Hi Friends,
This is KHUSHI SINGH. I am a software professional based in Pune. This year, I got a promotion (long awaited) and having already bought a flat (on loan) was thinking of buying a CAR.
My budget for the car 4.5 lacs. My parents and brother and sister stay with me, so I needed one with seating capacity to seat all of us. My car had to be comfortable as well, I needed mileage to commute to office (a good 12 kms from my home). My budget limited my options to, 800, Alto, Santro, Xeta, Indica Diesel, Swift and Getz (with little streching of budget... :) ).
I did not want old technology or soft Cars, so 800 and Alto went out. Besides, these cannot accomodate 5 people with comfort.
Next was Santro: the Santro dealer and sales guys are real cool, they know how to impress (something that TATA can learn). Sales person bought the car to my home, and I packed my whole family in it. we went for a drive, and after coming back from a 3 km drive, my Mom says "PHEW"... the car had good pickup in first gear and great braking, but no space... 5 people means no comfort.
Next, I brought Swift & Getz, both of them really impressed me. But I felt price was a bit high. Also, saw and drove Indica Diesel Turbo, it was real good. And finally, Xeta, it was even better.
Next, I compared the prices of the cars, the on road prices of all these cars were,
Xeta - 3.3 lacs
Diesel - 4.5 lacs
Getz - 4.5 lacs
Swift - 4.5 lacs.
Also, did some calculation, with Diesel, Getz and Swift, my EMI would have been 9000/-, with Xeta it would have been, 7000/-. Petrol cost for all these cars - 4000/-; for Diesel 3000/-.
So, who is the winner, Xeta of course. Its truely value for money.
So I bought it. That was the story about buying. Now some feedback about the BABE (my CAR).
Its silver color, I have scratched it a couple of times, however, only bumper paint has gone, nothing else is wrong with body. It is a true TATA Car very sturdy.
Fuel consumption: My fuel cost is now about 3000/- per month; mileage around 13 - 14 in City with A/C on-off. I have done a few trips to Panshet, Mahabaleshwar, Sinhagad, Mumbai, etc. On the highways the mileage is in the range of 16.
Power: I never felt any lack of power from the babe, she is simply hot for more all the time. I drove it upto a speed of 145 km/hr. The babe just went on and on without any hitches. Uphill with A/c never a problem.
Handling: I can simply say onething, on highways, never trust the truckers and the buses. They can sideswipe anybody any time, they are the bosses. but the brakes on this car are thought-full and without any ABS, I managed to bring down my babe from 80-20 without rubbing the truck, and then, I went away as if nothing happened. Turns on any of hill ranges are handled with beauty.
Ride Quality: It cant get better, though the suspensions do make quite THUD when crossing over potholes at speed. But they dont jolt you. However, rim can get bent in such a case. Otherwise, all 5 of us travell in this car a lot and we enjoy it.
Features:
A/c on GLS is minus heater, but very-very effective for a car of this size.
I got a Nippon music system, but it is not supported with good quality speakers.
Power stearing is good, but tends to be too soft, so those thuds come in handy to give a feel of the road.
GLS is a simple model with all the basic things in place.
Paint is good.
Gearbox has been making some sounds after 7000 kms.
Same is the case with doors/window panes, they are also making some sound now.
Overall my babe is the first to pull away from Signals; Bikers (I start of late from office... so regular ones) have almost started watching for me on the signals.
I LOVE THIS BABE