Had purchased this car back in 2001. The options were : an accent and an ikon. The ikon handles extremely well and is torquey and well built. When I test drove the ikon, I liked the engine and it is an excellent driver’s car. I also knew that it was an expensive car to maintain and it had a pathetic resale value. The interiors were too plasticky and I didn’t like that.
Next was the accent. The accents are pathetic as far as handling is concerned, and the engine feels sluggish and under powered as compared to the other two. The interiors, again are very disappointing.
Then I decided to have a look at the esteem. Now I don’t give a heck about the sliding type controls for the HVAC like the ones on the esteem. What I really liked about the interiors was the quality of the switch gear and the power windows switches. I also liked the soft, moulded interiors; they’re not hard and plastic-ky. Agreed; it’s difficult getting in and out of an esteem, but the driving position is simply superb. The engine is noisy, but in a good way. It revs up smoothly and redlines at 6.5K rpm. And it sounds sporty too. (the ikon’s also sporty). It’ geared tall and hence, it’s a pain to drive in the city.
Often times, I have people complaining that this car is underpowered, but that’s not true. You have to downshift; it lacks the low end grunt. But whip the throttle and the car flies. the engine is eager and the tachometer needle quickly jumps to the 6500 rpm once the throttle is floored. The engine roars in a very sporty way and the gearbox is slick. I hate the accent gearbox whine, though the ikon’s gearbox is pretty slick too. But, if you’d ask me; the esteem has an excellent gearbox. I’ve had this car for 6 years now and the only parts I’ve replaced: clutch plates, fog lamps, brake pads and brake shoes and wiper blades. Not bad at all considering that I’ve clocked 96, 000. And surprisingly; the shock absorbers and the suspension are still good.
The car doesn’t rattle and I’ve managed to eliminate the rattle by gluing thin rubber strips with araldite on the boot floor; where the toolbox is located and I’ve also used rubber strips from inside the dashboard to eliminate rattle. If you are unsatisfied with the brakes; then get rid of the old tyres and use 175/70 R 13s instead. The stock 155s are too skinny.
The A/C is PATHETIC though. and the power steering is over served.