Re: The "NEW" Car Price Check Thread - Track Price Changes, Discounts, Offers & Deals Guys, in the market for a new petrol car; we are 5+1kid in the family. Our need is mostly city driving (max 15,000 km/year), including an occasional annual trip (2 max) to nearby Pune, etc. For long out-station trips I tend to use a rented vehicle. ABS+airbags are an absolute must, and if good build quality is available in the budget we have, nothing like it. With this in mind, I am looking at the Ertiga ZXi as an option, though a slight but definite neglect on build quality. However, with the new announcement, cross-shopping for the Liva V is food for thought for the following reasons, although its tin-can build quality is likely to end up being a major no-go. I am fully aware that I am comparing two different segments here, but believe me, all of us end up doing it when looking at specific needs of our families and the vehicles that suit them. - The Liva V comes with ABS+dual airbags at an ex-showroom price of 5.3 lakhs. The Ertiga ZXi is 7.75 lakhs ex-showroom.
- The low GC and the slighly lower back bench space for 3 adults are the only thing that go against the Figo petrol Titanium, though it makes up on build quality, ride, and handling. Besides it costs 5.3 lakhs ex-showroom Mumbai, similar to the Liva V, and being the fully loaded Titanium has the luxury of more features like the bluetooth than the Liva V. So the Figo Titanium is a definite option to the Liva, with great discounts being offered by Ford presently.
- The Polo also comes with dual air bags as standard, although gives the ABS a miss except the top variant. The Liva is definitely more spacious at the back for three people compared to the Polo. Moreover the VW is more expensive on road and to maintain, most certainly if compared to Toyota, and most likely compared to an Ertiga.
- Other hatchbacks (Punto, i20, Grand i10, Swift) in the price range of Liva V either miss out on the safety, or on space, both are key requirements. For this and reasons pertaining to the engine given below, they are not considered in this qualitative cost benefit analysis.
- With a cost difference between the 5.3 Lakhs for the Liva V and 7.75 lakhs for the Ertiga ZXi, the EMI for an assumed 4 year period goes down from 20.2k to 13.5k, with an interest saving of ~ 60k. This on top of the ~2.55 lakhs saving on road on choosing the Liva or the Figo. This takes the total savings to 4.15 lakhs which includes interest earned on the 2.55 lakhs for 4 years loan period (i.e. opportunity cost).
- Both the Ertiga and the Liva would not score on build quality as a Ford or a Fiat or a VW.
Coming to the engines, I believe in the premium hatchback segment there is a genuine dearth of good petrol engines, and given than there is a positive shift towards petrol with fuel subsidies on diesel ending: - The Ertiga scores here with the K14 compared to both the Liva and the Figo, which is obvious given its larger size. But it also scores on engine refinement, low end throttle response and city drivability.
- The Liva petrol suffers less of the engine noise filtering inside the cabin compared to its diesel sibling. Its performance though is strictly average.
- Likewise the Figo petrol performance is strictly average.
- Although other hatchbacks are not being considered here, (and thus slightly off-topic) Fiat Punto 1.4 L petrol is expensive; it costs only ~20k less than the 1.3 l MJD and its fuel efficiency and performance are not exactly inspiring. The i20, just like the Punto, is way to heavy for its petrol. The result is lackluster performance from both. The swift is not exactly heavy given its build quality, and the K12 fares decent. The Polo three pot is not really inspiring. One has to go to the expensive GT TSi to really get an engine, which comes with its own DSG problems though. Another reason not to include them in my list
Summarizing, the question is: does it makes sense to stretch the budget to the Ertiga, given its bigger size and the advantages and disadvantages that come with it in a city like Mumbai, or to close the thoughts and go for smaller Liva/Figo.
I think the Ertiga wins though I may end up spending a sizable amount (~ 4.1 lakhs) on it in total.
Let me know your thoughts guys.
P.S. Mods, trust this is the right thread to discuss this. A quick search suggested this thread as appropriate. |