SPARKled with the new Black Chevrolet Spark LS

SPARKled · 31st August 2009, 14:53

Since moving to Pune, I was looking for a small car within 4 lakhs for a regular Mumbai-Pune and an intra city commute that was light on maintenance and fuel bills. Instantly Maruti was all I could think of and made up my mind to get the A-star. I almost booked the A-Star but was put off by the attitude of 2 Maruti dealers in Navi Mumbai. I know Maruti is no.1 car company in India but their dealers can surely learn a thing or two from the so called lesser automobile companies in India. The Spark was not even in my list but thought of visiting the local GM dealer Nikhil Automobiles after a bad experience with SK Automobiles and Automotive in Navi Mumbai

.

The 'You are welcome and thanks for visiting us' attitude of the GM dealer was a pleasant change after the 'do not care if you visit us' attitude of Automotive and SK wheels. The sales man immediately gave us all the discounts that were available and the final cost we arrived at was Rs 3.32 odd for the LS model ex Navi Mumbai including 5 accessories and the GM 3 year maintenance plan which anyway was free.

After this I had a test drive and took the car on Palm Beach road for a spin. I loved the new beige interiors and a feeling of openness all around me. Low end torque was pretty good and I did not need frequent downshifting to keep up with the traffic. The speedometer was a bit lazy to move initially but the ride quality and stability above 80 Kmph was fantastic. The gera box was almost as good as the A-star though not as smooth. The AC chilled up the cabin immediately and thankfully there was no stock music system as on the A-star which was pretty sub standard. On switching the AC on, there was definitely a loss in power but I have experienced that in almost all small cars that I have driven. I too experienced the 'Silent as a tomb' and the 'Not so small on the inside' syndrome common with Sparks, making the A-star looked pathetically small and noisy in comparison. No to mention the 75k saved on the VXi A-Star I was looking to buy.

That's it, my mind was made and for a car costing 3.3 odd on road, I couldn't have asked for a better deal and promptly booked my car for delivery a day before the Ganpati festival in August.

Come 22/08/2009 and we all went to Nikhil Automobiles for the delivery. The car had all the free accessories namely the mudflaps, floor mats, steering cover and the car perfume fitted, while the Teflon coating was being given a last polish for that wonderful black shine on the car body. All the systems and knobs and indicators were explained and the paper work was completed. The pre-delivery inspections were made and I found the door open indicator constantly on. The dealership guys offered to fix it immediately citing a sensor problem, but I told them that I would bring the car in on Monday for the fix as I was really eager to drive out of the showroom. Soon after a short pooja, garlanding and the breaking of a coconut, we drove off and I was thus 'SPARKled' with my new acquisition

.

rageshgr · 31st August 2009, 16:24

Congrats dude, on your new little baby!

myavu · 31st August 2009, 16:31

Congrats, that was a wise decision.

Happy motoring. Post few pics of that black cuty.

Cheers!

schitre05 · 31st August 2009, 16:59

Congrats on your buy!!! happy motoring!!
btw did you try the LPG version?

SPARKled · 31st August 2009, 17:17

Thanks all of you!!!! Yes the pictures will be up soon. I will take it today for an extended photo shoot and post asap.

@schitre5 : No I did not test drive the LPG version as I was not looking for the LPG version.

vikrantj · 31st August 2009, 17:24

Welcome to the SPARKled family. Happy and Safe motoring ahead .

pulsar56 · 31st August 2009, 17:35

Congrats on the cute city commuter which eats the Highways too!

BTW, Where are the pictures?

prince_pervez · 31st August 2009, 17:50

Congrats on your purchase. What color again ? And thats the kind of dealership experience we were waiting to hear from a long long time. drive safe. Photos please.

balajird · 31st August 2009, 17:56

Congrats on your purchase, Please do share the pictures and your initial ownership experience. Does the maintenance package of 3 years includes oil changes and oil filter changes free of cost?

Klub Class · 31st August 2009, 18:08

Congratulation on your new buy..! Please do post some pictures of your beauty. Drive her safe. I wish you a happy and safe motoring

Takumi-san · 1st September 2009, 07:48

Beautiful car, heartiest congratulations. Pictures please!

Did you perchance have a thought about the new Spark due to be released in 2010 ? It would affect the resale of your current drive ; but in its favor the new car wont get any discounts so this is a superb VFM deal.

NIP · 1st September 2009, 11:04

Congrats sparkled ! You have a great little car there. Please do post pics and more so of the interiors. Happy Motoring

SPARKled · 1st September 2009, 12:14

Here are a few pictures I clicked yesterday near my house. I am not sure of the quality but here you go.

@Takumi-san : I needed a car urgently and frankly couldn't wait for the new one to be launched and even if its launched soon its unlikely to be this cheap. Also I intend to drive this one like my earlier cars for at least 5-7 years so resales is not an issue.

@balajird : Yes even consumables are covered under warranty.

Fordmanchau · 1st September 2009, 12:47

Hi Sparkled, Congratulations for your new acquisition!! Nice photographs!! but I can see you in the RVM with the camera in the 2nd photo

.
So sparky is better VFM then A-star.How does it compare with the A-star, can u write here briefly ?

balajird · 1st September 2009, 12:54

Nice Photos SPARKled, especially the interior one, i liked the way you have taken the snap. Good looking black beauty.

31st August 2009, 14:53	#1
SPARKled Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,110 Thanked: 663 Times	SPARKled with the new Black Chevrolet Spark LS Since moving to Pune, I was looking for a small car within 4 lakhs for a regular Mumbai-Pune and an intra city commute that was light on maintenance and fuel bills. Instantly Maruti was all I could think of and made up my mind to get the A-star. I almost booked the A-Star but was put off by the attitude of 2 Maruti dealers in Navi Mumbai. I know Maruti is no.1 car company in India but their dealers can surely learn a thing or two from the so called lesser automobile companies in India. The Spark was not even in my list but thought of visiting the local GM dealer Nikhil Automobiles after a bad experience with SK Automobiles and Automotive in Navi Mumbai. The 'You are welcome and thanks for visiting us' attitude of the GM dealer was a pleasant change after the 'do not care if you visit us' attitude of Automotive and SK wheels. The sales man immediately gave us all the discounts that were available and the final cost we arrived at was Rs 3.32 odd for the LS model ex Navi Mumbai including 5 accessories and the GM 3 year maintenance plan which anyway was free. After this I had a test drive and took the car on Palm Beach road for a spin. I loved the new beige interiors and a feeling of openness all around me. Low end torque was pretty good and I did not need frequent downshifting to keep up with the traffic. The speedometer was a bit lazy to move initially but the ride quality and stability above 80 Kmph was fantastic. The gera box was almost as good as the A-star though not as smooth. The AC chilled up the cabin immediately and thankfully there was no stock music system as on the A-star which was pretty sub standard. On switching the AC on, there was definitely a loss in power but I have experienced that in almost all small cars that I have driven. I too experienced the 'Silent as a tomb' and the 'Not so small on the inside' syndrome common with Sparks, making the A-star looked pathetically small and noisy in comparison. No to mention the 75k saved on the VXi A-Star I was looking to buy. That's it, my mind was made and for a car costing 3.3 odd on road, I couldn't have asked for a better deal and promptly booked my car for delivery a day before the Ganpati festival in August. Come 22/08/2009 and we all went to Nikhil Automobiles for the delivery. The car had all the free accessories namely the mudflaps, floor mats, steering cover and the car perfume fitted, while the Teflon coating was being given a last polish for that wonderful black shine on the car body. All the systems and knobs and indicators were explained and the paper work was completed. The pre-delivery inspections were made and I found the door open indicator constantly on. The dealership guys offered to fix it immediately citing a sensor problem, but I told them that I would bring the car in on Monday for the fix as I was really eager to drive out of the showroom. Soon after a short pooja, garlanding and the breaking of a coconut, we drove off and I was thus 'SPARKled' with my new acquisition .
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 16:24	#2
rageshgr BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chennai/Vaikom Posts: 549 Thanked: 551 Times View My Garage	Congrats dude, on your new little baby!
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 16:31	#3
myavu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi - Kochi Posts: 1,568 Thanked: 1,959 Times	Congrats, that was a wise decision. Happy motoring. Post few pics of that black cuty. Cheers!
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 16:59	#4
schitre05 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 457 Thanked: 176 Times View My Garage	Congrats on your buy!!! happy motoring!! btw did you try the LPG version?
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 17:17	#5
SPARKled Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,110 Thanked: 663 Times	Thanks all of you!!!! Yes the pictures will be up soon. I will take it today for an extended photo shoot and post asap. @schitre5 : No I did not test drive the LPG version as I was not looking for the LPG version.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 17:24	#6
vikrantj BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 628 Thanked: 590 Times	Welcome to the SPARKled family. Happy and Safe motoring ahead .
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 17:35	#7
pulsar56 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,174 Thanked: 343 Times View My Garage	Congrats on the cute city commuter which eats the Highways too! BTW, Where are the pictures?
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 17:50	#8
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,211 Thanked: 52 Times View My Garage	Congrats on your purchase. What color again ? And thats the kind of dealership experience we were waiting to hear from a long long time. drive safe. Photos please.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 17:56	#9
balajird BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 460 Thanked: 63 Times	Congrats on your purchase, Please do share the pictures and your initial ownership experience. Does the maintenance package of 3 years includes oil changes and oil filter changes free of cost?
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 18:08	#10
Klub Class Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KA17\|KL65\|KL41 Posts: 4,875 Thanked: 1,951 Times	Congratulation on your new buy..! Please do post some pictures of your beauty. Drive her safe. I wish you a happy and safe motoring
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 07:48	#11
Takumi-san BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 368 Thanked: 121 Times View My Garage	Beautiful car, heartiest congratulations. Pictures please! Did you perchance have a thought about the new Spark due to be released in 2010 ? It would affect the resale of your current drive ; but in its favor the new car wont get any discounts so this is a superb VFM deal.
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 11:04	#12
NIP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,180 Thanked: 152 Times View My Garage	Congrats sparkled ! You have a great little car there. Please do post pics and more so of the interiors. Happy Motoring
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 12:14	#13
SPARKled Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,110 Thanked: 663 Times	Now added a few pictures. Here are a few pictures I clicked yesterday near my house. I am not sure of the quality but here you go. @Takumi-san : I needed a car urgently and frankly couldn't wait for the new one to be launched and even if its launched soon its unlikely to be this cheap. Also I intend to drive this one like my earlier cars for at least 5-7 years so resales is not an issue. @balajird : Yes even consumables are covered under warranty. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 12:47	#14
Fordmanchau Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,666 Thanked: 340 Times	Hi Sparkled, Congratulations for your new acquisition!! Nice photographs!! but I can see you in the RVM with the camera in the 2nd photo . So sparky is better VFM then A-star.How does it compare with the A-star, can u write here briefly ?
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 12:54	#15
balajird BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 460 Thanked: 63 Times	Nice Photos SPARKled, especially the interior one, i liked the way you have taken the snap. Good looking black beauty.
	() Thanks