Chevrolet Optra Magnum [2007-2012] User Reviews

While in US, I was using brand new TOYOTA CAMRY 2007 model, which was an awesome deal. The same year 2007/2008 TOYOTA announced as No 1 in US beating GM as top car maker. I spend 1 months selecting TOYOTA CAMRY where I took test drive of ACURA / BMW, / Lexus, suv/convertible etc just to understand comfort vs cost & what not. One thing I understand in selecting Car is everything starts with budget & ends with budget. If I have budget of 30 lacks I won't be debating SCODA OCTY is good OPTRA is good, but I will go for Mercedes / BMW/ TOYOTA all top ends... …….If I care for fuel economy, I may go green with Toyota Prius Hybrid or any other hybrid car provided I have budget. BTW, thanks to all CARWALE feedbacks on all different car models, that helps me a lot selecting this car.

*GM India rocks *NO compromise * Value for money. *This top model is with top features for me & my family. Ride it to feel it. :) 

*Looking at the price, features & service of GM INDIA, no wonder they will soon be No 1 in INDIA/ASIA market.

*I don't want to debate on which is the best car. We hope such market competition will bring good cars in India with affordable prices. I wish you all have good budget & select best suitable car for you & for your loved ones. Drive safely. Good luck.

3 cheers GM & 3 cheers carwale.

Cheers,

Aswad Modak.

Style, comfort, value for moneyAs on today NONE

Buying experience: Buy from our relative for my marriage
Riding experience: It is superb..i love itt... This a rocket car
Details about looks, performance etc: Look is very attractive for me
Servicing and maintenance: I face ??many problem because Chevrolet company say bye to India
Pros and Cons: All things are loved by me of this car

I have bought LS Diesel version.I am pretty much satisfiedwith this beast.It can overtake almost any car on Indian roads.High on power & performance,it surely is a delight to drive this Monster.

Good comfort & style both interiors & exteriors.

Two things i dont like are the power is quite high in busy areas hence making a bit difficult to handle & gear box is a bit heavy ....may be it gets better after the second service.

Overall a very good car...if u r looking for something like honda civic or octavia....make sure to test drive this beast once....u will come to know the difference.It surely is a better package & Value for money.

Wishing u all the best in taking a decision.

Rohit

good style,interiors,sturdy,heavy car,comes in proper luxury segmentrpm a bit high for city drive.howerver its manageble with experience

After a lot of car searches and review I narrowed down to Maggie on Diwali Oct 25 (Trident Chevy in Bangalore). For long I used to like Fiat Linea just for its beautiful looks (sexy ass). When I test drove it I was disappointed. Neither did I feel I was driving an expensive car nor the performance was good. It was then I decided to look for a powerful car. First I test-drove Verna Fluidic. Once again I didn't feel I was sitting in an expensive car. It took some time for the turbo to kick-in, but after that I was good. I was disappointed when I wanted to adjust the height of driver seat. The sales guy told me it's not there even there. I'm 5'6" and I wasn't comfortable with that. I definitely need a pillow to sit on and drive. 

Until then I didn't even know about a car by name Optra Magnum. It only after an extensive research I came to know about this car. I saw many people in the forums says "Just take a TC and see". I thought ok let me do that. And when I took the test drive, wow I felt what they said was true. There are many things missing in Optra. like "distance to empty", "fuel economy" etc. Tough I would like to have those features in the car my primary goal it to have a car with good performance and good to drive. Well Maggie exceeded my expectations in that regard. Once again I took a TC , this time with my family. As soon as we sat inside the car my 6 year old daugther said "Wow!! spacious". When I started driving she said "very smooth". I just loved the way she used these terms. Then in less than 2 weeks I got it.

I replaced the 6-cd changer with a sony DVD player (for my daughter) and a rear parking camera. That cost about 32k. Overall I'm very happy about my purchase.

Exterior It's just an average looking car.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Excellent and comforable seats. Very spacious back seats for my family.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Just love the performance of the car. It moves so smoothly in 1st giear. But I have a problem with the 2nd gear especially while riding over speed-breakers. May be I haven't mastered how to drive it. Not that I'm an ameture driver, I have over 13 years of driving experience (both local and abroad). But this is my first diesel vehicle. Fuel economy is very good on the highway, but in city traffic I got a little less than 12.

Ride Quality & Handling Car is very stable and I feel safe while driving it. Took it on highway for a total of 400 kms and most of the time I was at 90kmph. Felt like zooming past the 100 mark but I because it's a new car I didn't want to. (I've touched 110 even on a Maruti 800)

Final Words I'll keep it for a long time.

Fuel Economy I have driven only about 1600 kms. For the first time only in city driving I got 11.4 kmpl (may be attributed to my bad driving). Then the next time 440km on highway + 440 kms in city I got 15 (with premium diesel) which is ok to me. I'll update on the fuel economy after a couple of refills.

Great acceleration, very spaciousAverage looks, 6-cd changer

Exterior Its a good looking car. I hv a blk colour and when ever i see the same from my Top floor apartment, I again fall in love with the shape and looks.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Rich interior with 6 CD changer.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Its a Rocket in its class. On any of the highway I hv not found anyone who can beat me on the race. @ 140 it goes so smooth and still if u press the paddle it is still room left to make the needle inch further.

Ride Quality & Handling The ground clearance is little low and bad roads , you hv to dive slow.

Final Words its over 3 years now. I hv not spent a single Rupee on its maintainence.  I wish to change the car in the coming year. But still finding no other choice except to replace it with another magnum.

Areas of improvement Tyre quality should be better as Original.

Acceleration, fuel economyafter sales support

 

Exterior Looks are stunning, specially in black color.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Elegant, gives you a feel of a real luxury.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Moment you start the car you will hear the roar of the engine. Press the clutch - 1st gear release the clutch without even presseing the accelerator you will come to know that you are going ride something different. Just remember the feel when airplane is on the runway ready to take off when it accelerates you are pushed back into your seat, same feeling comes when you are either in 2nd or 3rd gear. If u are on empty road your monster will take you off in the same manner. Feels awesome. The incredible power and control of the car makes it a brillinant car. I believe its the most under estimeted car. GM has been poor with its marketing. Transmission is very smooth, fuel economy is not very good but still good enough after all its a monster.

Ride Quality & Handling In one word --- Superb.

Final Words If you are in search of a good luxury car that gives you performance, good ride quality, very comfortable interiors, silent cabin and if you like to drive, this is the car. Dont compare it with fiesta, verna or vento its much above then all of those. Ya you can compate it with skoda laura or jetta segment. At this price take a feel of 15 lacs car. its worth it.

Areas of improvement Music system must have USB.

Pick up, interiors, exteriorsnot any

Exterior Classy looks nd Amzing design, Alloys wheels are nice suits the look of car. I realy Loved the Boot of the CAR, Itz Huuuugggeeeeeeeeeeee.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Airbags. Speakers nd Music sytem is Good, but Replace it with double din Touch Screen it will add more charm in interior, Abs works good. Ac is OK. for space & comfort 5 Stars, The lights are very dimn on Cluster nd speedometer.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine is GODZILLA, Superb, Mindblowing. Fuel Economy City(Chandigarh) 10 to 13 Km/l, nd on Highways 16 to 18 kms/l, Gear shifting is nice nd smooth, a bit of odd on less rpms.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality is quite amazing as it make you feel like a home.

Final Words It'z Always Good to have Power under your FOOT.

Areas of improvement Headlights should me more effective nd add some gizmmos in interioir, for rest of the Car THUMBS UP.

Space, Pick Up, Comfortable, itz thrill to drive, Superb EngineDiscontinued....

Exterior Looks decent from all sides but not sportive and moreover it is not a sports car. Rear side should have been better designed. If your beast comes with  an 14'' rims than immeaditely you have to shift to 15'' it will make a hell lot of difference with GC.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Interior is very spacious both front and rear. You can feel leg room in the rear even after the last postion(maximum stretch) of front seats. The rear bench can accomodate 3 persons(80Kg each) easily. The main important thing is the arm rest at the front and the rear which is more relaxing on high ways. And there is a decent boot which is sufficient for day to day practical life.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Performance. I do not have words to explain this word  Except the high end cars like BMW,AUDI,etc, no one can touch the smoke of this beast. Just press the gas pedal and you will be take off. That is the main thing I like the most in my car. Fuel economy is mind blowing. I use to get around 19KMPL on sedate driving(light foot) with AC on on high ways. And 16KMPL on mad driving. Over all it never let down below 15 KMPL my figures are especially on highways where I use to race. On city you can expect 12KMPL in any worst scenario. But with the power this beast delivers I can compromise on my FE sometimes. Gearbox is not much smooth it will be a bit hard in my view.

Ride Quality & Handling It have a wonderful ride quality you will rarely feel the bump on any roads thanks for all independent suspension. The stability of this beast is very stable on high speeds. Any car can touch 150-160 KMPH but the stability of the car matters along with the control. You can easily control this car at 160 KMPH and you will not feel any vibrations or rattling noice at that speed. Thanks for all wheels disc and ABS.

Final Words I love this beast very much i bought it as a used vehicle and spent around couple of lacs to make it a showroom conditioned vehicle. I have replaced almost all mechanical parts including full body paint as well😎 It never let me down until now except with one beautiful monster Volkswagon Passat.....which blowed this beast away on high way....😲 It is more fun to drive this car and believe me once you drive this baby you will not feel the punch in any other sedans in this segment.

Areas of improvement NA.

Good Fuel economy,great space,comfort,arm rests at front & Rear,Remote boot lid open6CD changer which is of no use,Costly spares

Exterior Although not the best looking car in its class It definitely huge and a CAAAAAAARRRRR feel to it.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) EXCELLENT comfortwise, the wood finish and sunroof has a classy feel to it.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Petrol Ive heard isnt as powerful as the diesel version but you have to drive it to believe it.

Ride Quality & Handling AmaaaaAZing it is stable at really high speeds giving you thye slightest feel of high speeds.

Final Words If youve got it youve been lucky If you havent, you missed your chance as its been called off the market now.

Areas of improvement Looks and fuel economy could be an area chevorlet couldve worked on as comfort and suspension wise it was indeed the best in its price tag, TEST DROCE VERNA FLUIDIC, VENTO, CITY, RAPID, BUT THE VALUE FOR MONEY CAAR WAS INDEED THE OPTRA EVEN TODAY.

We were indeed looking for a new car in the 9-10 lakh price range and the features weve got for the price tag is just amazing: SUNROOF, 1.6L engine,Caska music system, awesome suspension,the royal feel to the huge size of the car and forgetting to mention the room for legs at the rear seat for passengers is indeed ideal. The only drawback maybe the fuel efficiency but when you really need a feel of having driven something nice you should/must really go for this car.

Comfort Leg spaceFuel efficiency Petrol 1.6 LT