[harishpr]

Dear all,
This is for the 2nd car and the primary user is my wife. She wants a simple, easy to operate, small, automatic car. Her main demand is 'ease of drive' and all-round visibility. Budget is 8 Lakhs max.

We took test drive of Santro AMT, Kwid AMT, Spresso AMT. The AMT as such didn't impress me and was quite irritating (i drive a Beemer, so expectations are unreal!). Out of the 3 TDs, my wife liked Spresso due to high seating position, and I too was fine as it has option to shift to manual mode.

While randomly searching on carwale, came across Datsun Go CVT (The ONLY CVT car under 8 Lakhs On road in Bangalore). The youtube reviews were positive and even compared with Wagon-R. I called Nissan dealer in Marathahalli and he has no display car or even test drive car. As per him, CVT sells in low numbers and they have no stock. With Magnite coming up, all of Nissan/Datsun factory is busy producing those. Even if i book (without a test drive), the expected delivery date is end of January. The best they could offer is to let me take TD of Micra (that has same CVT box) that belongs to their manager.

Resale is not an issue as we plan to keep this one for atleast 10 years.


My mind says CVT is anyday better than AMT, and Datsun Go seems like a spacious vehicle with value-for-money. However, the October Sales report shows Datsun Go selling in double digit, while Spresso selling in 4 digit volume !

Therefore, my dilemma is whether to go for the more popular option (Spresso AMT) though the driving pleasure is compromised, or go with least popular option (Datsun Go CVT) which appears a good package on paper ?

[Tapish]

Won't recommend either. Both are structurally not sound and you don't want to be sitting in one if something untoward happens. Stick to Santro AMT, Tiago AMT or IGNIS AMT for peace of mind.

[chiefpk]

IMHO, if you have a budget of 8 lacs on road, go for the Tiago XZA. Its loaded, safe and an excellent comfortable hatch. Take a TD and you will be thoroughly impressed. I would stick away from Maruti's due to their fragile and soft nature.

[DCEite]

Originally Posted by chiefpk

IMHO, if you have a budget of 8 lacs on road, go for the Tiago XZA. Its loaded, safe and an excellent comfortable hatch. Take a TD and you will be thoroughly impressed. I would stick away from Maruti's due to their fragile and soft nature.

+1.

Tiago XZA comes across as a complete package - offering good safety, after sales (compared to Nissan/Datsun), ease of driving and features.

The Tiago XZA comes with manual mode as well so you can use manual mode if AMT bores you.

I don't know about now but when i purchased my Tigor XZA 3 yrs back both Tiago and Tigor AMT used to come with Sports mode. Not sure if its still present. Helps a lot in city performance.

My next best bet in the AMT segment would be the IGNIS AMT. Build quality is not bad as other Marutis and quite liveable. Carries the Ritz legacy somewhat well.

[Tachyonites]

With a budget of 8 Lakhs OTR, I would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta 1.2 CVT. IMO going for a Baleno is better in ways like -
1. CVT gearbox - Its good for city driving and is much more smoother and refined compared to a jerk AMT in the S-presso.
2. A bigger car - With more space on the inside and much better drivability.
3. Engine - the 1.2 litre petrol is a delight to drive and is super refined.
4. Its better built than say an S-presso.

My advise would be to get a Baleno but this Delta base model would not get as many goodies as an S-presso or Datsun top model.
So if its ok to live without these goodies then the Baleno should do the deal.

Hope this helps,
Happy hunting

[RavSam]

Originally Posted by Tapish

Stick to Santro AMT, Tiago AMT or IGNIS AMT for peace of mind.

Won't agree with Santro with its Zero star crash rating, Ignis is a good option.

Tiago is safe but based purely on online video reviews the gearbox isn't as tweaked constantly as Maruti Suzuki does for making it a bit more reliable and better than its previous iteration.

I would still recommend the Ignis followed by S-Presso tied with Tiago. The Datsun is expensive with that CVT gearbox.

[samuelv]

Originally Posted by Tachyonites

With a budget of 8 Lakhs OTR, I would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta 1.2 CVT.

Baleno delta CVT in Bangalore cost 9.38 OTR.
If AMT is the consideration, you could try the Hyundai's as their AMTs are much much superior. Santro AMT and NIOS AMT is something you can test drive and check.

TATA Tiago is still a gamble. Although a very competitive product, After sales is still far from desirable.

At Maruti, you could check out the Swift VXI AMT and the Ignis AMT (if the high seating position matters a lot)

[harishpr]

Originally Posted by chiefpk

IMHO, if you have a budget of 8 lacs on road, go for the Tiago XZA. Its loaded, safe and an excellent comfortable hatch. Take a TD and you will be thoroughly impressed. I would stick away from Maruti's due to their fragile and soft nature.

Originally Posted by DCEite

+1.

Tiago XZA comes across as a complete package - offering good safety, after sales (compared to Nissan/Datsun), ease of driving and features.

The Tiago XZA comes with manual mode as well so you can use manual mode if AMT bores you.

I don't know about now but when i purchased my Tigor XZA 3 yrs back both Tiago and Tigor AMT used to come with Sports mode. Not sure if its still present. Helps a lot in city performance.

My next best bet in the AMT segment would be the IGNIS AMT. Build quality is not bad as other Marutis and quite liveable. Carries the Ritz legacy somewhat well.

Thanks for the alternate option. Tata tiago didn't occur to me as I had kept Tata out of mind ( thanks to my previous ownership with the Manza and poor quality). I will certainly check the tiago as there is enough proof now that Tata's new products are superb. I really wish Altroz had AT Option.

Originally Posted by Tachyonites

With a budget of 8 Lakhs OTR, I would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta 1.2 CVT. IMO going for a Baleno is better in ways like -
1. CVT gearbox - Its good for city driving and is much more smoother and refined compared to a jerk AMT in the S-presso.
2. A bigger car - With more space on the inside and much better drivability.
3. Engine - the 1.2 litre petrol is a delight to drive and is super refined.
4. Its better built than say an S-presso.

My advise would be to get a Baleno but this Delta base model would not get as many goodies as an S-presso or Datsun top model.
So if its ok to live without these goodies then the Baleno should do the deal.

Hope this helps,
Happy hunting

Baleno is out of my budget of 8 lakhs. I love it's look though.

[RavSam]

Originally Posted by RavSam

Won't agree with Santro with its Zero star crash rating, Ignis is a good option.

I stand corrected. The Santro didn't score zero stars. Still, Ignis is the first choice and Tiago is the second. (Now that the S-Presso scored a duck )

[Tapish]

Originally Posted by harishpr

Baleno is out of my budget of 8 lakhs. I love it's look though.

If the budget is fixed, you may also want to look at the certified used car market. You will get a Jazz CVT or a Baleno CVT within 8. The Jazz CVT will easily last you 10 years or more and is a more refined and safe package.

[GTO]

Don't like the AMTs at all. Hence I would recommend the following:

- Baleno CVT

- i10 Nios AMT or Santro AMT (Hyundai AMTs are far smoother than Maruti or Tata AMTs)

Of course, if your wife is fine with the AMT, then go for the S-Presso eyes shut. Lovely city car. Nissan-Datsun's after sales is awful and they also suffer long wait periods for parts.

[shashi792]

Originally Posted by GTO

Don't like the AMTs at all. Hence I would recommend.
Of course, if your wife is fine with the AMT, then go for the S-Presso eyes shut. Lovely city car. Nissan-Datsun's after sales is awful and they also suffer long wait periods for parts.

I do not recommend a structurally unsafe car. If you were on a shoe string budget or someone gifted you that car, then it's a different thing.

This is a car which will ferry your family and loved ones. Its ok if it does not come with andriod auto or carplay.

Also, you service your car probably once a year (to poor ASS), but you drive the car everyday.

Better safe than be sorry. I would suggest Tata Tiago/Tigor or a pre-owned Jazz CVT (like others suggested).

[SaiSW]

If it certainly has to be one of the two, then ANYDAY the Datsun. Yes, the service network is not nearly as extensive as Maruti, but I would suggest you place the safety aspect over all of that, because the espresso scored a disappointing 0 stars, which I'm guessing you already know. I wouldn't recommend espresso to anyone ( infact I already made three people change their minds recently ).

Other than that, I would suggest you consider the Tiago and Santro AMTs. These cars in their top trims are pretty decently equipped and both are better built than the espresso, with the Tiago having the best build quality in the segment.

Some people suggested the Baleno here, it certainly is bigger and the CVT is smooth but you'll have to stretch your budget to above 8 lacs to get features like Android Auto/Carplay etc assuming you hold value over features such as that.

Nios is also a good option but it will cost a bit more than Santro AMT to get a variant with good features and that too scored only 2 stars in the crash test.

[akash_v12]

Usually wouldn't recommend going for any of the two. Both have scored ducks in the GNCAP tests and are not going to give you much confidence. I would recommend to go for the Tiago (4*), if possible. Otherwise, the only other contender here is the Nios (2*).

If you must stick to one of them, you'll be better off with the S-Presso (if you're okay with how it looks) due to the fact that it's a Maruti and Datsun's unclear future.

[eyeman]

There are lots of preowned Brios out there with ATs. A very handy and lovely car, especially in the city. What do you think?