I bought my Tata Indica V2 DLS in July 2008. I have considered several other cars before zeroing in on this car. The primary reason was the fuel efficiency of this car, with about an average usage of 1200 km per km within the city every month and occasional highway rides, the mileage it offers was attractive. Inside the city it gives me a mileage of 16-17 km/hr (with A/C on) and outside 1 or 2 km more. (Highway mileage is not significantly high for me because I accelerate upto 120 Kmph otherwise I have heard from guys that it gives you upto 20 kmpl).
The car offers you the best AC of its class. A review about Indica is incomplete if do not mention about the space it offers inside. The leg room, height of the seats are better than some expensive sedans. Many of my friends use to call me cabbie for owning this car, I just ignore them for what I get in this car. However I happened to travel in a Vista recently and I was astounded by its interior looks, given a choice now I would go for Vista for its new engine and nice interior and exterior looks. Also it seemed to me that it is more spacious than Indica V2. (I am not sure, but felt that way).
People always have doubt about the maintenance of the diesel engines. I have owned this car for about two years with approx 34000 KM done I have not spent for any major maintenance problem tildate. The car goes for a regular service once in every 7000 km and it needs no maintenance care in between.
Indica (and now Vista) is a nice car to own as it gives you the real value for money.