Hello friends, I recently bought a deep pearl blue Getz prime 1.1 gle(base version) on 14th Aug 2007. My dad owns a Swift(petrol) mid version that I had driven for almost a year now. I drove a very old Maruti 800 for few years before my dad got rid of it recently(as I had shifted to Bangalore and decided not to bring my 800, which was a lovely car but quite old to be reliable)
Anyways the point that I wanted to make was that after driving SWIFT for about a year and loving the car very much, I decided to go for a GETZ for me. I was quite aware of it having the SANTRO Zing 1100 cc engine and hence wont be as zippy as the 1300 cc Swift.
I had to make a choice cause there was no point of buying another SWIFT in the family(though sometimes I do feel I should have). And 1.3 GETZ was quite out of my budget(I would buy a SWIFT diesel instead). I and my wife somehow never had loved the design of Santro(to be honest, it is much better than a WagonR in driving pleasure).
So here we were with Hyundai Getz with a Santro engine in my budget range, readily available with not much waiting, with all the good european looks, and quite a bag full of cool usable features. And I paid almost the same amount I would end paying up for a full featured Santro Zing. Other option considered was a Palio Stile, but somehow always felt Fiat wasnt the best choice considering the service/spares backup. Am quite safe with either Maruti or Hyundai. And the proven and succesful Santro Zing engine.
Since my family is soon going to be extended we wanted to buy something that has more space, which I extremely missed in the SWIFT, especially the boot space. So the 60:40 rear seat splits, fully foldable rear seats and equally good looks in GETZ got me. I find SWIFT to be a very good looking car too(even from the rear;))
To be frank Getz 1.1 is quite a sluggish car(please note this is compared to SWIFT), if you are driving the SWIFT, it wants to eat up as much of the road ahead … while the Getz 1.1 seems like telling you ‘whats the hurry buddy’. Yes it is quite sad the way this car performs especially in the 3rd gear. It hardly has any power … reminds me how careful I need to be while overtaking on highways at high speeds.
Also the mileage is not that great compared to the Santro Zing engine. It has lost the punch in the tweaking done for, to carry the heavier load of the Getz body. The SWIFT gave an unbelievable 14/15 km/ pl in city with ac and atleast 16km/pl on highways. While I think my Getz 1.1 gives me a decent 10km/pl in city right now, am expecting/hoping it to grow after few services though.
Though, am satisfied with my Getz, not only because I have bought it:), but also it provides me some cool features that my SWIFT does not provide, it looks really cool, has lots of space to offer with so many options. And I get the same body, suspension, brakes of a Getz1.3 in my budget.
And for you guys let me list those features that I miss in each of them of the other,
Features I miss in Swift(mid version, petrol) from Getz Prime(1.1, base version)
more boot space
60-40 rear seat split(very helpful, best part I can utilize my boot space without opening the boot. You can reach to your shopping bags in the boot from the rear seat)
double fold rear seats(once double folded I get entire flat yes flat space: boot+ rear, I can place a mattress and pillows and my kid/s can sleep)
adjustable steering height
illuminated glove box
shelf under the steering(for my glares and everything else)
rear defogger
foot rest besides the clutch(am sure am gonna use it more on long drives, a very clever feature)
clutch lock, engine does not start till you press the clutch( I need to check if this feature would be a curse when I am driving on a slope and engine shuts down? I think I need to take care)
Features I miss in Getz Prime(1.1, base version) from Swift(mid version, petrol)
tyres of larger height(more comfortable ride)
powerful and fast Air conditioning
very comfortable seats(quite soft and good upholstery)
easy to maneuver while turning
much comfortable driver height and bonnet visibility
full rear seat head support(head rest, this probably had to make a way in Getz as it comes in way when folded, so I am fine with it)
For the detailed list of features available in these cars you can check their websites.
I wish the new Getz prime had an electronic power steering(EPS) instead of a
hydraulic one that again affects the cars mileage and performance and
yes more maintenance later. Only all Maruti and new Honda City cars comes with EPS. Though a good point to consider is Getz comes fitted with the Delco battery, which is quite reputable brand world over and these batteries last quite long.
At the end would leave the choice on you to decide if you want to buy Getz 1.1 or not. And hope this information helps you decide on the same. I have liked it and is perfectly suited for my purpose at this moment of time and I think it definitely is value for money. I will further discover it as I take it on more long trips.
I would say it’s a Good car on its own with some awesome(very useful) features. Only recommend if space and utilities and not driving pleasure is the top priority.
All the best. Enjoy your drive and be cautious while you overtake(always)
Parth
Bangalore