Maximum value for Money . Review on Tata Indica - Diesel

I bought an Indica V2 - DLS about a year back. Until now I am very happy with the way my car has performed. The best thing that I like about the Indica V2 is the enormous value for money that it provides, like most Tata products.

Specifications of Indica V2 Diesel

Cubic capacity 1405 cc

Brake Horse Power 53 bhp @ 5000 rpm

Bore & Stroke 75 x 79.5mm

Compression ratio 22:1

Layout 4 cylinder in-line

Torque 85 Nm @ 2500 rpm

Valve gear 2 valves per cylinder

Being

a Diesel car, the pickup is definitely not as good and an Indica Petrol. But that was expected. The engine is smooth and there is no vibration inside the car. The car is also pretty noiseless from the inside. Though from outside you do hear a little sound (burrrr) of the diesel engine.

The cost saving is enormous. I feel it everytime I go to the pump. I fill 10 liters at a time and pay Rs 280 and remind myself that I would have had to pay about Rs 460 if I had a petrol car, an extra Rs 180 every time I refueled.

The interior is well designed and very very spacious compared to other small cars.

The price and the space are the 2 major factors that made me decide to go for an Indica.

A zen-petrol, a santro-petrol and an Indica diesel cost almost the same price for the same features such a power steering, A/C ...etc.

But

1) Any Diesel engine will cost you atleast Rs20,000 more than a Petrol engine for any car, but the Indica cost the same as zen or santro petrol. Add to that the cost saving of diesel and the higher mileage of a diesel engine.

2) Santro is 1000 CC, Zen is 990CC but an Indica (both petrol and diesel) is 1405CC, thats a lot more power.

3) On a zen or santro , 4 adults can sit comfortably. But in an Indica 5 adults can sit comfortable. That happens in my home.

4) The technology for Indica has been developed in India, except for the engine whose technology is taken from Peugot which is the best diesel engine maker in the world. No wonder the Indica costs less.

5) Spare parts are easily available and not expensive. Tata certified service stations are plenty.

Many rented car companies use Indica Diesel, because they know that it provides the most reliable and best value for money car. They are the ones that use cars the most. They must know.

BBC has voted it the best value car last year.

As for the problems with the Indica, I found that the gear shift is not very smooth (Maybe because 3 people at home learnt to drive on that car). The car also makes some noise at times, especially during sharp turns.

If you are looking for power in your car and don’t care about the cost, this car is not for you. You could probably try the Indica-Petrol which gives you 74BHP.

Indica Diesel is a good family car and is also excellent for going on long drives as well as inter-city driving. Within city my car gives me around 15 kmpl.

I’m reading people here comparing the Indica with Palio Diesel and saying Indica is not a good car. I want to ask them 5 questions

1) On what basis is a 1900CC car compared with 1405CC car ?

2) What is the price difference between Palio Diesel and Indica Diesel ?

3) What is the Kms per litre for Palio Diesel ?

4) Are there sufficient service stations for Palio ?

5) What is the cost of spare parts of Palio compared to Indica ?

The question is NOT whether Palio is a better car. If you are ready to pay a lot of money, you will get much better cars then Palio too.

The question is, which car provides more value for money ?

Indica is value for the money you are paying. It is an Indian car and it is a great car.