After spending a really long time (almost a year) researching and reading reviews online, I finally bought my first car, Indica Vista Safire Aqua. The car is due for its first service (1 month) in 3 days. Hence I'm writing this review to give my initial impressions about the car.
A little background:
I joined a driving class just 20 days prior to taking delivery of my car. So, I couldn't drive well when I got the car. Infact I'm still learning and have "L" on front and rear windshields.
Experience at the dealership, Wasan Motors, Borivali (E), Mumbai, was pleasant except they refused to give any discount. Instead they offered some accessories like carpet, sun flame on windows and rear windshield, mud-flaps and teflon coating. Delivery was given on time and the experience was good (conducted a small puja and prompt paper-work).
For initial 20 days, I was only driving in 1st and 2nd gear, occasionally 3rd. Hence, I'm not going to comment on the mileage in this review. Just for the record, it still have around 9 kpl. But I expect this to go up as my driving skill improve and also, generally the mileage goes up after the first service.
Suspension is excellent. This is no exaggeration. My friends recently bought an i10 and when he drove my car, this is the first thing he exclaimed.
Handling is really good. As I told you, I'm a novice driver. Yet, I've steadily gained confidence in the car and drove it to office a few times in rush hour traffic on Western Express Highway, Mumbai. Also, drove it early on Sunday morning on the same highway and moved all the way up to 5th gear. Car is very steady and easy to handle. Power steering is smooth and responsive.
Front seats are comfortable and provides good lumbar support. I have not had a chance to ride in the backseat, but 3 adults can sit comfortably in the back.
Looks are subjective. So, I won't comment on it. In my opinion, the car looks good.
The only issues I have faced so far:
1. Left power windows scrolls up slightly slower than the right power window.
2. Small (barely audible) squeak in the steering column when turned abruptly.
3. Mileage. But I expect this to improve (explained above).
Apart from these I've not experienced any problems in the car, so far.
I'm not writing this review to influence anybody's decision. I do not need any vindication of my decision. Intention of this review is to help others make an informed choice.
Enjoy and drive safe.
---- UPDATE ----
Hello again friends.
I'm posting this update one year (5000 kms) after my initial review about my car.
Highlights since last review:
3 scheduled free services (1 month, 6 months, 12 months)
CNG kit fitting.
1st Free service:
I reported issue 1 and 2 listed above during while delivering my car for service. When I went to recieve my car back, steering column squeak was resolved but power window issue was not. I pointed this out and they did some adjustment to the rubber lining on the window frame which 'seemingly' solved the issue. The same issue surfaced again after a couple of days. Steering column noise was fixed well.
During this interval, we once drove with 6 ppl in the car (4 in the back seat). At one place the car hit a pothole so hard that we could hear a distinct sound of something damaged. After this the rear suspension made a noise over the smallest bump of pothole.
2nd Free service:
I reported the 2 issues (Power window and suspension noise) while delivering my car for 2nd service. This time too when I went to recieve my car, power window issue was not fixed. I pointed this out again. Same solution. Same problem re-surfaced after a couple of days. Suspension spring had shifted. This was re-adjusted and the problem was fixed well. The suspensions have been working well since then.
During this period, due to rising petrol prices, I had a CNG kit fitted in my car (details below). No new problem had crept-in during this period.
3rd Free service:
Car was due for an oil change during this service. They quoted me a price of Rs. 4600 for oil change :o I refused to have the oil changed from them. To this the service advisor retaliated saying this will cause the engine warranty to go void. He didn't even know my car had a CNG kit (Retro-fitting CNG kit makes the engine warranty go void). Anyways, the power window problem was solved well this time. Later I had the oil changed from my trusted mechanic.
CNG Kit fitment:
Due to rising petrol price, I decide to have a CNG kit fit in my car. I did a lot of research about CNG kits and how CNG affects the engine. Contrary to the popular belief, CNG enhances engine life. Since it is a gas, it burns completely and leaves no residue in the combustion chamber of the engine.
I chose to have the CNG kit fit from Shreeji Automobiles (Kandivali West) after looking at several vendors. He stocked 2 different brands and I decided to go with Lovato. It cost me Rs. 36K including, Mahanagar gas license and RTO registry of the kit.
I consistently get a mileage of around 15 km / kg, which comes to about Rs. 2.10 per km at current cost of CNG (Rs. 31.47). This is in rush hour city driving with AC partially ON (I keep the blower continuously ON and keep toggling the AC button). Car is running very smoothly.
Pros and Cons of CNG
Cons:
Slight performance dip. This is very evident when driving below 1800 rpm in any gear. You need to adjust your driving habits a little to change gears a little late.
Frequent refueling. CNG gives a range of around 100-120 km on a full tank before it goes in reserve again. Thankfully almost all pumps provide a separate queue for 4-wheelers and it has never taken me more than 15 minutes for this.
Pros:
COST: The biggest single-most reason to go for CNG. Running cost is unmatched.
Engine life: Don't listen to all the noise around you about engine going dry etc. Do you own research. CNG enhances engine life.
Environment: Since CNG is lot less polluting, more vehicles that switch to CNG, better our environment will be.
One more thing, while I was researching about CNG option a friend of mine was also thinking about it. Infact, we did a lot of research together. We even made a break-even analysis. According to it, we needed to cover 9000 kms to justify the price of CNG kit (at that petrol price). He did not go for the CNG option. Now I've noticed a significant difference in our attitudes towards our cars. Whenever we have to take our cars out for a drive, he subconsciously thinks about the cost of the drive. I enjoy my drive. That itself justifies the cost for me. The feeling is difficult to explain in words, but its a wonderful one.
Happy and safe driving :)
