Ford Ikon Flair

Update:

13-Aug-2010

Now I have done 37, 000 kms and here is the latest update on spares replaced

1. Rusted exhaust broke apart during a highway drive and sounded like I did silence modification. Replaced it for Rs. 12, 000, the complete unit

   
   




2. Regualr service cost around Rs. 5000 these days.

   
   

Update:

I have done 21, 000 kms now and here is the list of spares I need to change

1. Drive chain to be replaced Apprx Rs 1200. Giving continous kssh kssh sound.

   
   




2. Exhaust pipe completely rusted and exhaust sound has gone up 3 fold.

   
   




3. Fuel ignition electronics replaced recently - Rs 5000

   
   

Hi,

I own a ford ikon flair 2004 model and have driven approximately around 17, 000 kms. Here are my views about this car, (compared to i10 iRDE and swift diesel at many places)

Pros

1. Very good on highways. Handling in sharp corners and negotiating with vehicles at high speeds is excellent. Once I raced neck to neck in 80 km free stretch with a swift diesel. Till 80 km/h both cars are almost had the same performance, but once we cross this mark, 90-120km/h it is a true swift diesel’s territory. Car really amazed me, though I’m only little behind him. Both of us didn’t try pushing the car beyond 120km/h though.

   
   




2. Excellent interior space, though the interior design is cheap, very good leg room for both front and back seat passengers.

   
   




3. Front seat comfort is in between that of swift and i10 front seat comfort. swift has an excellent front seats.

   
   




4. Mileage I get is around 12.5 - 13.5km/l in bangalore without AC, which is good for a car of this size.

   
   




5. leg support is good. swift is bad and i10 is excellent.

   
   




6. Service quality is good and attended by trained people and they address problems fine.

   
   




7. head lights is between the quality of i10 and swift. swift on bad side and i10 on the better side.

   
   

Cons

1. Central locking is manual. Both front seats passengers can lock the car on move. Not automatic as in swift and i10. This is good and bad. In i10, engine needs to be switched off to release central lock.

   
   




2. Gears, clutch, break, steering all hard to use. Antique compared to i10, swift. Not good for day-to-day city driving.

   
   




3. High service cost. Here is a sample

   
   

Fuel filter - 137 Rs

Air filter - 263 Rs

oil filter - 80 Rs

AC filter - 117 Rs

Service - 800 Rs

wheel balancing, alignment, weights - 700Rs

Others(always comes): 500

Extra(is it different from others?): 200Rs

1. Engine noise inside is way too high compared to Swift diesel and i10, which excellent

   
   




2. Exhaust rusts and needs a replacement every 3 yrs - aprrox 14000Rs

   
   




3. Even central locking makes enough noise, that on a calm road, a new to ikon passenger would get a jerk:)

   
   




4. Power window speed reduces if you try to roll on or roll down more than one window at the same time, not sure about other cars

   
   




5. You see slight lag in performance in 1-2 gears. very noteicable

   
   

My opinion is, with so many good cars that has all the pros and less cons I mentioned above are available in market today, This car really does not stand out from compitetors even with new front design and new diesel engine.