Mar 28, 2003 03:28 PM
35139 Views
(Updated Mar 28, 2003 03:39 PM)
The following IMHO are the worst Indian cars
1. Ambassador
Now I find a lot of guys already searching for stones to hit me. I have owned it for 9 years and they are terrible.
Suspension
It looks rugged but it is not. I once went on a mud road near my village and the Axle broke. I have seen lorries with broken axles but not my car
Engine oil sump
Is placed very low. Once I had a hit from a bump and the tank broke with the full oil on the floor
Pickups and maneuverability
Very low power to weight ratio and large turning radius made it a hell to drive. I learnt driving a car on this and I can drive a 16 wheeler into MG Road.
Spares
Its easily available alright but the quality of spares left me with a lot to desire. It spent a lot of times(especially when I needed that most) with mechanic and costed me around 2000Rs/year to maintain.
2. Hyundai Santro
Engine Response
This is the major irritant. You press the accelerator and the engine picks up after a decade. This makes ride very rough
Engine smoothness
The Engine revs abnormally high when being in traffic for more than 15 min. I had to switch off the A/C wait for sometime and this is sickening. Mechanic will give fundas like “If A/C is on it will rev more” as if I don’t know. No body has answered this revving problem. It’s a pain
On Road Service
This is a joke and they will make sure they hang one of those mobile unit’s photo in the showroom. Once I got hit by a dog(when going at high speeds) and the coolant chamber broke with coolant spilling and engine getting overheated. This happened in middle of a highway in Ulunthurpettai some 70 Kms from Trichy. When I called them on my mobile they say we can service for only upto 10Kms and hence you somehow tow the vehicle. If I am near a city, I don’t need the bloody mobile unit. I need that only when I am stranded.
Guarantee
There is a guarantee of parts and suddenly the A/C exhaust lever broke and it seems it is not covered in guarantee and they refused to fix it. Had main A/C knob is broken they would have replaced. Joke of the century.
3. Dolphin
Many guys did not know the car existed. It came when maruti launched initially in 80s. I will not detail it as a mark of respect for the departed soul.
It was a coupe which is not for Indians who believe in a outing in a car with family. The rear seats did not have any leg room. It gave a mileage of 11 Km/l which is extremely low for a car of that size. The safe top speed was 75 Km/h and it started wavering after that.
4. Standard 2000
This was supposed to compete with Maruti and failed miserably. The manufacturing plant did one decent thing, allowed Kamal hasaan to shoot the song Raja Kaiya vecha in movie Apporva Sagotharargal(Appu Raja in Hindi version). It neither had the luxury of the big car nor the fuel efficiency and maneuverability of a small cat.
5. Hyundai Sonata
I know the reason why you are surprised. I had taken a test drive. The luxury it brings about and the looks and handling was great. The dash, woods gave a regal look. The H-matic transmission was a revelation. Why the heck, this car will come in this category of worst car? My friends, it is the price. 16 Lakhs(1.6 million or~35000 US$). I think it is extravagance. Getting a shoe for 5K, going in a bike of 1.5L and staying in the fancy hotel in dubai for 40K USD per day all are extravagance and I am strictly against spending this kinda money when the same can be given to some charity or some thing else. Every item has some price but throwing away money for the whims and fancies should be discouraged. If you don’t agree, I respect your views that live life to the fullest.
Peace & Happiness
Ram
