This is Vijay from Chennai. This is my first car & am owning this for around 3 years. The first 2 years was good in terms of maintenance & running cost. After that I found the maintenance cost is very high(Rs. 6000-8000 per service) and running cost has also gone up. Maintaining this car has become very expensive with VST Motors, chennai(Service Centre). It is known fact that maintanence of diesel cars are expensive, but it is unimaginable to own / maintain this Indica car beyond 2 years. This is more suitable for taxi operators only.
Recently(Dec 21, 2006) my Indica 2003 DLS had a major fire accident(when the vehicle was just parked in a private hospital) probably due to electrical short circuit. The worst part is my car is just out of 3 years extended warranty and the last service was as usual in VST motors during October, where in the total car was serviced, so many parts were changed with a cost of around Rs. 7000. Inspite of this servicing, maintenance & extended warranty this fire accident occurred, which is obviously due to the inherent defect of the car. We are so surprised to see a diesel car completely burnt to ashes(excepting the base cast frame). My wife & kid are out of any danger by Gods grace.
I was also surprised to understand that this is not an isolated case. ie., Similar cases of fire due to short circuit of Tata Indica has been reported recently, 1st week of Jan 2007, a car that was parked in a private textile showroom in T. Nagar has got fire reportedly due to short circuit.
A complaint has been launched with local police on my car fire accident and the same has been communicated to Tata Motors(Regional Office & Head Quarters) for inspection & necessary rectification(safety measure) in the cars that are being produced now. But it is very upsetting that I have no proper response / reply(excepting a phone call) from Tata Motors as yet.
I would only request Tata Motors for a necessary measure to rectify this inherent defect, so as to prevent any suh occurrance in the future and a better / imprved service to the existing customers. The service from Tata Motors or their dealers in Chennai is totally incorrigible / rediculous.
Taxi Operators can buy this vehicle for low running cost.
Working Individuals, Business Professionals who looks at value for time & money should not even think of this non-reliable car. Waste of time & Money.
Vijay