Owning an Indica Xeta for me is a mixed feeling of frustration and excitement. Frustration because the much awaited vehicle was delivered to me after exactly one month, due to mishap on account of fire at Tata Motors paint section in Pune. The feedback to my queries about the probable date of delivery differed amongst the sales staff, for reasons unknown. Finally I made up my mind to lodge a complaint with authorities at Tata Motors, but they too expressed their helplessness due to demand and supply gap. Finally the vehicle was delivered exactly one month from the booking of vehicle and all my anxieties collapsed when I was shown the vehicle and handed over the keys after much wait. All in all, I was deprived from all the festival packages, probably with deliberate intentions, by Fortune Cars, Belapur, since the delivery happened after the festivities due to unavailability of vehicle at their end. My advise to readers who purchase vehicle during festive season to take the benefit of packages and discounts, is to be clear about the deal if the vehicle is promised to be delivered at a later date.
Now about the vehicle.....the car has great looks with beige interiors, 1400 cc engine, lots and lots of space and above all, expectations of great mileage. I had opted for CNG fitting which could not be given to me by the dealer as they did not have necessary permission from RTO Pen, since my vehicle is registered in Panvel, Raigad. During the wait period I have read through most of the reviews posted on this site. I am surprised, how common are most of the experiences posted by the owners of the vehicles and am anxious to know if the authorities at Tata Motors are at all aware of such a site. I strongly wish that the authorities who govern the manufacture of Indica Xeta should go through the opinions expressed and improve on production lapses. The finishing of the vehicle needs improvisation since there is a defect of alignment between two curves of the bonnet just above the headlights as well it lacks smooth finish in joints just below the door. You will find that the gap between the bonnet and the headlights vary between two sides. Also the dashboard looks great but cheap since the quality of plastic needs improvisation. During fitting of rear speakers the board cracked easily and I doubt if it could take in even minimal weight. I had read about the starting problem every morning and experienced the same the very next day. Dunno why, but that reminded me of the feeling of irritation that most owners have to face not as a matter of choice but compulsion. I have yet to judge the mileage the car gives but have a feeling that the vehicle would not exceed 11kms/ltr. The GLG model selected by me comes with two front power windows and I feel that’s more than sufficient. Power steering feels great and so does the gear box. The view from the driver’s seat is great but fear of getting a dent on the left side due to judgement crisis remains a fear in one’s mind. The solution to this is to fit in a front guard with a judgement bar. Quality of tyres, though radial is a big question mark and I wait to find out in the coming days of the quality I have been vested upon in bargain.
Now, about the dealer. Fortune Cars, Nerul-Belapur was always known for the service it renders. What I realised was that the sales team with Fortune Cars, though initially enthusiastic and promising about the sale of vehicle finally loose interests once you book a vehicle with them. The feedback, attention to queries through phone calls and keeping you informed of your status is just awful. They give you a feeling as if you are taking away the vehicle on credit and under obligation. Frequent meetings are held both within the organisation and with Tata Motor authorities at the cost of waiting customers, who are left high and dry. To my amazement, when I was called to take the delivery of the vehicle on an appointed time, the sales authorities vanished for a complete hour and a half without even informing the waiting customers who were made to wait at the delivery lobby. An example of ideal callous Indian mentality who care little for value of time. But all in all, I presume and hope that wisdom prevails upon them someday. I am told their service section is good but needs followup by the vehicle owner. Pre-appointment of minimum 10 days are required before you decide to give your car for servicing. One good thing is that I found the Servicing Section very methodical and cordial.
As they say, every cloud has a silver lining and I look forward to a great driving experience in the coming days. Though I have opted for Salsa Read, the Palm Green is also a fantastic color which the buyers should go for.........just being different!! Wishing the Xeta Club Members good luck and lots of fun drive.........
PS : There is something that I wish to add for my readers. Contrary to the belief that the accessories needs to be fitted from accessory shops outside the purview of the dealers, I would advise my friends to preferably take accessories like electrical fittings, purchase of deck and speakers, floor mats, powerful lights, additional horn and front guard from the dealer. This I say with confidence since I just did what a normal buyer does, ie. get the parts fitted from outside accessory shops which you find in rows around Sion-Koliwada. Not that I got cheated on the bargain price, but I found that the quality maintained by Fortune Cars, who are authorised dealers for Indica Xeta, far better than ones that can be bought from the local shop. Quality of guards, speakers, other electrical parts all come with a brand name and warranty. You dont have to remind them to stamp the warranty cards with dates, etc. Go home and you will find everything methodically done, hastle free. This is just an idea which I share with you all. Its not necessary that one should abide by the same. Just that, one needs to do a little bit of extra thinking. We spend around Rs.3.00 lac rupees on purchase of the car but crip about purchase of accessories which would barely amount to Rs. 30, 000/-. What you save may be substantial when you purchase from shops at Koliwada but the hastle of running from pillar to post would come attached without a tag. Anything goes wrong, the dealer blames the local sellers and vice versa. But we keep forgetting that the Company (TTML) will recognise the faults that the authorised dealers endorse. Above all, just be sure that genuine Tata Indica parts are available only with the dealers, unlike all other cars. Stop comparing Tata Indica with Maruti as there are vast differences between the two and that’s the reason we have all settled down to purchase of Indica Xeta.
Secondly, readers who reside in Panvel and beyond should not go for CNG fitting for the time being as the RTO, Pen refuses to issue permits for CNG Kit since they do not have any filling stations from Pen to Panvel. I find this argument weird and have written both to RTO authorities, Pen as well as to the Hon.Chief Minister. Till we see hope, do not pool money for CNG in advance, as you block your money with the dealers without interest.