Well, it was in the year 2003, I bought this baby home. Actually I’d been waiting for a long time to make a good and sensible purchase. An automobile that could cater my commuting needs effectively, which offers a good driving feel with reasonable fuel efficiency, and of course without giving much hassles.
Being working with a leading Toyota dealership, I had an overall notion about different brands and models in the market and for what they really meant for. I also did enquire with some of my friends, and after an extensive research by taking my kind of needs and wants, I rounded to Indica Diesel and Wagon-R. Zen wasn’t there in my mind initially. Santros also do fall in this category but for me they are a big No No…I have already driven Indicas several times. The car is really spacious and is quiet okay for long drives. But I cancelled with the plan later based on the bitter experience, one of my co-workers’ had with his brand new Indica. The engine was ceased on his pilgrim journey to Velankanni, along-with his family which left him stranded in the mid-highway and that too when the engine was clocked only around 1500kms. The problem was due to a faulty engine cooling system and the dealer fixed it free of cost. Even though the credibility towards Indica is lost after that incident. According to him petrol engines are the best as the money saved with a diesel power-plant is worth enough for its maintenance only.
Thus the next choice was Wagon-R. I’d never driven this vehicle before. I decided to go for this since I could come across some satisfied users of Wagon-R. Anyways I decided to check it out. I took a test drive. But sad to say, it wasn’t up to my expectations. May be my personal bias would have been there since I was used with the wonderful piece of machineries from Toyota. Well, regarding the positives I’d say the engine is very powerful and torquey, power steering is very good, A/c is sufficient, and it is spacious too. The main problem with the vehicle was the bumpy ride and the poor handling characteristics. I felt the car so light especially on the corners. It couldn’t fulfil the expectations of a spirited driver.I had contacts with lots of second hand car brokers as part of my profession. One fine morning one such guy who was aware of me planning a car, rung me up and asked if I am interested in a used buy. He told me that he got a nice one in there and to take a look whenever I am free.I headed towards the garage the next day. He showed me the car. The first look, I fall in love with this baby. Clad in Miami Gold. I took a closer look. It is a Zen Vxi. One year and eight months old. Covered only less than 15000 kilometres. I checked the service history and other documents. Everything is perfect. It looked as good as it’s just out of the showroom. He insisted to take a drive. There wasn’t any problem apart from a hard brake lever. I was told that the car was left unused for the last three months since the owner was abroad which could be the reason. Whatever, I got it cleared with the next service. Our effective negotiations made the seller to come down and settle for a reasonable price.
The drive was more involving with the Zen. Excellent power steering which makes to negotiate the twist and turns like a breeze. Moreover you get excellent feed back from the steering wheel, which contribute to a more confidence inspiring driving. Trust me even some million rupee babes around fail to render this. Acceleration is pretty good with the MPFI engine which churns out an additional 10 bhp compared to the older generation Zens. Thankfully the engine is not much of a gas guzzler. It manages to deliver a decent overall mileage of 16 kms/litre with a/c. The passenger comfort is also good but with the Zen Vxi, it is the driver who gets the maximum enjoyment of the journey provided if it is complemented with a good terrain.
Now on the negative side, the first thing is its build quality. It’s very flimsy. You won’t get that solid kinda feel. Be gentle with this babe otherwise the feedback it gives will remind you the ’slow hand...’ number of Pointer Sisters, especially with the doors. As many Zen users say the low ground clearance is the second problem. Try not to put it very much on to bad roads and also do not proceed blindly on those big speed breakers. But things are better with the new 10 turns coil spring set-up compared to 8 turn coil springs of the older models. Although once you get used to this vehicle you will learn your own way of negotiating these situations in an amicable fashion. Also I won’t recommend it for extra long journeys with more than 4 people.
I didn’t like the way it looked with the 145/80R12 tyres which was pretty skinny. I enquired a lot but couldn’t find any Indian manufacturers producing high profile wider tyres suitable for a 12” rim. So I went for Falken 165/70 R12 tubeless which is wide enough and a wee bit taller than the OEs. Boy oh boy it changed the entire behaviour of the car. It contributed very well towards the handling of the car. The car is rock steady on high speeds and while cornering. It didn’t affect the fuel efficiency either. It seems as if the rubbers are custom made for this babe. I am just wondering why MUL itself can make these kind of modifications to enhance their product. It gives the car a muscular and healthy stance. It also helps to provide a relatively stable ride in roads with slight ups and downs. I strongly recommend this modification to any new Zens. The make is not freely available though.I changed the window panels to black and added a spoiler at the back. The window cool paper and the black panel combo extended an exotic sleek look to it. Altogether my babe got an extraordinary guise with the black paint cladding, rear spoiler and wider tyres and these modifications are good enough to turn the heads of the public. What if it is not fitted with a proper music sytem. To be candid, the company fitted Kenwood cassette player is good for nothing. I just replaced it with a Pioneer CD system which is one of the best in the market.
From the day in which I bought this till October 2004, when I headed to Europe (about 11 months) the vehicle covered about 22000kms. Most of them done by me only. With the Zen Vxi driving is a piece of cake. Of-course it was very honest in its duties, never gave any trouble and made me vex. Absolutely no maintenance work is done apart from the periodical services. So if you are looking for a vehicle with good power, fuel efficiency, driving comfort and absolute piece of mind regarding the maintenance, look nothing lesser than a Zen. Also it wont depreciate its value as easily as the years fly.
What ever may be your automobile, love it possessively and passionately as you guys care your girl friends. Do not insist nor compel forcefully on the things they are not interested-in or good-at but understand their requirements in advance and provide them duly before they demand something very badly. Try this out folks, they won’t let you down in any means.