Right from 1989 I was driving Maruti 800. First and second one was ordinary 800 and in the year 2000 I went for another Maruti 800 DX Euro II MPFI 5 speed model. Till june 2008 I was driving this car and meanwhile my father went foer Indica. Whenever I use to get chance to drive indica, I use to love the space inside. At the same time my kids were also growing and they facing problem in sitting at back seat of Maruti 800.
Since 2007, I tried and tested many cars in bigger size. Esteem was good for front seat rider, Ford and Accent was also with little tighter space in the back. Indica, I did not wanted, as one was with father and wanted a model with more boot space, as I love to go near by tourist place in my car. I would have gone for Ford fiesta, but it was coating almost 3.5 lacs more.
My budget was also tight, did not wanted to spend more than 5.0 lacs. Then, one day one of my friend came to my house in his Indigo LX TDI model and I was impressed to see the improvement in exterior finish compared to my father's old Indica. He suggested me to try Indigo CS, which was having smaller boot space, 70 ltr, lesser than LX model. The price was also less, because of govt's excise duty policy, Length of CS was less, therefore lower excise duty was applicable.
CS means compact sedan and it was compact in boot size, infact was looking better with smaller boot, but that's my view. The engine:
D - Direct
I - Injection
CO - Common
R- Rail
is suppose to be smoother and more fuel efficient with little less noise. My father, who is an automobile engineer and have experience of 36 years in this field, told me that after you run it for 5000 KM, then only it will give you a better performance. Right now, I have covered just over 6400 KM in city driving and few trips at highway in a radius of 50 KM only.
This model comes with HVAC only, I had to put little extra money for central locking, power window and security system. Music system, which was just few months old was transferred from my Maruti to this car,
Dealer - Experience with M/s ASL Motors, Jamshedpur was a real horrible experience and we do not hace any other dealer in the city. The salesman was unable to answer technical question. Even the response total unprofessional. I had to do my own survey on internet for technical setails and reading reviews and comments at different site. Here I came to know about Mouth Shut.
After this I went to showroom once again with my father and brother-in-law for finalising the deal. I got special discount of Rs. 8000 as an employee of Tata group of company. I booked the car and they told me to make a delivery in next three to four days, but that took almost a week. After finalising the deal I was being forced to get my registration and insurance done by their agent, which I was able to deny after discussion of almost one hr. Hear I saved about Rs. 2500. They als insisted me for antirust coat, and Teflon coating which was also rejected, but opted for extended warranty, by paying Rs. 3500 for another two years. I also paid Rs. 5000 for spoiler, but after delivery they said it will take two days time to ready the spoiler, they do not keep the ready stock. When went after two days, it was told that, Spoiler can not be fitted on CS model because of small boot cover. I opted for reverse sensor and ask them to refund remaining Rs. 2700.
Now here comes the problem, it took almost a month to receive this refund, that also after warning them to take them to consumer court and a complain to Tata Motors head office.
*Experience and Feeling:
Inside - No doubt it gives a feeling of driving a bigger car comapred to Maruti, Zen, Santro, Indica or similar cars. My childrens can sit comfortably now. Back seat can accomodate three adult person comfortably, because of good leg room in the back. Boot space is sufficient enough for luggages for size of my family.
Driving- It took me few days before I was able to judge the width of car, had few scratches also. but now I can take it to any place. It was super smooth in fifth gear with almost negligible noise. Highway is at not its best, so did not went above 95 Km/h. Waiting for my next trip to near by tourist spot to take full maja.
Fuel economy - I have not tested it on one full tank drive on highway, but in city have driven more than 6000 Km and it started with 16 to 17 km/ltr and last two tank full to tank full with auto stop of dispensing machine. I am getting milage of 19.4 Km/ltr. Please take this in consideration, that almost 60% of driving is done in 3rd gear and also some idle time on signal and other places.
Problem - There was a leakage of coolant, and I was not aware. One day on the way to office, car stopped due to overheat. Engine was running, fan was on full speed, but accelerator was cut off from engine. I was totally confused, as engine cool down in a minute, response to accelerator was revived. I filled coolant and water and then there was no problem. I am still waiting to take it to service centre for repair, but always checking the coolant level.
Another problem was detected, the while fitting the power window, front right window glass is disturbed and its not clossing hundred%. This two I need to get rectified at the earliest, its my laziness and nothing else.
Technical Specification:
Pwer - 70PS @ 4000 rpm
Torque - 140 Nm @1800 rpm
Transmission - Manual, 5 gears
Fuel capacity - 42 litres
Steering - Power, Rack and pinion type with collapsible steering column
Capacity - 5 person
Engine - Direct Injection Common Rail, 16-valve DOHC
Displacement - 1396 cc
Price - 5.2 lacs(inclusive of extra fitting of Central lockin and security system, reverse sensor, power windows, teflone coating)
I am completely satisfied till now.
