Before writing my experience about Getz, I would like to write my feeling about hyundai cars, before and now. I do not know much of technical aspects of any of the cars but am able to explain whether I liked the vehicle or not and why.
First of all, I never understood why people hated korean cars. But as for me, I used to hate the design of Santro when hyundai came to India and for the same reason I didnt even bother to take a test drive of the car, no matter how good the car be.
I drove a zen till last month. 2 years back my cousin bought a used santro 1999 model. Whenever I visit my native, I visit my cousin also and we used to go out for a drive or for outing. When he tells me he will take his santro, I stop him and make him get into my zen because I never even wanted to step in the santro because of its shape. But once when I went to my native in train, there was an urgent work for which I had to drive his santro. Being frank, I just loved the vehicle. But didnt didnt express my liking to him. But then recently there were about 4 santros baught in our office by my colleagues. I drove them and it was really good. My opinions to hyundai cars changed then. I liked them better than my zen, except the shape and close pedals for santros. Close pedals to me is a danger. But thanks to the improved much better looks of new santros.
Coming to Getz.
I do not own a getz but have taken 3 test drives. I test drove Getz, Santro, Swift and Wagon R to decide which one to buy. When I test drove the Getz all 3 times, it gave me the same performance. The car does not have the pulling of the swift, but has decent pulling which is enough for us to drive within the city. Other reviews tell that the car is good on highways except the small drawback of slight bodyroll.
The interior is spacious, very spacious. I love the boot space. Back seat journey was very comfortable. AC was powerful too. It does not have too much of body curves and hence the vehicle is an all purpose vehicle. If you want to give it a sporty look, it has that, for a decent look, that also it has. The driving was very comfortable. The windows are big in getz and hence you dont feel that you are in prison. The boot tray is big enough to place good speakers. The quality of interior is far superior than of swift. Hyundai could have made a better console connecting dashboard and gear console. Thanks there is no plastic look & feel inside the car. The exterior of the car looks not exceptional but nice and cute except a bit of improvement they could have done at the front. The vehicle at first glance and even after much stare makes you feel like owning one and has the imported car looks, especially the rear. So much of storage space in the car, very nice.
Another lovely thing is that the GL (base model) itself has power windows for all 4 doors and power steering. The only noticable differences are no spot lights in front, not body colored mirrors and door handles, no de-fogger, no spoiler and a few small things inside which are not so very important to have them also. But if you ask me which model to go for I would suggest GLS because its only Rs.25, 000 difference between the GL and GLS. If you would purchase a GL model and try to add these items, it will definitely cost you more than this difference cost and all things you will not be able to fix as they might be very expensive or not available.
On the whole I liked the Getz than any other car in that segment, till a new car is launched in the same segment. Though its expensive for me, the car is value for money.
I enquired with two proud owners of Getz in my town about the car and mileage. One (around 45 years age) told me if you are not the superman of Kerala, then Getz is the car. He is very comfortable and happy with the vehicle. The other person’s opinon had a bit of Indian masala added. But this gentleman told me he is getting a mileage of maximum 10 kpl within city and for long journey he got 13-14 kpl. He added it could be because of his driving pattern that he is getting that less mileage. One more thing he said was having this car will not let you remember about the mileage it offers, though less, but not less at all when compared with swift, according to me.
I’m preparing myself to by a Getz. When contacted Hyundai dealer in Trivandrum they did not give me any offers except a stereo. I told them a car like this if you dont give any offer will only be in your showroom. When contacted the dealers in Kottayam and Cochin, all offered me free insurance and Rs.5000/- worth accessories which includes tafflon coating etc. The Trivandrum dealer contacted me again and I told him that these dealers have offered me so much and if you are willing to offer me what they have offered, I will buy the car from you. It has been 3 weeks till today and he has not got back to me. I have heard from many others also that when other dealers give so many offers, this dealer in Trivandrum does not offer anything. Are they taking advantage of their monopoly? Or they are swallowing the money of Hyundai offers from new customers? Has to be checked. Also, I have heard from a couple of people who own santros that the Trivandrum service center is also not that good.
But taken all these into consideration, still I will go for Getz because after maruti, its
only hyundai that have the wide network of service stations and dealers.
If you are worried about resale value, dont worry much because either ways whther its a swift or getz, you will lose a bit of money. But people have started trusting these korean cars and thats why we see so many santros on road. The bye bye has turned to hi hi for korean cars in India. Also, the value of used cars of maruti is also not that great these days. A broker known to my cousin said Santro has more resale value than Zen now. Could be true. But Wagon R has got good resale value he said and I too heard.
These are just my personal opinions and never is forcing you or confusing you from anything.