I was always afraid of driving. Leave alone driving, I was always afraid of venturing out on my own in traffic on a two wheeler even. Blame it on the positioning of my stars or blame it on my timidity, but I could never get enough courage.
Then came a time when there was no option left but to buy a car. I was very naive when it came to deciding the right one. Should it be a big car or a small one? One thing I definitely knew that I will not go in for a bigger car just because it will make me’cool’. I would only go in for a bigger car if it satisfies all my requirements. And my requirements back then were -
*1.** No Idea
*2.** No Idea
*3.** No Idea
The best thing to do when you are not sure is to ask the **’experts’**. My’expert’ friends were all over me to help me out. Buy this one or that one and do this and in test drive notice this. As expected very soon I was reeling under information overload. I just tried following everyone’s instructions. As someone once said - Better be quiet and thought a fool, than speak and clear all doubts.
One more thing I realized was that big cars give you more space and take away more money. Getting more space was one criterion I realized I had. **But giving away more money was something I was not ready for.** I know I am so pathetic(in words of car manufacturers and dealers), but that is how I am. Eventually big cars got ruled out.
There were no other criteria I had. Someone I know influenced me enough and I decided I will go in for **Wagor-R**. I had no reasons for the same. Within a few days I had the brand new car delivered.
Then came the first hurdle - driving lessons and a license. I had taken a few lessons in car driving. Every time I tried getting a license, the traffic inspector would reject me. This happened twice in succession. **Somehow I got the license;-)*
*Because I was lonely in my nightmare** - My biggest nightmare back then was driving and that too driving alone. You may not believe me but there was a time that I would force people at my home to make me a very early breakfast so that I could leave early and hence avoid traffic. The trouble started when I banged my car into a pole while reversing it. I don’t think the pole was there before. It just grew there that day!
Good reflexes can save you from a lot of such nasty troubles. I believe developing good reflexes in my case should get attributed to my also being an avid table tennis player. And once I got confidence, I began noticing how thankful I was to the person who suggested that I buy Wagon-R.
*Every good science begins with a question and a need to either invent or recreate - **The car has a fabulous mileage. Even within a city like Bangalore which is bursting at its seams due to traffic, I am able to get a mileage of 14+. At times I have even got a mileage of **16+ within city**. I agree that this has also got a lot to do with driving habits and the kind of fuel you use. Even with normal fuel I am able to get a good mileage. I think the model that I have - LXi is a true example of recreation. To the ones who have wondered what this’R’ business is, **the alphabet R in the name Wagon-R stands for** **’recreation’.** I believe this to be true based on my experiences. It is a true example of creating something anew.
*With great power comes great responsibility and responsibility means balance** - They say that with great power comes an even greater responsibility. If you think deep, you will say that responsibility means being able to balance different aspects. Wagon-R has an excellent balance and a very powerful power steering. It is very easy to manoeuver the vehicle. The car has a fabulous air conditioning unit. Even with a/c on, the power does not drop significantly. I have till date never found it to throttle with a/c on. **There are some amazing engineering brains at work, for sure.*
*Feel’elevated’ - **One more thing I have always liked about this car is its clearance from the ground. On a bumpy road, I have never had any problems. In fact in my early days of driving I banged a transformer on the side of an elevated footpath. I zoomed across the busy road, went over the elevated hurdle and banged into the transformer. If it were not for the elevation of the vehicle, I would have very badly damaged the chassis and probably not have been here to write this detailed an account:-)*
I have only heard of following problems with the new variants.** Their gear assembly at times slips on a bumpy road and brings the car to neutral much to the dismay of driver. Another one is that its clutch plates are a little too’tight’. So if you have any of these problems, better make use of the warranty period and get it rectified for free.
*I have had Wagon-R for 4 years now.** People have wondered when I will sell it. In fact Wagon-R is one car which you will not find available for sale easily. Ask people who drive it and they will tell you why.
About my selling it - **You never part with things you love. Do you?*