Buying a Car called Chevrolet Aveo UVA
At home, we have the good old Fiat! We wanted a new car and our hunt began sometime in December 08. That time we were not even aware that GM/Chevrolet had its showroom at our place – and even if it was there we were simply unaware.
Also, since we were novice of sorts on cars (car purchase no experience – never thought of it !), we were simply not aware of the various things that one should be looking at for evaluation for buying a car.
We were clear of what we wanted our car to have:
1) it should be Spacious and comfortable on long trips
2) Good Looks
3) Preferebly a hatchback rather than a sedan, as we thought that a hatchback ‘felt’ more personal (Sedans I have always felt, seems more appropriate if driven by chauffeur)
4) It had to be ‘something different’ (a foreign tag? a brand? bentley? Ha Ha !)
5) a car in which we could go on long drive (Bharat Darshan someday perhaps!)
6) Our budget was 4 lakhs extendible to 5 lakhs.
7) The Car should be hassle free (something like the bajaj scooter – on which I would even travel 150 kms in a stretch without any worry!)
8 ) The car should not require frequent maintenance – in a way maintenance free car.
We began with Hyundai. There were variants of i10 and there was Getz Prime. In Maruti, we also saw Zen and A-Star. We were not really interested in Swift primarily because of its looks. We had Wagon R at relatives place, so we knew it. But anyway, we were not that interested in Maruti vehicle. I also found the Maruti Suzuki sales people to be quite pushy regarding the sales, and they rang up three / four times in a span of ten days.
The Hyundai people were also pushy – they even reached to our home ‘to see where we were staying’ ! Since we initially liked the Getz Prime – after two days, we booked it with an advance of Rs. 5000. We were not given a test drive that time, as it was told that the particular car was already sold. Since, I personally do not believe in the concept of a test drive, as the vehicle one finally gets, would have its own uniqueness. However, we were assured by Hyundai people that they would send their test drive Getz Prime car to home (as it had gone outstation) and they gave a particular date that was 3 days later. On contacting them three days later on phone, they said that as the car had not yet come, they would send it two days later.
Meanwhile, one day when we had gone for marketing we chanced upon the GM/Chevrolet showroom in our city.
Two days later on the appointed day, we contacted the Hyundai people, and they confirmed that they would be coming for the test drive in the evening at around 4.30 PM. So, by evening at home everyone was ready to go for the test drive. The appointed time came and went past, so I phoned at 4.45 PM as to what had happened, so we were told that they were on the road and reaching in ten minutes. Another half an hour, I again phoned – yes they assured that they were on the road and would reach any time. By six, there was no sign of the car, and everyone in the home was furious. Dad simply told that we dont want such car and such dealers. When I ringed the particular Hyundai contact who was to come with the car, interestingly, this time, he did not pick up the phone, but some lady of the Hyundai showroom picked up his personal mobile phone to tell us that the particular person was busy in certain works! By this time, I was quite firm, that I would cancel the booking.
Now the real search started. And internet was the best friend. The sites that helped included user reviews at carwale.com, team-bhp.com, mouthshut.com among others. We came to know about the various segments of the cars. About the various competitor cars in the particular segment. And all the various things. The various user reviews came to a great help.
We researched the various technical specifications taking large number of prints from the company websites and review websites. We got to know about this “premium compact” segment where the three were lined up – Maruti Swift, Chevrolet UVA and Hyundai Getz Prime. We compared the various things like engine power, bhp, torque, various other things like power drive, power brakes, tubeless tyres, power windows, fuel capacity, fuel efficiency etc etc.
We should have researched this in the beginning – however, we were simply novice in this area.
We phoned the Chevrolet office and enquired about the UVA, and the people there were quite willing to help. We were told that they would give us a test drive next day. However there was a twist in this also. The next day, on contacting the GM/Chevrolet contact told that he was searching a new UVA if it were available – however, since no new vehicle was available with them at that time, they would prefer to show us the said vehicle that was already with one of their clients. As our home was quite near to the particular office of their client, we were told to come at that place at a particular time.
It seemed quite an awkward situation for us as well for the particular lady owner of the car. However, we decided to make the most of it – by asking the elderly lady about the car – about any problems – and also about her experience with the local dealer. Also, instead of a ‘test drive’, we got a ‘test ride’ on the car – we also did not insist on driving the car ourselves as the idea simply did not appeal us to drive someone elses car – where the GM sales people were giving the demo as if it were a showroom car, and the lady owner simply seemed to be overwhelmed by the situation!
The first impression of the car from inside was that it was spacious. It also looked quite good – better than Getz or Swift. It seemed to have a very contemporary looks. The hatchback also seemed to have sufficient luggage space. The front dashboard seemed larger than normal. The boot space was quite good both in front and in back.
We thanked the lady owner for her patience – and particularly during her office hours.
It was now time to decide. Finally we decided that we would cancel the Getz and book the UVA.
Regarding refund of Rs. 5000 from Hyundai was again an unpleasant experience. First day we went and gave the application as per the procedure – we were told that we would get the refund in 2 days. So we went after two days – and we were ushered into their General Manager’s room. It seemed to be more of an ‘exit interview’! When we clearly told him the facts (our experience with Hyundai ‘test drive’ and also that technically we found UVA a better car), he was slightly taken back – then he tried to hardsell us the brand Hyundai – then he tried another technique – he started praising Maruti and Tata cars – the ‘meeting’ took nearly 45 minutes. Definitely we were not amused.
In the following days, we would be told that we would get our cheque after two days or three days – sometimes their Director was not in town so the cheque could not be signed. One evening I got a call from someone who identified himself as their Director – again he asked so many questions – and now that I was in a really bad mood I vented all anger on him about how badly managed his showroom was and how the employees lied. He apologised and told us that we would get the cheque next day. So next day we again went to the showroom to find that the another director was not in town. Needless to say, it took 25 days to get the cheque and our pursuing them umpteen number of times by phone or by actual visit – and on one occasion their General Manager even mockingly said – “I find you have not come in your UVA!” – it seemed they thought we were bluffing and not buying any car. All these were depth of unprofessionalism.
Meanwhile we booked the UVA LS model after considering and comparing various features of its different models Base, LS and LT. Eventhough the Base model was having some offers, we decided on the LS model. We chose the Platinum Metallic colour. Though we were promised a delivery time of two weeks, we got it nearly by end of fourth week. As the Chevrolet people said, that they had asked for the 2009 make model to be sent and that took time. So it was not a problem as such.
Another aspect was the loan. When the arrival of the car in MP was confirmed to us, we went for the loan. The papers of loan had been kept ready with all documentation and also verified at the bank branch. We took the loan from SBI – primarily because we had our account there, and also it was hassle free. Though the manager looking after loans had previously promised one day – when we finally went for the loan – he had been transfered! However he was transfered to the central branch that sanctioned the loan! It took around 48 hours for us to get the loan sanctioned after all the verification process. The car had arrived at Jabalpur on Feb 6th, and we got the loan sanction letter by 3PM on that day.
We thereafter phoned the Chevrolet people, who said they would pick us up to their Main Showroom cum Service Center which is outside the city – as the car was being readied there for delivery. They picked us from our home in a Tavera.
When we entered the showroom, our car was there in the middle of showroom shining bright. The platinum metallic colour seemed simply magnificent (it has a bit golden touch). We did not add any accessory and took delivery of the car as it is. The verification of various components and other formalities took around two hours.
The UVA LS is simply a very convenient car to drive. We have driven it at 100 KMPH on the rough and bumpy roads of MP. And I guess if its something like the Golden Quadrilateral road, the same power would make the car run at even 140 under full control. The car has good controls – power drive and power brakes. On many websites, I had read about its notchy gear – however, I have found none of this problem. Notchy gear would happen if the clutch is not properly pushed or half pushed. The only bit of problem I would say is its huge dashboard that reflects on the windshield while driving. The car has been driven more by my wife than me, and she says that despite its bigger size, it is much convenient to handle when compared to even Wagon R which she had driven earlier for quite some time. The best part is that one can slow down even on 3rd or 4th gear, without the car stopping. This makes it very convinient on city drive. On long drive it is simply smooth. One thing I have also noticed that it is quite a silent car, and particularly when it is in 5th gear, and in speed, it is completely silent. Driving or sitting inside, it simply ‘sounds’ as if the car is switched off and just being pushed by some kinetic energy!
I have not segregated the fuel efficiency into city ride and highway, also drive with AC on, but cumulative it has till now given us approx 13 KM per litre on around 600 kms of driving.
I must also mention that its AC is also extremely good, and even on a hot weather one may get the shivers – leading to a situation we have used the AC sparingly !
Update: March 2009 trip to Khajuraho 550 Kms non-city drive, i find it gives 16 + kmpl. (The road from Jabalpur to Khajuraho is not highway, but good enough interior village road.)
The final breakup of costs was:
| Ex-factory value of car | 372,473 |
| Add VAT @12.5% | 46,559 |
| ‘Cashless Offer’ | 16,351 |
| RTO | 24,678 |
| Insurance | free (provided by dealer) |
| Total Paid | 460,061 |
Though the maintenance offer – primarily routine maintenance, parts and labour cost for three years is called ‘cashless’ – it seemed to me discounted cash in advance for future maintenance, and the dealer sales rep told us that instead of the ‘cashless offer’ they could offer us car music system. In the quote, they include the price of ‘cashless offer’ into the price of the car, however for invoice purpose, they excluded it. Being conservative regarding such investment, instead of music system, we preferred the ‘cashless offer’. The cashless offer on UVA is Rs. 14,999. I need to find out on what they charged the balance Rs. 1,352.
Also apart from above, a corporate discount of Rs. 4000 was given. Things provided free were: car mats, Chevy teddy and 10 liters petrol.
Overall, in my opinion, its a very good car, and a good value for money. If the ‘cashless offer’ were really ‘cashless’, then it would have been better in terms of costs.
It was interesting to note, that we bought the car, but we did not even have the brochure/pamphlet of the car – the request was happily granted by the Chevrolet people.
Also, I found the experience with the GM company to requests through emails was extremely positive.
Our Car Chevy UVA LS: (Click on image to view gallery)
Notes:
1) (This article is an extended version of my review in mouthshut.com, because the particular website restricts the number of words in the review. The review is titled UVA – Happy for a Reasoned decision)
2) Chevrolet UVA Official Site
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