After you have decided the basic price range of the automobile you want to buy, there are now 3 basic options that you can go in for (ignoring the HatchBacks), namely:
(1) Sedans
(2) MUV/SUV
(3) Estates
While the first two have their respective pros/cons, the third option, Estates, was rarely considered. There was limited choice, and then again, for some unknown reason, manufacturers would price them a good amount more than their sedans cousins. This defied logic, as Estates would entail additional costs of only 5-10% from a manufacturing PoV.
Now, comes the Tata Indigo Marina, and it is chewing away at similarly, and possible higher prices sedans. Need I say what it has done to its Estate cousins from other manufacturers?
You get everything that comes as part of the Indigo package: Comfort, space, efficiency, etc, and MORE!
LOOKS: Looks similar from the front except for the prominent Ski-rails. The rear looks stunning with Glass over Metal rear windscreen and Christmas tree lights! The lights go all the way to the top and the additional roof mounted brake lights and rear fog lights (in tandem with headlight switch) makes it easy to spot on the darkest of the Indian NHs.. Side view helps you appreciate what the rear section has done to the Std Indigo in terms of Space and Size. Looks bigger than it is.
ENGINE: Good diesel engine with a turbo. The turbo kicks in around 2200RPM and stays with you, I think, till 3500RPM. This is good enough on a highway, when you can quickly accelerate, but slightly irritating in the city when you end up up-shifting as low as 2000RPM, in an effort to economize. Slight clutch slipping is called for at lower than 2200 Revs when starting from a standstill. The Turbo Lag is slightly notable, and hits you gently, and the car pulls like a petrol once the turbo Kicks. On the highways, for instance NH17, given the good suspension and commanding view, you will end up crossing the 3500RPM pretty quickly. Up-shifting at around 3500RPM, drops the revs right back to 2200RPM ....... At the start of the turbo boost. Superb Schumi style.
SUSPENSION: Good tough suspension that takes the bad stretches without too much fuss. Bad sections of Tar, especially the bad patch jobs done on highways are a pleasure to tackle. In city and at lower speeds, the suspension does come across as slightly hard. Did bottom out on a few occasions at speeds of 60-80 on typical Goan roads .. Narrow and gently uneven. Also tendency to slip out when cornering at high speeds, but controllable.
FUEL EFFICIENCY:
City:
Gives around 12-12.5KM/L in the city with AC always switched on. A slight control on the right foot, and the determination not to fly with the turbo (Up-shifting by 2000-2500RPM), results in a figure of 13.5Km/L but also a few curses as the power drops.
Highways:
While trying to maintain a good speed returned 15Km/L. Good speed = Bombay (Dadar) to North Goa (Baga) = 580Kms in 9Hours (including 3 10minute breaks) = 68Km/Hr. Not bad for a diesel returning 15Km/L, eh? It is possible to get an average of 17Km/L, with a lighter right foot. The problem for the ''I-like-driving'' drivers is that once you get into the right power band, you don’t feel like up-shifting until you run out of it. If you can control your desire to stop smiling and burning rubber, then up-shift at 3000RPM and see the average shoot up more.
Notes: City travel included Andheri to Powai and a slightly circuitous route back , around 50Kms per day, in some extra slow moving as well as some fast stretches. Highway driving includes NOT switching off the engine/ac in those small 10 minute breaks .. Stifling heat in May-June !!!!
EXPERIENCE:
Driver has it good. Good view, and responsive steering. Very prominent “A” pilar does obstruct view, but all round view is pretty good. Passenger comfort is superb with loads of legroom. My wife could sit cross-legged in the front passenger seat (not easy in the Esteem) and loved the drive! Rear space with just 2 passengers is simply awesome, and with 3 is still pretty good. You get idea of space, when you switch on the audio system. You can hardly hear the rear speakers, which sound distant!! But it is a good car to set-up a in-car video system. Now that explains why my wife was awake most of our trips!!
It would have been great IF, the rear seats of the MARINA could recline. You see there is nothing except the rear parcel shelf, which is anyway removable. Sedans would have the rear windscreen and cross-sections between the cabin and the boot, but a Estate doesn’t. Given this aspect, reclining rear seats would have made the journey even more comfortable. Small thing but is something you can do in a Estate not a sedan. Hmmmm...Anyway, good reclining angle of seats.
QUALITY:
That’s not why you will buy a MARINA/INDIGO.
(-)
HVAC switch is terrible and the links often snap out of place leaving the VENTS stuck in some bizarre position. So resist the urge to switch the ven position from FACE to Footwell or windscreen. It might just get stuck in that position. A 2-minute job and everything is alright, but VERY IRRITATING. Alter vent positions at your own risk! Roll up the windows a few times and the side rubber sidings at the bottom of the window come undone. Is a quick fix by just hitting it back in place with the window rolled down. The controls for the power windows? Either your hands are abnormally long, or you just pulled a muscle trying to reach it (placed in front of the gear lever)! My wife and I would argue about who was going to reach over and operate the window, at TOLL stations!!
(+)
Loads of space for just about everything. For loose change, cell phones, super generous front door pockets, overhead parcel shelf behind rear seats, the entire rear parcel shelf, cargo nets in the boot, etc. It also has the convenience of two chargers, one upfront, and the other in the cargo area. (Good for a mini-fridge!).
UTILITY:
Amazing Utility. Have squeezed 9 adults in the Marina. Two in the front, 5 in the middle, and 2 in the cargo area (parcel shelf removed, of course). Rear seats fold forward to offer a double bed space (a la famous Skoda ad of couple ....).
FINALLY:
Tata still needs to work on some things. Should have option of ABS as well. Has a superb AC but Rear seats should have had separate AC vents. Reclining rear seats. Work on quality.
It offers everything a sedan can and more. There are a few small things that need to be sorted out, but trust me, you never buy a Indigo/Marina for its quality .. but there is a whole lot more that makes you go for one. Go buy One
CAR DETAILS: INDIGO MARINA LX, 12/2004. Euro II. Done 10,000 Kms till date. Bought from BU BHandari. Good service while buying car, but haven't heard from them ever after. Makes me wish they were more like Vittesse, who call every month to enquire how the Esteem is doing ..... even though it is 5 years old now.
- Thank You! We appreciate your effort.