2006 Honda City iDsi review from Pakistan

Used a City IDSi for approximately 1 year, Mileage 21,000.

Noticed Advantages:

Roomy Interior.

Interesting, out of the box Exterior Styling.

Out of the Box Interior.

Large Car for the Money, Roomy Interior.

Fuel Mileage high if kept below 80.

Even base model comes fully loaded.

Shortcomings:

Poor Handling, Cornering (even with replaced imported tires)

Poor High Speed Stability (car seems to be going much faster than it really is)

Poor Braking, almost as bad as that of Corolla (I am really surprised at comments rating the brakes as high)

Interior of the Car does not Seem to be Durable enough, also appears cheap and poorly stamped. Needs improvement in materials. Door Panels Seem to be cheap and poorly stamped?? Attention to Details??? I think not.

Rough Ride on even smooth Roads.

Flexible Body Structure. Rattles from the Body. DashBoard shakes.

Constant Corrections to the steering are needed to keep the car going in a straight line.

Only 2 poor sounding speakers in a Rs. 840,000 Car?

Poor quality cassette Player radio in a 840,000 rs car?? Come on Honda. This is too much to absorb.

Executive Summary for Prospective Buyers:

I also have a 2004 Santro and a Corolla 2004 (1300cc Gli). My overall impression is that although corolla has its shortcomings, an Xli makes for a better car than the City. my Corolla certainly feels tighter and more solid even after 70000 km than the one year old city. Given the choice, I am likely to opt for a corolla in the 1300cc segement. Corolla 1300cc has a better pick and handles better except for the brakes.

If your on a budget (less than Rs. 350,000), try to find a Suzuki Margalla, it makes for a GREAT car. Good Predicatable brakes, Excellent high speed stability, Beautiful pick even on CNG, Smooth drive. Suzuki Margalla remains the best kept secret in Pakistan. Try to find one in good original condition and you are really gonna enjoy its generally beautiful drive, a car that feels rock solid stable even at 140.