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-   -   ARTICLE: The Best (used) Enthusiast cars for 6 lakh rupees! Or less (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/buying-car/71707-article-best-used-enthusiast-cars-6-lakh-rupees-less-6.html)

Thanks for the 5 star thread rating, guys.

First and foremost, I've made marginal price corrections to the opening cars (RS, W124 etc.) to bring it inline with regular prices (and not only rock bottom cars) and other cities (e.g. Pune etc.).

True. I've seen plenty of <3.0 lakh rupee OHC Vtecs, but finding a clean car is a challenge. Not impossible, but requires some good footwork.

The previous gen corolla was so boring to drive. Dead steering, average gearshift, engine that isn't exactly revv-happy and lacklustre handling.

Yeah, you can find those for 3 - 3.5 lakhs. But, we've already included the Accord V6.

Good suggestion, will have it added.

The Petra is incredibly hard to find (near impossible). That's why it has been excluded. And in terms of sheer driving pleasure, the Palio as a hatch is better.

It's got a monster of an engine. Yeah, the slushbox & the handling don't exploit the power of the engine. Yet, in a straight line, that car is F-A-S-T. Plus, while the handling isn't in the RS league at all, its not a sloppy car. In fact, the previous gen Accord is sharper than the currently sold Accord, and has excellent grip levels. For someone who wants a quick car, yet comfort + space, the V6 at 6.0 lakhs is high on bang for the buck.

A brand new Palio 1.6 makes zero sense. Thanks to the high depreciation. But yes, I'll have this point added to the Palio post.

This means I would have both my cars listed under enthusiast's cars. Faaantastic! I do have taste that means :D

Thanks!

When Baleno's start at 1.75 lakhs only, why buy an Esteem? The Baleno has way superior road manners, interior comfort and engine.

One of the best used buys in the market today, Sir!

Good luck with your search, DKG. You know what the Miata taught me? That cars don't have to have 300 BHP to be fun to drive. The Miata is such a FTD machine!

Mpower, didn't add those only because of irregular supply. However, if you want to, feel free to edit my "imports" post and add the 3 series there.

Corolla : Reasons given earlier by Nitrous, and in my previous post.

CRV? Will consider. Thanks.

So true. Great drive, a currently sold model, space, reliability and excellent mod support. The Civic at 7 lakhs is a buy.

Euro-spec Fords are driving machines indeed. Now, when is Ford getting the Focus here :D

Not only is the 309 a rare find, but it's hardly an enthusiasts drive.

The Diesel version is fast enough to beat many Sports Cars even when they are revving to the maximum. The Diesel version ca go Faster than 180 KMPH.
All these inferences are Personal Experiences.

Please STOP writing Tank as people buy this car then crash the car here & there; smash it through potholes & then complain that the car is damaged.

Hey, in the Indian context, they are enthusiast cars. They are quick and have excellent road manners too. An enthusiast will end up spending all his free time marvelling at the sheer engineering brilliance in the ol' school simple Mercs. I'm an enthusiast and would love to own a 124 / 126 / 140 someday.

Thanks for the point. Will have it added to the Lancer's post.

Will consider, Thanks.

For 5 lakhs, you can get a very clean RS in Mumbai. Yes, the 3.5 - 4.25 lakh examples are abused. Always recommended to stretch as much as your budget allows, and go for the newest / lowest mileage one.

Totally, Dippy! I think I'm off new cars for a long time.

The V6 would look great in your garage, Rudra. You'll love the refinement, space and autobox convenience. Me thinks it suits your personality too. Let me know when you want to start hunting :)

Nice thread GTO. Rating 5 stars.

But i would have liked Alto VX 1.1 and Zen 1.0 to be a part of this. The little Alto with 64bhp under the hood is a hoot to drive - coupled with sharp handling (with better rubber) definitly deserves a place here. I can tell you its a VERY under-rated car.

I think Forester has to be there in the list. Yes, it is bit underpowered by the benchmark set by sporty sedans (but still does 0-100 within 12 secs) but once you go past 2000 rpm, there are very fews cars that can match it's performance on the highways and ghats. Add to that the limited offroading abilities and it can teach a thing or two to even some of the more imposing looking SUVs.

That's a great thread Rush, rating it as five star !!

Did I missed any of your comment about elantra regarding why you didn't included Elantra into the list ?? Elantra was for sure advertised as performance car in intital adverts.

How about a thread called "Pocket Rockets < 3 Lakh" :D

I remember when Honda launched a Legend in the Middle East we had testdriven the 5 series, the W124, a GS300 for comparison and I came away very impressed by the handling and balance of the W124. It is far from a barge and a very fine car. Its actually enjoyable to drive and a real surprise.

Someone mentioned that it shouldn't be referred to as a tank :) Older Mercs had a distinct feeling of being hewn from a solid block of steel. This was one of the last cars that gave that feel despite many years of use. It is one of the finest Mercs built in recent times.

Rush, like Hotels, we now need a seven star rating for some threads:D

Excellent initiative to put this thread up, its just what the Doctor ordered for many an enthusiast (young or old) who wants a FTD car on a Budget. Concise information that should help firm up the purchasing decision pretty quick.

Some of the prices were real eye openers for me. I mean just imagine that Accord V6 - a song! Would have seriously considered one had it not been for that FE - with our running of 100+ kms in a day, I'd be out on the streets with a bowl pretty quick :p

ah! lovely thread...

My palms are itching.. and am drooling over the vtec honda :-)...

- Rajesh

Compared to the other cars, i think its very hard to find a Forester. The rest are there if you can find time to search. Also, I don't think there are too many cedia's for sale too, are they ?

GTO,

What a brilliant thread! I love it! Great stuff! We can actually print this out and get it published or something! :thumbs up

However, there are a few questions I'd like to ask..

- Many have asked why the classic Zen hasn't been included and you've said that you'd add it. That would be great! But we've forgotten our beloved Esteem as well! It's also a Zuk and it's fantastic to drive. The rev happy G-B series engine is fuel efficient, powerful, great to modify and what's more, this car was used in our Rallies!

- You've said that the Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia is a great 'Handling' car. Now this brings me to this point. How? I have an old issue of CNBC Autocar with me and before anyone starts, I know I know.. Auto Journos are paid to be biased and all that.. Yes! But along with the Cedia, the Civic, the Octavia vRS, the City, the BMW 325i, Audi's TT and A4 3.0 were tested around the Sriperumbudur race track by Narian Karthikeyan. He was asked to rate every car on the track on the basis of (handling, performance, power.. etc) And the Cedia got a low 6/10 while the Civic, the Octavia vRS got 7/10 and 9/10 respectively! He had mentioned that the Cedia felt bouncy around the corners and wasn't a good handler! Could you explain please? please:

A terrific, terrific, terrific thread, it has made my day GTO!

I am happy to see at least one very underrated car - the Mondeo - featured here. It had been one of my dream cars when it was introduced in India some six -seven odd years ago. One can see very few examples on the road, but almost all of them seem to be very well maintained.
The Baleno was another fine car, at a time when I was saving up to buy a good drivers' car.

Another car which interests me greatly is the W 126, possibly my favourite Merc, at least in terms of looks. Incidentally the W 126 was also positioned as a grand tourer, so I guess it isa drivers' car.

I will have to sell myself to own a W 124 or a W 140, so wouldn't really touch them with a barge pole!

Is there a thread on an ownership experience on the W 126?
Anyone who can shed some light on owning a second hand one?
Its performance, spares-service scenario, especially in Bombay?

Regards

This thread encourages me in my search for my E220.

Hope to find one soon.