Engineers of analytical minds do their research on everything...so did we and shortlisted three cars, one of them soon to be my Dhanno to take me thru' the busy and narrow streets of Pune. The criteria for selection was: stylistic looks, ease of driving and fuel efficiency. Based on this we had three cars picked, i.e Maruti Swift, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagon Polo.
The next logical thing was to visit the showrooms, so we stared with Maruti dealer, being close to home. It seems like every third car owner drives a Maruti and one would imagine they must have the best service! We entered the showroom and felt what P. L Deshpande said about Puner's shopowners...."The least important thing in a shop is the customer". The salesman gave us price quotes and said he didn't have time to take us for a test drive but he would bring the car home the next day and let us drive it....Haven't heard from him yet.!
The Hyundai guys were typical car salesman..they are still calling me even though I have told them thrice that I have decided against it. The i10 is a good car and I wanted to get it mainly because of the Automatic model...dealing with a manual car in Pune traffic is surely overwhelming...but I told myself if so many others can drive, so can I :-)
Last but not least we visited the B.U.Bhandari showroom for checking out the VW Polo...we were so impressed by the overall customer service (the CCD coffee served was not the best :-) though). The team was professional and knowledgeable about the features and functions. Chris took the car for a spin and loved the pickup and felt he could "race" in the car....obviously decision was made and we walked out handing over the payment check! The red color is stunning and we decided to go with the diesel version - Polo TDI. The petrol prices are at all time high, costing more than Beer. People say "Just Drink", don't Drive!
Another brownie point for the VW dealer, they have a registrar on staff and he certified all my docs, making it easy to purchase despite the NRI status...Maruti and Hyundai didn't offer this service and it was another hassle I would have had to deal with. I have managed to get the car out a few times and having a lil too much fun with the 1st gear :-))) especially when I stall at the signal...the honking in all directions is becoming music to my ears now!!!!
...Happy driving!!
The next logical thing was to visit the showrooms, so we stared with Maruti dealer, being close to home. It seems like every third car owner drives a Maruti and one would imagine they must have the best service! We entered the showroom and felt what P. L Deshpande said about Puner's shopowners...."The least important thing in a shop is the customer". The salesman gave us price quotes and said he didn't have time to take us for a test drive but he would bring the car home the next day and let us drive it....Haven't heard from him yet.!
The Hyundai guys were typical car salesman..they are still calling me even though I have told them thrice that I have decided against it. The i10 is a good car and I wanted to get it mainly because of the Automatic model...dealing with a manual car in Pune traffic is surely overwhelming...but I told myself if so many others can drive, so can I :-)
Last but not least we visited the B.U.Bhandari showroom for checking out the VW Polo...we were so impressed by the overall customer service (the CCD coffee served was not the best :-) though). The team was professional and knowledgeable about the features and functions. Chris took the car for a spin and loved the pickup and felt he could "race" in the car....obviously decision was made and we walked out handing over the payment check! The red color is stunning and we decided to go with the diesel version - Polo TDI. The petrol prices are at all time high, costing more than Beer. People say "Just Drink", don't Drive!
Another brownie point for the VW dealer, they have a registrar on staff and he certified all my docs, making it easy to purchase despite the NRI status...Maruti and Hyundai didn't offer this service and it was another hassle I would have had to deal with. I have managed to get the car out a few times and having a lil too much fun with the 1st gear :-))) especially when I stall at the signal...the honking in all directions is becoming music to my ears now!!!!
2 comments:
The Polo TDI is a superb car. Stylish, nippy and can comfortably accommodate 5 with their luggage. The suzuki's and Hyundai's are no match unless you are more interested in the gimmicks. The Polo, comes with no bells and whistles as standard. Everything has to be added on, even the rear parcel shelf :-) but the money is for the technology and build quality. The B U Bhandari folks were professional, knowledgeable, courteous and above all Customer focused. A 10/10 for VW.
The Japanese & Korean competition were no match. Their products were tacky and their Customer service was below par.
For anyone considering a new car purchase in India, our recommendation is a VW product for Quality and cost effectiveness and if you happen to be in Pune, give B U Bhandari a call. You won't be disappointed.
My 2 cents on this topic:
I agree that VW has to be the best coz its German brand after all. But our experience with Hyundai has been fairly good too. Not the dealer in the heart of the city, but the one on old Bombay-Pune road, "Sanjay Hyundai". We bought an i10 Auto and Kedar has been more than happily driving it for the past 1 yr. Even if the mileage is less by about 2kmpl, it is so much worth the painless & comfortable driving without having to be constantly on your toes and keeping all your limbs, eyes & brain alert to manage the gear technique along with the crazy aggressive traffic on Pune roads.
Enjoy your German Dhanno!
~ Sumedha
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