[Torquedo]

Originally Posted by vb-san

which will be best option from these – Vento, Linea, New Fiesta and the Optra?

vb-san my takes -

Pardon me but I had compared all the features, I went again at ab-san's question and realized that he was looking for a take on back seat comfort. I'll not delete what I have mentioned as it might help others.


For:Against

Vento: Minimal Turbo Lag, VW Brand : Low on gizmos, VW servicing (A$$) is too early to gauge, Premium pricing, Waiting period.

Linea: Build Quality, handling : Fiat A$$, Puny 1.3L engine, Resale value of Fiat.

Fiesta: Efficiency, Minimal Turbo Lag, Ride, handling : Resale Value, Puny 1.4 (same engine powering the Figo, so can well imagine the performance on a BIG sedan) or even the 1.5 is not gonna be a hoot to drive.

Optra: Performance, Performance (class leading 2.0L and 314 Nm of torque), Build quality (1.4T), Comfort (wheelbase 2600 mm, same as Corolla) : Low on gizmos (no steering mounted controls, 2 DIN player is a generation older), Iffy GM A$$, Resale Value.

HTH.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by vb-san

That's so true, and I think this topic has come up in many other threads as well. I personally am so acclimatized to having the indicator stalks on the left. On this topic, I read an interesting comment (not sure in which thread), that the indicator stalks on the left is better from a safety point of view, because it kind of ensure that your right hand is always on the steering wheel

Coming back to the original topic (spacious sedan under 12L).
Apologies that I have not read through the whole set of posts, but on a safety + backseat comfort combination, which will be best option from these – Vento, Linea, New Fiesta and the Optra?

from my perspective.
and in order.
1. Optra
2. Vento
3. Linea
4. New Fiesta (though i have not a clear idea of the Fiesta)

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by Torquedo

vb-san my takes -
Pardon me but I had compared all the features, I went again at ab-san's question and realized that he was looking for a take on back seat comfort. I'll not delete what I have mentioned as it might help others.

Originally Posted by mdsaab

from my perspective.
and in order.
1. Optra
2. Vento
3. Linea
4. New Fiesta (though i have not a clear idea of the Fiesta)

Thanks for the responses. I kind of felt that Optra will score high on back seat comfort (it looks big as well). But on safety front, do you think Optra scores better than the other 3?
I am doing some research to replace my car in India (parents being the prime commuters), and hence the stress on safety, followed by back seat comfort.

[visweshkalambur]

@ Torquedo - I am not very sure about the point you had made on resale value. I had shared my thoughts on this earlier in this forum too. I am not sure if the resale value of Optra Diesel is bad. After 3 years you might loose approx only 40% which seems a fair deal to me. GM A$$ is much better than a lot. Personal experience.. A$$ has been good thus far for me. (Knock on wood)

@ vb san - Optra is pretty spacios at the rear. Back seat comfort is also very good. I find the seats also to be very comfortable. From a safety front all vehicle have 2 airbags and abs. But Optra has all 4 disc breaks which makes the breaking stronger for this rocket.

[Jakku]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Coming back to the original topic (spacious sedan under 12L).
Apologies that I have not read through the whole set of posts, but on a safety + backseat comfort combination, which will be best option from these – Vento, Linea, New Fiesta and the Optra?

I would rate it like this.
1. Optra/ Linea - (I am not able to choose between them, Optra has something which Linea doesn't have and vice-versa). Again, Optra would be a class higher.
2. Vento - IMO this is an overpriced vehicle.
3. Fiesta - I don't rate this as I don't have any idea on this.

[Poitive]

Verna (Fluidic) Test Drive (1.6 SX Diesel)

Guys, Finally managed to TD the above. Have put a writeup in the Driven! thread in the following link:

Am listing things point wise, as was done in the first few posts of this thread, though I think the writeup above will make for better reading.

- Very smooth engine. Very very petrol like, which I think would be one of the bigger factors for it's success (besides the looks and gizmos).

- Exteriors: Excellent looks from the rear. Good from the side. Moderate from the front (Just my opinion).

- Cabin in the front: There is a feel-good factor. Good finish; especially in the beige part. Fabric could have been better. Front seats very comfortable (though not Optra class at all). Ample knee room too. The left leg sits very well against the console for my body and driving position (was particularly bad in the Fiesta Classic). The dash was very pleasing. Well designed.

- Cabin at the rear: The much talked about lack of under thigh support was bothersome, but not too much. Visually it was EXTREMELY cramped (reminded me of the Swift Dzire). Seats were low (changed in the Indian model). Front seats towered, blocking all view even for a 6' person. The windows started high. Also tapered down from top. The rear was anything but airy

- There was ample headroom. Even at the back (lowered seats helped). Legroom was good. One 6' person behind another possible with acceptable comfort.

- Doors opened wide and ingress/egress was easy in the front. Quite so at the rear too.

- Very easy to drive car. Effortless pickup. Smooth quiet engine (probably even a bit better than the Optra). Gear changes were not frequent, unlike the 1.3MJDs. Almost no lag.

- Low/moderate speed ride was quite good, but not even close to the Optra. At high speeds was OK in the front and a bit too bouncy at the rear. Almost uncomfortable at the rear.

- Felt comfortable at moderate speeds, but as one went to higher speeds the comfort reduced. Was not confidence inspiring. At the rear was almost scary (more in the writeup linked above).

- The steering was extremely light. Game like. Good for everyday city driving. Not for anyone who even gets close to trying the car's limits.

- Brakes didn't have any bite, despite the all 4 disc. But they may be effective. Don't go by my word here.

- Side mirrors very well worked out. Due to the high boot, the rear view is pretty narrow from within the cabin (a rear view camera is provided)

Seems like a BRILLIANT car for someone who drives largely in the city or doesn't push the car much and wants a petrol like experience at diesels running costs.

Would NOT recommend it to anyone who doesn't meet the above criteria or intends to use the rear bench extensively. The experience in front is totally different from the experience at the rear.

(Just realized that the writeup in the other link may make for much better reading. If readers of the thread so want, can copy-paste it here too).

[ajay_satpute]

Originally Posted by Poitive

Verna (Fluidic) Test Drive (1.6 SX Diesel)

Seems like a BRILLIANT car for someone who drives largely in the city or doesn't push the car much and wants a petrol like experience at diesels running costs.

Would NOT recommend it to anyone who doesn't meet the above criteria or intends to use the rear bench extensively. The experience in front is totally different from the experience at the rear.

Thanks a lot Poitive for the detailed report. It is pretty useful to make a final decision. Atleast in my case, the rear bench comfort is most most(repeatative use intentional) important. There is no rear bench comfort in all segments from A to D, like the ones in the Manza and ANHC (MUVs and SUVs not considered). Unfortunately, both these cars have their negative sides too. Well, like you've mentioned repeatedly, Oprta does have excellent rear bench comfort, but somehow till you and 2 other members talked about Optra, me and many others did not even look at Optra. Thanks for that too.

[SLK]

Originally Posted by Poitive

I fully respect your opinions guys, but alongwith am also quite surprised. It is so very different from how many others (including me) approach this decision. Am curious to how you make up your mind about purchasing a specific car.

Originally Posted by SLK

I'm sure I could have managed a full TD at one of the first 2 showrooms if I would have followed up consistently, BUT I knew what I wanted, so never bothered. From all the cars we have bought there's just one lesson to learn - unless there is something terribly incompatible in the car, TDs are not useful. The car speaks to your fine inputs only after days/ maybe weeks of driving, and that's when you start to enjoy it.

Dude, I just said and meant - that making up your mind on finer things about a car based on a 'test' drive is not helpful. I have always driven cars before buying and rejected cars based on that, but only taking the not-so-fine apparent observations. If you rely too much on TDs for finner points, you might be wrong.

Originally Posted by Poitive

I remember SLK's comment which sounded so very casual about how he would just pick up the car (was when we talked about a possible downsizing of the engine and how one should purchase it before that).

This is what you are talking about?

Originally Posted by SLK

Alright then, I've decided/booked to buy an optra LT, and will get it by this weekend.

You really think, I booked the Optra based on this thread?
I had decided and booked the car, then came over this thread to read more about other things around the car. I've been on team-bhp since the beginning, if I wanted to discuss something about the car as such, I'd have done that, but I knew what I wanted. I did my bit of research and took feedback from the people who have relevant 'ownership' experience with the car.

[Jakku]

I saw a Renault Fluence passing yesterday night by about 8:30-9PMwhile I was returning from office (in my bike). It was in a "T" junction (I was approaching the junction) where it crossed me. The road was very narrow bad mud road and this was slowly approaching from the right hand side and when the bonnet started appearing in front, from the distance I thought it could be a Linea. Then when I closed in, I realised it is not one and when I was behind it saw the symbol of Renault. It is a Fluence!!!, bare, not covered or camouflaged. It had proper registration number of KA-03, so has it started selling? It has a lot of resemblances to different cars from front and back. It appeared to be a big car.

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by SLK

Dude, I just said and meant - that making up your mind on finer things about a car based on a 'test' drive is not helpful. I have always driven cars before buying and rejected cars based on that, but only taking the not-so-fine apparent observations. If you rely too much on TDs for finner points, you might be wrong.
...............
You really think, I booked the Optra based on this thread?
I had decided and booked the car, then came over this thread to read more about other things around the car. I've been on team-bhp since the beginning, if I wanted to discuss something about the car as such, I'd have done that, but I knew what I wanted. I did my bit of research and took feedback from the people who have relevant 'ownership' experience with the car.

Oh mate! I hope my comments didn't seem offensive. Really didn't intend them to seem so, in case they did. I was just very surprised at how things 'seemed' - that a TD wasn't needed to finalize (later another member could identify with the idea).

I did check that you had been on TBhp for eons before. Also appreciate yor inputs mate.

And yes, I do NOT expect anyone, to buuuy a car based on any thread or anything being written abut it, mate.

PS: Will read the posts again once I am back on the comp.

[Jammy28]

Originally Posted by Jakku

I saw a Renault Fluence passing yesterday night by about 8:30-9PMwhile I was returning from office (in my bike). It had proper registration number of KA-03, so has it started selling?

Yes. It has been launched in May and it is available in both Petrol and diesel. You can get more information about this car on the official review thread by Stratos.

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Apologies that I have not read through the whole set of posts, but on a safety + backseat comfort combination, which will be best option from these – Vento, Linea, New Fiesta and the Optra?

Since the Fiesta is yet to be launched, one can only guess about it. I was told by some European (who seemed very senior - camera's turned up, etc.) at their display stand at a mall in Delhi that it would be able to seat one 6' person behind the other in comfort.

My experiences are in the first few posts of this thread and on the Driven! thread if it helps, though my TDs weren't really focused on rear seat comfort. The Optra though stood out anyway. Miles ahead.

I had issues even sitting straight with my 6' on the rear seat of a Vento, so headroom may be an issue for tall people. On some other thread (Fiesta?) a member even posted videos and links about how even a 6'4" person was sitting with comfort in the Vento. Well, it was there to see that he was. But my experience was what it was! Even the ingress/egress didn't feel comfortable to me.

After the comments above, while passing the showroom in a mall, I even rechecked the headroom at the back in the Vento. Same story. Could not sit straight (this was the IPL version). Wonder if it could have something to do with my sitting posture.

I don't remember my experience with the Linea in the rear seat, but have read people complaining about it.

On safety, you could consult this post on Smartcat's thread (don't just go by the points given - try to interpret the data your own way).
Link with braking distance etc

(I think I had posted/quoted this thread talking about the Optra having the shortest braking distance. I think that was an older post on the thread, where the Vento was not included. Have yet to verify).

So for comfort, it would be the Optra.

For safety, it would be the Vento (EBD, shorter braking distance).

While talking about safety, also consider which car is likely to be driven faster. Also consider how the cars handle . Also the high speed confidence one gets in them.

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

Thanks a lot Poitive for the detailed report. It is pretty useful to make a final decision.
-------------------
Well, like you've mentioned repeatedly, Oprta does have excellent rear bench comfort, but somehow till you and 2 other members talked about Optra, me and many others did not even look at Optra. Thanks for that too.

Am glad that is is helpful mate. Did you try out the Optra?
Would be good to hear your impressions as well. Most of my TD's were a lot more focused on the front seat.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by Poitive

Since the Fiesta is yet to be launched...
...While talking about safety, also consider which car is likely to be driven faster. Also consider how the cars handle . Also the high speed confidence one gets in them.

Thanks Poitive for the detailed feedback. And I did bump into the Driven! thread yesterday evening. Very useful indeed. I am doing all the base research here, so that I have a fair idea of the TDs to be taken when I go to Kerala in a couple of months. Petrol options are also in consideration as the monthly usage will not be that high. Meanwhile, I will be tuned into the various feedbacks across different threads

[mdsaab]

Poitive thanks for that very crisp fluidic review.
I think if one is looking to use it mainly in the city. Then it makes a sensible choice.

[charthom]

Originally Posted by Poitive

Verna (Fluidic) Test Drive (1.6 SX Diesel)


Would NOT recommend it to anyone who doesn't meet the above criteria or intends to use the rear bench extensively. The experience in front is totally different from the experience at the rear.

@Poitive, nicely,crisply,honestly and professionally written brief review of the Fluidic.It came as a disappointment for me as my main criterion for my car hunt was rear seat comfort.

The Fluidic has its merits-but does it really have character?Like,say,the Vento and the Magnum?Apart from the Diesel factor and looks is it really tempting?

The underdog emerging, seems to be the Optra Magnum. With the Petrol cars becoming blisteringly hot to handle, and the so called "quality diesel cars" are of debatable quality,the Magnum is really worth a look.Because,going by the reviews, each owner seems to be pleasantly surprised and really impressed with it.

Rgds,charthom.