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Datsun Redi Go car cold start problem and Stress

God, I purchased Datsun Redi Go car in 2020 march BS IV version. When whole India is going behind Maruthi Suzuki, Hyundai, and Tata for cars, I purchased Redi-Go from Nissan.

The car has cold start problem in winter season. Fuel pump is not getting on when ignition is on. I have to crank few times or wait for 5 to 10 minutes to let the the fuel pump on and start the car.

I complained this problem to Nissan Service Center. They changed new battery. The cold start problem persists even after changing to new battery. Service center is not able to resolve the problem, I have to live with it.

I lost confidence with this car. When I am going for long trip, what will I do if the car does not start.

Due to this sort of cold start problem or delayed/no fuel pump startup, I am hesitating taking this car out.

Next, problem is I lost interest to drive the car in Chennai city traffic. Especially my area saligramam(arcot road), where metro train works are busily being done, roads are closed or diverted. Heavy traffic at Vadapalani signal, where i usually get out. Forum mall(cinema), Vijaya hospital, High rise apartment near by Vadapalani signal, Kamala theatre, Greenpark are creating heavy traffic at Vadapalani signal. Who or which authority gave permission to construct all at a chicken neck. Try driving from Porur to Kodambakkam in a Saturday evening around 6pm.

Abusali street, Kaveri street, and streets leading to Koyembedu from Saligramam are digged out by various authorities for various reasons. Cars can not go comfortably, cars have to snail through narrow or narrowed streets. My other way to get out also distorted.

Next, I am ready to drive car from Chennai to Rameshwaram, but I am not ready to use my car to go to T.Nagar for shopping.

Next problem, unnecessary fight or argument between my wife and myself. My wife wants to go to T.Nagar, movies, receptions, malls, Koyembedu vegetable market, Dmart, grocery shops in car. She does not know driving. So I have to drive the car.

Whenever, she ask for a trip in car, I am always reluctant, i hesitate to take the car out. Imagine, how it would be , if your car is not starting or delaying to start, when you parked your car in movie theatre parking. Cars behind you will be honking when you keep trying to start your car.

Due to cold start problem and city traffic, i always avoid taking car out, but my wife shout out me for not using the car or not helping her going out comfortably.

Next, I am paying monthly EMI for car loan. The car has not been fully utilized or half or ever quarter or bit. It is always parked in parking, but monthly EMI has to be paid duly.

My sister has Alto 800 and my uncle has Alto K10. They have these cars for more than 10 years. I used those cars extensively for long trips across Tamilnadu. Winter, raining or whatever season – i never had starting trouble or cold start problem from those cars. Engine comes to life at a single crank. I am obsessed with cold start problem of my car.

I purchased car for going to office – commuting. But, the 2nd day after I purchased the car, lockdown announced in March 2020. Since then, I am in work from home, no need to take the car out on day to day basis. As on date(21-8-2022) I am writing this, I am in work from home, no need of car for commuting.

Moreover, Nissan stopped production and sales of Datsun Redi Go cars in India. Service, support, spare parts are at question now.

Agonies of car are, Cold start problem or fuel pump not starting promptly, difficulty in driving the car in city traffic, arguments and yelling from wife, car is not utilized, paying EMI for car loan which has not been used, need to purchase insurance and do periodical service for car which is always in stationary at parking.

I have even published a youtube review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDBykto2CFc) for this car in a praising note. That was a Sin. Influencing others to buy a product, publishing ownership review when the product is brand new are Sins. God, you punished me for my sin. I do not know, how many people are influenced by my review to buy this car. I will never give review to any product henceforth. God, you give different experience to different people for same product. We should not justify our experience with the product is the rule of thumb and the same will be experienced by others. That type of justification is wrong and sin. Same product will give different experience to different people at God’s will.

God, you should have prevented me from buying a car. I guess, You may like to deduct my bad karma, by letting me have bad experiences and grievances and stress. Its okay.

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Datsun RediGo – Ownership experience after 5000 kms in 2020

Few long trips (Chennai to Trichy) in this car, completely changed my view about RediGo.

I usually drive around or below 2000 rpm or 70 km/hr speed. So i under estimated the power and pickup of this car. During long trips in highway i went past my sedate speed. I cruised around 90 or 100 km/hr speed with ease and without any vibrations, and the car was stable, all windows closed with AC on. From 2000 to 3000 rpm, acceleration is super. 100 km/hr speed comes at 3000 rpm. During overtakes, acceleration is excellent in this small car segment, mine is 1000cc S variant.

The peppiness, power, pickup are far better than other cars i had driven – Alto 800, Alto K10. RediGo is better.

RediGo may not be sold in numbers when compared to Altos, but it is better than Altos. This is my personal view, experience after driving the car in different speed, went few long trips.

If you want mileage drive below 2000 rpm, if you want fun, performance, peppiness then drive above 2000 rpm. Two in one.

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Datsun Redi Go Ownership Experience after 1700 KM in 2020

Last March 18th 2020, I purchased Datsun Redi Go 1 Litre S variant, with Manual transmission

I have already driven Alto, K10, and Swift.  My opinion is mostly in comparison with these cars.

Back seat of the car is similar to Alto.  Two passengers can sit comfortably.  Three passengers can sit little stressfully

Front seat is more comfortable than Alto, K10, and Swift.  In Alto, I feel like going down and sit.  But in Datsun Redi Go, front seat is taller.  I can sit comfortably in a taller stance.

I get mileage around 19 km/ltr.  I drive within 2000 RPM.  In fifth gear with AC on, car can cruise in 70km/hr at 2000 rpm comfortably.  I believe as long as I maintain the speeds below 2000 rpm, I will get good mileage.

Due to lockdown, I did not have the chance to drive long distance, say 400 to 500 km stretch.

I feel, fuel tank capacity should be equal to Alto.  I often refill due to smaller fuel tank.

Datsun Redi Go 1 liter S variant has gear shift indicator – Downshift or upshift –this was very useful to me during initial days with the car.

Car has speed alert.  If you drive beyond 80 km/hr, you will be alerted.  I like this speed alert since I like to drive below or around 80 km/hr speed in highways.

As far as the engine, It is above Alto but below K10.  Refinement and peppiness of K10 is missing in Datsun Redi Go.  But it is better than Alto in Power and refinement.

In Redi Go, you will not get the feel of Alto.  Driving feel of Redi Go is different.

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Buying Datsun Redi Go in 2020

Can I buy Datsun Redi Go in 2020?  The car never sells in numbers.  In roads, I hardly see this car.  More Nano runs than Datsun Redi Go. I am afraid anytime this model might be discontinued, due to poor sales.  How would be service and support if production stopped for this model?

But, march month offers enticed me.  I saw Nissan advertisement in Internet/Google for Datsun cars.  Upto 85000 rupees cash benefits and 6.99 rate of interest for loans.  I am attracted by the cash benefits and rate of interest for loan.

I submitted the enquiry form in Datsun website.  Later sales rep from Datsun called me and speak with me for 10 minutes.  He concluded that nearest dealer to my residence, will call me and provide more details.

If car’s final onroad price after discounts come to 3.5 lakhs then I will think of purchasing this car.  Will Nissan continue this car for another 5 to 10 years?  Will Nissan be in business in India for next 5 to 10 years?  We all know Chevrolet story. 

I can not predict now, I should not be surprised even if this model car discontinued post march when BS4 vehicles can not be sold any more in India.  Right now, the offer is for BS4 vehicle.

There was a great bike called GS150R from Suzuki motor.  It was not adorned by Indians. The bike sold in few numbers.  Suzuki discontinued this bike.  My friend owns this bike even today. He rides it for commuting.  For maintaining the bike, he struggle to source spare parts.  Authorized service centers of Suzuki abandoned this bike.  My friend has to depend on roadside mechanic or private workshop to repair it.

There are cars, which still running even after their manufacturer stopped production. Old alto, Maruthi Ritz, Chevrolet vehicles.  Discontinued cars still run on roads and their owners find clever mechanic to maintain, repair it. Chevrolet still support the service and maintenance of their vehicles.

I am taking a risk if I am buying Datsun Redi Go in 2020.  The car may be discontinued any time due to lackluster sales.

I have a tight budget, so, I have to take risk.  I will be safe if Nissan continued the sales and support of Datsun Redigo for minimum 5 years from now.  My car loan EMI will be completed by the time.

Let me hope for the best.  Assume, sales, service, support, spares will be available for 5 to 10 years for Datsun Redi Go car.  Even production stopped, let me hope Nissan may continue the service support like Chevrolet.