Mahindra Gusto Review after first service

Mahindra Gusto -- “Scooter” or a regular “Scooty”
Buyer Experience
I went to purchase the Mahindra Gusto on 1st October (the very next day of the official launch) from Saboori Mahindra in West Delhi. I purchased it without even taking a test drive.(going by online reviews) The overall experience was an ok one and not an enthusiastic one as it should have been coz gusto was a new horse from the Mahindra stable.
First Drive
I pressed the start button and it started immediately. The engine sound was smooth. Me and my brother were off to a petrol station.
Immediate experience and very first thought: “A Useless Scooty which can be overtaken by a cyclist”
The pickup was not there no matter how hard I tried. So I went back to the showroom. The mechanic there did some adjustments and again I was off. This time it was slightly better but I went back again to the showroom. He said that I drive it for a few days and pickup would increase automatically.
On the way to the temple, despite the pickup issue it was a pretty comfortable drive especially for my brother-the pillion. On reaching home the kids liked the remote lights and buzzer.
But over the next few days the drive was a big pain as everybody on the road was overtaking me. I called the showroom guys and they told me to wait till first service or 500 kms after which everything will be ok. I even got a call that someone from Mahindra will come to me for feedback but no one came.
I tugged on till 465 kms. The pickup had increased a bit but not as it should as two people on an Activa would overtake my single person gusto. I went to the Service station of Saboori and told my major pickup problem to the person incharge as well as the service engineer. After they were finished with the service I told them again to check the pickup. They did a test drive and said it was ok. I was off very happy that finally I would enjoy my drive home.
Experience after First service and a months driving
Ride and Handling
It’s a pleasure to drive as I did not get tired even after long drives of 50 kms in a city like delhi. The seat height is great but if u increase it to max. Taking a fast turn and zig zagging in traffic are also fun and u do feel confident doing the same. The extra ground clearance is also a boon as u can climb footpaths in event of traffic jams. It takes all potholes and bumps with ease. A much better experience as I have driven almost all other gearless scooties in the 110 and 125 cc.
Pickup and mileage
The pickup comes and goes on its own. Sometimes I feel that the engine is following my accelerator but mostly I do not get response immediately. It responds but at its own pace and time and hence am seen lurching behind other 110 cc 2 wheelers. Sometimes it feels very frustrating as the engine does not respond. Overall I would say that it needs some tweaking. I should be able to feel the grunt at some point. Pickup from 0 to 30 is better than from 40 to 60.
Mileage from day one was around 40 kmpl will see how much I get after my first service.
Pillion Rider
“The pillion in the Gusto feels like a Maharaja all the way”
Mahindra Service Experience
I went there with very high expectations as in their car/suv division. I was totally disappointed as it was not even 25% of what one tends to get with their scorpio or xuv.
Features
Seat Height Adjustment : A+ ( Actually works and not a gimmick)
Front Pocket: Do not at any cost keep your cellphone there as you will forget it when disembarking.
Remote Lights : For kids
Security Key : A+
Second Key : ??
My Verdict
Go for it as most of you drivers will be using it as a family or commuting vehicle. Don’t be fussy like me and enjoy your drives as you will feel fresh even after long drives. Go for it for its Seat Height and ground clearance and a very good overall ride and handling experience.
My Feedack to Mahindra – Make it a full fledged Scooter
Make the engine sound a bit more throaty and do tweak it for some low end grunt and linear power delivery. Since these are automatic scooters I presume they could come with an option for ECO mode or SPORT mode.Add Indicator buzzers also as standard. Mainly do improve your service centres as they will be the main reasons for customers to buy Mahindra products. Some sort of service center monitoring by Mahindra itself should be in place as ultimately I do not know a saboori but only “MAHINDRA”
Prepared By Manan Somani
Delhi
6/11/2014