[commonman]

I didn't understand this
"Not Looking at Swift / Ritz because Maruti dealers offer bare minimum discounts and as far as resale is considered, what I'll lose at the time of selling the car, I'm gaining it right now in form of discounts" statement.

Ritz is heavily discounted now and it is also having good resale value.
You want to say that your existing car is not getting any good resale value?
If you are not getting good resale value in Maruti sell it outside .

[Abh1nav]

Originally Posted by commonman

I didn't understand this
"Not Looking at Swift / Ritz because Maruti dealers offer bare minimum discounts and as far as resale is considered, what I'll lose at the time of selling the car, I'm gaining it right now in form of discounts" statement.

My bad here. Should have been more clear. This statement was made with respect to the discounts currently offered on the Punto.

What I meant was, even though a few years down the line, Punto will fetch a lower resale than the swift, but the discounts right now on the Punto(which are greater than the swift), will make up for it.

[Abh1nav]

Was out for car hunting today, and checked out Fiat Punto 1.3 Active, Ford Figo 1.4 Zxi and the Swift Ldi today.

Went to the Fiat showroom first, as it was the Punto which made me think of buying a new car. The showroom was empty and we were the only customers! TD car wasn't available then, but a dynamic variant was sent home in the evening. I loved the drive! Maybe more because Punto has somehow occupied a special place in the heart!

The TD was Swift Ldi couldn't take place as the car had gone for servicing!

Drove the Ford Figo as well, but didn't like it as much.

Anyways, here's the quote for the 3 cars after discounts (on road, Delhi):

Punto 1.3 Active: 5.38 Lakhs (freebies offered after negotiations: autocop central locking, door visors and parking sensors)
Swift Ldi: 6.02 lakhs
Figo ZXi / Exi: 6.05 / 5.71 Lakhs

Need the thoughts of people here about the deals being offered. Also, any other suggestions?

[H_Dogg72]

Can I just add one thing ?
Get a variant with ABS and AIRBAGS.

You'll regret not getting them. They're lifesavers. ABS works at speeds as low as 10km/hr during the rain or equally slippery/ low traction surface.

[naru]

Guys, I'm about to buy a diesel car.

My budget is around 6 lakh. The cars I have short listed are Grand i10 sportz (6.3 lakh after discounts), i20 era (6.5 lakh) and Swift vdi (6.35 lakh post discount).

My office is 25 km from home, on the noida expressway. So the daily drive will include 10kms each way on the expressway at close to 100kmph. Since l be spending quite a bit of time on the road, I need a car that's fun to drive.

I liked the i20 the best since I'm looking for a high powered car. But it had the highest turbo lag among the three and I'm worried about how big a problem it will be. Also, reading the i20 thread gives one an impression that maintenance costs are quite steep. The third concern is regarding rumours that an updated model may be round the corner. Also, era has the fewest goodies.

The second choice is the grand i10. I totally loved the features list and the interiors but I found it underpowered. I don't know how it's performance on the expressway is going to be like since the td is restricted for the time being to around the showroom. Also, I already own a 1.1 litre i10 era for the past six years so maybe I should look for some variety?

The last choice is the swift. Best handling but lacks the wow factor of grand i10. Plus the dungeon like back seat and tiny boot are a worry.

What do you guys suggest? Does it make sense to go for an i20 at this stage? Should I go with the tried and tested swift or opt for the funky grand i10? Please note all other options have been weighed and eliminated for purely personal reasons.

Thanks in advance

[ampere]

Originally Posted by naru

I liked the i20 the best since I'm looking for a high powered car. But it had the highest turbo lag among the three and I'm worried about how big a problem it will be. Also, reading the i20 thread gives one an impression that maintenance costs are quite steep. The third concern is regarding rumours that an updated model may be round the corner. Also, era has the fewest goodies.

Not sure when is the I20 facelift in the line. But of the of the given list, I still think I20 diesel makes a lot of sense. Space, equipments and engine. Yes, there may be lag, but I think you should get over it.

Now, as to the fun to drive car, that I think you define, what is fun to drive. Don't know how many on a daily basis drive at 80-100 on a corner. I think more than drive, the only point against is the soft suspension. You should look at that aspect more than anything else.

[ghodlur]

Originally Posted by naru

I need a car that's fun to drive.

Now this is a surprising requirement considering the shortlisted cars. Except for the swift which may meet the requirement somewhat I feel you need to inlcude two more cars in the list. Ford Figo Titanium and Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic. I would suggest to test drive these two to actually know what a FTD car is.

i20 is a bling bling car (no offence meant to owners), Grand i10 is a new offering plagued with old Hyundai issues of suspensions. Swift is now boring.

[naru]

Originally Posted by ampere

Not sure when is the I20 facelift in the line. But of the of the given list, I still think I20 diesel makes a lot of sense. Space, equipments and engine. Yes, there may be lag, but I think you should get over it.

Now, as to the fun to drive car, that I think you define, what is fun to drive. Don't know how many on a daily basis drive at 80-100 on a corner. I think more than drive, the only point against is the soft suspension. You should look at that aspect more than anything else.

I sure won't be doing 80-100 around a corner anytime soon for me with my limited driving experience, fun to drive will be something that is the opposite of an i10. In Connaught Place it is acceptable, but on the noida expressway it feels underpowered, flimsy, mediocre. Doing 100 there is no thrills or surge of power, only boredom.

That is one reason I'm gravitating towards i20 with its bigger engine and more power.

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Now this is a surprising requirement considering the shortlisted cars. Except for the swift which may meet the requirement somewhat I feel you need to inlcude two more cars in the list. Ford Figo Titanium and Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic. I would suggest to test drive these two to actually know what a FTD car is.

i20 is a bling bling car (no offence meant to owners), Grand i10 is a new offering plagued with old Hyundai issues of suspensions. Swift is now boring.

Punto is not being considered because I want a hassle free ownership experience. I'm tding the figo later today, but the missus don't like the looks.

also a little bling never hurt anyone. I'm a total sucker for grand i10s push button start and self folding mirrors

[sinharishi]

Originally Posted by naru

My office is 25 km from home, on the noida expressway. So the daily drive will include 10kms each way on the expressway at close to 100kmph.

Naru, assuming that the noida expressway you mentioned here is the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway here's my suggestion :

For that 20 kms daily close to "100 Kmph" on "NOIDA EXPRESSWAY" you should look for a hatch that offers ABS and AIRBAGS.

The way people drive their cars on this so called expressway is just crazy!

Plus,

Your daily drive would be 50 Kms, right? Why you looking for a diesel? Why not get a top end Grand i10/Swift petrol? Both of them have sufficient power and offers ABS and Airbags too.

[naru]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

Naru, assuming that the noida expressway you mentioned here is the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway here's my suggestion :

For that 20 kms daily close to "100 Kmph" on "NOIDA EXPRESSWAY" you should look for a hatch that offers ABS and AIRBAGS.

The way people drive their cars on this so called expressway is just crazy!

Plus,

Your daily drive would be 50 Kms, right? Why you looking for a diesel? Why not get a top end Grand i10/Swift? Both of them have sufficient power and offers ABS and Airbags too.

Yes it is the noida-greater noida expressway with all kinds on driving madness on display.

I want the safety features but for some strange reason you need to first pay for chrome plating on various parts, a rubbish stereo, push button start, keyless entry and all kind of sundry and unnecessary gizmos before you can opt for abs and airbags, making them unaffordable.

Yes, I will be driving 50km daily. With EMI (I'm buying on company lease) and fuel cost combined, diesel is working out to be cheaper for me.

[Epic]

Originally Posted by Altocumulus

What about the Polo Comfortline 1.2 Petrol ? The Comfortline comes with ABS and Airbags and is around 6L. Are the service and maintenance costs very high or is it manageable ?

The Polo is an amazing car and I am saying this as I have always been a Maruti loyalist until I bought the Polo. I have also realized that Marutis maybe cheaper to buy (as they lack the quality and finesse) and are assumed to be cheaper to maintain but believe me I have moved from a Maruti (Japanese - cheaper to maintain) to a Volkswagen (German - more expensive to maintain) and do not regret it for a single day.

I had bought my Swift Vxi in 2005 for 4.7 lakhs on road and this car started showing signs of corrosion with in three years of ownership. I bought my Polo 1.6 in 2012 for 7.4 lakhs on road and it comes with a 06 year anti corrosion warranty. This is something Maruti cannot offer till today even though they have been in the market since forever! That is the difference in quality between the two companies.

Yes to maintain the Polo is much higher as compared to the Swift. I pay around 11k to service my Polo which needs to be done once a year or 15k kms where as I used to pay around 4k to service my Swift which was every 10k kms which also means that it was twice a year. So in reality, the difference is not much for the quality that you get.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by naru

Yes, I will be driving 50km daily. With EMI (I'm buying on company lease) and fuel cost combined, diesel is working out to be cheaper for me.

I would suggest Ritz or Swift in it is ZDi avatar. I have a similar usage pattern but more driving - 110 kms a day.

Had a Ritz for 3 years clicking 1 lakh kms will nil issues in maintanence. Very happy with the car and MASS. So sold it off and now I own a Swift ZDi which has now clocked 11500 kms in 4 months.

Both the cars are extremely comfortable but yes the Swift lacks in space and boot size which is a problem if you use it for outstation trips. If used single then Swift will do it else look at Ritz ZDi.

The other car I suggest is a Polo GT TDI.

Anurag.

[naru]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

I would suggest Ritz or Swift in it is ZDi avatar. I have a similar usage pattern but more driving - 110 kms a day.

Had a Ritz for 3 years clicking 1 lakh kms will nil issues in maintanence. Very happy with the car and MASS. So sold it off and now I own a Swift ZDi which has now clocked 11500 kms in 4 months.

Both the cars are extremely comfortable but yes the Swift lacks in space and boot size which is a problem if you use it for outstation trips. If used single then Swift will do it else look at Ritz ZDi.

The other car I suggest is a Polo GT TDI.

Anurag.

80% of the time I'll be the sole occupant in the car. It's the other 20% time when I have to ferry parents/relatives/luggage that the space crunch will pinch.

Ritz is not being considered purely for subjective reasons. I just don't like how it looks. Polo is way out of my budget.

[Abh1nav]

Originally Posted by H_Dogg72

Can I just add one thing ?
Get a variant with ABS and AIRBAGS.

You'll regret not getting them. They're lifesavers. ABS works at speeds as low as 10km/hr during the rain or equally slippery/ low traction surface.

Unfortunately, my budget doesn't permit me to go for the MJD Punto Dynamic variant, as it is 1 lakh higher than the Active one.

On the other hand, if I consider the Figo 1.4 Zxi, which just falls in my budget, even that offers only the driver's side airbag. No ABS on the Zxi as well.

[naru]

I TDed the Figo today.

Though it's a refreshing change from a rollicking tall-boy ride (I own an i10 era), the car itself (exteriors, interiors, quality, fit and finish) feels painfully dated and is crying out for a refresh. Buying something like this is like time travelling back to 2010.

Top-end Titanium (white) with ABS, airbags and alloys is being quoted at 6.4 lakh after discounts.

Guys please advice: Which is best bet for stability and power at high speeds combined with ease of driving in bumper to bumper traffic. I've shortlisted i20 crdi era, swift vdi and grand i10 sportz crdi. Since Im unable to TD them for a longer distance I am unsure about i20's turbo lag and Grand i10's punny engine. Swift just has a space problem.

All help will be greatly appreciated.