1.4GSi Love affair - Ups, downs and etc. . Review on Opel Corsa 1.4 GSI

Its over a year since I bought my Opel Corsa 1.4 GSi.

The car predelivery issuses:

The car was booked by citibank through Fort Point Mahalaxmi. The car was promised to be delivered on 1st april 2004. However, they couldnot get the car registered so the delivery was delayed. well we told citibank look we made it clear the car has to be on the 1st onlyh then we go ahead with the deal. The sorry thing wont work.He said he will give me a year's extended warranty worth RS.2850 free. The date was postponed to 3rd even that day they could complete the reg so I fought with them saying look you are already charging me int. on the loan and you are unable to deliver the car. I demanded for a compensation. They refused, I said I am making a stop payment order for the rest of the cheques. Screw you! The manger said we will give you free mudflaps and door mats - hahah!! I told him sir they are already free he then said Free teflon coating - issue settled - I dont mind. When I took the delivery and brought home the car on the 5th April 2004 called him for the free teflon coating he said he will contact the chap who inturn will do the needful. I thought it was to be done through Opel and not a local chap. I refused- he said you try him out he is good and stuff.

That chap was a joker - I told him look on the first floor parking space there are no electrical point how he is going to do it. he said get the car to the andheri workshop will do it and send it back. I told look this is complementary - so who is going to bear the petrol cost? hmm then he said get the car in any (i repeat 'any') building in South mumbai we will bribe the watchman who give us an electric point and we can do it out there. WOW! I was let dumbstruck.

Called up citibank told get the opel guy and chuck your man. he refused I virtually ended abusing him and then - okay opel takes 4k to do the job I should pay 1.5k the balance he will pay. Told look it complimentary and told him you better do it else I will order the bank to make stop payments of the ret of the 60 EMi cheques. he said fine. called up Fort Point asked him to take the car and then he got in back in the evening.

The After purchase issue:

After driving for around 300 kms we saw the average was very low - 5.94 so we told Fort point, they took the car cleaned the spark plugs ann re-tuned the engine. However even after 720 kms it was the same. so sent the car back but still no avail. Talked with the manager on 920 kms and he said you come down we will go for a test drive. The result was the same. The mechanic said we will go for another drive this time he adjusted the spark plug a bit lower so the fuel got burnt properly thereby giving the engine the boost required.

With A/c on we drove from the showroom to the domestic airport and back around 100 kmps with a/c on in the afternoon time we got and average of 14.9kmpl. I said super you did it for me. Went for the last test drive to reconfirm the last figures. This time to a diff place and drove for around 20kmpl. the average was 14.87 kmpl. Thanks results confirmed.

Now called up opel and asked for compensatin as it was their fault they couldnot detect the fault when I sent the car twice with the same issue. They said the first time car gave 5.87 as there was a lot of waitng time compared to the last time. however, still they will give 1 tank full free. I said take a jump I called up Halol fired the manager out there. he said give a day I will resolve it. The next day regional maanger calls up and says we will give 2 tanks free. I told him look I am not begging I have put in 6 full tanks and the car has given only 920 kmps in the bargain. I want money for all 6 tanks. He said thats too much. we then settled for 3 full tanks. That too normal petrol which is available opp. their showroom. Never mind something is better than nothing.

After a few Months:

After 8 months the main door lock would not open smoothly. so called up Fort Point. They said they will try and grease the lock and see. the next day he says the lock is fine. he sent the car back. When I checked the lock was in the same state. called him and fired him he said he forgot to check the lock after reinstalling it. The car went back. The next day after frequent calls he says the car is fine and I am sending it. the car comes back still its the same even the driver who bought says yea it doesnt seem right. So the car goes back. I speak to the service head and he said tomm by 1 inspite of being a sunday he will ensure the car will reach you with a new lock. The car comes now with the new lock & it funtions fine. However, when I sent the car there was 25 litres of fuel now it has only 5lires and the workshop is only 3 kms from my place. Called up and fired the manager there and asked for a compensation. He said no such thing is there told look you better give a free tank up and a service for a year free that too in writng. The next day he sends the letter with 25litre coupon. phew!! What C's. (add the remaining 4 letters)

The Car experience:

The drive quality is excellent. The suspension is top class. Many people have spoken about the bottom touching the ground, well all I can say is go really slow when going a speed breaker coz the air suspension makes the car behave in this manner. The interiors are of good quality - the Ikon sucks in this. The car has 2 fans so that when the engine temperature rises the other fan automatically starts to ensure the engine remains in the limits. It may seem like a mid- size car but from inside its big. Overall very satisfied. The car cost me 4.95 l ( incl. reg.) - the compensation 25k approx = 4.75lakhs. I am very happy to not go in for TATA and stuck to my instinct for buying opel. Love the car, every bit of it.

1st service update:

I havent driven the car much however, 1st april 2005 I sent the car for a service there again the shock was they will charge Rs. 1487/- for consumables and only workmanship is free, Chors!!! I said fine. This time car after being serviced has become even more smoother (ppl who own it know how smooth the car is) then engine became virtually silent even on higher rpms. Till date no other issues the car is working problem free its just the dealer Fort Point mahalaxmi(mumbai) should be avoided. I suggest if you living in mumbai go to National Garge, seems he is much better.

Regards,

Mitul

P.S. you can view the pics on https://f1.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/cachetlimited