I have purchased Honda City Gxi 2004 model, just one month back. I have done about 500 Kms so far. This is a Manual transmission vehicle. The color is New Warm Silver.
Generally, the car driving is a very comfortable experience except for the sitting position where I am unable to see objects on the right hand corner of the vehicle. This may be due to my height but that was one of the reasons why I bought this vehicle, otherwise, I would have gone for Ford Icon or so.
I have added leather interior (the quality of the upholstery is not the best and the dealer did not do a good job on that). I have added Alloy wheels to my car at Rs 32, 000 more. One atrocious thing is I have paid almost Rs 85, 000 as State government tax (this is in addition to Road Tax which came about Rs 20, 000); considering the road and traffic conditions in this place I think this is daylight robbery). Totally I had spent around Rs 8.30 Lakhs.
Very disappointed that Honda did not provide CD player or Changer for this kind of money.
Over all, the vehicle is a spacious one and good enough for a single family; the boot space is good.
The engine performance needs to be tested during long drives; but I can see the engine is struggling at low RPMs during second gearshift. During fifth gear drives, the vehicle is absolutely smooth. The power steering is really very comfortable while driving in city roads. They have reduced power compared to its previous models. Gear shifting is absolutely effortless and comparing that with (stick like) Maruthis I can say, that you will really feel the gearshift. * Update: Over all performance while long distance drive is good. But we could feel more need for power while certain over takings, where time in fraction really counts.
ABS is missing; again for the prize of this vehicle these features must be standard ones.
I do not see any trip meter; my two-wheeler which is only Rs. 65K has got this useful feature. * Update; There are two trip meters.
The music system that comes with the car is useful but not great! The tweeter is missing again, it costs you couple of thousands. One good thing about the Music system is, once you fit the music system, it would be difficult for car thieves to steal your music system.
Arms rest for the driver would be an useful feature that is missing here!
Security alarm is missing; another possible feature need not be offered as an option for the price of the car.
I am not happy with its ground clearance; it should have been more. You can easily get hit at the bottoms in Indian roads.
A/C is good especially after the first service. The interior in general could be better but it is not all that bad, now.
The fuel efficiency is not less than 10 Kml so far (I always drive with A/C switched on). * Update: On long drives it gives about 15 with A/C.
Over all, you will definitely enjoy this car while driving. This is a good car for long trips and the ride comfort is good.
Local dealer was trying their best to help me out but there are many limitations with which they need to operate; so Iwould not attribute the quality of the service solely on the subjects that are available in the service stations, rather based on the owners of the service stations. These guys try to squeeze those poor chaps in the service stations. Ofcourse, they charged me around Rs 1000 for fixing the CD Changer.