Dear All,
This is a review of my Bright Red EuroIV Maruti Suzuki Swift Vdi
.
How it all started?
I was driving a 2006 company leased WagonR Duo and the emi period was ending on Dec'09. Choices was
1) To extend the lease, retain the car with company and save emi and tax benefits due to drivers salary and fuel and maintenance reimbursements and drive on the waggie
2) Terminate lease, take the ownership of the car, sell it and buy another car.
My choice was the second option because 1) after marriage my highway running has increased and a tall boy was obviously not a good choice for highways. 2) The urge for a new car. 3) Sai service,cochin offered a good price of Rs 2.6 lakhs for my 3 year old waggie. So in January 2009 my Waggie was sold to Sai service, Cochin.
What next?
The following was my criteria for a new car
1) No more tall boys 2) It should be a diesel 3) It should be a hatch 4) Good after sales support 5) Availability of service centres at Kannur and Kollam (Work town and hometown) 6) Budget upto Rs 5.5 L. 7) Adequate performance.
Had test drive of Punto(4times with 3 dealers), Vista, Swift, and Ritz.
Visited Ford showroom to check out Figo. It was not available for testdrive then.
Punto was a strong contender due to its features, ride and handling and looks, but, lack of performance in low gears, low ground clearance, high engine sound, high streeing placement, bad maintanance of test drive vehicles and overcrowded service bay of Tata service stations pulled me away from Punto.
Vista was rejected as i couln't connect with the car and I coulnt find a comfortable driving position in Ritz. Steering placement of Figo was found to be similiar to Punto(high for my height of 5'4"), so i didnt wait for test drive car. The first thing i noted when i sat in swift was that the excellent driving position. Together with driving dynamics and performance and the MS brand, the call went for Swift.
Colour was selected by wife and though i requested for a ABS version, as Sai service, Cochin was not ready to commit a date for delivery, i opted for a Vdi option.
My Red Pimento was delivered on April 2010.
Delivery, makeup and first impressions
PDI was done with T-Bhp checklist before registration and the car was delivered on April end by Sai service, Edapally,Cochin. There was nothing outstanding regarding the car delivery experience and if i recall, my experience at Indus motors, Cochin in 2006 for my Waggie was better. Immediately drove off to Tyrex,Cochin and new alloy and A drive, which set me back by Rs26600.00. Sold off old MRFs to a friend for Rs8000.00
Other accessories like sunfilm, head light upgradation, basic ICE etc were fixed from Kannur shops.
The first change i observed after tyre upgradation(185/70/14) was that the pulling has reduced when compared to stock tyres, though i had driven only about 5kms in stock tyres. But, the braking and comfort levels have improved. Car is a Jem to drive and first 1000KMs was eaten away in 3 weeks. By that time i was transfered to Thrissur and gave my Pimento to Indus motors, Thrissur for first service. Changed oil and oil filter. Bill was Rs965.00. Nothing great about service of Indus motors. They delivered the car without even properly closing the boot door!!!.
1000KMs to 5000KMs
In this period i started to experience the "build quality" or lack of it of Maruti Suzuki. Rattling noises started to come from door pads, driver side B piller, seat belt assembly and everywhere. Took it to Indus motors and the SA told me that its common in Swift
. Asked them to rectify it. They did something and returned the car in the evening. After two days rattles returned, mail went to Maruti, SA came running to my home next day morning, took car to service station, fixed forms all over the pads and retuned car. Rattles are now subdued.
Also I noticed that the turbo kick comes late at 2200 RPM in second gear. Its really a nuissance when you drive off from a signal. I didnt push Indus motors too hard on this matter as the turbo kickin was normal, ie at 2000rpm, in all other higher gears. Infact, you slot into fourth gear and can drive it as an automatic in our one and half lane Kerala "Highways".
Another issue I have observed is the lack of paint quality. A small pebble hitting your car from the wheels of other vehicles is enough to take away the paint from POC. I do have many small patches now.
Positive things about the car is the driving pleasure in 1800 to 3500 rpms, reasonable handling, looks, and very supportive after sales service.
5000KMs to 9000KMs
My Pimento has completed around 9100KMs till date. Except for the rattling issues, she has performed well and meets my requirements. Total diesel filled till date is 516 litres and the average mileage achieved till date is around 18Km/Ltr. Will take her for 10000KMs service by month end. Also planning to do the DIY damping of doors. Thanks for reading my rants.