Dear BHPians,
This is with reference to all the conversations held till now in the subject matter, I would like to mention a few things as under :
I bought a Ford Ikon 1.4 TDCi (the one with the Fiesta Engine) in 2009 based on the reviews at Team-BHP. This was the last lot Ford rolled out before fazing out the Ikon completely.
Why I bought it ? - I had an Indica V2 DLG 2004 Model in which I did approx 135000kms and was looking for a Hatch for myself when I found out that I was getting The Ford Ikon 1.4 TDCi for Rs.5,75,000/= (On Road Kolkata). I thought to myself that I am getting a Sedan with features that I required for a cheaper than an Indica; why not just test drive the vehicle.
The Test Drive - I was blown away with the power, the handling, the space and the comfort of the car. Booked it up instantly because it was by far the best buy considering all the cars that I had had or have as on date. Peoplein my family had their apprehensions on the Resale Value of the Car; but at that time I seriously could do anything to possess the only American Muscle (type car with a long bonnet and a robust engine) available in India at that point of time.
In 5 Years, I clocked 1,00,000kms on the Ikon and sold off the Car in July 2014 for Rs.1,75,000/= directly to a buyer, again Thanks to the Team-BHP Classifieds. (This is for the critics) Is that a Bad Price ?? This is how my Car looked like a week before I sold it off :
Had done 3 Darjeeling Trips in it. Indefinite business tours all over West Bengal. No such issues with the car at all. It was a car which was and will be very close to my heart always. Now I regret why the hell did I do that
The maintenance and spares issue is just a myth !! Believe me, people who have never driven a Ford will never understand the fun of it !! Also, my Car was under 4 years warranty so hardly had to spend anything over the top for it's maintenance apart from periodical service.
Make sure you get a 4 year extended warranty to avoid maintenance issues. I had certain issues with my car though and it all was sorted by Ford on FOC basis. Here is enlisting the same for you :
1.) Electrical Power window Controls - Replaced under warranty
2.) AC HVAC issue where the AC blew Hot Air - Replaced and sorted under warranty on 2 occassions whereas at the 2nd instance the entire AC unit was replaced by Ford
3.) Body Rusting in Boot & Front Doors - Replaced and Painted under warranty by Ford in 4th Year
Ford has centralized warehouses now for parts and it is all transported to various service outlets through Express Courier Services. I have not had to wait for spares or parts at any point of time considering that I was owning a short lived discontinued variant of Ford.
Service at Ford is phenomenal. I would say, the best customer service I have ever experienced. This actually may varu from person to person, dealer to dealer, state to state. I used to get my Car done up at Ganges Ford Kolkata with NO Issues what-so-ever. SO be rest assured. If at all there is any issue created by you dealer, shoot an e-mail to Ford and u'll get VIP treatment henceforth.
Now, once I sold the Ikon, I wanted to buy a hatch back for myself and a sedan for my family members. The love for Ford compelled me to buy the Figo for my Self Drive !! However, I still feel the Ikon was a better drive anyday. However, we were contemplating between the Toyota Etios and the Ford Fiesta (the New One which was just launched then with the Aston Martin type Look on the front) which would be driver driven for my family members.
I Test Drove the vehicle and was blown away yet once again. But, my father was keen on the Etios so did not bother and went ahead and bought the Etios for home.
I enquired with the sales team about the Fiesta as to why does Ford not promote it like the Figo or the Ecosport because it is such a wonderful car compared to it's competitors in the segment ?? Now what they had to say shook me up a little.
They said that the production of the Fiesta is very minimal and that every Ford dealer gets around 12-15 Cars a year only only only.......to sell; in which they get only 1 unit of the base variant per year; which is a decently priced variant with decent features. That was indeed astonishing !!!!
May be the Top Management of Ford has some other plans for the future. May be they are just testing the performance of the Fiesta in order to Launch the Ford Ka and the other models in the pipeline so on and so forth........
But, believe me brother, I go by your decision. If your car is going to be a One Man's Car.........GO FOR THE FORD FIESTA and enjoy the spirit of Motoring !!!!