Dec 13, 2010 08:58 PM
24119 Views
(Updated Dec 14, 2010 07:59 PM)
Till very recently I was driving the Swift 1.3, which is one of the best enthusiast car without any doubt, but as everyone would be aware of the build quality, I finally (with a heavy heart) sold it off.
That's where all hell broke loose! I like cars that are identical to the old 1.3 engine for the responsiveness and handling. With no fixed budget, the buying process was even more complicated than I thought it would be. We are 5 people in the family and only 3 drive. We already have an Accent, Ritz and had the 1.3 Swift. Since space, boot and FE wasn't my concern, I short listed (so to say) a few cars:
Maruti SX4 - Used to like it when it was launched, but somehow not convinced of the looks now. Looks bulbuous and disproportionate and most of all not too different in the drive feel as compared to my old swift (maybe the power to weight ratio is the culprit). Also the interiors reminded me too much of my swift. Good discounts meant a lucrative price of almost 8 lakh OTR for the ZXi. Still considered.
Honda City - I'm not a brand person and spending almost 10 lakhs for just a peppy engine and more so a Honda badge isn't me. The feel of plastics weren't as great as well. Rejected.
Honda Jazz - Quirky looks, obscene price, not as peppy as the swift or even my Ritz (K series Zindabad). Huge discounts meant price was around 7.30 lakh OTR (though still unreasonable) but ruled out.
Ford Fiesta - Absolutely sexy car to drive. Gem of an engine (Test drove it 3 times, much to the dissappointment of the Sales Executive) amazing handler. Pricing was killer and I thought of buying the Limited Edition for 6.30 lakh OTR as the difference in the next model was pretty steep. The deal breaker was Ford maintainence and resale as I don't keep cars for more than 3-4 years. Ruled out.
Figo, Beat - Considered for cheap pricing so I could wait till a better car is launched, but ruled out.
Fiat Punto - Good looking hatch but sad and uninspiring petrols. Fiat really should put the creamy 1.4 TJet Linea engine to give us a hot hatch.
Fiat Linea - Sexiest looking Italian, but a premium for the TJet I wasn't willing to pay when I did not need the boot inthe first place! I wish Fiat would give the same engine in a Polo. Also Fiat service & resale are really scary.
Skoda Fabia - I had heard that the German cars are a class apart from the (supposedly) flimsy Japs but got a feel of that on my drive of the Fabia. What poise, ride quality and handling! As soon as I saw the price of 6.65 lakhs OTR, I got tempted. The look part I had mixed feelings, as it was more stately than sporty. As luck would have it, the dealer had a 1.6 which was booked, but he agreed to give a short test drive. I liked the drive but wasn't as thrusty as my old Swift (wife had lost all hope of me buying a car at this point) but when I saw the speedo I realized the car was touching 100 without feeling that speed! Hardly any waiting and such a package tempted me though the lack of Climate control, electric mirrors, cooled glove box, Projector headlamps were missed. Heck not even the wiper/washer defogger seemed weird.
VW Polo - Enter Polo 1.6 Highline, Flash Red! This has to be the best looking hatch one can buy in (Unreal gloss) Red. Only 17k extra as compared to the Fabia with sporty chiselled looks (clean & graceful teutonic lines), low slung, 15" alloys, sexier alloys, defogger/wiper/washer, chrome lined dashboard and door handles, VW roundel boot opener seemed too good to be true! Tried to locate a VW Dealer in Noida or nearby through Justdial. Tried calling several Dealers & to my horror got wierd stories like 4-5 months waiting, Polo 1.6 production is stopped due to some technical glitch (VW Helpline said so!), and no TD car at any dealer. One day, out of the blue, on my way to office, I saw a silver Polo with a Gurgaon dealer number on the number plate and called them. The girl gave me the Sales Manager's number and I called. To my utter disbelief, he said he is recieving a Flash Red Polo 1.6 in 20-25 days and I can get it if I want. I went all the way to Gurgaon on 23rd November with my wife to check his delivery schedule and found he was telling the truth. Paid him the booking (the SE Parveen was very courteous) and took a written commitment of 30 days. Walked out of the showroom excited like a child!
Got the delivery on december 6, 2010, well before the commited time. Have driven it for around 300 kms and this are my observations:
The power surge is linear, the engine is responsive and NVH levels are well within control. I have not pushed it hard yet though. Drove on the expressway once and the car felt really stable. Even at 140 kmph it feels like driving 90-100!
The OEM stereo is decent with good bass but mid range ain't that great. Looking to upgrade to the GPS touch screen HU.
The car is really beautiful (handsome rather) with clean and crisp lines and the fit, finish is exceptional. The gloss of the Flash Red is unreal!
Got the JKs as standard and already have that on the Ritz. The grip levels aren't that great. Might swap them with stickier rubber.
The car is really low to sit in though the Ground Clearance is not a problem at all. The seats though supportive aren't as comfy as a Swift.
Steering much lighter than my Ritz, though nowhere as scary as the i20!
The Red lighting is really cool and the dashboard fit and finish is top notch.
The VW roundel boot opener is a novel idea. The boot closes without having to forcefully shut it. Close ot to around 90% and it closes by itself. Cool!
Rear space not as great but at par with the competition, though I usually drive alone or with wife so not a problem for me.
The 1.2 Petrol is pretty noisy (being a 3 cylinder engine) and the diesel is a better option to go in for if Fuel Efficiency is of prime concern. If you are an enthusiast, the 1.6 is like a dream come true and a bargain considering a price difference of not even 50000/-!
I do wish atleast on the top end, Climate control, Electric mirrors were standard and the delivery times reduce.
Overall the dealer behaviour was very professional, though that applies ony to this dealer. Almost every other dealer was pathetic in customer support, interaction and follow up. VW really should do internal audits & checks to ensure the customer is treated atleast as a mortal, if not god.
