Dec 16, 2002 12:24 AM
37977 Views
(Updated Aug 05, 2003 03:47 PM)
Great Car for sure, but at what price. If your mind is made up on buying a HONDA which most people are, the confusion which reigns supreme in choosing among the Citys is the model. If you have the same problem do read on cause I had the same dilemma in choosing the model. The VTEC being the most expensive of the lot with the 1.5 and the 1.3 following respectively. The difference in price between the VTEC and 1.3 is around 1.75 lacs. So it would make a substantial difference in your EMI if you decide on the latter (unless money's no object). Since I intended in using the car for atleast 4 yrs, I had decided to go in for the best model in the range, it being the VTEC and also since my friend in HONDA gave a great deal on the accessories and final price.
The VTEC is an engine technology which I think works. Better acceleration and fuel economy. The VTEC has 106 bhp etc etc ; all good in theory atleast. The driver has the best place in the car cause the Citys seating position is spot on, a clear view of the road is available (unlike the Palio). The leather steering and gear knob feel great. The Power Steering and gear shift feel like a hot knife cutting through butter. Alloys and a lower profile of tyres (compared to the 1.5). But if u're spending a million bucks the VTEC has a lot of shortcomings. It has narrow tires 175/65 and of the tubed variety( should be tubeless), no CD player ( but a great sounding Alpine unit with remote), no leather seats (horrible looking upholstery), no remote aerial for the radio (even the Cielo has this feature, let alone the Accent), an horrible seating position in the back seat (cause the seats are set low, your thighs are not supported, making you tired in a long journey ( like the Esteem )and finally the front seats have No lower back support whatsoever - don't feel it for short distances but try remaining in the front seats for more than an hour or two and u'll get my point. Quite frankly the worst designed front seats for such a car.
With the 1.3, you get the spare change to add the above accessories and in real life you may rarely need the 16 extra horses (VTEC) or 10 horses (1.5), cause even the 1.3 drives great. Make no mistake, HONDA accessories are frightfully expensive, infact I've seen 1.3 liters cars so heavily loaded that they are more expensive than the base 1.5 liter model. For Rs.8,000/- one can get the 1.5 features like body coloured door handles, wooden panneling etc,go for it if u are going for the 1.3 liter. The Spare Prices are comparable to the cars in this range. Infact they are the cheapest in this range (The Baleno has the most expensive spares)
The 1.5 liter car is a good car if you drive in the highway often. Also the resale value of the 1.5 is higher than the 1.3. The Spares for all the 3 models is the same price.
The best part of the HONDA experience is the after sales service. Simply Brilliant. They call you personally to arrange an appointment as per your convenience. Even if your car is perfect, the customer girl will insist to bring it in for an oil and filter change ( labour free during warranty). The Cost being Rs.630/-. The car is washed and every part is expected. Wow.
They have many customer response questionnaires which they ask you to fill up. They've even called from Delhi just to ask me what needs improvement in the VTEC to which I've replied with my demerits mentioned above.
If your in for a second hand city, go in for the VTEC, cause I will let you on a secret. When my VTEC was brand new (JUNE 2002), the engine felt very tight (infact I thought something was wrong with the engine), now that its done around 8000 kms, the engine feels a lot more smoother and revs upto 7500rpm with some serious shove. Wonderfull feeling. If you do not lay hands on a VTEC, go in for the 1.5. Be carefull for accident damaged City's. Check the service manual cause if the service has been done at only the authorised centers, HONDA knows the full history of the car.
If you presently own a 1.5 liter (older model) and intend to buy the newer city, do not go for the 1.3 liter, cause you will feel the difference, ONLY at higher rpm, but never the less will be disappointed. IF you've never driven a City in your life, go for the 1.3 and you will LOVE it.
So go ahead and buy a HONDA, it really doesn't matter which model cause they are all great. Take it from a guy who drives a VTEC, even the 1.3 is great. Ofcourse the City 2003 will not come with the VTEC or the 1.5, (it will have a 1.5 liter, 2 valve engine made for economy NOT performance),so its the last chance for u have to grab this gem of an engine with this model before u'd have to settle down to only a secondhand piece. Go get it.
