டாடா நானோ எல்எக்ஸ் - The Mini Wonder From Tata's Stable

I have always had a high opinion about our very own " salt to software group " - the Tata group. As an Indian, I always felt that we should support Indian Brands 100%. Therefore, when I was posted to Vizag on a 5-year contract and was required to buy my own vehicle - I had to look for some model that would fit into my budget. The year was 2011, and there was a lot of hype about the Nano. Since the company I was working for had a very good relationship SRM Motors in Vizag - the Nano distributor, I called the manager. He immediately invited me for a test drive of the Nano, and it was love at first sight if I may say so! The inevitable consequence was that the cute little thing moved into my garage within a matter of weeks, and became part of my family! All my workmates at the managerial level were owning other cars, and mine was the first Nano in that industrial area. There was lots of interest from everyone who happened to see my Nano - and lots of questions to answer too! After trying to answer everyone within the first few weeks ( weakening my jawbones in the process ), I stopped answering all subsequent queries and just handed over the key to anyone intrigued by the cute little newcomer. The response was really awesome - with almost all the guys who got behind the wheel coming out with the same curiosity. How come a car looking so small from the outside pack's so much space on the inside? And the view from the driver's seat - a feel of being in a driver's seat of an SUV, with such a commanding road view! And the pulling power with 4 adult passengers - unbelievable! After a few months, my family came down to Vizag for a holiday and I wanted to take them to the Araku Valley. When I mentioned my plan to my friends, they warned me that the route was a steep hill climb - and the Nano was a risky vehicle with a full load of 4 passengers including my driver. But I had full trust in my Nano, and wanted to prove my sceptics wrong. We started early morning one sunny day, and within 30 mins, the steep incline commenced. There were lots of vehicles for the company - and ours was the only Nano on that hilly climb. Naturally, the sight of a Nano evoked curious looks from the passengers of SUV type vehicles. But it was a smooth ride all the way, and never once did the engine show any struggle in pulling the load. When I shared news of my Arakku Valley trip the next day in office, no one believed me when I told them that I took the Nano on this trip! It is 2017 now, and my cute Nano has been a faithful member our family for the last 6 years. When it was affected during the 2015 Chennai floods, the Nano service guys put my Nano back into shape without causing a dent in my purse. Now, I use it for my city rides in Chennai with occasional family trips to Tirupur and Kumbakonam. I should say my Nano LX has not shown any signs of ageing - and is still a workhorse like it was when I bought it 6 years ago. An interesting thing happened in Chennai just last week when I was taking my wife out for some shopping. I was stopped near the Airport by a Traffic Police officer - and I was wondering whether it was due to my AP registration. But to my amazement, his question was " Sir, when did you buy this car? What is the mileage you are getting? Is it value for money? " When I gave him very positive replies to all questions, he said " My son wanted me to buy a Nano for family travel - that is why I asked you " Finally, I want to end this review by saying that the Tata showroom called me on several occasions to ask if I would be interested in their exchange offer for their brand new model. But I have become so emotionally attached to my Nano to such an extent - that I don't treat it as a car at all. It is a living member of my family. I may buy a bigger car in the future - but my Nano will forever be a member of our family - until of course both of us run out of our shelf lives!