Comments on: Chevrolet Optra Magnum vs. Skoda Octavia

By: Sivashankar.MS

Sivashankar.MS — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:49:41 +0000

I am Sivashankar from Tamilnadu. I Purchased My New Optra Magnum Diesel (LT Model) on October 2007. I have also given the 2 start(**) rating as JD Asia pacific Customer.

Now my car passed 35000kms
till date(1/9/2008). On 27th August, 2008 I just parked my car in a place and went to a shop, came back in few min’s and started my car. The car did not start. I tried three four time nothing happened.

Immediately I called the Coimbatore GM service center regarding this issue. They said the Diesel Pump failed to pump the fuel to the engine as it has become heat, you need to wait for 10/15 min the pump will cool down and then you can start. The same way it happened the car started. The GM service person assured they will replace the Fuel pump with a new one in warranty. Still the pump has not changed. They say the pump has to come, they don’t have it in Stock.

Till 1/9/2008 morning i dint come across the same problem by 12.00pm when I was passing the city the same thing happened that to i was in driving. As the engine stopped i could not even stear the car to move to the corner of the road as the Hydraulic pump requires engine support to operate. I was very badly put in deep trouble in the public.

The American GM-General Motors getting Rs.1000000/- and making the Indian Customers to suffer to this extreme end is very bad to say. What GM is going to do for this. Even if they replace the faulty component now, what is the assurance that this will not happen again after 30000kms again.

Latter I came to know, this not only in my car, An Optra Magnum Diesel with a driving Kms of 17000kms also faced the same complaint.

Is it the “?” situation of the one who buy the GM Optar Magnum Diesel.

I am preparing list of in issue in the Optra Magnum which i will plant to submit it to the company and to the Public which holds some 60 pages.

By: Name (required)

Name (required) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:36:33 +0000

Hi Guys

go for OpTRA MagnUm Ls, ask for better discount atleast 45 K, ABS and airbags not required wasting 1 Lakh more on LT bcuase this is INDIA and no chance driving more that 80 - 100 KM/Hr….good car

thanks

Nandkumar

By: Prosun

Prosun — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:47:47 +0000

Hi guys,
It was good reading your posts on Optra Magnum. I am planning to buy a car, and have the Optra Magnum Petrol LT in mind (I have a thing against diesel cars, and am willing to compromise on power). I read through all entries here but no comments on Petrol Magnum. Could someone help, please - I have to finalize by this weekend!
Thanks!

By: Abbas

Abbas — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:38:06 +0000

Oh, and I must admit. Recently drove the City (test drove Fiesta, SX4, Verna and Corolla before Maggie) and boy, the gearshift and steering are a different ballgame altogether. My advice, if power’s your thing, its the Mag. If you like sense, sensibilities and the like, The City is still the one after all these years. And thanks to the Logan, its no longer the ugliest car on Indian roads.

By: Abbas

Abbas — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:31:09 +0000

Guys, am a first time poster here.

Until the Magnum diesel LT, I was not a car buff. But now, I read all car magazines with a jealous passion to see if ayone’s giving my Maggie a run for her money.

So far nothing. Although I see the new Lancer revving in Evo tones on the horizon.

The car is a beauty. The space is insane, the power mephistophilian and the looks… well, not bad at all. GM has proven reliable but expensive on service after a freak accident. (4-ft steel pipe from sixth floor on parked car)

My only compaints: ac makes a bit of a whirring racket, and mileage is closer to 9-10 in Bombay. But oh, what fun to know whats under the hood. Its like picking a fight in Bombay knowing you have a gun, even if you don’t intend using it.

Can’t wait to leave town.

By: Abhishek Babbar

Abhishek Babbar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:42:28 +0000

Hi guys,
Proud owner of the Optra Magnum LT which has done about 5000 kms by now. Ok now the reviews. My dad alredy has a Honda Civic and so I had bought this car purely for brute force it exudes. I have touched 185 km / hr on the expressway (yes you ready it right - One hundred and eighty five km / hr). Now the list of victims - cars that I have thrashed on the highway - Honda Accord, Skoda Octavia, Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari and Toyota Corolla - all I need is a gap of 30 metres and the moment both of us (me and the other car) have to brake due to traffic, this monster with a killer torque crushes anyone ahead. Trust me guys-this car defines what g-force is
As far as mileage is concerned - 13-14 with premium fuel (say Speed or Power). Awesome braking - all disc brakes have helped me accelerate really well as I know I can stop at will - some irritants - rear view mirrors have to be folded manually - no sun roof - both of these are available in the petrol version
Just a thought - dont race it with BMW or the Audi - I tried - ok lets not talk about it…..
Will keep posting reviews - lets make a record guys

By: Sameer

Sameer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:36:27 +0000

I heard the resale value for Optra Magnum is not that good. How far it is true for a Disel version(LS), 3 years single hand drive touching around 75-80 thousand Kms.

By: Rohan

Rohan — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:58:55 +0000

Arjun,
Man…im dropping by after almost a coupla months and I notice The Optra Magnum post still doing strong as ever..I think this must be a world record..superb interest generated eh?
Hz it going man..been long.
Did you buy the Magnum or what? And c’mon..give us some new post…waiting for your reviews on the Fabia and the Captiva.
cheers :)
Rohan

By: Sandeep

Sandeep — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:54:54 +0000

Hi Guys,

I am contemplating between a Optra magnum LS petrol and Verna xxi ABS. I am particularly interested in knowing mileage from the car both in city drive and highway drive. Can the petrol magnum owners provide their feedback., Also heard and read a lot about the low resale value of GM cars which is a cause of concerns. Can anyone let me know to what extent it is bad as compared to other cars…say a honda city or a verna. Please provide your valuable feedback as I am really confused between the 2 cars. I liked optra more for the rich interiors.

By: Hari

Hari — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:27:47 +0000

I have found only 2 issues with my Magnum.

1) Not so smooth 1st and second gear (But my vehicle is done only 2K and I cud feel a good +ve change than my intial 100KM)
2) Head light not so bright / focussed. Im planning for a 100/110W Philips rally bulb upgrade.

Apart from this I found every bit of this vehicle is Value For Money…

Love the way she pulls.. I feel Im in an airbus which takes off by a irritated pilot :)