I have been doing extensive research on all available cars in 4-6 L since past 3-4 months, since this is my first car. My requirement was diesel car with good exterior-looks, feature-rich and of course good fuel-efficiency(Milage). I had various choices, as mid-car segment is recently flooded with lot of new-models, almost from all car-manufacturers. Maruthi-Swift, Ritz, Hyundai, i20, Ford-Figo, Skoda-Fabia, Fiat-Punto, VW-Polo.
After extensive research on various user-groups/forums, I’ve shortlisted Swift, i20, Ford-Figo and Fiat-Punto. Maruthi-Ritz’s exterior look is not good from rear(atleast for me, though I hear same opinion from lot of ppl). i20 is really stylish and sporty, but its slightly expensive. Punto is nice car with good list of features(60:40 split rear-seat, Driver’s seat-height adjustment, steering height-adjustment etc), but what concerned me is After-Sales-Service & maintenance-cost.
Finally! I was left with Swift and Figo. Swift is well-proven car with FE of 21 Kmpl & still didn’t lose its charm in the market. Swift has got good resale-value, claimed low-cost maintenance & spare-parts. Initially when I found Ford-Figo back in February on my search, I was really shocked to see the price of diesel-car with such a brand name(FORD) and hell-lot of features. Since Swift has got very huge demand(2 months of waiting-time), Maruthi is not ready to provide features(MP3-player, remote central-locking etc) and on-road price is 40K more than Figo. For MP3-player and central-locking, it’ll cost another 20K extra). Overall price-difference between Figo and swift was around 60K.
Even then my friends, family-members were insisting me on taking Swift-VDI. I was in deep dilemma, whether to go with proven-car( 3 years Old-model) or with New-Car(where there is no guarantee for Fuel-Efficiency and maintenance-cost). I was toggling between two choices even one night before my booking Car. Since I liked Figo a looot and my heart said go with Figo. I went ahead and booked Figo-ZXI 1.4(Sea Grey). Total On-road-price in Hyd is: 5.93 Lacs(with 12% Road-tax).
I hope, I’ve made right choice. For swift I’ve to pay 50-60K for same set of features. The initial price-difference will pay me off the difference in maintenance-cost(incase if it is there)
Finally! On Friday I got my "Figo"- ZXI 1.4 Diesel Sea-Grey, with black-dash board. Waiting time was around 15-days.
For Figo-ZXI please don’t take any accessories other than Body-Cover, unless you want to go for Alloy-Wheels. I got Puncture-Kit for 1300, but if I got the same thing outside, I would have got it for 300-400. I got the Seat-covers outside for 3200(Showroom-Price 8000) and Door-Moulding Kit. for 850(Showroom-Price 2000). Sun-Film for 3500(with 55% Heat-reduction).
I drove it for~150KM till now. I liked it a loooooot.
Pros:
Plenty of Boot-Space, Looks like Semi-Sedan, Very spacious interiors.
Decent Exteriors with Chrome-finishing on Radiator, Body-colored Door-handles & Side-Mirrors And Wheel-covers
Driving-Visibility is Superb!
Very steady even at > 100KMPH, Very-light steering, Smooth Gear-shifting, Hardly noticed Engine-Noise even at > 90KMPH
MP3-player is awesome with all 4-speakers fitted into Doors, Bluetooth-feature of MP3 player is rocking
Solidly-built Body, Can clearly be distinguishable with its competitor Swift. Doors are really Solid and Interiors are made of good quality-plastics and looks decent than Swift for sure.
After driving the Car, now I know Why Ford-Cars are Driver-Friendly. It is absolutely true and I enjoy a looooooot driving this Car. previously I drove Swift, Waganor.
Cons: Most of you might know these things already. But just for the sake of completeness.
No Rear-power Windows and Can be be opened only upto 60%. But with AC, you hardly open the Rear-windows. Its fine.
Indicator on Left-Side. Since this is my first-car, Iam OK.
Bonnet-Open Lever is on Front-Passenger side. But this gets deactivated(can’t be opened) automatically once engine speed goes over 7KMPH, when drive-away central-lock happens.
No 60:40 Rear-Seat Split. But you rarely use this feature. You can completely close Rear-Seat.
No Tilt-Steering. Can’t be included with this Price-tag.
Finally there are no real cons as of now with looks and feel for one week driving. But after one month I will be able to find, if there are any real draw-backs with Engine-performance, Fuel-Efficiency and other things. I’ll post updates soon.