Hello friends, It is indeed a privilege to share my views with you about my latest test drive. This time around, it is a car which I had been waiting for. Patiently for quite a while. Well… here it is.
Toyota - The name itself spells class and reliability. Period.
Many people buy and sell many cars during their lifetime. They are lucky indeed. However just for a second, if you imagine that you have a choice of owning only ONE car OR if you wish me word it differently, only one last car before you say … BYE then which car would it be ?
Financially the middle (aspiration) class of people always like to dream and bite off a little more than they can chew. Well….my long search after reading numerous views and reviews on TV as well as in special Auto magazines and other publications, urged me in a particular direction.
I was invited for a test drive from a nearby friendly Toyota dealer’s representative. I accepted and went on a balmy Sunday morning (less traffic) for my quick assessment of the car in question – THE TOYOTA ETIOS LIVA DIESEL. Quite a long name, so I shall call it Liva diesel.
I was greeted warmly and asked to be seated in the lounge. Within a few minutes a charming young lady representative handed me the keys to a spanking new aquamarine blue Liva Diesel waiting just outside the showroom. She accompanied me as my co-passenger.
The first job at hand was to engage reverse gear. A quick glance at the gear knob showed that this was an unusual placement, top left, near first gear on the otherwise conventional H pattern. It reminded me of the very early models of the VW Golf, which sported a similar pattern. Being used to the conventional pattern of reverse (next to my left thigh) the Liva’s pattern involved moving the shift lever in a diagonally opposite direction. With a little assistance from my passenger, I was soon on the main road and ready to move.
The first gear engaged without a fuss with a crisp short throw and the car started creeping along at a slow pace, quite effortlessly. The manner in which it did this, hinted that this car would be a `natural’ in congested city traffic. However the road in front of me beckoned and I gave it a short burst of acceleration. The car then responded to the `Fangio’ in me & started to gain pace rather rapidly (giving me quite a thrill) and as the smooth engine moved up the gears, I got the feeling that I was seated on a cloud which was being whisked away at a very rapid rate. I then took a quick left and the undulations of the road surface became only a distant rumble and did not affect the composure of the car but infact instilled greater confidence with each passing km.
As I felt increasingly at home in my spacious cabin, the desire to sample as much of the feel as I could of the vehicle before my test ride ended, spurred me on to rev the motor even further. The diesel engine was heard very gently in the beginning and then a little more but nothing which could be termed as bothersome. In fact, it reminded (a little) of my two stroke RX-100 motorcycle which gives me an encouraging audio note, each time I accelerate. In fact this move actually makes us more in tune with what is happening under the hood and involves you more in the ride and makes you part of the experience instead of aloof from it. If the extra noise is viewed correctly, (should be the only music you need) & it should be a positive character trait which will charm the driving enthusiast in you. In my motorcycle it was the exhaust note, here it is the engine note doing the same job.
A few minutes later the showroom was back in sight and we moved into the parking lot and alighted. The look under the hood was meticulous, neat and tidy. The real heartbeat with the bold capital letters “ D-4D “ starred back at me from the engine bay. This motor was responsible for the happy feeling I had in my heart and the smile which was on my face.
Now later on recollection, I felt that this car had a beautiful smooth character and a capability which will urge you to undertake long distances without even a second thought. The mile munching capability is written large into the DNA of this vehicle. It is something intangible but which was conveyed to me in the first ride itself.
Before I set off on my ride, I had shortlisted at least two other vehicles, namely the Beat diesel and the Honda Brio. However the deep seated contentment which I derived from my test ride of the Liva diesel, left very little to be desired and told me just one thing. My search had ended. I had met my match. Amen.
I asked to see some other colors and was promptly whisked to an underground garage where some delivery cars had been housed. That is where I saw an enchanting black as well as a pristine white which truly impressed me a lot. Here was a showroom which is classy and has something for everybody.
The Mumbai individual price list was given to me showing 6.51 as on road. However I was quickly told of the 1.5 to 2 % addition which was on the cards. The airbags package would cost 35K more, the music centre would cost 11.5K more, the two tone dash with leatherette seat covers and door cards and faux wood trimmings on the steering wheel and window switches would cost 35K extra. If I needed it at all. The only trim available was the GD version which came equipped with ABS and EBD as standard. Very sensible indeed considering the rate of acceleration which can land a rookie in trouble.
Booking amount is 50K and as soon as I work out my finances, I sure would like to be the owner of this fine vehicle. No doubt about it at all.