Hi Friends, After reading reviews of other for this car, I feel like adding of my own. Well I own Omni - 8 seater that purchased on Oct 97.( 9 year old ), ( Round headlamp with carburrated engine ). While purchasing I did not had any other option than 800, zen or uno (in car segment) . But now I feel I made a good decision.Engine - The 796 cc seems small but does great work on big body.
The pick up is good specially in Mumbai traffic, signals due to no bonat in front and hence good judgement, you can easily stretch in 1st and 2nd gear and be ahead of traffic whearas other all big engine high cost cars remains behind this is mainly because of improper judgement due to aeroplane view from windshield, make them to keep car behind. Performance - On highway ( Mumbai - Pune ) I touch 95-100 kmph with family and luggage.
Well I will not advice to cruise at that speed, but its clear that one can easily go at 80 continuously. Even at that speed when I reach pune and calculate avg it comes around 19-20 an in city I get 15-16. Space and Comfort - Internal space wise It is the most specious in small car segment. I have 4 members in my family, 2 in front and 2 in back. The back seaters can sleep by putting their legs in front seat facing towards them. This is best thing which I like in Omni that’s why I call it as limousine. Even space for driver and neighbour is good. Drivers sitting posture and steering position ( truck like ) never make you feel fatigue in long driving.
Cons - The bad part of this car is braking system. I have drum brakes in front in which any one of them gets jam once in a year and I spent about 700 Rs for servicing all brakes. ( Still worth due to low repair cost ). Anyhow new car comes with disc brakes so this problem is gone.One more imp tip – In this car if you are going at 70 or above never plan for sudden brakes, if you feel that such condition can come, do not touch that speed. Only on express ways where visibility is clear for next 100 meters and above there such speed or even more is OK.
Overall - In 9 years, I had no major work , but just 1 alternator change, 1 battery replacement and 2 headlamp bulbs change. Of coarse plus brake overhauling along with car servicing every year.
Other wise all other times just fill it shut it and forget it. Now its more than 9 years, I want to go for new one, and I am not getting any equivalent option in market within low budget.
Only choice is elephants – Innova, Scorpio, Saffari. But then I feel Maruti Versa could be better option which is in line. Well I will come back with review on Versa once I buy.