I had been planning to buy a car since some time. I started evaluating the available options about 6 months back, was looking for a CRDI diesel, since had heard so much about the frugality and torque. Options were
Swift DDIS, Grande Punto MJD, i20 diesel, Vista QJT , Palio MJD, Getz crdi or a Second hand Elantra CRDI
Actually had been waiting for the Optra SRV CRDI (was hoping/praying tha GM would launch it), but sadly that didn’t happen. I20 diesel was rejected pretty early in the search because I felt it was overpriced.
I also wanted safety features like ABS and Airbags etc, hence, Vista, Getz, and Palio were out. These cars do not provide those features (Not even as option). When will Airbags be made standard in India?
Swift has a ABS version with DDIS and I could have contended with that, but the top end is really bare for the price. No music system or alloys and it comes with really pony tires. Didn’t understand what the hype (4 month waiting period) was all about.
Was left with Punto and second hand Elantra CRDI Elantra would have been perfect, you can find 2 - 3 year Elantras for 5 - 6 lacs, but the key is finding one in good condition. I tried my luck for a couple of months but then gave up and booked a Punto MJD instead. Booked a Red one top end (emotion pack), came with 1.3 Multijet engine, dual airbags, ABS, 15" alloys, 195/60 tires (widest in any hatch in India), climate control, music system , blue and me, power everything. 4 year unlimited warranty and roadside assistance. What more could I ask for OTR 6.5 lac. Delivery happened within 2 weeks as promised.
It’s been more than 3 months with the car now, crossed 3000 kms, first service is done. Use is mostly within city with a an odd highway trip in the month. Getting a mileage of around 13.5 in bumper to bumper mumbai traffic with 100% AC.
Highway mileage 18.3 (spirited driving) with 100% AC, car is usually fully loaded with 4 adults and some baggage. Only gripe on the highway on speeds above 100, the RPM stays about 2500 or so, a 6th gear would have helped in cruising at those speeds at slightly lower RPM, save more fuel.
Driving style needs some adjustment for the turbo lag, that is, if u have been driving petrol so far, like I have (I guess that’s true for all CRDI or turbo diesels), after that it’s really fun to drive. The 197 NM of torque really does the job, overtaking is a breeze, the best part is when you leave some of the pricier petrols wheezing on an incline.
The suspension is great, very stable at high speeds, have done spirited driving on the ghats, which I could never attempt in the other cars that I have driven (mostly maruti stable). In city you don’t feel the potholes. It has the feel of a bigger more expensive car. A gripe about interior dashboard plastic, the surface has coarse finish where dust settles and is difficult to remove with a cloth. I think the 2010 Puntos are better in this regard but haven’t checked.
All in all a great package, emotion pack is really value for money for what it offers.