Hi,
The title pretty much sums it up. Our family finally decided to upgrade from our 6 years/70,000kms old IndigoCS TDI to something a bit more modern and driveable. Of course, the first stop was at Tata Motors, as they were the most likely to give a good exchange price and bonus for our current car. The Bolt was too small, and the Zest was just about perfect, but in the end, we thought we'd go for something a bit more classy, and less Taxi-prone, this time.
We decided to get a premium hatch rather than a compact sedan, so that we wouldn't have to compromise on features for the size. The boot in our car has been useful, but I have to admit that most of the time, it was just there to look the part and add that sedan shape and length.
Our budget is 8.5 lacs at most, and it has to be diesel, as we like to go on long weekend trips. This means that the i20 Elite, the Jazz and the Polo were out, as they don't have a diesel model with ABS/Airbags in the price range. The Baleno, which has ABS and Airbags in every variant, and had almost all the features in the Delta variant, fit the bill. The Figo Titanium too, comes within this range, and so does the Punto Evo 90HP, after discounts (Originally 9.13 lacs).
I'm yet to drive the Figo diesel, but it promises to be an entertaining engine, although I'm not too crazy about the tiny wheels and the overall size, as it feels like a downgrade from our compact sedan, size and space-wise. But, if the engine and handling is entertaining enough to make me forget all this, then I'd happily overlook everything else. It's a fresh design, and very butch, with the big grille and muscled fenders and hood.
I've been hearing good things about the Baleno diesel, but I've only driven the Alpha petrol model. A friend who owns a Swift diesel VDi had driven the DDiS and said it felt similar, if a bit less agile. My family didn't think that the interiors were worth the price, and even though it was a fairly big car, and the design was fresh, they weren't as taken with the size and the shape as I was. I thought it was a mature looking design, and overall, a very nice package with the peace of mind and value associated with MSIL. They thought it was poorly finished, with a weird looking grille, mismatched lights, and far too noisy inside when revved, for a petrol. For the record, my sister has a Punto diesel, and both my dad and my sis are mad for it.
Then, on the way to the Nexa showroom to check out the Baleno, a temptress in white and red livery beckoned from the road side. It was the Fiat showroom, and the Abarth was parked outside. I don't even remember parking the car, or getting out, or walking to the vision of beauty, but in a moment, there was a lady in a suit by my side, greeting me, and asking me which model I was interested in, would I like a drink, and introducing me to a sales guy.
My family had followed me, possibly to make sure I was alright, and were already checking out the Punto Evo in Tuscan Wine on display. After talking to Hemant, the young salesguy, I realised with a heavy heart that the lady in white (or black, I didn't care) was unattainable, and with a heavy heart and backward glances, turned my attention to her lesser sisters.
After a short discussion of features, and some time spent in the car, during which my dad and sis had nothing but praises for the interior, we thanked Hemant, exchanged numbers and contact details, and left to the Nexa showroom.
Today, Hemant called me and said that he could offer great discounts on the Punto Emotion and even the 90HP Sport, which would bring them within reach if my budget, if I stretched just a wee bit.
So here's the dilemma. I want to use this car for at least five years and then upgrade to an SUV or a big sedan, and I want it to fetch a reasonable price at the time. Considering that the Punto is an older design that has been facelifted in 2014, and that the Figo and Baleno are both new, I'm assuming that the Punto will have the worst resale. But my heart doesn't want to compromise on the fun of driving a great driver's car, just for the sake of a possibly better resale a few years down the line.
What are the pros and cons of each decision here? My heart (and my family) says to go for the Punto Emotion or the 90HP (about 45K more than the Emotion), but the mind says go for the reliable brand with low upkeep and good resale. I'll be driving the Figo diesel this weekend, and I can't say anything about it till then.
I usually drive at 80-95 kph on highways, a comfortable pace for the Indigo. I hated the turbo lag and slow initial acceleration, and the horrible gearbox, but I was pleased with the handling of the car, which was improved a lot by fitting 185 section tyres on negative offset wheels. I like driving my sister's Punto which is a 2012 Dynamic Multijet model, with the higher GC and thin tyres. Is the Evo a better version, and is it worth the extra 45K to go for the 90HP model? Or, should I go with the 100 PS Figo?
I've gone through the reviews, but there is no comparison between the 90HP and the 100PS Figo and the Baleno anywhere. Will the extra power and CC of the Figo be a match for the 90HP, and will the light weight of the Baleno offset it's lack or outright power?
Please post your views and frank opinions. I admit freely to being seduced by the Punto, but I feel like I need a wakeup call. I'm also open to any other suggestions. I have no brand loyalty, and just need the car to be safe and well equipped.