I have been owning a Tata Indica Lxi (petrol) for about 4.5 yrs now with about 40000+ kms on it, and I have been through hills, plains, city, highways, and almost all kind of terrain.
This is the Lxi (fully loaded model), [**but not produced anymore - the current corresponding model is Xeta GLX, a good 5 BHP less powerful than this model (70 BHP) ] - most of the features found in mid-segment cars are already provided on this model as standard equipment (all-4 power windows/lights at convenient places/rear wiper/both sides mirror internally controlled/carpet finish on seats/floors) to name a few. No need to talk about the cabin space - we all know this is the most spacious small car.
Engine could have been refined with more power added. The car is heavily built (beware all you Maruti drivers, a scratch from this car will cost you dearly) and the body steel is thicker. With 75BHP it is just average in its class - a 100 BHP engine with a decent fuel avg of 11+ km/l in city would be ideal.
Next is the handling. This is just superb. I can tell with confidence because I went through a small accident in this car and barring some damages on the plastic/rubber I managed to sail through smoothly. The car handled extremely well and though the left front wheel was damaged in the direct impact, the car did not roll too much or overturn. I was going at 70km/hr when the accident occurred. I guess the heavy chassis and low CG helped me. Since that time, I have installed new alloy wheels all round and it has improved the balance of the car.
Maintenance costs are low. I mean if you stick to just the factory provided items, yes, maintenance is low. But I being a bit more enthusiastic about my car - I added alloy wheels, a decent Sony Xplod 6 speaker music system, side rubber guards, a powerful two-tone horn, silver coloured roof-rails and I use strictly 91-Octane petrol (Indian Oil Extra Premium) for my engine. The result is my car performs more like a Honda City rather than a plain Indica in terms of pickup, engine response, and maintenance-free ride.
17-03-2006 : Clocked 17035 km so far - going strong, fuel consumption showing a slight improvement, avg. now is 11.0 km/l in Hyderabad city compared to 10.7 earlier. The left front fog lamp adjustment screw is becoming a bit loose, shall get it tightened at next service. Otherwise, no problems so far, apart from a few scratches on the bumpers - courtesy the autorickshaw-wallahs!!
13-11-2006 : Time for the next update....crossed 25000km today...car almost 2.5 yrs old.
Fuel efficiency has stabilized to 11 km/l in city with AC and 12 km/l without AC. Went to Medak church driving on NH-7, got a decent 15km/l on the highway stretch with full AC, 4 adults, 1 child and a crate of soft drinks (16 bottles x 1 litre each), and at 90 km/h with rev counter between 2 and 3 most of the time, at 5th gear. Changed the old gear knob, it was getting tacky - new one cost about 80 bucks. No major complaints so far. The old issues are still there - occasional back gear slippage, occasional power window problem on driver side, and interior plastics are slowly wearing out. Next update at 30,000km...unless anything major happens.
Overall, in 2.5 yrs, I would say it has done a good job, and people still come up to me and say "Its hard to believe that your car is already 2.5 yrs old...".
-> one tip : To preserve the paint work, I did miracle treatment and every month I use a car shampoo with wax polish which preserves the shine of the body paint. Don't let your Apartment gatekeeper do the standard wiping of your new car. His cloth will definitely be dirty and greasy which will add fine scratches to your car body. Once a week use a hose pipe to wash your car yourself.
On the chassis, I had done red-oxide treatment to prevent rusting.
03-12-2006 : Changed the CD player from the 2.5 yr old Sony Explod to Pioneer DEH6850MP. It has better sound and more dynamic frequency handling. Never knew that my Blaupunkt rear speakers had so much bass response in them!! :)
09-11-2007 : 30500km clocked this morning and still going strong....no major complaints. The car is still good value for money - most of the original spares are still running and the main problem is I am beginning to get bored with the same car... :)) 3 yrs 4 months with the same car. Fuel efficiency is hold on at about 11+ km/l in city and 14+ km/l in the highway.
The car's 75BHP engine is now no longer manufactured by Tata and I smile when I see the less powerful later models struggling up the flyovers and hills.
I'll continue with this car till it gets 6 yrs old - that's when my car lease will expire and I'll get a new car. Good going till then!! Next update at 40000 km.
11-11-2008 : 40300km completed last evening - car still going strong.
Some minor issues : Whenever a bump/hole comes up, and the car goes over it, I am beginning to get a creaking noise from the shock absorbers . I think this is gue to the internal coiled springs drying up - maybe greasing them / whatever maintenance will do the trick. Shall have this attended to at the next service - 41,000 km for me.
Otherwise, everything else is just fine. The car has not lost its relevance even after 4 years and still a joy to drive it. Overall Fuel Efficiency (combined city + some highway driving : 13.7 km/l, with full AC). Not bad for a 75 BHP Tata car.
One note : Going to Auto Chenoy workshop near Malla Reddy Gardens, Bowenpally, and their service quality is better than Malik Cars. At least I get some personal attention for my car which was lacking earlier. They also make a genuine effor to investigate and fix the problems. Probably because being a much smaller unit, they are still able to focus on individual customer.
18-12-2009 : Clocked 55600 km on this car. Now comes the part of knowing what happens after 50,000 km. The gear shaft is getting cranky, I get a noise every time I shift from 2nd to 3rd or neutral. The front left Mcpherson strut may need repair/replacement, I am getting a noise whenever the front left wheel falls into holes or bumps. Self - starter issues cropping up - sometimes the engine justs turns without starting up, even with fully charged battery. Rack & pinion has been replaced at 51000 km. Brake pads replaced too.
I have decided to keep the car till July 2010 (estimate about 65000km), and then exchange for a new car.
Next and final update will be during Jul-Sep 2010.
Goodbye, folks. Next year you'll see me with a new review on a new car! :)
Last and Final Update : 5th Aug 2011 : Have sold off this car in Oct 2010 - at a price of INR 1.25 Lakhs with 68000 km on the odo. I look on wistfully as the next owner drove it out of my apartment parking...Bye-bye, Lxi!
Have bought a Manza Quadrajet ABS sedan - took delivery in Nov 2010, and clocked 10300 km so far on it. But that will be a separate review coming up. This is one hell of a great car too! :)
