New car for a beginer

rajshenoy · 13th February 2007, 18:20

Hi all,
i have been a member of team-bhp for the obvious reason. to get a good feedback to buy my first car.
Well, about me, i learnt driving very recently by going to a driving school but am fairly confident about driving.(needs practise thats all)
so with this statement, let me list my requirements
1. Average distance traveled per month
1000-1500 kms. including a Long drive 700 kms once in a month
Basically i want the car for weekend use as i will hardly be using it on weekdays(my office is 1 km from home)
but i travel to mangalore very often..planning to take my baby whenever i do(Bangalore-mangalore)
2. Price range
4-5(though 5 will be really difficult)
3. Where car will be mostly used
Highways and Bangalore city.(Rough roads mainly...lol)
4. Expectations
-Hassle free car(as its my first car)
- Good maintenance / after sales support
- Should have some way to help if stuck on the road / highway
5. Usage
-self driven(i dont need too much of power)
- city driving: 5 people with shopping bags(guests and shopping bags)
-highways: max four adults(but with luggage)
6. Other requirements?
- rear seat comfort(Santro/Swift)!!!!
- FE.(to be noted that i will mainly be using it on highways...and weekend city drives.)

7. Fuel type
Diesel/petrol?

I dont mind keeping the car for looooooong time if it serves all the above needs..so i want a car which is reliable in the long run as well
let me list the concerns about some of the cars that i have considered
1.Swift
good car, but heard its expensive to maintain, also the rear seat comfort.since i am a new driver, i will not be revving it hard anyways
2.Xeta
A.S.S?, quality of the car?, since i plan to keep the car for long time, worried abt life of the car
3.WagonR
i like this car, but how will this perform on highways?
4.Santro
good car, but again, heard abt the bumpy ride
5.Zen
same as wagonR, so same question
6. GETZ
heard the FE is terrible(i expect something like 12+ in city and 15+ on highways)
7.renault logan
i am eagerly waiting for this one..but dunno when it will be out...
8.good old maruti esteem
Suits most of my requirements,but in the long run, if car gets phased out, i am worried abt the maintainance,spares cost etc..
9.Fiat palio
most of the ppl here are fans of palio(but then its 1.6) how about 1.2 ?

Moderators, i know that we have too many threads in what car section, but then looking at my requirements, i feel i have listed all the possible cars in the price range. so if this thread continues, we may see a lot of help for future car buyers as well. as we will see the pros and cons of most of the cars a middle class person can think of.
So fellows, please give me your support in deciding which car to buy

Thanks in advance

Raj

sajo · 13th February 2007, 20:03

Close your eyes and go for the WagonR VXi. Preferably with the ABS/airbags option. It fits your requirements well. Highway performance is better than the Santro I have heard.

DCEite · 13th February 2007, 20:14

Many many such threads exist about the first car. I suggest you use the search feature.
My personal vote goes for wagonR without any shadow of doubt.

rajshenoy · 14th February 2007, 09:30

Thanks guys...

i have searched most of the threads..and thats how i got confused

Well, atleast by looking at your replies, i will be able to narrow down my options

Well, many people have told that WagonR is a good car....

But as my requirements were for more weekend, highway usage, i am concerned with power of the car

To go to bangalore-mangalore, one has to cross western ghats. how will this car perform when loaded with 4+luggage (with AC)

can someone tell me about the highway performance of the WagonR?

13th February 2007, 18:20	#1
rajshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,884 Thanked: 2,229 Times View My Garage	New car for a beginer Hi all, i have been a member of team-bhp for the obvious reason. to get a good feedback to buy my first car. Well, about me, i learnt driving very recently by going to a driving school but am fairly confident about driving.(needs practise thats all) so with this statement, let me list my requirements 1. Average distance traveled per month 1000-1500 kms. including a Long drive 700 kms once in a month Basically i want the car for weekend use as i will hardly be using it on weekdays(my office is 1 km from home) but i travel to mangalore very often..planning to take my baby whenever i do(Bangalore-mangalore) 2. Price range 4-5(though 5 will be really difficult) 3. Where car will be mostly used Highways and Bangalore city.(Rough roads mainly...lol) 4. Expectations -Hassle free car(as its my first car) - Good maintenance / after sales support - Should have some way to help if stuck on the road / highway 5. Usage -self driven(i dont need too much of power) - city driving: 5 people with shopping bags(guests and shopping bags) -highways: max four adults(but with luggage) 6. Other requirements? - rear seat comfort(Santro/Swift)!!!! - FE.(to be noted that i will mainly be using it on highways...and weekend city drives.) 7. Fuel type Diesel/petrol? I dont mind keeping the car for looooooong time if it serves all the above needs..so i want a car which is reliable in the long run as well let me list the concerns about some of the cars that i have considered 1.Swift good car, but heard its expensive to maintain, also the rear seat comfort.since i am a new driver, i will not be revving it hard anyways 2.Xeta A.S.S?, quality of the car?, since i plan to keep the car for long time, worried abt life of the car 3.WagonR i like this car, but how will this perform on highways? 4.Santro good car, but again, heard abt the bumpy ride 5.Zen same as wagonR, so same question 6. GETZ heard the FE is terrible(i expect something like 12+ in city and 15+ on highways) 7.renault logan i am eagerly waiting for this one..but dunno when it will be out... 8.good old maruti esteem Suits most of my requirements,but in the long run, if car gets phased out, i am worried abt the maintainance,spares cost etc.. 9.Fiat palio most of the ppl here are fans of palio(but then its 1.6) how about 1.2 ? Moderators, i know that we have too many threads in what car section, but then looking at my requirements, i feel i have listed all the possible cars in the price range. so if this thread continues, we may see a lot of help for future car buyers as well. as we will see the pros and cons of most of the cars a middle class person can think of. So fellows, please give me your support in deciding which car to buy Thanks in advance Raj
	() Thanks

13th February 2007, 20:03	#2
sajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,625 Thanked: 1,153 Times	Close your eyes and go for the WagonR VXi. Preferably with the ABS/airbags option. It fits your requirements well. Highway performance is better than the Santro I have heard.
	() Thanks

13th February 2007, 20:14	#3
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,413 Thanked: 2,517 Times	Many many such threads exist about the first car. I suggest you use the search feature. My personal vote goes for wagonR without any shadow of doubt.
	() Thanks

14th February 2007, 09:30	#4
rajshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,884 Thanked: 2,229 Times View My Garage	Thanks guys... i have searched most of the threads..and thats how i got confused Well, atleast by looking at your replies, i will be able to narrow down my options Well, many people have told that WagonR is a good car.... But as my requirements were for more weekend, highway usage, i am concerned with power of the car To go to bangalore-mangalore, one has to cross western ghats. how will this car perform when loaded with 4+luggage (with AC) can someone tell me about the highway performance of the WagonR?
	() Thanks