My Cobra: Maruti Suzuki Ciaz ZDi (Dignity Brown)

[Chochi]

It will condense only on the hotter side right , I am sure it was very cold outside and I had switched of the AC and still it was fogging outside. Using wipers was also not helping much and it was severely affecting the visibility. It lasted for almost 15-20 mins. One explanation I am thinking of is , may be hot air escapes from under the bonnet and touches the windshield which causes the fog ? A design issue may be ?

 

[Chochi]

Nice to see my review at the front page of TAI

 

[Chochi]

I am using MGA body cover. While the fit is good, I feel it slowly creates swirl marks. For me there is no other way to protect the car from my dog. I cover it daily night and remove it next day. Is there any other cover in 2K range that doesn't scratch the paint ?

 

[Chetak]

Any other cover?

The material used in the MGA cover is indeed hard and will create swirl marks on the car if put on and removed on a daily basis.

I have been using Polco branded "DuPont Tyvek" WHITE car covers for the past 5-6 years now and have had no issues. They are slightly expensive but completely worth the money IMO.

http://www.polcoindia.com/shop/maruti-ciaz-dupont-tyvek/?v=c86ee0d9d7ed

 

[Chochi]

Thanks Chetak , will give it a try.
After close examination I found that not just the cover but my Jopasu duster is also causing the swirl marks. My duster is only an year old , I didn't expect it will cause swirl marks. I am thinking of using duster rejuvenator , but I am not sure if it will stop creating swirl marks.

 

[Chetak]

My duster is only an year old , I didn't expect it will cause swirl marks. I am thinking of using duster rejuvenator , but I am not sure if it will stop creating swirl marks.

Now this is surprising and bad. A year old duster should not cause any marks. The rejuvenator will help but I am sure, not significantly. It would be best to replace the duster.

 

[ruchirsahai]

Got my Ciaz delivered on 28th May. Having driven the Cobra 2500+ Km so far these are the positives and negatives that I can list out.

+ves first
Excellent road presence - People give way , trust me . This is what I feel after migrating from Ritz. Especially when I am navigating through crowded streets , people stare for a second and move the parked vehicles without even me asking them. If I were in my Ritz I have to get down and move the parked two-wheelers. Apparently, Ciaz demands some respect on Road.

Soft Suspensions - All of a sudden I developed the habit of not slowing down for small bumps and pot holes . Drive Ciaz for sometime you will be spoilt with it suspensions , drive any other car in that Segment you will think something wrong with the suspension.

Excellent NVH levels - Drive in 100 - 120 , you will notice the cabin is very silent and people in rear seat wont even realize that you are cruising at such speed. You will have a big grin in your mind - outside you will be silent , just like the Ciaz .

Roomy Cabin - Very spacious sedan, you wont have any complaint here.

Excellent Cabin quality - When I showed the car to my relatives they didn't believe this is a Maruti car. Every time they see the dashboard, they go back and check the badge. It is clear that Maruti has not compromised here. Actually this is one of the main reasons for me to choose Ciaz. I am planning to keep the car for 10 years atleast and the dashboard is the one we see all the time I don't want to get bored or feel bad.

Fuel Efficiency - I am getting 20 in city . Period.

Price - This is the most important point , isn't it? Ciaz gives an excellent VFM , especially the Diesel model. I got it for 10.8L + 10K Accessories .


Now the -Ves. These may not be deal breakers , but definitely to be improved/answered by Maruti.

Engine sound at out side - Well this is a serious one to me. This is one thing I really hate in Ciaz. Engine sound is very high when heard from our outside . I dont know how Maruti engineers overlooked this. I have to see is there any after market treatments to reduce the sound. Ideas welcome...

Blind spots - A pillars cause some serious blind spots on turnings. I am not sure if this is specific to ciaz or common in all sedans. One has to be very very careful on turnings.

Windshield misted but from outside - I notice this strange issue , mist forms on outside of the windshield on rainy days or when the outside temperate is very less - like a early morning after a heavy rain at night. Even if put the wipers it forms again immediately. This is really really annoying and I never faced this issue in Ritz.

AC is not chilling to the bone - AC could be better , may be because of the huge green houses in place , all the four glasses are huge, needless to mention the front and rear windshields . I have to put the sun films yet.

Nice review and congrats for the new car... I also recently purchased the same VDi+SHVS my 'Grey Hound' and also have a review posted (http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/ownership-reviews/26793-ciaz-vdi-shvs-grey-hound.html) here although initial experience not so great but its ok.
Had read your review and yes I also agree that mist develops on the outside of windshield and keeps developing.

 

[FordFiesta1.6]

Hi chichi, congrats on your new buy the ciaz and a stunning looking feature loaded value for money vehicle. I can understand your worries the best solution is to take your car to 3M car care and do a Teflon coat which will significantly reduce the swirl marks on your duster. And I used to cover my only ones or twice a year as they both keep on running through out the year but when I cover the car I use a bedsheets in between the cars body and car cover to protect the paint against scrubbing the paint due to air breeze. Better try that too it works well for me it significantly reduced the swirl marks on my cars .

 

[Chochi]

Had read your review and yes I also agree that mist develops on the outside of windshield and keeps developing.

At last I found another soul who identified the same issue

And I used to cover my only ones or twice a year as they both keep on running through out the year but when I cover the car I use a bedsheets in between the cars body and car cover to protect the paint against scrubbing the paint due to air breeze. Better try that too it works well for me it significantly reduced the swirl marks on my cars .

Thanks for your wishes.
I have to apply the cover daily , it is all because of my dog! And before covering I have to dust the car , unfortunately both are causing swirl marks. So still I am trying to find a solution for this problem.

 

[psyche artist]

[I notice this strange issue , mist forms on outside of the windshield on rainy days or when the outside temperate is very less - like a early morning after a heavy rain at night. Even if put the wipers it forms again immediately. This is really really annoying and I never faced this issue in Ritz. ]
I often face this issue in my baleno and celerio and i have found a solution as well.
with these two simple rule, I never bother any mist whether outside or inside---
1) MIST from OUTSIDE: direct air at windshield and set temperature as high i.e. WARM the WINDSHIELD. within a minute it becomes clear and mist dont form again. though you have to bear HOT temp for a minute.
2) MIST from INSIDE: as everybody know, throw as cool air as possible to windshield. another preventive method is to apply toothpaste from inside and wipe it out.

 

[Chochi]

1) MIST from OUTSIDE: direct air at windshield and set temperature as high i.e. WARM the WINDSHIELD. within a minute it becomes clear and mist dont form again. though you have to bear HOT temp for a minute.

Yes ,sounds like a good option. Will try this next time I face this problem.

 

[maddy2raju]

Hello all

Planning to book ciaz zdi +SHVS my color option is Dignity brown and glistening grey my previous car was manza which is white i had last option no other go may go for white in my new ciaz pls suggest me Dignity brown remains same or fades down
Accesories planned from maruti genuine accessories
1. Hertz sub woofer with four speakers
2.Rear spoiler from mga
3.boot chorme garnish
4.headlamp chorme
5.rear door sunshades
6.illuminated sill plates

From 3m car care
1.under body coat
2.exterior polish (teflon thing)
3.no mad mats
4. Sunflim otherthan front windshield

 

[Chochi]

Colors are in general really a personal preference. But in my humble opinion, Ciaz doesn't look very good in White. Somehow I feel it just doesn't give any character to Ciaz. I am not saying white is not a good option in general , say for example fluidic verna looks really good in white but not Ciaz. Also the white paint quality of Ciaz is not as good as Verna's.

Black - again black is very good color , in fact I had decided that my next car will be in Black . But unfortunately Ciaz didn't look very good in Black ( i want to stress the word 'very' here). Black is a good color - but not for all cars.
Sangria Red- There is pinkish touch in the color , so I didnt like this color.
Silver and Beige - I will never ever buy a car in Silver color in my life. Some people claim it will not age fast , car will look relatively new even after years. But IMHO even a brand new car will look like a 10 year old car in silver color. Beige ? I don't even respect this as an option .

So I think Ciaz IMHO looks good in two colors - Dignity Brown and Glistening Grey. Both colors have plus and minus. For example Brown doesn't look very good in bright light on the other hand Grey doesn't glister as much as the Brown!

Coming to your question of fading - this is something we have to face while buying a darker color(in the long run) but this doesn't mean white is safer . White can turn yellow over the period if not maintained well. So the bottom line is, there are various ways to handle this. Paint protection treatment could be one option.

Hello all
1. Hertz sub woofer with four speakers
2.Rear spoiler from mga
3.boot chorme garnish
4.headlamp chorme
5.rear door sunshades
6.illuminated sill plates

1. Hertz sub woofer with four speakers - I am surprised. I wont say I am an audiophile but I believed I have a sharp ear as far of the audio quality is concerned. I thought I don't have to upgrade the ICE ,if at all I plan I thought it needs an Amp over the woofer. Could you share your thoughts on the audio quality of OEM speakers? Could you share the cost of the woofer as well ?

 

[car_on]

Hi Chochi,

Excellent review and detailed pics. Really liked it. I own swift vdi ABS. Interesting to see that you upgraded within Maruthi family from Ritz to Ciaz. Any personal liking for products ending with 'z' ?? (laughs)

It looks like you had long trip, how is ciaz mileage figures on higways? I always keep wondering about Ciaz mileage being such a lengthy car.
Enjoy the ride.

-- Car_on

 

[Chochi]

Hi Chochi,

Excellent review and detailed pics. Really liked it. I own swift vdi ABS. Interesting to see that you upgraded within Maruthi family from Ritz to Ciaz. Any personal liking for products ending with 'z' ?? (laughs)

It looks like u had long trip, how is ciaz mileage figures on higways? I always keep wondering about Ciaz mileage being such a lengthy car.
Enjoy the ride.

-- Car_on

Thanks for your compliments.
My odo is around 4k and I believe it is still under the run-in period so I think the mileage will slightly improve in future. In my trip to Srirangam(600+ KM up and down) I think it gave around 22 kmpl. It was not pure highway trip , it included NH, State highway, village roads etc. And sometimes i do drive with heavy foot. I see three main reasons for its mileage Its weight, its aerodynamic design and tuning.
I noticed a real fun thing in ciaz . its coasting really long compared to Ritz. . I know coasting is dangerous,but sometime when I return from office just for fun I used to coast and see how far the car goes without loosing much momentum. I was pleasantly surprised to see Ciaz coasting for long distance(much longer than the Ritz) - its aerodynamic design should be the reason.