Long Drive on First Day - A dream come true

As per my understanding, not many people drive the car for 400 KMs (Bangalore to Chennai) on the same day of taking a new car delivery. Anyway, I did that. And the review is based on both my selection process, delivery experiance and driving. I do not want to write too many points as well. So restricting to as minimal as possible...and have tried to control myself fram rattling...about my car craziness...

The Dream
It all started with 2007 when I wanted to buy a car after selling my Indica Petrol (Pro- space, Con- No resale value, Okay kind of Service, Frequent issues in the fag end after 20K KMS)...I decided to go for Honda City, however, ended up in purchasing top end Swift petrol (2008) model, with all features which I was looking for ABS, AIRBAGS, Good Service & Performer. Time had come to move out from Hatchback to Sedan, and decided to go for Diesel version (Vento and SX4 on my mind), still CITY in the Petrol segment topping my list. Are you a person who dreams about the car every day (or alternate days...)...? My wife would point to me at any point in time. Did a good amount of reading on reviews, pros, cons, evaluation, eliminations, recommendations by friends, etc..all done. Booked SX4 Diesel , asked for black colour, however, only grey was available (with my constraint of Pre-budget price). Convinved myself, with 99% saying that I have made wise choice for my pocket with lot of money save calculation (thanks to BHP and other magazines recommending Diesel Vs Petrol and how much you can save over 5 years of ownership). From the day of my Swift till the day of confirming SX4, I had Honda City in mind running in parallel - the dream car, which I think of my own pinaccle of achievement. One fine day, I decided to ditch my booking for SX4, quotting the reason of not  getting my color and went ahead and booked CITY. Please note I have done all my transactions via phone and mail, since I am in Chennai, but wanted the vehicle in Bangalore as am moving out...sooner.
I should stop here to say, Pratham Motors did a fantastic job (sales person - Ravi Prakash) from day 1, in assuring the color options, delievery issues, collecting details and processing loan, (again all via phone and mail)...unfortunately..I could not convince my heart over brain (3 idiots effect)...so cancelled the booking ...ofcourse lost 2.5K.

Honda City V MT - Sparkling Metallic Brown was my choice (closer to Black, as black is not available as an option in City, at least during the time I booked).

The Delivery
I got the number for Manjunath from Magnum Honda and tried to call him when I decided to go for City, the number is now changed ( I believe he moved out) and I got Sriram as my point of contact. Again, I should say, a complete professional touch in each of the transaction. All dealings including complete money payment, loan processing, etc all by Mail and phone. Delivery date was yesterday and went to pick up the vehicle around 11:30 AM. Pooja went well...got the keys...!

2 issues I could find, one - the tyres - there was a small tear on the front and slight damage on the alloy. The sales manager immediately replaced them with new. (not sure how this did not figure out in the PDI), the second one there was a very minor (only visible if there is a reflection from ground level and visible at one angle only on the back door), both sriram and the Relationship manager were apologitic about it, however, I was a bit sad to take the vehicle in that condition. They promised me that they will get that done without any charges by next week as it will take close to half day...!

The Drive

I had to come back to Chennai for my next day to office, so started driving from Bangalore around 6. MAN...the vehicle response was very good...especially the new improved GC (not even a single place in my few KM travel, I hit the speed breakers, which I am sure the older models would have) and additional feature - Cruise control. I could not exceend 100 so was driving all the way with max of 90 KMPL. With close to 45 mts break in Vellore, the Drive I should say was very smooth with comfortable seats. Mileage - its showing as 16.8 or something, however, am yet to get the tank empty to check that.
I do not know or want to use any jargons...the car is really good...and for me...it is more than achieving my goals...in life...! Go for it...!
The entire streatch of 370 odd kms...is an absolute breeze...!

 

Cruise Control, Interior Chromes, Ground ClearanceNone at this time