Buying the first car we decided to buy alto with 1.5lakhs as downpayment and rest on Loan. But then came my friend with his Indica Xeta 2007 Dec, GLG who quoted Rs.1.5lakhs for it. He maintained the car nicely with recently tyres changed and new alloys, Auto cop Security system and mostly driven in city.
He quoted the same price as our downpayment. We worked on net and MouthShut_Official too and we finally decided to take it as the extras on EMI of new car would be saved and the car can be driven more with less pains of hits, scratches being very common in city traffic.
So we bought the car, started driving and it was really good.
The car has Power steering must for Car like Indica but it is not as light as others but still not bad either.
The car's low end torque delivery is good, though not very peppy in drive as others like zen, santro but still better than many others makes it good for manoeuvring in city and the second gear response is also good, though the third gear only feels better in torque delivery and power.
The gear ratios in the car is definitely nicely put together for city use with Very good Gear shift quality, Nice smooth, precise gearbox with light clutch.
The car is stable at higher speeds, though take time to go beyond speed of 110km/h. The car has red mark from 5500 rpm onwards though rest petrol cars have at 6000rpm. The probable reason could be engine tuned for driveability.
As soon as Summers approached the car's AC Switched On and the Negatives Begins, I was surprised The performance of the car SIGNIFICANTLY Dips with AC and manoeuvring in city is really tough with poor torque, the power delivery feels sluggish. Overtaking takes much much time and The AC is not chiller and not that effective, However it felt as Power Button for the car and not the AC button.
Secondly the Fuel Economy(FE) of the car is 10kmpl in city driving while 12kmpl on highways.
arghhh.!
I anticipated it to give atleast 13kmpl in city while 16kmpl on highways.
I never got more than 11kmpl in city with Ac and surprised that how come MouthShut_Official reviewers even claim 22kmpl.
I really want others owners to comment and share the problems and solutions. Also I regularly serviced the car and changed engine oil, air filter and fuel filter recently.
Nothing improved in terms of mileage though now car is easily taking high gear with Ac but still the performance hasn't changed much.
The major thing is with petrol prices too high and the mileage of 10kmpl makes it very expensive to run.
I have followed the FE increasing tips but nothing contributed much.
The Tata Motors and all dealerships in my city have told that FE is of 10-12kmpl only for xeta.
Kindly the rest owners do interact on it.
A petrol car but never felt when you switch on the engine, idling is refined as of 4 cylinder and not harsh as 3cyl but it is audible enough though damping is also done on the hood.
The Front Visibility is also poor, The A pillar always create trouble.
Poor plastic quality, gaps on dashboards with poor fit and finish. Lack of cup Holders , However those on glove box are useless.
Up-gradation.
I was thinking to Opt for LPG kit for the car as for the run is pretty expensive but I got very mixed reactions for using LPG, where some says very economical and good but others say car's engine life would be gone.
Also to upgrade the car with K&N Air filter, heard of good performance of the car but still doubtful about the car's engine life and harmful effects etc. and also of FE getting dropped.
Or
Changing the CAR with TATA bye to TATA.
Tata's After sales service
Tata Service centers were not less than Hell for me. As I thought to have Screening of the car done by Software check up and overall General check up of everything. They continuously first told me to wait and then told that computer is not working. They changed Air Filter and Fuel filter which were to be changed after the Screening and that too before asking was done not even informing about it with very rude service advisor and attiMr_customtakeouter of workers from watch-guard to manager.
Till now the computer of Tata is not working.
Overall, Not satisfied with Poor FE and TATA's After sales service, Hence not satisfied with CAR.
Owners comments Welcomed!:)
Edit and
Update on July 3, 2012
1) The suspension now requires Total overhaul just @58000kms despite being driven in city.
2) The Muffler was changed which is common problem for xeta's if you have short runs and now again requires a change after an year.
3) The valve/tappet clearance needs adjustment which is now leading to noise from engine valvetrain.
My Mechanic said he doesn't have knowledge about values and I don't find myself time to go to TASC as they always give me booking date of week later and I can't find myself proper time to go there being busy.
4) The FE within city is 9-11 kmpl depending upon traffic and AC.
Highways 13kmpl with AC
5) There are four chrome plates with tata badge in front which are easily taken off and mine are stolen now, making it looks ugly.
6) Both Front Power window regulator/winder conked off which were replaced with newer ones at @Rs.550 each.
7) The AC was serviced and the gas was refilled. Now it is only better but still not best.
8) The main thing is to add is lousy brakes, I changed the brake pads and rotors are also skimmed but still under hard braking the wheels lock up and the bakes aren't confidence inspiring.
The Petrol cars of tata aren't preferred and face low resale due to following reasons
1) Low Fuel efficiency
2) Niggling issues and unreliability
3) Poor service and less knowledge.
Thanks. feel free to ask.
Update @ 67, 800kms on April 13, 2013
Nothing much to complain
FE has been 12kmpl in city and highways around 13-14kmpl,
hopefully going to decrease by 1kmpl more with AC
maintenance wise
spent Rs.6, 000 on front suspension overhaul
Rs.4500 on rear suspension overhaul with bent arms fixed.
Rs. 2500 on Clutch Assy, however only clutch release bearing was making noise but just as a preventive measure, even older clutch and pressure plate were fine.
Rs.5000 for pair of tyres
and general servicing
The pricing include parts+labor and jobs were carried out at local garage.
Rattles are prominent.
Update: November 27, 2013
We decided to sell this car, Listed on Ad sites and Voila, it was sold within 48 Hours of listing.
However Each and Every issue of Rattles, else was addressed.
Gave it wash, New Seat Covers and Mat.
Sold in July.
Thanks to God, Didn't Expected such response and that too got 6 digits.
