Team-BHP - Ford Flair 1.3 or Palio Diesel 1.9

Hi!
I'm a newbie here, went through some of the posts in the forum and was really impressed at the depth of info available here.

I'm planning to buy a car by the end of this week, my budget is under 5 lakhs. Driving would be in the city around 40kms daily and once month on the Highway ~200kms.

I've heard diesel cars are only worth the moolah if your'e doing more than 100kms daily?? If it diesel then i'm sure to go for the Palio 1.6D . The Indica/Indigo would fit my budget but I wasn't impressed when I took the test ride. The Palio was really great!!

In the petrol side- Maruti, I drove the Esteem wasn't impressed, Swift seemed overpiced. Accent above my budget, Santro we already have one so I'm biased and Fiat, well I'm biased again, would go for Fiat only in case of diesel.
I drove the 'new' Flair 1.3, with the sporty look and a lot of other features (4 power windows, fog lamps, etc.) and really liked the driving. Great acceleration, maybe a tad sluggish with AC. Not to miss out the most comfy backseats ever sat on.

I'm from Chandigarh, where the Fiat dealer hasn't got a good reputation, especially availability of spares. I spoke to a few Palio owners and most of them haven't had the need for spares as the its just car's never given them that kind of trouble. The car's costing me 4.6L with free 10k as accessories. Its the base model, so no power windows and fog lamps. I could not probably get more but didn't squeeze the sales lady for more.
There are 2 ford dealers and the flair's priced at 4.69L with free 7.5k as accessories and 7.1k total maintenance plan for 2 yrs.

So now the big question. Which one would be better?

Although a diesel engine will prove real economical over petrol I am circumspect about the Palio. You do not want to buy a car that is not being well backed up by the manufacturer. If it requires any service help and the car has to remain parked in the garage for want of spares it won't make you very happy. Also, you yourself said that the Fiat dealership at your place is not that good. Remember that Tata is providing service to Fiat but the response is not that enthusiastic as they have their own axe to grind. Also, whatever support they are providing is more concentrated towards the Palio petrol car.

Of course with Ikon you are getting a sedan, an aging one albeit. Still at the current price I believe it is a steal. The car is also a good enthusiastic performer. Ok, not as good as its earlier bigger sibling, but still. Later if you want to sell it also it will fetch you a better value over the Palio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedbuster

sometimes
its a sedan!!, its a bigger car.
go for it dude!

Well, interior wise, Palio is more spacious than ikon! Ikon just has a slightly bigger boot....

And there is no uncertainty abt Fiat India. Post Fiat-Tata tieup, the sales of Palio has soared high and there are lotz of new Service centres to take care of your car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by finneyp

Well, interior wise, Palio is more spacious than ikon! Ikon just has a slightly bigger boot....

I don't think Palio is more spacious than Ford Ikon please: ...have to compare the specs..but didn't feel like it...The ride handling,comfort is equally good..
Mileage is the same and you have a start segment Sedan...for a little more price...20-25K..
By the way,the price of Ford Ikon mentioned here(4.69 L) :Shockked: seems to be the X-Showroom price...the On-road price would come to around 5.1 with discounts...just check ! refer my thread for more details...

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-c...6-verdict.html

I had recently compared Ford Ikon 1.3 and Palio 1.2/1.6 Petrol....and decided to go for Ford Ikon as I needed more space...its a decent Car..and I do not regret.

There are two types of people. Those who look at Fiat a/s/s and don't touch it with a barge pole, and those who love fiat cars so much they don't really give a damn to a/s/s. Both are right in their own ways. It depends on which side you belong to. I have hardly seen any fence sitters.

BTW, the Ford will return not more than 9 kmpl in the city (at least here in Mumbai). The Palio returns more than that. Esp the 1.9 diesel.

My choice is 1.6 sport (petrol). Ultimately it is all about what sets your heart aflutter.

I could not probably get more but didn't squeeze the sales lady for more.
[/quote]

It all depends where you sqeezed her for the added benefits but my advice would be to take the test drive of the Palio 1.6 sports available for 4.6 lakhs. If you take a test drive of that beast you are bound to forget the 1.3 Flair for good. On second thoughts have youtaken a drive of the Baleno too. Bye and wear your seatbelts.

I had all these thoughts that virsingh now has, a year back, when I decided to buy a car. Took the bold decision and went for the palio 1.9 D ELX. That was one of the best decisions I had taken in my life..

Nice car, more spacious than many of the start segment sedans. It has a bigger engine and performs well too. Well the performance may to be at par to the Crdi's but its not bad as well. Good fuel efficiency, lots and lots of space, comfortable ride, and it feels safe..not like the meeky tinbox versions of the startup sedans.

Post Tata-Fiat tie up service is no problem as there is atleast one tata delaer doing the service for fiats. and they do sevice for Diesel fiats too...I couldnt ask for more from my car..100% satisfied, I am.

And my friend its not 1.6L its 1.9L. The 1.6L one is the petrol one with around 100 bhp..thats another beast to be tamed.