I booked Volkswagen Polo from Viraj Automobiles Noida on 14 Jul 13. There was an attractive scheme on the car that included three years of ’silver maintenance package’, three years warranty, three years ’road side assistance’, and three years of free insurance* (conditions apply), if the car was financed through Volkswagen Finance Pvt Ltd.
DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCE-
The test drive vehicle that was sent to me was in real shambles and the chauffeur of the car drove it like a taxi. (I pointed out to him, that if he drove the car that way, all prospective customers would run away). Sales man, Mr Anuj Jain apologized and said that this was a test drive model and thus in poor shape. I test drove their petrol model and it was a love at first sight. The car had excellent power and it was very easy to maneuver around on the city roads. The steering felt extremely light and I was totally smitten by the handling of the car.
I wasted no time and booked the car (Comfortline Petrol Version) and asked the salesman to collect all the papers required for finance from my office.
Next day, the salesman came and collected some documents and took some signatures. He was absolutely ill-informed about the interest rate or the EMI /lakh I was to pay. Moreover he forgot to take signatures on the important loan document.
The finance person then emailed me the required document so that I could take a printout, fill the form, sign it, scan it and then email it back to him. I must admit it was a bit of a hassle. That done, I waited for my car.
One week later I was told by finance person, that I had to come to the showroom and sign a few more papers. I was a little disturbed as most of my friends who had bought the car had never visited the showroom, and everything was done either from office/home and that included delivery.
I however obliged and signed the loan documents in the showroom. When I asked about the processing fees or the EMI, they said that systems were down and they would let me know. I asked them for the maximum loan that I could avail and I was told that I could go in for 85% of Ex Showroom price of the car for five years.
I was happy, and then I changed my decision to buy 1.2 TDI, Highline. I voluntarily paid up 1.5 Lakh ruppes as the down payment so that I did not change my mind later. Three days later, finance person informed me that I had to go personally to the bank and get my ECS verified. I again obliged. THIS WAS NOT FUNNY AS MOST CAR DEALERS PROVIDE DOOR STEP SERVICE AND HERE I WAS RUNNING AROUND FOR MINOR THINGS.
Once this process was over, I waited for my car to be delivered. On 28th July, I received a call from Mr Anuj Jain that the car was ready for delivery. I said, fine just send it across. He tried to tell me that I should pick it up from the showroom, and then he had a mouthful from me. I insisted that the car should be delivered at my residence in Noida. Anuj suggested that I should get the teflon coating done on my car.
I said OK, he also informed me that free insurance is only ’comprehensive insurance’, and I should take ’zero depreciation insurance’. I said OK. I asked him to put leatherette seat covers and reverse parking camera along with the free goodies like mud flaps, floor mats, body cover, perfume and divinity.
Car was delivered to me at 6:45 PM on 28th July. The car had mud flaps missing and teflon coating was below standard. I pointed that out to Mr Jain, and he immediately obliged that a re-coat of teflon would be done on the car and mud flaps would be fitted the next day.
The mud flaps were fitted the next day, and teflon re-coating was a day later. I paid up the balance amount and requested them to get me my car registration number soon. As I write the review on 6 Aug 13, my car still does not have a number plate. (RTO it seems is on long vacation). This however, did not deter me to drive the car. I had gallivanted all around Delhi, Noida and one trip to my home town in UP without a number plate.
On 7th Aug, I called up Mr Anuj Jain to give me a demo on my car music system as I had some issues with the bluetooth. Anuj was slightly hesitant as he had to attend to other customers. I called up the GM and requested the same thing. GM obliged and at 1830 PM the same day mr Anuj Jain arrived along with the driver called Bunty. Both of them were clueless about the music system. I was invited to the showroom and get the music system checked.
Next day I drove to the showroom. The problem was too minor and it was rectified immediately. On 8th Aug I received a call that my registration papers are ready. I collected the same the next day and got my number-plate fitted from the showroom. The accessories guy My Praveen was very helpful and did fix some of the accessories I had bought from outside free of charge. This done, my car was ready and I hope I don’t need to visit the showroom / service centre again till my first service is due.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The first time I drove my polo, I was a bit disappointed as I had never driven a diesel vehicle before and it seemed a bit sluggish. After driving a few kilometers, I was having fun driving it. Since I am not an engineer, I would refrain from technical comments.
Suffice to say that the car was smooth, stable and responsive. The seating was comfortable, the interiors looked plush and it was a great feeling to drive this car. (I would say, that polo was best in class vehicle). It was a love at first drive.
PERFORMANCE AFTER 500 KMS
I had driven the car approximately 750 kms in a week and did feel a few cons. They are:-
(a) Car lacks power in higher gears, especially while climbing the flyovers. Lower gears are invariably needed if the car is not in speed.
(b) Blue tooth connectivity from music system to phone - Although I could hear the voice clearly, however, my voice sounded very muffled to the other person. (I used I phone). Perhaps a mic would have served the purpose. This was rectified and I was told to put the music system volume to 25. Once done, it was working perfectly.
(c) There was no remote control for the car music system.
THE GOOD POINTS
(a) Looks amazing.
(b) Sturdy built quality.
(c) Quality of interiors was very good.
(d) AC/Climate control was very effective.
(e) Music system had above average sound quality.
(f) Seats are comfortable (Didn’t check rear seats though).
(g) Gearbox is smooth and is very responsive.
(h) Steering wheel was light.
(i) Fuel economy so far was 14 kmpl.
(j) Car was very stable at high speeds. I could only touch 100 on Greater Noida expressway at night. Not sure if it could go faster, and I did not even try.
Performance after 1250 Kms
I drove the car on Yamuna expressway from Noida to Agra and back on 10th Aug. It was a sheer pleasure to drive the car. The car performed its best on the highway. I am a cautious driver, yet was able to drive Polo TDI at an average speed of 120 mph.
I did manage to touch 160 kmph for a short distance. The car was very stable at every speed. It was pure pleasure and nothing else. I did not feel the lack of power or knocking of engine or any vibrations even at high speed. I did notice that the car gives the best milage if the rpm is around 200-2200 rpm (21.5 kmpl), and at higher speeds the mileage drops down to 15.5 kmpl.
The suspension of the car is wonderful and were fully tested on absolutely rocky, pot holed patch of road from Yamuna expressway to Taj Mahal. I am now a happy and satisfied customer on VW Polo 1.2 TDI. Overall experience so far had been good and I would recommend this car to all prospective car buyers looking for a hatchback car.