Hi Jacob,
> this thread has been very informative from an initial ownership perspective.
I am happy that it is of some use.
> Would love to have your feedback on the cost of ownership excluding fuel, > if at all you have had any service visits.
The three free services offered are at 1000, 5000 and 10000kms or 1 month, 3 month and 6 month intervals. The 1000 kms service is just a check up and does not involve any cost and that is the only service that has been done. The next service is due on Dec 07. I am using the car so that it covers some distance before this. It is at 3087 now and it would be near to 4000 when it goes for the service.
Honda changes oil every 5000kms and oil filter every 10000kms as per their service schedules. After the free services, the oil change interval is 6 months or 5000 kms whichever is early.
> Has the ride got any better or just that you got used to it?
No, not so far! We as a family won't get used to it. But for the auto sake, we'll bear it. Another sore point for me is that the front seat for me is not giving proper back support and so I feel a little discomfort.
>What about other aspects like braking, driveability, engine pulling on full load >or up a steep slope etc.
All running is with AC on. In fact the AC switch or the blower switch is always on. So far the travel has been all on level roads here and the maximum number of people has been 3. The driveability part is excellent, I would say. There is the usual 'creep' just like any other automatic and so in bumper to bumper traffic and in level ground, you can just use the brake to control. The car will pick up even at just over 1000 RPM. For spirited getaways, you can always use the force of your right foot.
Since the engine braking is less and since there is no clutch to disengage, you have to consciously brake a little harder. To an extent shifting to lower gear while braking helps and shifting to neutral just before coming to a stop increases both the braking efficiency and the mileage.
I have not travelled to any hilly areas except minor ups and downs in the MC Road to Kottayam and inside the town. It was just me and I never felt any difficulty. With three of us and AC, getting out of a theatre in a nearby town (very steep, like a path from the undergorund parking) was not a problem at all. I put it in L for that climb, as there were other cars were behind me and I was getting on to a busy road.
> I am also seriously considering an AT and very likely a Honda CVT.
The mileage has been encouraging so far. |