I wanted to upgrade my car. Since I was driving a diesel Indica earlier , decided to look at only diesel options. Test drove Fiat Petra D, Accent CRDI, Hyundai Elantra, Scorpio and Tata SAFARI. Wanted to wait for Verna but could not resist the Fiesta - went Fida!!
Before getting into Fiesta...
Safari’s seating and ride is excellent but felt too big for every day’s city drive. I liked Scorpio’s pick-up and looks but got scared of its handling, particularly on the highway curves. Petra’s built and road behavior was good, however, did not consider this and Hyundai since they are already aged in the market and Verna was too late for me!!
Fiesta...
Initially , I was not impressed by the fiesta looks. Also felt that, the Diesel ZXI car (No EXI initially) is not a value for money (Rs. 8.4 lakhs on road price at Bangalore). Its evident after seeing Hyundai Verna Diesel pricing. Verna costs same as the Fiesta ZXI and offers more space and almost double the power (112 bhp?).
Then came the the ford’s answer in the form of Fiesta Diesel EXI @ 6.85 lakhs at B’lore (ex show room price). Went and bought the car from the Cauvery Ford and I was the first customer for this model in Bangalore!. I spent about 16K outside and added rear spoiler with an integrated light, Pioneer system, fog lamps with chrome rings and body coloured mirrors etc and now my car looks better than the high-end Fiesta!
I have crossed 5000 kms. Done with 2 services. The car is amazing. The service is very good. I was thinking twice to buy the car after reading about Ford dealers bad reputation in Service. Unbelievably, Cauvery Ford, Bangalore is very professional. They call well in advance to inform me the service due date, free pick-up and drop of the car for the service and good follow-up calls too. I am really very happy about the service so far. I hope to get the same level of service in future too.
The car’s performance is excellent. I have checked my mileage every time I fill the fuel. In City my lowest is 16.25 km/ltr. This is with A/C on almost 75% of the time. I drove once about 300 kms with 5 people with boot full of baggage and A/C on and my mileage was 19.25 km/ltr. I thought no car can be more economical than my old Indica. Now I started admiring my Fiesta. I like the drivability and sharpness of the steering in high speeds. Its very easy car to drive in city too. I can do in 5th gear from 35 kms to 120 kms speed. Its bit wheezy on highways when you go beyond 110 kms/hr. We cant expect more from a 1.4 engine with 68 bhp!!. In total, the car offers very good package - Brand name, best in the industry performance (diesel engine), drivability and refinement - Probably this is the best diesel car today in this segment.
Went and saw the Verna last week. Looks good and heard that performance is not on par with Fiesta. I like the power in Verna...but am very happy with my Fiesta as it offers an excellent overall package and also, I dont see any concerns... and I am going Fida...I think I have made a good choice.
I will Write back more when I find time....
Anand, Bangalore
I am back here to share my experience after driving the Fiesta for 62 thousand KMs. Its great going except in 2 occations...
one day I had a problem with power window switch...driver side window got stuck the switch didnt work...for my bad-luck it was raining. Went to metro ford Bangalore the next day and they replaced the motor. I think I didnt use the switch properly...i used to lift both windows simultaneously...i started using one-window switch at a time...it seems to be perfect now!
Recently, my car got stopped all of a sudden in a busy signal...the problem was RPM was dropping suddenly from 3000 plus to 1200...ford fixed it and they said it was due to some issue with MAP sensor...Metro didn’t even charge anything for this since I had done a 60, 000KM service couple of weeks before this inceident.
Coming to the good things...I am very happy with the car...its in great condition..maintainance cost is very low. I dont think I have spent more than 20000 rupees for all my services , including repairs so far (driven 63, 000 kms). I get about 16KM/ltr in bangalore city traffic with AC on.
I have decided to drive atleast one lakh kms...just added alloys and replaced tyres with yokohama..it looks brand new and sportier.
Will back again when I cross one lakh KMS...
Cheers!
Anand, Bangalore