Honda City Diesel Review - Vasantha Ashtra – Golden Brown

[gandhi]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Very sorry for the incident.
It's a very painful day for any automotive lover, have you bought RSA separately. Hope to see back her in shape soon.

Yeah Anand, I bought the RSA separately, as I will be travelling to places where I don't know. Honda is not so spread like MS, I felt better to take RSA.

Was anything scraping on your rear tire?
I mean, the car us looking quite driveable in the pics with nothing touching against the rear tire which can obstruct its movement. If there was nothing wrong then why you called roadside assistance?

Vipul, the bend portion of the quarter panel was scraping my rear tyre. I tried enough to bend but still it was scrapping. I tried to move with the scrapping, but I could not tolerate the crying sound of my Ashtra. (Felt it like asking the person to walk who has broken leg). So I called the RSA.

I too met a similar accident, but the damages in my case were only on the upper surface, though the car was repaired very well by the Toyota guys, but a very small(about 2-3mm) panel gap is still remaining which has never gone. Here is the story of my accident:
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...lure-due-service-center-s-fault-now-what.html

In your case, the damages are deeper as I can see and hence take care that they do the denting work such a way that your rear quarter panel and your tail light to fit perfectly(even if you have to pay some chai-paani to the SA, no issues, the car needs to be back to perfect shape).
Since the denting work actually makes the locks and their locking points go a bit out of sync or say out of place by a mm or two and hence the perfect fitting of bumper, tail light, panel etc is tricky, but if the denting guys do work very carefully, then quite good finishing can be attained. So ask the SA to take care that nothing goes wrong with the finishing.

After the work is completed, please do check the following things thoroughly:

• Denting work and fitment of parts - especially the bumper and tail light
• Open the boot to check if the paint is removed from any point on the inner surfaces
• Check inside the rear wheel arch for any signs of improper fitting and in case you find the plastic covering inside the arch loosened or improperly fitting then get it changed - this part causes problem in later stages by coming out.
• Close the boot, take a jug of water and drop the water slowly throughout the gap between boot and the car body starting from the rear windshield. After half hour open and boot and check if their is any water seepage inside - if yes, then get it rectified.

Actually during the denting work, the workers frequently mishandle some parts and getting something loosened or wrecked is not a big deal, especially during the denting on the inner and complex surfaces. Hence a proper check is a must. Believe me, I am an accident specialist with an experience of denting on nearly every part on my cars.

A very well experienced advice, I will definitely follow your advice. Finally it is our ride. ASS guys may not look the way we look.

BTW if you haven't have braked hard then also nothing much would have gone wrong, the Swift guy would have lost his door(maybe would have got a fractured leg too), your car would have got less severely dented(only if your beautiful headlamp wouldn't have broken, BTW I guess you lose insurance cover if you get your headlights modified with DRLs, projectors etc as the A.S.S. guys have to keep them all with themselves - please confirm) and the Swift guy would have learnt a lesson for lifetime. And yes, the slap treatment was also a must. I'd have given him the slap treatment even if I had to apply the hard brake(without being hit from anywhere) for such a foolishness of him.

Tsi, o dear Tsi, colliding a person from behind can easily land the driver in the jail as it is very difficult to prove the Swift fellow 's fault in the court of law. Also when someone hits from behind, onus of taking precautions lies more on the hitting fellow IMO, what Gandhi done was correct. It was Duster fellow's mistake that he did not maintained adequate distance so as to avoid collision.

@TSIVipul, The insurance guy will approve for only OEM fitments, if modified accessories is damaged insurance will approve only for the cost of OEM & OEM parts.

My motive to save the people to the possible extent I can. If I hit a person, altogether it will be different scene. Luckily nobody shed their blood for this accident which I'm very happy. Finally my Ashtra is a machine which is loved by our family and other auto lovers like you. But Human is always superior than the machine which we love.

@Gandhi, I know, it is easy to advise things post facto but still you should have taken pics of the Duster front end and your cars rear together as that can be used in case of unforeseen legal or police matter.
Rather, it seems he was well learned for such situations, he disappeared before Gandhi could recover from mental shock & can scold him.

Anyways,thanks for useful tips to be taken at the time post repair delivery before signing on the satisfaction form

I wish full and early recovery for the Astra.

After getting down, the first thing which I have done is took the pic duster damage and their car number. I'm not interested to share their details here.
Yes by this time, swift fellow should have understood his mistake, hope he never repeats in future.

@TSIVipul, This incident could be avoided if
* Swift moron should behave like a responsible road user.
* Duster should have followed the 3 second rule. (which I was saying in the thread http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/road-safety-driving-sense/16808-owning-new-sedan-after-learning-driving.html#post376730)

 

[AshBabu]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

My motive to save the people to the possible extent I can. If I hit a person, altogether it will be different scene. Luckily nobody shed their blood for this accident which I'm very happy. Finally my Ashtra is a machine which is loved by our family and other auto lovers like you. But Human is always superior than the machine which we love.

I totally agree with you Gandhi. Whatever be our love for our car, human are superior to our machines and they must get our top priority. In many western countries I have observed car drivers stop their vehicle to allow people to walk across the road even though signals are not on. Respect for life is important.

The behavior of the Swift person is not surprising. I don't think people think twice before opening the car door nor look back to see if any vehicle is approaching. Similar incident happened to my friend last year, who was driving his motor bike. Some person opened the door of parked car suddenly and unfortunately he crashed on the door and had a leg fracture.

 

[TSIVipul]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Tsi, o dear Tsi, colliding a person from behind can easily land the driver in the jail as it is very difficult to prove the Swift fellow 's fault in the court of law.

And nothing happens in court of law, the case will go for a couple of years, and finally a compromise will be reached in which if you are stronger then you won't pay anything and ask them to get it done or suffer the case term - that's the complete story.

It was Duster fellow's mistake that he did not maintained adequate distance so as to avoid collision.

He is definitely at fault for not maintaining the right distance as well as for not trying to see what's going on ahead of the car he is following. I, in my life never followed a vehicle blindly at any speeds above 20 kph, who knows the vehicle moving in front will jump into an open sewer with you sitting in its boot with the steering of you car in hand.

Rather, it seems he was well learned for such situations, he disappeared before Gandhi could recover from mental shock & can scold him.

Now he knows that if he is quick enough to disappear, then he can get away easily even after causing any blunder - why can't he be an optimist?

Anyways,thanks for useful tips to be taken at the time post repair delivery before signing on the satisfaction form

I guess you haven't checked my ownership thread as well as the accident thread whose link I shared in the above post, let me share it here again:
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...lure-due-service-center-s-fault-now-what.html

On a positive note, these accidents have given me a bit of experience of what can go wrong and upto what extent. And let me tell you, under the covered parts lies the true signs of carelessness by the A.S.S. guys and the issues like water seeping into the boot or through doors are are frequently reported by owners of many cars after the car has gone through denting work on the said parts are not for no reason. So one needs to carefully inspect it all as well as take care that the work is done properly.

Vipul, the bend portion of the quarter panel was scraping my rear tyre. I tried enough to bend but still it was scrapping. I tried to move with the scrapping, but I could not tolerate the crying sound of my Ashtra. (Felt it like asking the person to walk who has broken leg). So I called the RSA.

Hmm, I was also having the same doubt. Since your car is fairly new(and I guess first too) so I can understand that you will be extra cautious. Good decision it was, driving in such cases is bad for engine and tire and can prove dangerous too.

A very well experienced advice, I will definitely follow your advice. Finally it is our ride. ASS guys may not look the way we look.

Exactly, for them it is nothing but a damaged car of someone and how much love we have for our car don't make any much effect for them.

@TSIVipul, The insurance guy will approve for only OEM fitments, if modified accessories is damaged insurance will approve only for the cost of OEM & OEM parts.

That's the news for me. Thanks a lot sirji for this clarification.

After getting down, the first thing which I have done is took the pic duster damage and their car number. I'm not interested to share their details here.

Now it's no use either, even if you put pamphlets of his car and its number on every wall of your city. No SI is gonna enter your complain in the GD now.

Yes by this time, swift fellow should have understood his mistake, hope he never repeats in future.

He maybe optimistic too, and think what I wrote above

@TSIVipul, This incident could be avoided if
* Swift moron should behave like a responsible road user.
* Duster should have followed the 3 second rule. (which I was saying in the thread http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/road-safety-driving-sense/16808-owning-new-sedan-after-learning-driving.html#post376730)

Then both of them needed the slap treatment.

 

[Highway Ranger]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Sad to hear about the accident - especially to a new car. Don't worry too much. Your car will be back in good shape in no time and you will slowly put this behind you and go on with your life.

 

[gandhi]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Update of Ashtra's Health Condition.

Ashtra was taken inside the ICU (Bodyshop) and she was operated. Operation was successfully completed. Still she has to be hospitalized for another 5 days to recover fully.

















Any experts suggestions on quality of work. Things to check before & after the painting work. Finally after so many questions to the service advisor & body shop guys about the work, they replied, "Sir, it is all normal. We do this kind of work regularly". Surprisingly another 3 car waiting for the same work. 2 cars were completed. Finishing looks pretty decent.

 

[shri]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Sad to know the beloved "ASHTRA" getting injured. Hope she gets back in shape soon & ready to hit the roads. :)

 

[TSIVipul]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

It is good to know that Ashtra is recovering well and it's equally bad to see those weld spots!! Something that simply irritates me..

 

[Bump_that]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Oh boy thats brutal sad to see her in such state hope she recovers soon.

 

[vishnu vichu]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Update of Ashtra's Health Condition.

Ashtra was taken inside the ICU (Bodyshop) and she was operated. Operation was successfully completed. Still she has to be hospitalized for another 5 days to recover fully.

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Any experts suggestions on quality of work. Things to check before & after the painting work. Finally after so many questions to the service advisor & body shop guys about the work, they replied, "Sir, it is all normal. We do this kind of work regularly". Surprisingly another 3 car waiting for the same work. 2 cars were completed. Finishing looks pretty decent.

Happy to see she getting back in track Well how long more will it take ?

 

[AshBabu]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Finally after so many questions to the service advisor & body shop guys about the work, they replied, "Sir, it is all normal. We do this kind of work regularly". Surprisingly another 3 car waiting for the same work. 2 cars were completed. Finishing looks pretty decent.

Gandhi, I have experienced similar situation in my earlier car. I think we owners who love their car are restive and question each and every process . For the workers it is normal work which they do day and night. I am sure Ashtra will be out of the ICU much healthier and as beautiful to look at with all job done.

 

[gandhi]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Nicely done. I am thinking of doing the same. Some details please-
Cost
Which model
Did you go with a relay
If possible a small audio clip of how the horn sounds now.

Indeed but relay is not needed. At-least we (I and Dr MUDHAN) didn't used. For red grill and bigger horns, you may need relay.

Go ahead and fix some good horns. Front bumper has to be removed so best if its done in service center.

Finally I could manage to take the picture of Horn Installation.



The highlighted position is just a connectors were used. No relays were used in the horn upgrade.

 

[gandhi]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown



My Ashtra is back on roads for roaring .








Did a pooja for my Ashtra after the hospitalization. (Personally not interested to keep these lemons, but as a sentiment keeping it for sometimes ).





After 2 weeks of hospitalization, now Ashtra is back on roads.

Total Amount of Expenditure: Rs 73368.
Amount Paid from my Pocket: Rs 1573. Balance amount paid by Insurance Company.

Major Parts Replaced:
1. Quarter Panel - Driver Side - Rs 38199
2. Tail Light - Driver Side - Rs 1494
3. Rear Bumper - Rs 2948
4. Front Bumper - Rs 1991.

Painting Charges:
1. Quarter Panel - Rs 5142
2. Front Bumper - Rs 5933
3. Rear Bumper - Rs 5933
4. Rear Floor - Rs 1130

Final Output: Parts replacement, denting and painting found satisfactory.

Issues observed during Test Run:
1. Dash board rattling in Driver side near A pillar - On rough road with speed of 30KMPH.
2. Right rear door rattling (where the work executed)
3. Rear right side brake holds intermittently for some seconds ( releases after applying the brake for 2 to 3 times)
So decided to take delivery of car, and run it for few days and observe for any other issues. Then hand over it for these issues correction and 3rd Service. All the above problems will be solved with free of cost. Total time required is 3 days to diagnose and correct the issues.

 

[AppU]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Gandhi Ji,

Ashtra looking excellent. Happy to see her back in shape .

No worries, all the issues will be sorted out soon.

 

[TSIVipul]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Its good to see your car back in shape Gandhiji. Now a couple of questions again:

1) How is the finishing? Is it again looking the way it was or slight panel gaps are left?
2) Why is the front bumper replaced?
3) Any more squeaks or rattles?

BTW I'd advice you to take an empty road and drive with your window open and try out some sudden acceleration, braking, hard steering inputs etc at the speeds of 30-40 kph and maybe you will find some more issues.

 

[harry10]

Re: Vasantha Ashtra – Honda City i-Dtec 2014 – Golden Brown

Glad to see your beloved is back all healthy.
Aren't those painting charges a little on the higher side?