i only had the chance to test drive the March for a lousy short
distance from the Bt Timah showroom. the sales rep was like non
negotiable half suspecting if you would buy the car. it was a loop
along the small road around residence nearby. i felt pissed and
that was why i went to Ubi.
i received 1 keyless remote (RFID), 1 weird key to hide in the
remote and a spare full size key in total.
turning on the engine, you just press in the ignition and turn a
knob like ordinary car (without the key inserted). good sound
proofing, at idling you cannot hear the engine. the light turned on
by itself as it is in "auto"mode. the dials look very nice and cool
with orange illumination. auto climate control also has the aircon
fan runnning at high. (the dials look super retro man!)
the internal space is surprising spacious given the petite look
from the outside (ComPacious - micra talk - meaning Compact yet
Spacious is really true). I pushed my chair very far back as i have
the habit of driving almost lying down pretending i am driving a
sports car (could not afford one so have to pretend). looking back
at the backseat there's still decent space left for rear
passengers, hmmm... good... it will be 10 more years before my kids
outgrow this space, by then i probably would look for other cars
already.
the steering is adjustable for up and down. i must say the drive
position is very good.
i must clarify that i have owned a Volvo 940 before for 3 years, my
old man has a Jaguar Daimler which i occassionally drive. in my
life i have owned for a reasonable period an old nissan sunny (the
last one), Honda Accord (early 90s), Toyota Corona (mid 90s). so my
assessment of this March will be in comparison to these past
experiences.
the steering certainly feels very smooth, too smooth to not feel
any feedback. hardcore racers will not like it cos they cannot feel
the road. the steering is fully power assisted at slow drive, but
will gradually tightens when you speed up like on the highway (a
computer senses the car speed every 0.04 seconds and adjust the
steering assistance accordingly). this is the advantage of drive by
wire steering, its all electrical, there's no hydraulic to spoil or
maintain (wait till the electrical spoil then you'll know).
i promised the sales rep i would buy her a drink when i get the
car, so, off we went out of tan chong ubi to the nearby Burger
kings.
the suspension is very good, tight yet spongy, can feel the road
reasonably ok, like the Volvo i have owned before. seat is
reasonably firm but not wrapping. i kind of worry for the fabric
materials the seats are made up of, they look too nimble for a
careless man like me. should i spray on 3M scotchgard to protect
them from my kids spilling of milk or coca cola? hmmm... must do
some research first....heard not all materials are suitable for 3M.
i like the clicking sound of the turn indicator, sounds like the
Jaguar ones, not those cheapo ones from old cars which goes
tick-tack-tick-tack.....
heard some reviews that the car cannot manage big humps very well,
havent tried that. maybe will try it in one combat engineers camp
one day, it has what pple called the "mother of all humps", they
really have huge humps of all sorts.
the lights went off when i left the building, automatically, as it
was still bright daylight outside, cool.....
the brakes, indeed met up to its claim, very responsive and feels
very assuring.
no chance to try the air bags though, dont intend to.
(to continue)
