Dec 07, 2006 11:08 AM
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Why Should I require a new ID to post two reviews on one topic ??????? (Anyway Review is more of concern not name - Atul)
Recently we purchased our First car. Here I share My thought-evaluation process, rifling down of cars. Logics and their priorities in selection process. Please add your comment to make it rich and comprehensive for prospective selectors.
Please rate this review on selection process. You may not agree with my decision to acquire a low-profile product.
We have to identify a thin line of necessity and luxury. I had made one yard-stick the how much I should pay for an offer. Be it quality, mileage, and so on…. than I tried to optimize my requirements v/s car offering v/s price. Here is some punch-list for my zeroing process. (Peculiar for every one, so please no offense to any car-lover)
Cars considered were: Maruti(s) upto swift, Hyundai Upto Getz, Tata upto Sumo J, Reva, HM Ambi, Mahindra Upto Bolaro, Ford entry levels, GM (Opel Corsa, siel, swing,), Fiat Palio, Second-Hand cars up to 4.0 Lacs (Consists mainly Honda city 1.3, Ford Ikon, Esteem due to their low maintenance), all these are very good options and having many advantages over others. Slowly as my selection criteria goes narrower and realistic (based on my pocket, usage, availability, market, Service, Maintenance, social level – Like even if I can purchase; I can’t afford Skoda, and so other parameters made my target narrower.)
During initial vague exploration, one of my friends argued me that taxi driver prefers INDICA because of price, low maintenance, mileage and low price. From there I started considering Indica also and found it competitive in entry level car for budgetary peoples. At high end ‘Getz’ is definitely a good choice. Here I am mentioning Final arguments which made me in favor of Indica.
Design
Design is one’s own parameter but this design was a sizzler in 1999, after that no revolutionary design came in Indian market (Swift, Reva owner, Please correct, if required), for me it is good as long it gives functionality to user. Viewers can compromise but user must not. Indica design is specious, functional, traditional car looks.
Indigenous model
Build quality is bit inferior, rough plastic molds, heavy weight, common engine platform of diesel; are itching but considering price tag, space, maintenance cost, I felt comfortable.
Mileage and Power
Definitely Low than its Japanese peers (1300 Cc gives 85 – 90 BHP), Indica has raw power which makes sense while driving with AC, heavy engine makes it sturdy.
Quality and finish
Not good, and you are not paying for development premium, molds & dye import fees also as in case of Sentro and vegan-R. So consider it as part & parcel of package.
Diesel or Petrol
After reading some review, I found that Petrol engine has negative of high running cost, low engine life but its peer diesel engine has negative of high initial cost, High maintenance, noise, and low power. If you don’t have running of 40 km/day than it is not viable. Finally I have to live with underpowered, noisy machine which takes my saving for mechanic instead of fuel station. CNG/LPG option makes petrol engine economical also.
So Zeroing down process comes to an Indica XETA instead of Indica DLS.
1.4 v/s 1.2 Liter Engine
I initially thought to have a 1.2 L because it delivers 65 bhp. But due to heavy weight I was suspicious about performance. Than I come to know that Highest end GLX will come only on 1.4 L engine (it shows TATA is trusting on 1.4L to cater its high-end customers)
So choice is clear.
Model Selection
I had chosen GLS as it has the entire thing required but none as luxury. Heater (!!) we do not require in Indian conditions, FOG lamp, power windows (with door switches); one can install outside, (they can achieve same finish as TATA has).
Colour selection
Arcetic silver, thanks to some reviews, silver looks bigger, shiny, and because it is the most selling colour; TATA paint-shop must had more expertise on it.
So after all these arguments, WE decided finally on INDICA XETA GLS. Now the discount……… In Mumbai, I had enquired the entire six showrooms, one multi-brand showroom, ICICI personnel (They likely grabs best bargain), and here what I got for 1.4L Indica XETA.
I booked on 24-11-06, got the vehicle on 01-12-06 from wasan motors, Chembur. (30th was riot in Chembur)
Vehicle Cost – 285712 (Ex) + 10760 (Insu) + 25000 (Regn) = 321472
Discount – 25000 (it was only in new XETA 1.2, I managed for 1.4) + 1290 (Insu) + 3000 (Regn) + 920 (Stamp charges) = 30210
I did not ask warranty or accessory extra because I am planning for LPG conversion after one year (Not CNG as it is a dry fuel; availability is second constraint)
Accessories are far cheaper outside than in TATA showroom.
While seat cover and other fittings, My priority is to make the vehicle fire-resistance (by sing cotton, jute, coir for matt and all. Still I purchased a silicon floor-mat to protect original carpetJ. (kya Karen plastic bina kaam nahi chalta)
One caution:
During filling, Please get down and ensure that person is filling PETROL ONLY, Most of Indica are diesel and Filling station fellow filled 12 liter diesel in my indica on very next day!!@#@#@!.................. Fortunately I pointed the delay happening in filling and observed that they are messing with my 14 hours old child. (one tip: diesel filling nozzle is much bigger than petrol so it does not get in to the petrol tank opening). But write ‘petrol’ on tank cap, check twice the filling booth, Tell loudly to fill petrol, shut the engine while filling, even after that get down and ensure that you are getting Petrol only. (Indica means diesel, for many peoples)
Positive in XETA (in my context)
Price, AC, Space, Raw Power, Bigger feeling, Heavy body, Safety Crumple Zone.
Negative in XETA (in my context)
Mileage, Plastic Appearance, finishing in joints, roughness in built (inside, of engine compartment, passenger cabin, and Bottom as well, I saw the bottom during diesel removal.
Still worry about apprehension raised by many peoples about Indica (Prataap sandip said: He knows top to bottom of TATA service centre, mileage concerns, durability but anirban is having this beauty since 4 years) so let’s check.
Overall I am happy with my decision till now.
