Fast forward to 2009 ....
She'zz been running brilliantly without any issues. Every time I left the car for servicing the bill never crossed the 750Rs mark. Haven't really changed any spares on the car and cant comment. For once I fried the clutch after getting the FFE done, apart from that no parts needed replacement and this is for the full 38k kms done.Brake pads were replaced as per the manual and that's it.
Fuel Efficiency
It took time for me to get used to driving with the FFE. The torque which this car is known for had gotten me addicted, fuel efficiency was close to 11kms in city limits and about 15kms on the highways.
Had to change my driving style and I realized what the car was capable of when I did the Coastal Karnataka drive in Aug 2008 about a year back. We kept the revv's less than 3k and the car returned a brilliant mileage of 17.xx kms.
From there on its been pure bliss driving this thingy around the city coz the headers made city driving quite easy. I have calculated the mileage umpteen times and in the city its been hovering around 13.xx kmpl.Not bad eh ?
Spares
I agree that some of the spares are darn expensive , however the baleno being a product of MUL am sure there wont be any problems with the
spares.Have seen people on this very forum harping about not finding spares and I think this could be a one off instance.
Definitely scores over the spare pricing incomparo to other manufacturers.
Maintainence
I am sure she would be light on your pockets if maintained really well and if all service schedules are followed approriately.Cheap labor at MASS is the blessing in disguise. You dont wanna go to the dealership you always have the choice of going to local MASS.
No wonder why we so many baleno's/esteems/gypsies in the rally scene here in India.
Service network
No comments, you chaps know better than me.
Comfort and space
For a car that was ahead of its time when launched in India, caught the eye of true motor heads with her slow slung stance. She is a mile muncher with excellent thigh support, no form of fatigue or what so ever on long drives.
Only gripe was the low ground clearance and you literally would have to crawl over the humongous speed breakers a.k.a car breakers in town.
Very comfortable for 4 people and an occasional 5th soul.
The AC was a brilliant piece of equipment in this car. I wont comment on this coz fellow owners know how effective the AC is.
Time to move on and I posted the ad' to sell her. Had a lot of nincompoops at my door and the moment they heard the car revv, 1st question "
rally car Saar " ? Some educated chaps who dint know a jack of cars are also included in this list ( no offense to anyone here) .
I was darn keen on selling the car only to someone who would take good care of her. Held on for over 3 months coz I needed her at home due to mom's illness. She had a problem with her ankle and the baleno was perfect for her daily commute for physiotherapy.
Come March and I started looking for serious buyers. Once again, it was as simple as the fact that I was choosy in selling the car. I dunno why I never wanted to see my car lying battered somewhere after I had sold her off.For me it was finding a the right person, than selling the car and making that quick deal.
1st week of July, my phone rings one evening. Pick up the call and hear a lovely young lady's voice asking me if my car is available. I was
like "
ooh god not again" , she broke every single perception I had about woman and cars.
Well picture this,a lady calling you and talking to you about headers, torque, tyre sizes,k&n and yaada yaada. Something rare !! Deep down
inside I decided ok, lemme show the car and see what the response was.
Met up with the lovely young couple one Saturday morning and showed them the car. Both were convinced and the car was to be driven by the
young lady. Hats off to the husband who is so supportive and has agreed to have his lady love drive a FFE'd baleno.
July 7th was the D-day . I couldn't sleep the previous night and was up by 4am on the 7th morning. The car was to be handed over to the new owner who promised me that she would love the car like I did.
Woke up my better half and asked if she fancied a drive to Nandi hills to re-kindle the good ole drives we did. In an instant she said "
am
driving the car " and only then was the approval given.With a broken knee
I haven't been driving for the last 2 months or so. 5am and we were off to Nandi Hills and for one last time I drove her to full satisfaction.
She purred and revved like always not missing a single beat.No complaints and no rattles anywhere, to me that very morning she sounded like she had just come outta Raj's garage when the FFE was installed. I pulled over for a few pictures and kissed her on the hood. The 2nd love of my life was gonna find a new owner today.
I promised my wife, that I will buy her back someday when I can afford another car and keep her with us. Back home, I gave her a nice last wash and applied a coat of wax. She still looked appealing even after 3 years.Deep down inside,there was a lull which I knew will last for long. However handed over the car to the new owner and hoped that she will continue to serve the new owner like she did.
Like all
good things come to an end my episode with the baleno is over for now.
A word of thanks to all people here on this very forum who have helped me with their invaluable suggestions .
Mallik and
Maggie thanks for being around always for giving me suggestions on what was best for my car.
Viddy you deserve a pat on your back for listening me out and guiding me.
Ishaan and
kpzen , the official tyre gurus here thanks chaps.If
not for you guys my car wouldnt have had changed footwear so many times
.
Rahul thanks to you to buddy.
Folks at RNS
Big shout to Mr.Kumar and Sachin from RNS for taking such good care of my car whenever I left it with you.Both these chaps have quit RNS apparently and most of the older folks at RNS.
Those endless hours spent by you guys standing by my car, ensuring that no one drives it around for a test drive. Go that extra mile to
ensure my car was delivered as per my satisfaction. RNS sure has lost 2 feathers in their cap. All the very best to you guys where-ever you are.
She lived up to my expectations and being truly a
" Poor mans fast car " .
To rest thanks for your time reading my banter. Let the brickbat hurling start now
.
PS : folks post 1 are all older pics and this post contains images which was shot a week back.