It’s been quite some time since I could even take a look at MS. Busy work schedules mean you are off your favorite websites. A lot seems to have been changed about MS. On this return, I take contentment in informing you all about the birth of our second baby and would like to pen down regarding the beginning of a new love story in our lives in the form of a brand new Ritz VXi, Superior White.
NEED FOR A NEW CAR: After the arrival of our second baby in December, we revived our thoughts for a new car as we do not prefer to be among those Indians who easily take the risk of transporting four to five people including two to three kids, on a two wheeler . The initial idea was to sell off the Alto that I own and purchase two cars i.e. one Nano for my mother (as she was using my Alto) and some other car for myself. Mother was okay with the idea of a Nano as her usage is purely inside the city limits. But the Nano idea had to be dropped due to heavy resistance from father. It is at this time that another thought entered my mind. I am trying to sell off a car which has no liabilities on it (the hypothecation was closed after a year of purchase) and purchase two cars under loan thereby creating an unnecessary burden. Thus the decision was made to choose some lower priced car and retain the reliable Alto. The situations which led to the purchase of the car have been narrated towards the end of this review (A FLASH BACK).
THE CONTENDERS:
1) Toyota Etios Liva V: Positives like brand name and after sales service were very tempting factors but the decision was dropped due to the price factor (The initial idea was to sell off the Alto and use that amount as down payment for the Etios Liva (Petrol) V variant). Interest was not generated towards the lower variants (G & GSP) due to the non availability of certain features like the rear wiper, tachometer etc. which cannot be added on later. Dropped the decision with a reluctant heart.
2) Fiat Punto: An all time favorite. Desire dropped purely due to the pathetic after sales service and hopeless attitude of Tata Fiat service centers.
3) Ford Figo: Felt the car as value for money but again the feedbacks regarding the poor after sales service of the only dealer available, made me drop the decision.
4) Chevrolet Beat Diesel: Availability of a diesel option was an attraction just like the pricing. Again, after sales service was an issue along with the reliability of Chevrolet brand. As far as I have observed Chevrolet will launch new models quite often and if the sales of the existing models are affected, the prices of those models are reduced without any hesitation or any consideration about existing customers. Examples: Spark, Optra Magnum, Captiva.
5) Wagon R VXi: The brand that we own since 2004, and highly satisfied about the cars that we have owned (details in A FLASH BACK).
DECISION IN FAVOR OF NEW WAGON R K SERIES (BLUE EYED BOY) : After thinking of all the above models, I took a hard decision to stick on to Wagon R (3rd one!). When I discussed the matter with my wife, considering the budget issue and the urgency of a car, she reluctantly agreed to my decision. Matter was not presented in front of parents at this time. I then walked into M/s Popular Automobiles where my friends work and obtained the details of new Wagon R VXi and was certainly delighted to go through the features list. The biggest improvement in the car came in the form of the interior space which has been generated due to the increased wheel base, which amusingly, is longer even when compared to Ritz and the Old Swift.
When I was almost ready to make the booking, the team leader and assistant manager who are very long known friends threw in the question of myself sticking on to the same segment since 2004. The forced me to rethink and listed down the price of Ritz VXi which, with the offer prevailing at that time, was approximately Rs.60, 000/- costlier than Wagon R VXi. Regarding the vehicle I had no doubts as my sister owns one and is very satisfied about it. Moreover, I had taken the car out for some long distance drives which did make me desirous of this car. I had mentioned regarding this desire even in my Wagon R review. Now confusion arises and my friends want me to return with a decision after discussions with my family rather than booking the vehicle on the spot.
THE FINAL DECISION:
Step 1: Matter presented to better half. Decision on the spot in favor of Ritz.
Step 2: Matter presented to parents. Whole hearted support in favor of Ritz. They added that if I had gone ahead with the idea of Wagon R, it would have been a big NO! They suggested the diesel variant but the budget will have to be stretched by almost a lakh for VDi (I was totally against LDi due to the lack of features. Also, my monthly running would be less than 1000 Kms a month which reduces the necessity of a diesel car). I was already stretching my budget by about Rs.60, 000/-. Having family convinced with the decision for petrol car the booking was made. Due to horrible experience of using dark colors (Alto is Wine Red and Wagon R is Blue) firm decision was taken that only a light color will be purchased. Thus opted for Superior White which I felt suits the car the most. Had to wait for almost one month to get the car due to shortage for white! I know times when there was free flow of any color that you demand, on the Ritz. This meant that the demand for the product was increasing which was also obvious by the increasing number of Ritz (especially white) that I started seeing on the roads around that time (Experience very much similar to the condition which prevailed at the time of the first Wagon R purchase in 2004). Took delivery of the car in February and has completed 4500 Kms till date.
ACCESSORIES FITTED
1) Alloy Wheels (MGA which comes as standard in the top of the line ZXi variant)
2) Theft Alarm (MGA)
3) Stereo (MGA Kenwood Dual Din with USB and AUX in ports) & 4 Speakers
4) Steering mounted remote for audio controls (MGA)
5) Side beadings , Rear bumper beading & front corner protector (MGA)
6) Reverse Sensor (MGA)
7) Mud Flaps & Floor Mats (MGA)
Along with this, I had also converted the mirrors and the door handles into body colored ones. For VXi variant these come in black but for the VDi variant (diesel) these are body colored. Seat covers were fixed from a local vendor who stitches good quality seat covers (art leather).
MGA = Maruti Genuine Accessory
REASONS FOR CHOOSING RITZ
1) For this money, I couldn’t find any other car that gives such a good driving position and comfort.
2) Excellent torque and drivability coupled with a silky smooth engine.
3) The best AC I have experienced in a car in this segment.
4) Gear lever positioning and the shift feel.
5) Due to usage of sister’s car, was confident about the mileage factor.
6) The car with one of the highest recommendation rating (96%) in MS (This was indeed a very important factor).
7) The car with the highest fan following in Face Book.
8) Has heard only positives from friends and colleagues who use this car.
9) All websites I have referred carry the high number of satisfactory reviews regarding this car.