I am putting a review based on the driving experience I have gained all this 900Kms I have drived my nano 2012. It was a great pleasure driving it and every time I get ready for a drive, I have the same enthusiasm that I had while driving for the very first time.
Below are the details of my experience,
=========================UPDATE:June 1st 2012 =========================
Hi Guys,
I am back after driving my cute little Nano for almost 3000Kms. In all these 3000Kms I have driven, I would like to highlight one particular instance,
My Drive from Bangalore-Hassan
Distance: 225Kms
People: 3 while going and 4 while coming back
Maximum Speed clocked: 80Kmph
Average Speed: 60Kmph
Road Condition: NH-48 4-lane toll road, Excellent(hardly 7-8Kms had bad road)
Total Mileage delivered: 26Kmpl
Duration: 4.5hours+ 4.5hours approx(excluding time within Bangalore city limits)
Total breaks taken: 2each while going and coming
Overall it was a very comfortable ride, with me was my pregnant wife and I trusted my Nano and it did not dissapoint me. Engine was smooth throughout the journey, tyres were not heated at all(I fill nitrogen though). First service of the car is done at 1000Kms(although I am not happy with the service, one of my fog lamp bulb was blown and I had asked them to replace, which they did but did not check for its functioning, and I realized only when I was driving next day)
Its almost 9 months for my Nano and it has not given me any major problems, to be frank not even any minor problems. Apart from some issues which was there all the time, which are,
At times, starting the car takes 2-3 turns but the percentage is very less.
Bumpy ride for people sitting backside.
Slight vibrations in the dashboard at high speeds.
But for the price it comes, its worth:) and I am very happy about my Nano:)
=========================UPDATE: January 10th 2012========================
Its almost 900kms on my odometer for now, and the first service will be after another 100Kms which, I am sure will be very soon,
In the last month, I have been consistently getting a mileage of 25Kmpl, which is great for me. Even the engine has become more smoother now.
Other things almost the same. Will keep updating.
=========================UPDATE: December 12th =========================
Mileage
I am not sure how many of you will believe this, but in city I get about 23-25kmpl, which is great. With this kind of performance, there in no harm in owning a petrol car.
Some good things
-The engine sound is an exception, if not this is gem of a car.
-The steering wheel is still smoother and lighter in the 2012 version.
-The brakes are good enough for city drive.
-The pick up is really much much better than Maruti 800(Owned one before Nano)
-My Aunt who used to struggle to sit in the 800 now feels so good sitting on the rear seat of Nano, the leg-space is awesome.
Taking U-turn is what I love, amazing, it does so easily.
Great admiration from people(I guess, people watch your car as if it is a Mercedes)
Apart from this now on the negative side, some observations are,
When you are taking a steep right turn, the windshield completely blocks the view, so be very very careful
Fuel tank capacity is just 15liters
Wiper water needs to be filled almost every week as the capacity of the can is less
Bumpy ride for the person sitting behind, if the road is bad, but the front passenger will not feel anything.
Parking break or hand break is not that powerful(Not sure if the problem is with my car or all Nano)
Rarely, starting the engine takes, 2-3 attempts(bothers, only if you are in a traffic signal)
But again, all these are very minor things, that you can compromise for the price, you get it.
If you like the car and want to buy, JUST GO AND BUY IT WITHOUT THINKING, don’t listen to non-sense comments from people who have not even driven the car once.
==========================UPDATE: November 23rd=======================
Driving Experience of my New Nano 2012
Finally after the long wait, I got my car on November 23rd and the Odometer has just clocked 100Kms. Let me tell about the driving experience, till now, I was driving a 2003 model Maruti 800, and when I started driving Nano, I felt much better, following are the observations,
I can easily get into the car, as I am a tall person. I did not have to bend.
The pick up even with 4 people inside the car was awesome.
Engine makes a little bit noise in 1st and 2nd gear
Controlling the Nano, is very very easy, taking a U-turn is much much easier.
Steering wheel is very light and much better than the previous versions of Nano(test drive version)
Acceleration is very good.
Couldn’t check with mileage though.
Interiors are much much much better and they look so grand now.
=======================UPDATE: November 11th===========================
Hi People,
After doing a lot of research about Tata Nano and a test drive, I booked it today at one of the Tata Showrooms in Bangalore. I have booked a Tata Nano Standard model. Also came to know that, Tata Nano has released new colors and I will be one of the first customer to get a new shade in the Standard Model.
My situation is that, I need a car badly, as I stay in the outskirts of the city and getting grocery, going out on picnics with family became a problem. But I am also not in a position to get a expensive car and at the right time, I thought about trying the Nano.
Now to speak about the car itself, I have few things noticed, first on the good side,
Good interiors - I have been driving Maruti 800 and I felt Tata nano was better, the leg space is really awesome both at the front and rear seat.
Engine pick-up - Was great, we were 4 people inside, weighing about 350 KGs still the pick up was great.
Affordable - For a person who has just started a career and cannot afford a much expensive car, but needs a car badly. this is the right one.
Fuel Efficiency - Best in the market, even the worst of drivers get a minimum of 15km/litre
Good looks - The car looks beautiful, especially the Golden yellow.
Now some things on the bad side,
Engine makes noticeable sound on lower gears - Doesn’t matters much at-least to me.
No drawers/cabins in the dash board to keep documents etc - But there is place over the dashboard.
No disc brakes, not even front - Manageable unless you are racing:P
Small petrol tank - Can hold only 15litres full tank should have been a little more.
Some small things, which are not present but are manageable.
Now somethings, that I would like to say, to the people who advised me not to buy Nano,
Safety Concern - I feel Nano is much safer for me and my family than doing a circus on bike.
Nano-on-fire - If you try to do extra terrestrial things(fitting a LPG, racing, bad maintenance etc), not only Nano but any car will burn. Also I am person who strongly believe in fate, so I always believe, if something bad is in your fate, it WILL happen no matter you buy a Nano or a BMW.
So, you give me money and I will buy a Ferrari.
Auto-rickshaw - Doesn’t matter to me, because when it rains heavily, a auto-rickshaw is better than a two wheeler.
So people, if you ask me about Nano, I would undoubtedly recommend the same. Now, I am waiting for the delivery of my Irene White Nano:)
Soon I will update about the Mileage I am getting an other things:)