Our Ikon Flair is now 3+ years old. Bought April 2007, Jeans Blue or Octane Blue color . Except for parking scratches it looks as good as new. I really get a sense of satisfaction and pleasure when I see her every day, walking from the apartment lift to car park in the morning and in the office basement parking lot in the evening. I know there are many cars better in sophistication, better acceleration, better mileage, lower part costs, but this is like a gift which I don’t want to part. I am a middle income guy, and there is a subconscious push to go from bike to maruti/alto/santro to entry sedans to higher sedans as income increases and time goes by. But this is where I would like to pause and enjoy as much as I can.
Till date it has done 32k.I stay in Pune. Have done numerous trips to Bombay, Mahabaleshwar, Ratnagiri beaches, Aurangabad etc. Recently I have gone to Bangalore in a day and came back in a day. No issues at all. Very comfortable and secure ride at 120 to130kmph. Generous trunk space makes sure all stuff can be packed. Never gave me any trouble on road. I am very religious about service and give it to Ford service every 6 months. The cost typically comes to 2.5k per service. Once they replaced engine belt as it was making some noise, but replacement was under warranty.
Recently I had to change power steering rack as it was leaking, they said the leak is very nominal and car will run without any problem, but I am very pickey about these things and got it replaced. There are lot of complains about AC valve problem of Ikon on the net. I have not faced any such issues, so far. Most mechanics say my car still drives like new. Well I dont know if they are flattering or maybe I take good care!. I dont race the engine when it is cold. All gear changes are around 2000-2500 RPM mark. AC is switched on only when engine has run for a few minutes. And I dont think I have ever red-lined the engine. But please dont think I am sedate driver...:) Typically I am first off the block on a signal and overtake like a parasite, unless the other car is a BMW or Audi. You are getting the picture.Tyres are Michelin tubeless. Once I suspected that there might be a puncture in the front tyres and went to a shop after about 2 weeks of laziness. There were five punctures in one and three in the other.
Mileage City 12.5 to 13.5 and Highway 16-18. More than what I expected when purchased.
All in all what a car.