Model Ford Ikon 1.6Nxt Exi
Colour Panther Black
Purchased Aug 2005
Dealer Sundaram Ford, Hyderabad.
Purchase cost 6,20,000 Indian Rupees approx
Now here is the long term report....
First the purchase story ......
I decided to buy a new car when I was working for an MNC in Hyderabad. With my limited budget I was planning for a hatchback and narrowed it to Getz. At that time Hyundai detailer was not giving proper response, so while going to office saw a Ford Show room at Jubilee hills circle towards madhapur. I and my friend dropped into the show room and were impressed with Ford Ikon Flair (with Josh Kit) and it was within budget. So we selected Panther Black and decided to buy it the very next day. Next day went to the showroom and paid the initial amount for Ikon Flair and was waiting for the delivery. While we were waiting the sale person came to us told us that another model Ikon 1.6nxt was also available with the same colour and wanted us to check it out. We went tested it and was very much impressed and selected it though it was way out of our budget and (we paid 90K more) took the deliver the same day!
And now the ownership experience:
I and the car grew up long side and I have a special bond with this car. This is the first car that I started driving and first car in our family. I was by my side on my marriage, and my sons birth. I have done lots of long drivers in my Ikon. Hyderabad -> Chennai 10-15 times, Hyderabad -> Bangalore 8-10 times, Bangalore -> Chennai 25-30 times, Hyderabad->Srisailam 5 -6 times, Hyderabad ->Badrachalam 5-6 times, Chennai->Nagercoil 2 times, Chennai->Pudukotai 2 times and once to Hyderabad->Chennai->Coimbatore->Gurvaur->Coimbatore->Mysore->Bangalore->Hyderabad.
In all the long drivers that I had done the car has not let me down except for 3 times (in all) due to tyre puncture!
Mileage: - In Hyderabad , Bangalore and Chennai traffic I was getting 9-10KMPL
- In long drivers I was getting 12-14KMPL.
- During one of my trip to Bangalore from Chennai (in 2007) I did a full tank for the whole trip. .i.e topped-up in Chennai and filled it back in Chennai. I have not tried it ever after.
- Worst mileage 8 KMPL: In Bangalore traffic
- Best Mileage 16KMPL: Drive during Chennai->Bangalore->Chennai
Major Accidents:
I had one major accident while travelling from Chennai to Bangalore. My family came out of this accident without a single scratch.
Check this out:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post1039488.
The total bill came out to apprx 1 lakh
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post1044464
I still restored it as I was not willing to miss it.
Second Birth: List of Accessories:
Remote lock Xenos Firewall with Up relay
Windscreen wipers - Bosh
Pioneer Head Unit with 2 tweeters, 2 Front Speakers, 2 Back Speaker and 1 woofer all Pioneer and JBL Amp
Black Seat Cover
Aura Alloy wheel 14
Michelin XM1+ tubeless tyres
List of parts changed till now:
I have replaced all most all part except Chassis, Engine, Radiator, Power Steering, Power windows, A/C, Brake assembly and 4 passenger doors.
A.S.S Experience:
I have used the below list of Ford Dealers for A.S.S:
Sundaram Ford - Hyderabad
Fortune Ford - Hyderabad
Metro Ford - Bangalore
Chennai Ford Chennai
MPL Ford Chennai
All interactions with the dealers for A.S.S were worst and bitter! Not even one of them were up to the mark. Few Examples:
- While going to SirSailam from Hyderabad I hit a pothole and the steel wheel got bent, So went to Fortune Ford for replacing it. He gave me a Steel wheel rim, and asked me to get it replaced it at a tyre shop because he didnt have a working machine and to top it all he charged labor cost for it. We met the manager there and he also said the same thing, so got the spare wheel paid labor cost and got it fixed at a shop nearby!
- Gave my car for A/C vent cleaning at Chennai Ford and the front console was damaged and they were not even apologetic!
and many many more
Till today I dont have a single instance where I felt good with A.S.S, and I have stopped going to Ford Authorized dealers any more as I found Ignite garage @ Chennai more comfortable to leave my car.
Performance:
I have never felt bad in all the drive that I did. The driving and handling was superb and I never felt under powered at any instance. You always feel planted include curve and turns! When I had the choice of SX4 / Ikon for a long drive it was always the Ikon that I choose!
Brakes:
This is for sure something to watch for. The brake does not match the power the vehicle generates has!
Top Speeds: Maximum: Touched
170KMPH when driving from Hyderabad to Srisailam and while driving from Hyderabad to Chennai
Top speed for a long duration: Drove at
120KMPH while driving from Bangalore to Chennai for continues 2 hours (only place to slow was the toll gates)
Top speeds where you feel the car planted and more responsive: 120KMPH.
Interior:
Other than the Dashboard, I didnt like the power window switches, door handles and all the plastics. I have no option but to start liking it.
Minute things that I liked:- The Seat adjuster - a turn knob, you can select any position you want
- Boot Opener Placed below the Steering wheel
- Reading lights well placed for both driver and co-passenger
- Door opening the doors while opening stops midway and then a push opens fully. This had helped a lot while stopping in slopes were the doors will not freely swing
- Dickey opening switch
Minute things that I dis-liked: - Parking light switches it is behind the steering wheel, difficult to access while driving.
- Storage Space very less storage space to hold anything
Overall +- Responsive engine, Handling and steering response
- Back seat space
_- A.S.S
- A.S.S
- A.S.S
- Brakes
- Interior plastics