going at that pace without any fears. We have covered around 4000 kms on highways and one trip was a 2000 kms one from Bangalore to Shiridi and back. Though we took breaks in between we used to travel around 500 kms at a stretch and still not feel tired, be it me driving the car or the ones sitting in the car. Such is the comfort of the car.
The economy of the car is great. On highways with AC on always we manage to get 19-20 km/litre on every trip. In the city with 40% AC on we get 14-15 km/litre. Really good for a diesel car. In the city I use the BP Hi Speed Diesel and when on long drives I only use Reliance Diesel.
I read most reviews which mentioned that there are a lot of problems with this vehicle but I think Tata have managed to correct most of them in the later models.
The car has a few cons though - Pick up is not that great when AC is on in highways as well as city . But you can live with it. You dont have to switch the AC off though when going on a slopy road.
Car takes a few attempts to start the first time in the morning. Dont know the reason why but it does.
Steering is a less responsive. Though its a power steering its little heavy. Probably due to the size and weight of the car.
Though touted as a small car, its very wide and needs some good gauging while driving in the city. The front end of the car is not visible from the driver's seat and needs some judging here as well. May not be a con for some but I find it difficult at times.
The windsheild wiper when turned off stops at the same position it was turned off in and does not go fully down. This is a very big turn off for me as I am used to the wiper going to its original position once its turned off even in my 1995 Maruti 800. But not here. So I have to make sure that the wiper is down when turning it off. Otherwise it will block your vision of the road. Very bad for a 2005 model.
Looks of the car is subjective but I find the design to be satisfactory as it manages to catch your eye with its conservative design and looks.
On the whole I find this car very satisfying for both city and highway driving. Anyone wanting to buy a car for comfort (both passenger and driver) and good economy can go for Indica models above 2004.
Tips for Indica owners (Source: Friends and other indica owners since it was our first diesel)
The first time you start the car in the mornings, after starting, maintain the car in idle for at least 30-40 secs. Dont accelerate or pump the accelerator pedal before that.
Maintain the front tyre pressure at 32 psi since the engine is very heavy and all the weight is borne by the front wheels. Rear wheel pressure can be the standard 30 psi.
You can post your queries or anything that I might have left out in the comments section. I will try to clarify them.
Adios guys.. Will be back with another one soon.(Hope it will be soon :))
