My new CVT - ownership experience t is a long mail.
Well, Sep 27th was D Day. I was to be at the showroom at 11AM, but was there only by 12noon.
I requested a delivery before 1AM. Though they had a problem with their washing apparatus, we drove out at12.58PM.
The overall experience presales started with a roadshow in Alleppey. A Mr Vinod is in charge. When we went to the venue to see City, it had gone off for a test drive request 30kms away. So we did a test drive of the Civic. Both (wife and me) were impressed with the car except for the low seating resulting in a difficult getting in and out.
A week later he brought the City over (dealer is 53kms away) and we liked the car. Only manual was available for test drive then. Since I wanted to test drive the CVT (which was new to me, though the plain old automatics were familiar) before committing.
We were impressed with the back seat height and the ease of entry and exit which was a criteria very important and which excluded very many cars.
When Mr Vinod brought down the Civic Auto for a test drive session, we had one too. The paddle shift was awesome.
Then a friend of Mr Vinod's took a CVT in a nearby place and they came to offer me a test drive. It was accepted with thanks and then I booked it. Even the colour options were shown to us by taking us to other customer's places.
Ruby Red gave away to Galaxy Grey and ended in Carbon Bronze. Carbon Bronze has turned to be a very good shade.
At the showroom all paper works were done smoothly and fast. Only when Mr Vinod checked the insurance papers did he realise that I was a doctor and since they had a schem for IMA members, he offered the same - Rs 10000 worth accessories - and I accepted.
The extended warranty was taken as it is from Honda itself.
A snap along with the car (print given immediately), a box of sweets, a rose and lemons under the tyres, a ceremonial handing over the key with good wishes, ringing of the 'Happy Bell' and we were off. The side lane bordering the 4 lane Cochin byepass is in horrible condition and we had to traverse that.
I was feeling that the ride was a little harsh and was different from the test drive car.
The car was supposed to have a little less than 10 litres of petrol and the low fuel level light was on. We filled in petrol (ordinary as advised by Mr Vinod) in the next bunk. It took 38.51 litres. We were told that the capacity of the tank is 42 but upto 45l can go in. Zeroed the trip meter. After 8 km of the cochin byepass which is extremely busy at 40 to 50 kph and a toll gate we were on to the completely 4 laned stretch of 25 kms followed by 20 kms of single carriage highway to my place. So 52.6 kms later I was at home. The speeds were upto a maximum of 75kph.
I had gone to the show room in a 30 month old 51000kms old Indigo GSX (petrol) with non standard 185/65R14 tyres. This was was also filled up at the same bunk and followed us home driven by my driver. Both cars were used with the AC on. The Indigo trip meter showed 52.4.
For 53kms (at the petrol bunk here) the Indigo took in 5.66l giving 9.36kpl. The City took in 4.12l giving 13.1kpl. The previous tankful in the Indigo had given 12.36kpl.
The mileages given under the same testing with different cars:
Marina LS Tdi - 13.01kpl
Innova V Diesel - 19.62kpl
Zen Di - 21kpl. The accompanying Indica DLE gave 24.8kpl.
Both the cars were topped up in our place.
Now even on the highway, I was feeling the ride to be 'rough'. A check here showed the tyre pressures were 40+ in the different tyres. They were corrected to 32 in front and 30 rear. It had run 53kms when they were checked yesterday. The low speed ride is less rough now, though rougher
than my Marina.
I put PLATI alloy wheels retaining the OEM Bridgestone tubeless tyres.
Regards,
Rajesh, Alleppey, Kerala
(Marina LS BSIII, Oct 05, 31604 kms, 13.94 kpl, 46km/day)
(Honda City CVT, Sep 07, 589 kms, 13.93 kpl, 65km/day) |