23rd November 2005, 22:44
| #46 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
| Oops! I will go for the beer option.  Looking forward... |
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2nd December 2005, 10:47
| #47 |
| BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore
Posts: 262
Thanked: 2 Times
| [SIZE=2] Had posted this just when the site was going down 4 days ago so I guess it didnt appear.. Hey Aroon, welcome to T-BHP and the telco s/w fraternity here.. Sorry, I have been traveling like crazy and couldn’t log in earlier.. Hope you have taken the Dicor test drive.. Here is my take: - First, you need to sort out whether you want a car/sedan or SUV/truck. For me, I was pretty sure I did not want another car.. Bangalore traffic+Indian highways+off-road helped me clearly position my need of a SUV. Budget was 10L. - Performance needs to be looked at in perspective: is it a 0-100 drag or townA to townB on our hihgways? In the latter case, the Dicor beats any other 10L car hands down. - Dicor's 300Nm torque is gargantuan.. It gets you to speed and keeps you there nicely considering the 2 ton weight. Whats best is that you do not slow down for things like bad patched, pot holes, other traffic. In the Dicor you rise 'above' such minor irrtants and drive in a state of nirvana - What you do miss is the high revving nature of a petrol.. This thing redlines at 3K rpm.. My other car (Siena 1.6) does 6.5Ks.. You cant help wishing they had given dicor another 1000 rpm.. That said, I had no trouble at driving at 130 kmph and overtaking every other vehicle in sight. In my 2500 km drive (started 2 days after I picked up the new Dicor) I got overtaken only twice, 1-Accent GTX, 2-Scorpio CRDe, both of whom were driving wild and I let them go. Also, as Steeroid proved in Blr, the Dicor can take on the best of the cars and also beat them at the game  - The steering does feel a bit vague to start with, but then you get used to it and the fun starts. - There are minor irritants - my brake oil warning light started flashing on due to a loose contact, the temp needle went wild.. In both cases it was the indicators rather than any major problem.. The AC needs looking into now. The plastics and switches could have been a lot better in a 10L car. All said, I am perfectly happy with my purchase although it entails a few more visits to the garage than I expected. Driving this vehicle involves a paradigm shift. You coast at 1500-2000 rpm and watch others struggle to keep with you. Steer, your vision of the Dicor on a deck chair with a drink in hand, doing 120K fits to a T.. Aroon, I will be happy to give more inputs. You can PM me for my phone number.. Am open for both beer and laddoos now.. Nitin [/SIZE] |
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6th December 2005, 20:30
| #48 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
| To all bhpians...especially Steeroid and Nitinbhag...a dedication to both of you guys! I am back to India guys. After the initial shocks of all kinds, I am trying to setlle in Pune. Will take a while I guess.... So, last time I was on this forum, I was dying to be back in India and I was bubbling to be straight into the Tata Motors showroom Pune. Well it actually took me couple of days to give them the first visit...thanks to one of my dear freinds who recently bought an Optra elite and was not ready to let me to any other car showroom. Well...I must say his car looks stunning. But, all that silent smooth drive of Optra could not convince me not to visit the tatas and have a dekko at the beast. So I call the Tata guys...both Pundit auto and BU Bhandari. The respose is all music to ears. Thanks to the month of December, they were ready to send a 'palaki' for me. I was homepicked. They sent me a top end Safari Dicor, diesel, 4*2 - a golden beauty - with probably their humblest of sales executive. The guys was, least to say, very nice! Impressive! So I start the visual inspection form outside- Overall look - Personally to me...yummy....worth dying for! Take a closer look - He He He...Tata motors all the way. Need I say more? Thums Down! Open the door - Heavy door. Wow. But wait...what the heck...the handles are so 'naazuk' they almost felt like coming out in your hands. It gives shivers every time you open the safari door...believe me. So take a seat - WOWWWW. What comfort...what view...I felt like a Maharaja. Bravo... So seat belts now - God save the queen...Paper thin! My santro's and accent's was many times superior. I said to myself, silk is smoother and lighter but better than cotton. May be we have teh same simily here...Chalega. So lets adjust the mirrors - Side mirrors - Man!!! BIGGG! What a view! Now ...Rear view mirror - Couldn't decide why do they have it there in the first place. Could not see anything in that mirror anyhow. Too smallish window on backdoor. I am totally undecided so far... And the switches all around...kabari bazaar se laya kya? Poor! So lets switch on...oh dear...where is teh keyhole? where? here? no no no...not here! where then? buddy will you tell me? Sir hey na...dekhiye zara...are nahin hai yaar...sir try to find...its there....no buddy I swear...its not there. Eureka! I found it. Its there in some gorge or valley somewhere. I try to insert the key...and may be I am too old now...but it took me 30...means thirty seconds to enter her (c'mon...i meant enter the key in the slot). So I start the engine. Steeroid told me to expectr vibrations. I waited...i was silent...everybody was silent...but no vibrations. Wow. I am a happy man. Again looking at the half full glass. I want to change the gear now...press clutch...dam laga ke haisha...dam laga ke haisha...sweating...kya hai yaar? Its tight guys. Felt like a truck. Ok nevermind Mr. Gupta. Move teh gear stick...comfy...decent...no probs there. 3...2...1...go! and we go...not bad! Not bad at all. People said the old safari was bad. I never driven it. But this was was satisfying. It was not a jet but not a let down by any means. So was everything good? NO!!! As soon as Mr. Gupta removes his foot from the accelerator, there is a 'jhataka'! A jerk. Mr. Gupta will need practice here may be...! Mr. More (the salesman) tell me that sir this is a feature. As soon as you remove your foot, fuel supply is completely stopped. This will give you a good mileage. May be my digestion was bad that day...I puked when I heard this. But may be this is because I am a poor softy guy (read software engineer please :-)). You guys may tell better. Anyhow...in city driving what hurts most are two things - 1) Absence of a dead pedal near clutch pedal. From my accent days I am used to it and I think it is one of the most thoughful items. 2) I wear a size 12 shoe...ok OK they don't make many like me these days...but then I found a serious lack of space above the clutch pedal. My foot would invariably get stuck in teh plastic above! This alone is a sure shot reason for me to DISCARD the vehicle...alas...i loved it. But what a shame...not enough room for a big foot over clutch pedal...ever heard that one? Still...I go on. I drive fast...the vehicle runs fast. Pune roads - BIGGG Thumbs Down. Safari ride - BIGG Thumbs up. Stop thinking about bad roads folks. You don't need roads when you are in the beast. It RULES!!! My wife exclaims...see we got LCD screens on the head rests of front seats. So we switch on a DVD for her to watch. Welll...one can rather do without! 5 " screen has actually 2.5" display in cinemascope mode...and that's nothing to die for. I stop the car. Put it in reverse...and cooooool. On the front rear view mirror, a 2.5" * 2.5" display of the backside emerges. Very attractive. Clear and wide display. definitely a help. In Pune City, there are a lots of Optras and Innovas and Corollas. I don't know if they are real headturners or not. BUT THIS BABE IS...It RULES! IT HAS A PRESENCE! For the 30 minutes I drove it...it commanded respect from one and all. And did I tell you about teh brakes? They scared teh hell out of me. You need to really push teh pedal down before teh brakes start doing anything. Mr. More tells me - sir it is because of teh ABS. You will not feel teh same in teh lower end versions. So I try a LX also. And he was correct! Buttttt. The braking is far from satisfactory. It is scary. May be one needs to get used to it. And teh funniest part...he he he...the steering!!! I am rolling! Ha Ha Ha! It has a huge play. Jhatke marta hai man! 3-6" play if I am not exxagerating. Both side. Move teh steering...the vehicles does not move...go straight...move it a bit more...same...a bit more and a sudden movement...zor ka zhatka dheere se lage! Mr. More, " What is this?" Sir, feature hai! This help you not to hit side vehicles in City. MRRRRRRR. MOREEEEEE! Nahin.... And the last two seats...in teh boot. "Thou shall not sit there ever". If you do, your poor family members will never see you again probably. You will break the same way Tom and Jerry break many times...into chote chote chote chote pieces. But then...DID YOU SAY YOU EVEN CONSIDERED THE 6th and 7th SEAT AS A REASON TO BUY "SAFARI". Go Away! You don't even deserve the beast! So, we get down! Have a cup of tea at Bhandari's. Everybody watching us...My wife and I look at each other. We recall the thumbs up...one.....and....and.....and....yeah 1.5 and .....and....OK 2.0! That's all. No more! Ok then teh thumbs down...2, 4, 8, 10, 15, 25, ...stop stop stop! The choice was obvious! Instead there was no choice at all! The thumbs down were far too many.... This was also the month of December.... How can one buy a 10 L vehicle in December? But anyhow, did that matter? So, embarassed, we look at each other, looked at the Tata Guys... finished our tea... said thanks to Mr. More... told his manager what a fine guy he was... how satisfied we were with teh service.... picked our bag... and took out the chequebook... entered a huge figure... and signed it! Tomorrow, I will get the beast delived! We are spellbound... waiting... can't sleep... waiting for the beast to arrive... waiting for the first hunt! LONG LIVE TATA SAFARI!!! It RULES!  |
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6th December 2005, 21:20
| #49 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR
Posts: 3,546
Thanked: 3,218 Times
| Thats the most weird car buying experience i EVER HEARD.. :  ...What exactly made you go for it??.. You seemed to go on and on an on about the negatives, and suddenly, i read the last few lines... phew!.. |
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7th December 2005, 17:26
| #50 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore
Posts: 262
Thanked: 2 Times
| Quote:
Aroon, Dude, you rock..... I was reading the post and getting sadder and madder and suddenly there's the bit about the cheque book.. I almost couldnt stop laghing.. Welcome to the Dicor club.. may the tribe grow fast.. Which model and color did you go for?? Nitin | |
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7th December 2005, 17:47
| #51 |
| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A
Posts: 7,046
Thanked: 2,753 Times
| THAT WAS HILARIOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man you surely rock!!! Here's wishing you many happy miles in your Safari. I'm surprised you didnt feel the vibrations....as for the steering, it takes a while to get used to after which you'll be fine. Thats the funny part of the vehicle - there are so many little reasons why you shouldnt go for it, but a few really big reasons why you should. The latter outweight the former, but it differs from person to person. BTW - which version did you go for? I cant stop  MODS PLEASE EXCUSE THE BREACH OF SMILEY LIMITS. FOR THIS TIME ONLY - I PROMISE  PS: Guptaji, keepe da beere cold, haan? Last edited by Steeroid : 7th December 2005 at 17:51. |
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7th December 2005, 18:54
| #52 |
| Team-BHP Support   | ROTFLMFAO This is what happens when car guys let the heart rule the head. Good to hear that you are so happy and excited about the purchase. All its faults being obvious, some people cant understand why I drive the Jeep on a daily basis. Well, to hell with him. Its a Jeep thing - they wont understand anyways. GTO |
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7th December 2005, 19:06
| #53 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 7,615
Thanked: 2,931 Times
| Hey Aroon that was one of the best car purchasing experiences I have ever come across. Had me in spilts all the way. Anyways congo on your new Safari. Now how about some pictures in the new BHP garage section |
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8th December 2005, 10:06
| #54 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
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8th December 2005, 10:17
| #55 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
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8th December 2005, 10:23
| #56 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
| Quote:
...too all BHPians from me! | |
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8th December 2005, 11:22
| #57 |
| BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chd
Posts: 289
Thanked: 6 Times
| Aroon, That was totally amazing. Very well written. I had this sinking feeling reading your review - and then the chequebook! It had me in splits I always have a soft corner for the Tatas( I think they should succeed simply bcoz the amount of effort they put in for customizing cars for us). IMO it's probably one of the best looking vehicle on Indian roads. It's not always the performance and refinement that should rule. Follow your heart sometimes. That feeling of invincibility in a Safari is unmatched. I still think it's a steal at the price it sells. Congrats on an excellent choice mate! Looking forward to pics,reviews and experiences in your new baby. |
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8th December 2005, 11:28
| #58 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
| Quote:
Also thanks for making me write this 50th post on team-bhp. I am elated to be graduating to a Full BHP status. That newbie thingee hurts...:-) | |
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8th December 2005, 12:54
| #59 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore
Posts: 262
Thanked: 2 Times
| Quote:
Same here.. I am a poor guy with off road fantasies  .. I got the LX 4x4 gold- I missed the rear defogger too. But as we are mostly 2 people in the car the rear WS does not mist up easily.. in fact it did not fog when I drove 10 hours in the rain few weeks ago.. so that's fine.. - the chrome bits I dont care about - I negotiated the EX style foot-rest, (sunfilm) and fog lamps with the dealer.. am yet to get it as Tata apparently have not started supplying these as spare.. maybe you want to talk to your dealer.. - I dont miss the roof AC either - I had to fight for alloy wheels which finally came at half price.. When you look at the difference of 1.3 lakh between LX & EX 4x4, I think LX is more VFM.. The odds and ends dont cost more than 30-40K.. | |
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8th December 2005, 12:58
| #60 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Noida
Posts: 73
Thanked: 95 Times
| Quote:
But wait for steeroid to read this . I think he got an EX..no? | |
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