Why Mahindra Renault Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?

Dacia Logan

Renault Logan

Mahindra Logan

Did you notice the contents of the links, Yes it is the same car. So ultimately it is Dacia Logan under the rebranded name of Renault and marketed in India under the name of Mahindra and Renault.

So why choose a Logan?
I just fell for the price and the boot space.

1. Price: A entry level sedan at the price of premium hatch back.
2. Boot space: more than, Honda City WOW. I travel to my native place. All the time I had baggages placed inside the cabin of my Maruti 800. Didn’t want things around me any more.
3. Lots of Space: Room/ head space.
4. Of course the tubeless tires

Just like Maruti 800 is the entry level for hatch back, I would say Mahindra Renault Logan is an entry level for a Sedan. Don’t expect too much…

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Renault Logan – space, value for Money- Review
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Mahindra Renault Logan – Usability Explored, Review

I hate to say that being an owner of the new Mahindra Renault Logan 1.4 GLX, I have a car which is not fully usable. The things which are of my concern.

Is the driver, the master of the Power windows, is he fully in control.

Mahindra Renault Logan Dashboard having only front power windows controls

Below is the master control of power windows near the driver window for the Hyundai Accent.

Does the Mahindra Renault Logan door “safety latch” do its functionality, Is my kid safe inside this car.

Watch the first and the second video.

How Mahindra Renault Logan door safety latch works even when child lock on.

Hyundai Car safety latch, how it works

Yo dear, If I am the Driver how do I unlock the engine hood, just scream at the fellow passenger to pull the lever. The lever is placed on the left extreme of the driver.

Hyundai Engine hood and Petrol cap lever right near the foot of the driver.

Just stretch your arms, fiddle around near your leg. You can adjust the light beam.

Mahindra Renault Logan beam adjustment knob

Maruti Swift Car light level switch, Where the driver can reach the controls easily

Problems which you could face, if you owned a Mahindra Renault Logan.
As soon as you turn on the keys of your car and switch on the A/C, you could hear whistling sound.

Seems like that is because of the power steering pump, which does that car wrecking sound, putting you in shame in front of your friends. A brand new car and that too from the power steering, it means either you are bad driver that you screwed up the car or the car, screwed you up, either ways the owner is screwed at the end.

Horrible mud flaps.
don’t know whether it is Mahindra Renault Logan engineers design or the people at showroom didn’t do the proper fittings

Will update you with the photos soon.

Well the Mahindra Renault Logan Engineers need not be mad at me. At least I have done the home work for them. Things can be taken in the right spirits.

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Logan – space, value for money
2. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan
7. Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Is your Mahindra Renault Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service- Review

After buying the brand new Mahindra Logan 1.4 GLX, How do you expect your car to be delivered on the delivery date?
Brand new. Well I didn’t.

This is how I received my car.
With stains all over in patches here and there.

The wrapper was intentionally made in order to cover the stain in the gear box, Damn thing was sticky after I removed the wrapper.

When other customers receive the Mahindra Logan as brand new, Why choose me to have a stained one.

Well now to the RC book, I had to call up after 3 weeks and I receive them like this.

Click on the image for a larger version.



Above are the floor mat and the stain under the floor mat.
Well What is the mistake on the above RC book. Did you find my 1.4 GLX and it is mentioned diesel version. How come the petrol version be diesel.

I am yet to receive my RC book, let me see. whether I have to call or will I ever receive it corrected.

Here is one more customer experience:

A friend of mine had bought the Mahindra Logan 1.6 GLS petrol version. Here is the problem which he faced on the second day ( he was able to notice the problem the next day after filling the petrol tank full on the day of the purchase).

Above Mahindra Logan 1.6 Petrol cable punctured. Click on the image for a detailed view.

What was answer from the Service professional for the above?
“Sir, it is rat bite, You will need to replace the cable, that would cost you”, At last after few talks with the sales guy the cost of the cable is supposed to be adjusted during the first service (reimbursement).

What happened to the pre delivery Inspection?

So how do you trust Mahindra Logan Service center dealers. It is almost 2000 KM, it is time for my 1st service. I am worried on the service looking upon the quality of response from Mahindra dealers.

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Logan – space, value for money
2. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
3. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Mahindra Renault Logan – Look out for the new version

Well seems like Mahindra Renault logan 1.6 GLS could be phased out and a new model with ABS could replace. Just a possibility, heard from the sales representative, from the dealer where I bought the car. Well did you note that the particular model alone seems to have the highest Offer, Offered.

Well the above news can be unconfirmed or not an official one, but for sure Mahindra logan will be introducing a new Car with ABS – anti-lock braking system.

Don’t tell me that I didn’t warn you?

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Logan – space, value for money
2. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
3. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
4. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Rain or no rain, Day & Night test drive Mahindra Logan

Mahindra Logan 1.4 Litre GLX version in picture

Probably I was one of the lucky guys who had a test drive of a fully loaded Mahindra Logan 1.6 petrol version.

It was afternoon and was quiet hot in chennai when I took a test drive. It was an hour test drive which I took, I had a complete feel of this Logan 1.6 litre, I took the car from the showroom to my residence (20KMs away) to show the new car to my wife. It started to rain on the way, had the feel of the wipers. Indeed they are good, nothing great about that, infact most cars give you the same feel.

But the visibility of the road was good even when the rain started to pour down heavily.

Reached home, showed my wife the new car. The thing which I actually fell for was the boot space an awesome 510 Liters. My first car was Maruti 800 and traveled 3 times to Thrissur, Kerala and had a terrible experience with the baggages which were actually placed inside the car rather than the boot. My wife was also stunned. WOW

Took a quick spin with my wife in the Logan 1.6, well I should say that the test drive vehicles are always the top end ones provided, they are tuned to dance to all your tunes. They screech, give you an awesome feel of that mean machine.

My son just enjoyed as much as any kid would, as he moved and rolled all over the floor and the seat. Well too spacious. His comment was “The next time we go to native place, I can sleep well at the back or I could play with all my toys while listening to my favorite songs”

So now back to showroom, It started to become dark and I switched on the light, the driver, who sat next to me said “You could adjust lights according to your wish” and showed me the controls. He offered me to show on how to adjust the seat height, currently available in the top end models. (check it up before you buy) Well it started to rain again, I wasn’t feeling that uncomfortable even while it was dark and raining. There was decent visibility of the road even on the either corners of the glass. While the Maruti SX4 had small opening or vent kind thing to offer more visibility ( that actually sucks)

I had another option from a different vendor to test drive the Mahindra Logan 1.4 GLX and that is this one on the picture

If you thought that the Mahindra Logan 1.4 GLX, had power like the SX4 or a Ford Fiesta or Fiat palio or even a Maruti 800 which I owned earlier. You are quiet wrong, the car was not that responsive as its fully loaded Logan 1.6 liter engine, It neither screeched nor gave me a jolt. This car was meant to give the mileage which they are promising (15.5 KMPL on city traffic) Yeah quiet possible if didn’t had that power. I felt the same when I took my friend’s Honda City ZX. The moment ZX touched 40KMPH it kicked some ass. But the Mahindra Logan 1.4 GLX was not that great to feel. Brakes were responsive.

More on Mahindra Logan to come in future post… be sure to check out.

Maruti Driving School – now in chennai

I had seen the website of Maruti Driving school long ago, but recently on the Velachery main road happened to see one of the new showroom from Cars India, I knew that Maruti driving school has come down to chennai, So made a visit to the showroom and landed on the inquiry desk. There was a warm welcome and I started to ask about the course which they offer and how different from the normal driving school.

The advantage I found Maruti driving school was the

1. Simulator
2. More about safety
3. How to drive

Well the packages they have is basic and the advanced one. The pricing are bit high.

Kindly note: What Maruti Driving school offers you to learn on the basic and advanced skills on driving. For obtaining the driving lesson, it is the same agent story whom you get at any driving school and shell out another 1200 INR (recent trend, may shoot up).

If you are very serious about safety and worried about your loved ones who want to learn to drive the car this is the right place.

1. As your car never gets damaged
2. Your loved ones learn the road safety side by side ( your wife or daughter)
3. Handing of car with respect to theory and practicals

Why I would choose Maruti driving school?
I tried to teach my Wife on how to drive the car, I got fed up, and she messes up with my car badly. At last I had to take her to a normal driving school to get the basics, even now she is not that great driver. So choosing Maruti driving school is ideal for woman and for angry husband who love their car.

Wide variety of Maruti cars available for learning driving classes.
Maruti Driving school, now currently available in Velachery and Arumbakkam

Update:
Here is the address for the Maruti Driving school at velachery
Old No:48/ New No:141
Velachery Main Road,
Velachery
Chennai – 600042
Ph: 044 22553464, 044 22553484

Technorati Tags: cars, driving school, maruthi, safety, road safety, driving class

Wildhogs – true essence of bikers

Dudes these guys rock, Yeah you guessed it right, it is about bikers. I am sure most of us have a group, right from childhood, If you have taken a road trip with your bunch of friends, you will surely love this movie. Most details of movie surely covered my road trips. I had been on road trips twice with my friends and planning for the third, coming week end.

Starring Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence & William H Macy

Why I love this movie?
It is the character William H Macy , a computer geek and not so great biker, making mistakes, At the end of the movie he wins what he wants. He seems to be the looser from the very start of the movie, but wins his hearts desire.

Bikers Attitude?
The essence of bikers is actually conveyed in this movie. You don’t have to be true bikers (macho, arrogant etc), all it needs is the love to go on a long drive and enjoy with friends.

Sure it did win my heart.

Technorati Tags: wildhogs, bikers, road, safety, trips, roadtrip, dudes

Fiat 500 – can India Car manufacturers make-over

Are you Fiat Fan?
Then you can look for these Fiat – 500 cars on Indian roads very soon. Happen to stumble upon botafogostudio.com, which had these amazing make-over for the Fiat- 500, Wow the site was really cool, check the videos section.

Most hatchback version can adopt the style. They look like the mini or the beetle. WOW

Was wondering, if Fiat India brings in the make-over version of these cars. Currently there is no car manufacturer in India who offers designer cars, as far as I know.

Will there be a buyer, is a big question?

Technorati Tags: car, fiat, chennai, India, make-over, designer

Check list before a road trip

Are you planning to take your car for a long drive (long drive – at least a minimum of 100 KMS). He are few tips, do and don’t which could help you for safer and refreshing long drive.

Tips:

Get your car serviced before a long drive, Why?
You don’t know what are the wear out parts your car currently has.
Do have a checklist prepared before you take a long drive.

Checklist:

1. Brake oil fully topped up to level indicated
2. Radiator coolant fully topped up to the level indicated
3. Window wiper water fully topped up (they are life saver when it is raining)
4. Have NEWS papers (minimum of last 3 days or so) – when the window wiper water gets emptied, they help you to clean the glass spotless
5. BUY tobacco packets if you forget to take the NEWS papers.
6. Fill up your fuel tank. Try filling it up in the evening, people say that the density of petrol/diesel is more towards the evening (might be a myth, but I fill it up in the evening)
7. Have spare head lamps, check whether the same are working currently
8. Caution: - Fill the prescribed air pressure in your tires. The more the air pressure (+”2 - 5″ points) the more your save on your fuel but the worst thing is that, the ride gets bumpy, you could get your shock absorbers in trouble. As you ride the air pressure in your tires increases gradually. Unless or Until you are not sure about the roads you travel, please have the prescribed air pressure for your tires.
9. Have road maps. You can get them at HigginBothams, LandMark or other book stores

Do’s:

1. Carry sufficient amount of water (I meant H20 ) for all the passengers, little more is always good, little less of H20. You could get yourself dehydrated.
2. Load your car with citrus fruits, avoid oily,fried stuffs. Have soft drinks to substitute glucose. They help you to recharge.
3. Take short breaks, driver needs to exercise and move around to avoid fatigue. Stick to your timings of short breaks
4. Lunch/Dinner- For drivers I would say ample is enough, too much he could be in trouble.
5. Turn on your Car A/C and keep the A/C level low in order to save fuel.
   1. A/C help your car clean
   2. When at high speeds, wind drag on your car is less when your window is raised
       

Don’ts:

1. Never booze when you drive. They don’t get along with each other. (at least the driver shouldn’t drink)
2. Never overtake a transport corporation bus, they are always rude, they won’t give you way.
3. Most Lorries travel at the right corner of the road with a steady speed, If you are confident to overtake, give him a buzz so as to alert him
4. Caution: When overtaking, if your car doesn’t have enough power to complete the overtaking, please switch of your A/C. Don’t be a split personality, just avoid overtaking unless or until it is completely safe.
5. Caution: If you are driving down the hill, Zipping from 0-100 KMPH and having your gear at neutral can invite trouble, your brakes won’t work expected. You need to be on the lower gear for your car to be in control. Mostly have your gears to 3rd or 4th depending on the steep decline you are making. Driving down the hill is a thrill, but be careful.
6. Caution: Are you about to travel uphill, take care to top up your engine radiator coolant. And the same for your brake fluid. Don’t strain your engine by shifting to higher gears, cut them to lower ones to save the engine than the fuel.

Before you start to drive, check all the items in your checklist is checked. Check the brakes are working. Turn on your car A/C, now turn on the music to hard or soft rock or tune to your favorite FM, keep the volume low, they help you hear other sounds on the road. My serious advice would be travel during the day and not in the night. “Flashy lights and no one to help you out when you need directions) Start  early, but not too late, enquire with people who have already traveled and learn for the directions.

 

Happy traveling, have a safe road trip.

Technorati Tags: road trip, road, trip, travel, traveling, car, checklist, safety, tips, do’s, don’ts, passion, avoid

Joost the best way to view TV programs – India

Any one wanted to view reviews of cars, Well I view them right at my comfort. View TV videos in fullscreen and imagine these programs are not actually possible in India “Fifth Gear” TV channel ,atleast to my knowledge.

Well I did blog this, right from the Joost program. It has chat,rating, blog – well why don’t you check it out yourself.

Joost, I love you
Devanand try this.

More Information about the program.

Title : Porsche Cayman S – Super Cars

Description : With 83 corners in 6.3 miles the A537 is known as the most dangerous road in Britain. Tiff sets about it in Porsche’s latest driver focused offering.