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DISCLAIMER:-The following thread is a initial ownership review of Volkswagen Vento TDi Highline bought on 19 october 2011.
This is my first ever attempt in writing any review so forgive any mistakes.
The following is a very long post as it was hard for me make it short lack of innovative writing skills you may say.
INTRODUCTION:- We are a family of three me and my parents you can say that we are a Hyundai loyalist because all our cars till date have been Hyundais our first ever car was a Hyundai Santro (1999-2006), Hyundai Accent ( 2006-2011), Hyundai i20 Asta (2009) to sum it up in short our experience have been excellent all over these years and we are thoroughly satisfied.
PROLOGUE:- Come 2011 petrol prices are starting to climb up north gradually and to hurt more our accent decides to let her mileage go south suddenly we are getting mileage of 7-8 kmpl, thought might be some mechanical problem tried various hits and miss such as changing the spark plugs, clutch plate (it got hard), engine oil (synthetic), checked the actuators, filters, even changed the filling station but it all went in vain even the HASS guys couldn't determine what went wrong. In the mean while the running cost went up as high as Rs 10-11/ km. At last with a very heavy heart we decided to sell her off and sold it in the month of september. I would like to say during her tenure of 5 years she never missed a beat and always bought a smile on our face it was a wonderful car.
DECISION MAKING :-
So now we were in the market for a new diesel car due to rising fuel cost and also our running has increased by quite some margin and it will rise more in future. I first suggested to go for a diesel hatchback keeping in view the traffic and parking woes in cities like New Delhi and suggested Skoda Fabia liked the car since it was launched even my father agreed but when he heard that its a three cylinder diesel he became slightly apprehensive then my mother flatly refused for a hatchback and said we already have a hatchback (i20) and said she want a sedan.
So out goes the hatchbacks in the recycle bin and comes out new contenders such as:-
Volkswagen Vento
Hyundai Verna
HYUNDAI EXPERIENCE:- As you all have read that we are hyundai loyalists our first choice was the Verna really liked its styling, features kit, refined engined according to me its the best value for money diesel sedan below 11lakh price band and its hard to beat. We went to Hans Hyundai which is the major dealership of hyundai in Delhi and from where we got our other cars and also get them serviced. The experience was very bad I entered the showroom a SE came to attend us, I asked him about diesel Verna and comes the reply sir booking closed 8 months waiting please come next year. He gives me a price list and off he went i chased him and told him about our past association with Hyundai and their showroom but still he flatly refuse to entertain anymore question no TD asked not even a display car in the showroom. We leave the showroom immediately.
VOLKSWAGEN EXPERIENCE:- We cross the road and steps inside the Volkswagen Showroom across the road . The showroom is quite empty we are immediately greeted by a staff who asks which car we are interested in, and immediately deploys a SE so far so got. The showroom is Volkswagen Delhi West they claim to be the largest dealer in Delhi-NCR ,the showroom itself is very big and airy with lots of natural light coming in and comfortable to sit and discuss the deal. Also many cars from the volkswagen stable are displayed in the showroom.
We check out the display car inside out every minute detail although I have researched everything about the car but still it was a first hand experience and my father liked the car a lot. We took the TD and decided thereon that this is our next car.
BOOKING EXPERIENCE:- Booked the car after a week from Volkswagen Delhi West . I came to know about a new Vento in the pipeline with some added features through some automotive forums when i confronted the same with the sales staff in the showroom they refused to accept any new model launch and were adamant on selling a existing car from their stock. I also maintained my argument and requested to call their GM he accepted that a new model will be launched shortly but they are not taking any new booking for diesel Ventos I requested politely to the GM and he accepted to book a new one for me but he also asked me not to disclose it any other customer i agreed. Booked the car by paying Rs 75000 and was told at least a month to wait.
The car came in exactly after a month went to the showroom to do a physical PDI found everything ok and gave my green signal.
DELIVERY EXPERIENCE:- Took delivery of the car on 19th october 2011 the delivery went smoothly mine was the only car to be delivered today as people were waiting for more auspicious Dhanteras and Diwali in a weeks time.
No freebies were offered to me not even complimentary chocolates or plant but Iam complaining I got my car quickly and in perfect shape that what matters more to me.
Price:- Ex Showroom- 9,74,000
Insurance- 37,401
Road Tax- 71,000
Logistics- 6,000
Total- 10,88,401
Some accessories I took from the showroom are as follows:-
Sunflims (Front and Side 4 windows)
Door Sill Guards
Body Cover
Mud-Flaps
Floor Carpet
Rubber Door Protector
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:- Since I have been driving this car for a littler over two weeks this is how i feel about the Vento Tdi.
POSITIVES
Great engine - the engine of this car is just great and the turbo boost is very addictive moreover urban drivability of this car is very good with negligible turbo lag and a great gear box its a breeze to drive in the city.
Handling - The handling is also very good feels rock stable at even speeds upward of 16 km/h, also the ride is very good its very linear and compliant on every road surfaces not to bouncy nor too harsh.
The air conditioner is also very effective although only the peak summers will tell but still it cools quickly and nicely.
Space is not a issue both front and rear are generous with ample shoulder room but the rear seat is strictly for two people due to the stupid central hump
The built of this car is super solid after driving the Vento my i20 feels light as a feather (be it the gear stick the clutch the doors even the self seems broken in i20 some times) .
NEGATIVES
The engine noise is on the higher side i mean although its not audible so much inside the cabin but outside you can hear the clatter very much. When compared to verna’s 1.6 crdi unit its quite loud.
The left hand drive control for wipers and indicators is quite confusing more so if you have different cars with controls in your garage.
The interiors colour is so light it gets spoiled very easily it is a dirt magnet even the floor carpet is biege colured
Lack of electric folding outside view mirror i mean common it should be standard in car of this price
The stupid central hump it just spoils the otherwise great space.
The tiny inside rear view mirror visibility from it is pathetic.
VERDICT
Even with few negatives Vento otherwise is avery good car Iam enjoying driving it so much that my personal car I20 feels lonely and dejected but cant help just loving the crazy torque this car produces. It is a value for money product though may not be as flashy as its competitors but still one should give it a thought if he is in the market for a diesel sedan
Any questions Or comments from fellow readers are warmly welcomed and will be highly appreciated.
This is my first ever attempt in writing any review so forgive any mistakes.
The following is a very long post as it was hard for me make it short lack of innovative writing skills you may say.
INTRODUCTION:- We are a family of three me and my parents you can say that we are a Hyundai loyalist because all our cars till date have been Hyundais our first ever car was a Hyundai Santro (1999-2006), Hyundai Accent ( 2006-2011), Hyundai i20 Asta (2009) to sum it up in short our experience have been excellent all over these years and we are thoroughly satisfied.
PROLOGUE:- Come 2011 petrol prices are starting to climb up north gradually and to hurt more our accent decides to let her mileage go south suddenly we are getting mileage of 7-8 kmpl, thought might be some mechanical problem tried various hits and miss such as changing the spark plugs, clutch plate (it got hard), engine oil (synthetic), checked the actuators, filters, even changed the filling station but it all went in vain even the HASS guys couldn't determine what went wrong. In the mean while the running cost went up as high as Rs 10-11/ km. At last with a very heavy heart we decided to sell her off and sold it in the month of september. I would like to say during her tenure of 5 years she never missed a beat and always bought a smile on our face it was a wonderful car.
DECISION MAKING :-
So now we were in the market for a new diesel car due to rising fuel cost and also our running has increased by quite some margin and it will rise more in future. I first suggested to go for a diesel hatchback keeping in view the traffic and parking woes in cities like New Delhi and suggested Skoda Fabia liked the car since it was launched even my father agreed but when he heard that its a three cylinder diesel he became slightly apprehensive then my mother flatly refused for a hatchback and said we already have a hatchback (i20) and said she want a sedan.
So out goes the hatchbacks in the recycle bin and comes out new contenders such as:-
Volkswagen Vento
Hyundai Verna
HYUNDAI EXPERIENCE:- As you all have read that we are hyundai loyalists our first choice was the Verna really liked its styling, features kit, refined engined according to me its the best value for money diesel sedan below 11lakh price band and its hard to beat. We went to Hans Hyundai which is the major dealership of hyundai in Delhi and from where we got our other cars and also get them serviced. The experience was very bad I entered the showroom a SE came to attend us, I asked him about diesel Verna and comes the reply sir booking closed 8 months waiting please come next year. He gives me a price list and off he went i chased him and told him about our past association with Hyundai and their showroom but still he flatly refuse to entertain anymore question no TD asked not even a display car in the showroom. We leave the showroom immediately.
VOLKSWAGEN EXPERIENCE:- We cross the road and steps inside the Volkswagen Showroom across the road . The showroom is quite empty we are immediately greeted by a staff who asks which car we are interested in, and immediately deploys a SE so far so got. The showroom is Volkswagen Delhi West they claim to be the largest dealer in Delhi-NCR ,the showroom itself is very big and airy with lots of natural light coming in and comfortable to sit and discuss the deal. Also many cars from the volkswagen stable are displayed in the showroom.
We check out the display car inside out every minute detail although I have researched everything about the car but still it was a first hand experience and my father liked the car a lot. We took the TD and decided thereon that this is our next car.
BOOKING EXPERIENCE:- Booked the car after a week from Volkswagen Delhi West . I came to know about a new Vento in the pipeline with some added features through some automotive forums when i confronted the same with the sales staff in the showroom they refused to accept any new model launch and were adamant on selling a existing car from their stock. I also maintained my argument and requested to call their GM he accepted that a new model will be launched shortly but they are not taking any new booking for diesel Ventos I requested politely to the GM and he accepted to book a new one for me but he also asked me not to disclose it any other customer i agreed. Booked the car by paying Rs 75000 and was told at least a month to wait.
The car came in exactly after a month went to the showroom to do a physical PDI found everything ok and gave my green signal.
DELIVERY EXPERIENCE:- Took delivery of the car on 19th october 2011 the delivery went smoothly mine was the only car to be delivered today as people were waiting for more auspicious Dhanteras and Diwali in a weeks time.
No freebies were offered to me not even complimentary chocolates or plant but Iam complaining I got my car quickly and in perfect shape that what matters more to me.
Price:- Ex Showroom- 9,74,000
Insurance- 37,401
Road Tax- 71,000
Logistics- 6,000
Total- 10,88,401
Some accessories I took from the showroom are as follows:-
Sunflims (Front and Side 4 windows)
Door Sill Guards
Body Cover
Mud-Flaps
Floor Carpet
Rubber Door Protector
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:- Since I have been driving this car for a littler over two weeks this is how i feel about the Vento Tdi.
POSITIVES
Great engine - the engine of this car is just great and the turbo boost is very addictive moreover urban drivability of this car is very good with negligible turbo lag and a great gear box its a breeze to drive in the city.
Handling - The handling is also very good feels rock stable at even speeds upward of 16 km/h, also the ride is very good its very linear and compliant on every road surfaces not to bouncy nor too harsh.
The air conditioner is also very effective although only the peak summers will tell but still it cools quickly and nicely.
Space is not a issue both front and rear are generous with ample shoulder room but the rear seat is strictly for two people due to the stupid central hump
The built of this car is super solid after driving the Vento my i20 feels light as a feather (be it the gear stick the clutch the doors even the self seems broken in i20 some times) .
NEGATIVES
The engine noise is on the higher side i mean although its not audible so much inside the cabin but outside you can hear the clatter very much. When compared to verna’s 1.6 crdi unit its quite loud.
The left hand drive control for wipers and indicators is quite confusing more so if you have different cars with controls in your garage.
The interiors colour is so light it gets spoiled very easily it is a dirt magnet even the floor carpet is biege colured
Lack of electric folding outside view mirror i mean common it should be standard in car of this price
The stupid central hump it just spoils the otherwise great space.
The tiny inside rear view mirror visibility from it is pathetic.
VERDICT
Even with few negatives Vento otherwise is avery good car Iam enjoying driving it so much that my personal car I20 feels lonely and dejected but cant help just loving the crazy torque this car produces. It is a value for money product though may not be as flashy as its competitors but still one should give it a thought if he is in the market for a diesel sedan
Any questions Or comments from fellow readers are warmly welcomed and will be highly appreciated.