As we celebrate 100 reviews and beyond, it’s obvious. What we test and what we don’t. Still, it feels good to tell you all about it.
It probably matters to know who are the ‘we’ in the statement above. It primarily includes ‘me’ – your faithful test driver and narrator, the man with an overwhelming passion that drives the mind almost to the verge of stupidities and an overriding hint of reason that pulls back the hand or the foot before taking the plunge! The ‘we’ involves my family, who willingly complies to be sitting ducks for body lean tests and how numb one’s bottom gets, sitting on badly suspended firm seats. ‘We’ includes friends and folks who are carried away by their ‘fan-hardy’ attitude into taking quick spins with me, on one condition – express how the car made them feel; either in a couple of explanatory sentences or in one spontaneous expletive! Each review even takes into account tactile observations of our washing bay team, who expertly comment on how short-lived a particular car’s glossy finish will be on a rainy day!
The ‘we’ may even count in that last upright cone on the slalom.
Radical racing champion Tarik shares an encouraging word before I test the track as a passenger tied up next to him.
What we test and what we don’t
Crash tests are the first NO; okay, that was rather obvious! That’s why we survive every time to tell the story. Crash test details are available elsewhere, and safe driving – which we advocate all the time – will probably save you from coming up with arbid results of your own in this regard.
Speed tests are something else we stay away from – at least officially. Because, how do you test the maximum speed of a car that is locked at 250 kmph more truthfully than a brochure? This brings us to a question I’ve always had with speedometers. Why do they have limits of 300 when the car itself cannot go beyond 220; and the government as well as safety norms will not let you travel beyond a certain speed anyway?
But then, 0-100 timings are something we enthusiastically test. Because, often the test figures achieved will have been clocked in an ideal environment and real-road results could vary, especially taking into account some terrible torque spins, sloppy road connects, inherent tailspin quirks and the lot. We also test mid-drive speed capabilities because it’s important to know if the car will get past that truck on your next lane in time to avoid getting kicked hard in the butt.
Testing for the families
DriveME reviews test family comfort or convenience competence, with my own family back there – gauged by the intensity of the pain in the neck, or back, that the ride leaves my better half with; or the disappointment of my son in having to leave behind his bicycle because the boot is too small. We also have great opportunity to test boot space when we are called upon to pick up friends and folks from the airport. Arguably, these make ours the only review that does all this.
There is always an individual drive, where the car is tested for its reasonable extremes in terms of handling and that happens apart from the drive that takes good pictures, counts eyeballs and such inspiring stuff.
As a rule, anything that is useful on our drives or daily life turns into a test device – like the ‘mother of all prams’ that was till recently a part of our family drives – a veritable leviathan of a pram that could put any bullish boot in its rightful place!
Testing for the UAE and the region
As these tests are conducted in ‘real’ conditions like the long weekend drive and my city drive to office, fuel efficiency figures on a DriveME test is what you will likely live with when you buy the car.
I insist on a few days of testing in different conditions so that we get to know if the AC cools, or if the brakes hold on summer-molten tarmac. Or just how hard it is to get around places using that sat-nav.
“I wish to be an example of the fun of driving. Not the tragedy of it!”
We don’t max-out speeds or prove street racing skills, because I believe a car’s competence is brought out the way it handles challenges that everyday driving throws at it and… because Family Comes First. Even when ruled over by passion!
For extreme thrills, there are always safer places to experience those other than the road!
If I were to create an ‘awareness poster’ out of this sentiment the headline would read, “I have a family that cares enough for yours to test ride with me. Do you care enough for yours?”
Thanks for reply Sudeep, What are your thoughts on the resale value in the market. What do you suggest to go for a new one or get my hands around a second hand?
Cheers!
Hi Jude, as is obvious, both have their advantages. If you are looking at an expensive car and are worried about the resale, of course going for a couple of years used car will save you the burden of initial depreciation (35 – 40 per cent of the original price) while still giving you 1 to 3 years of warranty, depending on the model and deal! On the other hand, if you are planning a long-term purchase (4 years or more), going for a new one is always advisable.
hi my name is aneesh, i am looking for an SUV, with a budget of 100 to 110K. finally i come with two vehicle . renalut koleos full option and jeep compass limited edition
now i am confusing with this because of the maintenance cost. i am driving almost 6000km per month. please give your advice
Hi Aneesh, you must have thought about this other than the Fuel Efficiency of a car – that you will run out of warranty even if you get 100k or 120K in less than one a half years. So, you could either look at changing cars every two years, drive the one you desire – like the Compass – and have no worries about additional expenses OR go for more easy to maintain vehicles whose original spare parts are easily and cheaply available. Like the RAV4 or a Fortuner 2.7.
Hi Sudeep,
I’m planning to buy Mazda 3 hatchback probably a second hand which would be a secondary car. What are you thoughts on this?
Mazda 3 is one of the bets cars in its segment and in the launch year was shortlisted as the World Car of The Year at the New York Auto Show. It has a good set of assistance and comfort features which might take the price a bit higher in the top trims but take a test drive by all means and see if you enjoy the drive,
HiSudeep,Appreciate your efforts in providing reviews on cars for car lovers. I am planning to upgrade my car from sedan to sub. My option is Mitsubishi pajero according to my budget. I request your expert advise on this.
Hi Siyad, Pajero is one of the most popular SUV options when you compare capability and value. Don’t expect magic or blazing performance but for your daily needs and for reasonable off-roading challenges, you will find the Pajero is more than enough! Enjoy the miles.
Dear Mr. Sudeep,
as I was planning to buy a Suzuki baleno automatic(in india), I came to know that it’s gear is based on CVT , can you please advise me is there any drawback to CVT? or is it just like a normal automatic car in UAE?
Thank you
Shajith
Dear Shajith,
Some car makers prefer CVT while some others prefer automatic step transmission. The CVT does not have a 1-2-3-4-5 type of switching gears. LIKE CLIMBING STEPS. The gear shift is continuous in CVT. LIKE SLIDING UP A SLOPE. You see, the feel is different but in both cases you are making the wheels turn at different speeds.
Merits:
CVT is supposed to be more fuel efficient as the gear ratio is infinite.
Some drivers who are used to the feel of ‘shifting gears’ don’t like the seamless climb or descend of a CVT – so some manufacturers gave the CVT an automatic-style shifting feel. In some cases, I agree, the climb is non-stop and noisy and hence annoying but today’s CVT are mostly pleasing. Anyway, if you are a first time driver, chances are, you won’t even notice the difference. The best way to find out is to take a few test drives and see the feel. Hope this was some help. Let me know.
On another note, Shajith, I suggest you check out ONE MINUTE DRIVE on YouTube and Like and Subscribe, if you like it. Thanks!
Hi Sudeep,
I am a daily commuter between Dubai & Abudhabi looking for a fuel efficient SUV that does not compromise on comforts. Please give if any hybrid option available. What is your view of the new Mazda CX-9.
Regards
Hi Sir,
I am planning to buy a new car – Honda Civic or Mazda 3 sedan 1.6. Wanted your views on both the cars as i am not able to make a decision on the same.
Will be great help if you advise
Hi Parmeet, Please search for Honda Civic on the site (drivemeonline.com). All variants have been reviewed. As for Mazda 3, I have not written about it so far but the new one was shortlisted for the World Car of the year title in 2014, when it was launched. Reviewers and owners have been really happy with it and it gives you good options in the top end. The 1.6 of Civic doesn’t feel like a 1.6 but as a much larger engine. It has a good balance of space and convenience too. Please take a test drive of both, and also compare the service costs.
Dear Sudeep,
I need your review/advise on Dodge Durango 3.6L (2015/2016 model). I don’t want to go for a new one due to the low resale value. Would like your advise/otherwise suggestions if any.
Arun, Dodge Durango is a great option for those who like the ‘largeness’ and American muscle. Unlike earlier, you will find good value in the pricing and what is on offer. The new Durango could give you long-term service and warranty options (with insurance too when i last checked) – so a new one is still not a bad option!
Hi
i am planing to buy 2017 model outlander. Could not find any review about this vehicle in your blog. Appreciate if you could share your review about the outlander 2017 model
You’re right Sunil. Somehow, no Mitsubishi has been so far added to our review folio. Will make up for it very soon. All the best with your search.
Simply exhilarating as driving a sports bike. Love to ride along my friend, in your tests that are veritable stories by themselves. Congrats and sympathies in equal measure to a dummy’s family and your hapless participating friends. Looking forward to find you breaking new records in the review realms.