Bless! Tata Motors has done the do and signed on the dotted line today. Once again the Nay sayers are out in full force. I have one word for them - NANO!
Remember that 1 lakh car that was not build able? TML did it and how! Now, everyone is saying they might have bitten off more than they can chew with this 2.3 billion dollar deal with Ford. Why? Come on guys give TATA's a break. They have done India proud in the past and will do so in the future! Just my 2.3 cents.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Magic Red Pills Anyone?
Ok, It's called Mango MP6ty and it retails at Rs.595 for a pack of 10. That's works out to about a Rupee extra per liter of Diesel. Has anybody tried this and where does one get this. Has been in the Indian market for 2 years already so where is it?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Important Announcement!
Please note that some/most/all Tata Safari's 2.2 delivered till the middle of March 2008 will need a Crankshaft Pulley Change. This will be done at the dealers end free of charge. Kindly contact your friendly neighbourhood TML Dealer and get this sorted ASAP.
If you have already got this done then please share your experience with us and let others know what exactly is in store for them.
Cheers!
If you have already got this done then please share your experience with us and let others know what exactly is in store for them.
Cheers!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
MapMyIndia Navigator Re-Visited!
My earlier review of the Map My India Navigator was rather glowing. Well understandably as GPS in India is new and actually quite indispensable. Since then I have seen at least 2 other products advertised offering all India Navigation Products. Since I got to test the MMI Navigator on the run to Goa I must add that I have now developed mixed feelings for the device. Before I set off I upgraded the software to Ver 1.1 Also spoke to the support staff in New Delhi. They informed me that the roads for Goa we not yet included but all major roads and highways were present.
So I set off not knowing what to expect. One point to note is that all POI (Points of Interest) for Goa are present just the roads to them don't exist. So for instance I can set it to go to Baga Beach but when I click "Start Route" it says cannot access POI. Anyways it "saw" the NH4 and helped me through Kolhapur towards Ratnagiri and then somewhere there it got all lost. After that the help it provided was sporadic at best. The NH17 was sometimes there and sometimes not.
On the way back as well it only helped me once I was back on the NH4 after Uttur and before Nimpani.
To cut a long story short in my opinion the Software is not ready to leave the cities yet. Which is quite useless for a device that costs 20K. Currently they only cover 18 cities and 7 states, hope that updates are frequent and free for us early adopters as in its current form the Map My India Navigator leaves a lot to be desired when it actually comes to interstate travel. :-(
So I set off not knowing what to expect. One point to note is that all POI (Points of Interest) for Goa are present just the roads to them don't exist. So for instance I can set it to go to Baga Beach but when I click "Start Route" it says cannot access POI. Anyways it "saw" the NH4 and helped me through Kolhapur towards Ratnagiri and then somewhere there it got all lost. After that the help it provided was sporadic at best. The NH17 was sometimes there and sometimes not.
On the way back as well it only helped me once I was back on the NH4 after Uttur and before Nimpani.
To cut a long story short in my opinion the Software is not ready to leave the cities yet. Which is quite useless for a device that costs 20K. Currently they only cover 18 cities and 7 states, hope that updates are frequent and free for us early adopters as in its current form the Map My India Navigator leaves a lot to be desired when it actually comes to interstate travel. :-(
Friday, March 21, 2008
Pune - Goa - Pune!
Finally got some time after my return so thought I shall share my recent exploits. As you know this trip to Goa has been on the cards since last year and eventually materialized last week. It was my first Interstate trip in the Tata Safari and as far as the beast is concerned it responded well to the task.
On the way to Goa from Pune I did the NH4 till Kolhapur and turned off towards Ratnagiri. About 20kms before Ratnagiri turned left on the NH17 Mumbai-Goa Road to Goa. Left Pune at 8:40am and arrived at Baga at 6:10pm. We had 3 ten minute breaks on the way. The road was good through out. Missed NH 4 though as the NH 17 feels too outdated now.
Was in Goa for 4 full days and traveled around a lot. Total Kms done including the return trip is approx 1500.
On the way back did this route:
Goa - Sawantwadi(NH-17) - Amboli - Ajara - Uttur - (NH-4) Nimpani - Kolhapur - Satara - Pune.
Left Goa at 9am and was in Pune 4pm this included 3 ten minute stops. For most part the road is good. Sections between Amboli, Ajara and Uttur were bad but nothing the beast could not deal with.
After either trip I felt no more tired than if I had been in the drivers seat for a couple of hours. The comfort levels are amazing. Used STP with every tank full. Have recorded 13km/ltr with both A/C's on the highway.
I bought the Tropicool Car Fridge. It helped us save on stoppage time and also did its job very well in the blistering heat. Cost Rs.9000/- MNTS rating *****/*****
Also picked up this tray for the kid at the back. Did it's job well.
All in all the trip was great and a much needed break. Already planning the next adventure. :-)
Monday, March 17, 2008
E = Empty!
Ok so this Sunday have not had much luck with the cops and now this. Was running in reserve on the way back to Baga when noticed a massive queue at the gas station. Since the needle was a bit away from the "E" mark and with the afternoon sun bear down on us we decided to get to a pump closer to the hotel. A bad move it was.
On reaching the pump in Candolim we realized that it was not operational. So stopped (left the engine running for the aircon) at some shops to ask for directions to the closest pump. I got back into the truck it had stopped. Now we were out of gas, great! Luckily for us we were nicely parked on the road side in some shade. Got an empty 5 liter water bottle took an auto to the closest HP station about 2 kms away and got back. Of course after filling the fuel the engine was still dry as the pipes we completely emptied out. So opened up the bonnet and looked for the manual fuel pump thingy. Again it is nicely positioned and after a few squeezes was full of fuel once again. A few stomps on the accelerator and the engine was alive again. Went back straight to the pump and filled up the tank. No more getting close to the "E" for ME again!
On reaching the pump in Candolim we realized that it was not operational. So stopped (left the engine running for the aircon) at some shops to ask for directions to the closest pump. I got back into the truck it had stopped. Now we were out of gas, great! Luckily for us we were nicely parked on the road side in some shade. Got an empty 5 liter water bottle took an auto to the closest HP station about 2 kms away and got back. Of course after filling the fuel the engine was still dry as the pipes we completely emptied out. So opened up the bonnet and looked for the manual fuel pump thingy. Again it is nicely positioned and after a few squeezes was full of fuel once again. A few stomps on the accelerator and the engine was alive again. Went back straight to the pump and filled up the tank. No more getting close to the "E" for ME again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)