They say you're never more alive than when you’re having a near-death experience. Since I’m having one roughly every thirty seconds, this is clearly going to be one heck of a day.
I’m behind the wheel of a Ford Figo, on the first stretch of a drive that’s supposed to take us from New Delhi to the historic city of Jaipur some 300km down the road, and I can’t even make it out of the parking lot of our hotel.
Busses belching diesel fumes, hundreds of small Tatas and Maruti Suzukis, three-wheeled tuk-tuks and motorcycles, some with the whole nuclear family on board, are dismissively ignoring my insipid efforts to gently ease into the traffic.
Everybody seems to be blowing their hooter at the same time. After cricket, blowing your own horn is the national Indian pastime. I, however, am stuck and so is the whole convoy of lime green Ford Figo’s behind me.
A hotel employee takes pity on us. Like a Hindu version of Moses he calmly steps into the mayhem, holds up his hand and parts the sea of traffic so we can start our journey. Amazingly, nobody shoots him or tries to run him over. He doesn’t even get the middle finger. Not once.
So road rage might be the one thing you probably won’t encounter on Indian roads, but the insane assault on your senses will make up for it. All kinds of wheeled objects are coming at you from all angles. The guys behind you are hooting to let you know they’re coming past. The trucks in front of you have large signs written on the back imploring you to ‘Blow Horn’ if you’re in their blind spot. There are no lanes, no traffic lights and apparently no rules. After ten minutes I’m ‘Blowing Horn’ with the best of them.
But don’t toot your hooter at the holy cows wandering serenely into the traffic. We’re warned the locals don’t like that. They might just pelt you with rocks. It’s not just the cows you have to look out for. Stray dogs, camels pulling carts and the odd elephant or two add more spice to the mix. Throw in some crumbling roads, meandering pedestrians and wobbling cyclists and you have a hot automotive curry that will blow your mind.
Ford reckons its new Indian developed Ford Figo is the perfect little hatch for this subcontinent’s burgeoning car market. And that by default this robust entry level car, based on previous generation Fiesta, fits just as neatly into the hole left by the retirement of Volkswagen’s CitiGolf in South Africa. That’s why, in July, we’ll be the first market outside India to receive the Figo.
There was very little wrong with the old Fiesta, and there’s even less wrong with the new Figo. Even though the stiff chassis – the basis for one of the best-handling small cars on the market – has been offset by a more compliant suspension to cope with potholed roads, the Figo remains a fun car to drive. Gearshifts on the five-speed transmission are precise, and the power assisted hydraulic rack and pinion steering has only been slightly tweaked for easier use in heavy traffic.
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Thank you guys
You guys have really made me feel better. I was almost in tears when I found out that I Ford is the only company that approved my application to buy a car. I hated Ford Figo, and wanted a vivo. But reading these comments made me feel a lot better. I think I will gladly welcome that Figo afterall. It is ugly on the outside but pretty nice inside. And I love its features. So I will welcome the Figo. Thanx guys.
Figo is a good buy
Vero this is a better buy than the Vivo. You will get a lot more bang for your buck and it is not that bad looking. If you don't want a modern supermini (i10 Picanto etc) the Figo is the one that the informed buyer will go for.
spacious indeed
Thanx Edward, I also liked the fact that it is spacious and that I can open the boot while sitting in the car. That's pretty awesome. There's one thing o forgot to check though, does Ambiente also have a wiper on the back window?
Figo backlog?
Hi all!looked at a figo today and really liked it but then heard from a guy friend that there's a serious backlog on them? I really don't wana wait 6 months for parts?advice?
I OWN BOTH
I OWN FIGO AND A VIVO AND TO BE HONEST BOTH CARS HAS GOOD AND BAD...VIVO LOOKS GOOD INSIDE OUT HAS MORE SPACE AND A SOFTER SUSPENSION, SMOOTHER RIDE AND BETTER HANDLING...FIGO IS MORE VALUE FOR MONEY HAS A SOME GOOD FEATURES LIKE ESTIMATE MILEAGE WITH FUEL HAVE AND VERY NIPPY
BAD VIVO ENGINE TOO NOISY NO ENGINE COVER
BAD FIGO THE DASH LOOKS HORRIBLE TOO SMALL INSIDE HORRIBLE ON BENDS DIESEL ENGINE TOO NOISY AND THE FRONT LOOKS LIKE YOU KNOCKED A BULL
IN CONCLUSION THE POLO(PANTIES OFF LEGS OPEN) IS BETER
u go figo
thanx a lot guys,im a new buyer nd i think am impressed with figo,m gona buy maself one.thanx 4 the advise.figo 4 lyf
FIFO
I THINK DA figo taks ds 1 hands down. been in both cars bt Figo z da best for me. Figorous is what i call it!!
Huh?
I Fink da teenager should go back to school. You are hopefully no moron. This is not a Mxit/BBM/Sms screen. Apply your mind and stick a few words together in a sentence that makes sense. Not that difficult if you try.
HONESTLY, IVE DRIVEN IN A
HONESTLY, IVE DRIVEN IN A VIVO....AND REALLY ITS A COMFORTABLE CAR. CANT SAY MUCH ABOUT THE FIGO, BUT I DOUBT THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER.
Figo over vivo
I am going with the Figo!! ITS HOT!!
The vivo is for people who cant afford a real polo! It is a city golf with a new body. people to embarressed to drive an overated citi golf can now drive a low class polo!!! VW is great but thet dropped their standards with this one! sorry dudes!! FIGO ALL THE WAY!
SA rip-off as usual
India has 4 variants each of petrol and diesel. Different designations, same as rest of Asia. Instead of top spec Titanium version, we get Ambiente and Trend. No diesel Trend, so no electirc windows for the diesel version in SA.
I am [filtered word] off.
Vivo is an old ugly thing
Here in Europe the old VW polo called vivo there in S.A, is outdated, is an ugly boxy thing and sales were weak when produced between 2001 and 2008. Nobody likes it!! It´s and old forgoten thing!
Peanuts
why do you want to buy a figo if you know that the vivo is far better quality if you drive the vivo you can feel it is german engineered indians are building the figo the same people building the tata you have to be numbnuts to buy one i mean just chek how ugly the figo is it looks [filtered word] the guy had no imagination.but everyone has a different opinion.
The figo´s better than vivo
The figo´s far better than the polo. The polo is overdated, ugly and not too much reliable. The figo´s more modern and attractive. I wonder why people in South Africa buy the vivo!!!
Figo
I'm going for a Figo....good value for money. From what i've seen and heard from friends who own these cars, VW is over-priced and not the most reliable of cars.
Who buys Vivo is narrow minded
Hi MPho! Go for the Figo. Puts the Vivo by far in all terms. Is more reliable, more attractive in style, more modern, best interior and build, more comfy and better engines and superior ride and handling. I do not understand why people in S.A. buy the olf and ugly Vivo. It´s a question of mentalities and S.A. car buyers are narrow minded!
Ford Foward, Polo Vivo Backward
Eish guys, i prefer ford figo but im confused. i'm a 1st time buyer and just got my license few weeks back. Now don't know wat to buy, just a starter pack would do.
Regards
Mpho
The figo´s better than Vivo!
The Ford Figo is far better in all respects than the Polo Vivo. I rather have a Figo!
Car sales for August 2010 -
Car sales for August 2010 - Ford Figo a tad over 1100 and for VW Polo Vivo (Aircon now included in price) just under 3000. VW almost sold more New Polo's than Ford sold Figo's...
Polo Vivo for the win it seems.
Figo´s better than Vivo!
The Figo´s more attractive, more modern better to live with, more value for money better price/quality relation, and gives more plesure to drive then the vivo. Go for the Figo, it´s the sober and smarter choice.
Vivo vs Figo
Hou die verkope dop!! Die Vivo was bo aan die lys wat sedan moters, maar jy gaan Vivo nou Figo spel.
1st timer buyer looking
Thanks for the insight guys. I'm also in the market for something safe and affordable. I think this weekend i should visit a ford dealership.
after reading all this i
after reading all this i choose the figo thanks guys :D
Figo Forever!
Go for the Ford Figo - I drive a 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.4 and it is unbelievable - in terms of space, little luxuries, fuel economy and it's FUN to drive in the city. I am trading mine in for the Figo in December, it is built on the Fiesta base, basicall the same car.
You can't beat it for that price.
Vivo´s an old bang
The Polo Vivo is ancient and not attractive at all! Sorry VW by its an old bang!!!!There are better buys like the figo, Logan, new spark, Fiat panda...
Neither
To be honest, I would choose neither car. I test drove the new Chevrolet Spark LS this past weekend, and I would want nothing else at the price. It is brand new, not some re-hash of a model that has overstayed its welcome on the market. As far as these two are concerned, however, I would have given the Polo Vivo the red card even before kick-off. The Figo shows what a rip-off the Vivo really is. I mean, how could VW have the audacity to offer air-conditioning and a radio as options when the Figo has them as stanrard equipment? Sorry, VWSA, the Vivo is a FAILURE, no matter how many are sold.
New Spark has dreadful interior
I visited Ford and GM dealers today to testdrive the Figo and Spark LS. Seriously, the Spark is horrid on the inside - small and cramped, cheap plastics. The instrument panel looks like a toy stuck onto the steering wheel. The metal "hinges" of the seats show, because they skimped on even cheap plastic covers for those. From the outside the boot can only be opened with the key, which means very scratched paint finish over time. Oh, and the boot itself is almost non-existant. The Figo looks much more expensive than it actually is, both inside and out. It is roomier too. In short, a real car instead of the toys that generally occupy this price segment.
I'm sure the Spark will appeal to some teenagers who care more about a flamboyant exterior than actual quality or value for money. So, both cars will sell well.
Final point : Those gigantic headlights on the Spark... How much do you think it will cost to replace one of those monsters?
Nothing else but the Spark
I drive a 2006 Spark LS, and the dealership provided me with a new model to test drive for a few hours, and here are my comments:
Firstly, the car looks distinctive; you would not confuse it with anything else on the market. However, it is not a case of a fashion accessory without any substance. I cannot see the headlights costing that much to replace; the prices of the parts on my car have always been reasonable, so I don't think that things will change. As far as the interior is concerned, I tend to agree with you on the instrument panel: the rev counter is difficult to read, as is the fuel gauge. Moreover, the absence of a temperature gaure is inexcusable. It has enough rear head- and legroom, it's just a pity that the boot is smaller as a result.
Was the model you test drove an LS? If so, you would have noticed that there is a remote boot release inside the driver door. By the way, I would not even consider the base model.
There is no doubt that the Spark would be my only choice in this price category. It is not a re-hash of an out-of-date model, and I have received very good after sales service from more than one GM dealership.
Have you driven or seen the Figo?
Otherwise you cannot claim the Spark to be better. Yes, it was the LS version I drove as stated in previous post.
The new Spark's headlights are way bigger than previous model. One cannot assume that they won't cost more.
My gripe with the boot release (yes, I do know that you can release it from inside the car) is that they actually have a recess in the hatch as if they were planning on putting a release there and then just changed their minds. Go look, you'll see what I mean. Furthermore, the keyhole is in the middle of a large expanse of paint - it will get scratched really quick. They could have easily put the keyhole somewhere else. Poor design.
As for "plenty of room", I'm only 5'7" and the driver's seat does not go down low enough - my knees brush the stearing column getting in and out of the car. Pushing the seat back further means that no-one can sit behind me and makes you wish for longer arms to reach the steering wheel. Looks like the Spark was designed for people with long arms and short legs!
That being said, it does have superior road-holding compared to the Hyundai i10. In fact, it is pretty comfortable (apart from the space/seating issue).
Still I'd rather take the Figo any day. Bland quality is still better than cheap plastic bling.
Go for the Figo
Go for the figo. You get better value, better comfort, better quality, better fun to drive and chassis and its more modern. Prices attractive too.
Not suer: polo vivo or ford figo
I want to buy a car, guys please help me, which one is better. vivo or figo, im a 1st time buyer,and dont know anything about cars, and if i add electric windows on a figo, how much can it cost me?
Figo´s better
The Figo´s better price for money, better value, better build, better equiped, more modern and attractive than the ancient polo. Go for the Figo.
VW too complacent, Ford progressive and competitive
It really is a no brainer, I certainly cannot understand why anyone would buy a VW Polo Vivo 1.4 (5 door) for R 110 000 with absolutely no creature comforts....when the Ford Figo Ambiente gives you Aircon, ABS, EBD, central locking (albeit not remotely on the Ambiente model), Radio/CD and Metallic paint at no extra cost. VW would like you to cough up an extra R 17 540 to get all of that.
Thus these two models cannot even be compared, the VW is much more expensive.
No thanks VW, my 2004 Polo will soon be replaced by a brand spanking new Ford Figo.
@ford figo
> Ford Mustang starts at R170 000.00 who are they trying to kid?
...just try importing a mustang and see what it works out to with tax...
I agree, though, that the prices of cars in SA are unbelievable.
ford figo
Ford Mustang starts at R170 000.00 who are they trying to kid?
ford figo
Ford Mustang starts at R170 000.00 who are they trying to kid?
According to an Indian
According to an Indian blogger, the Figo will be shipping to SA from next week (last week June), but in limited quantities.
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