Which hatchback to buy from the current availible?

harryc · 23rd April 2007, 20:16

I have few questions about buying my first hatchback car :

1. I am looking for a family car to be able to accommodate 5 adults on a frequent basis. I want to buy something from the B Segment (like Swift/ Getz), however i havent made my mind yet! Because of the engine power difference, would it be a problem if i buy a Wagon R or a Santro ?(If not, which of them is better?)

2. Now this is the most important – HEADROOM – Which hatchback around the 4 - 5 L budget has ample head room, as I am 6'3" tall? I also wear a turban (+ 2") and this adds to the pain of driving most of the small cars available in indian market. Would Maruti Suzuki's Swift be comfortable to drive? I am open to other cars too!

3. I'll not drive this car for more than 15000 Kms per year, which will be mostly within the city.

4. I am not looking to buy a sedan as I have limited parking space. One more important consideration where narrow parking space in streets and traffic congestion within the city are factors.

5. As this is my first car and i dont have much driving experience, Would you recommend buying a year old car instead of a new one? If yes, approx. how much genuine kilometers should it have?

Thank you so very much for your valuable assistance in choosing my first car. I sincerely wish you and TEAM - BHP all the very best!

goldie_malhotra · 24th April 2007, 09:59

Hey Harry, why not also bring the Ford Fusion into consideration.

It provides excellent space for 5 adults with a decent ride, and had enough roof height to accomodate you. It is quite peppy to drive around in the city and the highway, and can take on a decent share of bad-roads.

FE may be a bit lesser than Swift/Getz, but it may not be a big issue with your low usage. You may also want to check out its resale value, which is low.

arunforu1 · 24th April 2007, 10:03

Hi harry,

if your prime consideration is space & headroom then swift is out.

Look for getz, Indica might be a good option if you dont suffer from taxi syndrome.

Ford fusion is bit bigger on budget.wagon R too provide decent space.

for sitting 5, getz & indica makes sense in hatchbacks.

srishiva · 24th April 2007, 10:13

Buy a second hand Indica/Fusion.

rishibravo · 24th April 2007, 10:18

Why hasnt anyone suggested him a Palio . You can also look at the Palio Adventure Harry

raajks · 24th April 2007, 10:21

Since its your first car,
Alto can be a good start
Palio, would be a good option... if you plan to keep it for a min of 2 years

Hellcat · 24th April 2007, 10:25

Harry... why not consider the upgraded Palio Stile also.

typeOnegative · 24th April 2007, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by rishibravo

Why hasnt anyone suggested him a Palio .

You kidding me right?

@harryc

From your requirements it seems the Getz is a good option. Swift is good, however I don't know if it will seat 5 people comfortably. The other hatch that comes to mind is the Indigo Xeta/GLX. Also do check out the U-VA. Don't know if you will like it though.

navdeep · 24th April 2007, 10:32

Looking at your requirements, Swift is definately out and Fusion is out of budget. Only option you have are Getz , Palio and Indica. Drive each of them and decide as per price, brand , FE and value.

navdeep · 24th April 2007, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Indigo Xeta/GLX

You mean Indica .. right

benbsb29 · 24th April 2007, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by raajks

Since its your first car,
Alto can be a good start
Palio, would be a good option... if you plan to keep it for a min of 2 years

Raj,
Harryc has mentioned he requires ample headroom, as he's 6 feet 3 inchess tall, and also wears a turban. I am sure an Alto would require him to stoop inside the car.

Guys, taking his height into consideration, isnt one of the tallboy cars more suited for him? Not making any suggestions, as I am not sure about the headroom available in the cars he has mentioned.

typeOnegative · 24th April 2007, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by navdeep

You mean Indica .. right

Yes I do, thanks. Silly me. @harryc, Indica, not Indigo.

devarshi84 · 24th April 2007, 10:35

I personally dont buy a used car and wouldnt recommend buying one either.

While Fusion and SRV are the biggest hatches available right now, you can go for Getz or U-VA for considerable space. hyundai has a big name in India and GM is no.1 worldwide.

Fiat is a good option but I certainly wouldnt recommend that to a new user. Sales and service while improving leaps and bounds, its still ages away to meet the best.

According to me aveo uv-a or getz it is.

typeOnegative · 24th April 2007, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Guys, taking his height into consideration, isnt one of the tallboy cars more suited for him? Not makign any suggestions, as I am not sure about the headroom available in the cars he has mentioned.

Yes. I first thought WagonR, but there is a requirement of lugging 5 people around, and while I trust the WagonR engine, I don't know if the WagonR breadbox is the best place for 5 people to be cooped in.

rishibravo · 24th April 2007, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

You kidding me right?

May I dare to ask whats wrong with a Palio. And please not dont start with the usual poor A.S.S and all. we are talking about space and capacity to seat 5 people right??

23rd April 2007, 20:16	#1
harryc Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	Which hatchback to buy from the current availible? I have few questions about buying my first hatchback car : 1. I am looking for a family car to be able to accommodate 5 adults on a frequent basis. I want to buy something from the B Segment (like Swift/ Getz), however i havent made my mind yet! Because of the engine power difference, would it be a problem if i buy a Wagon R or a Santro ?(If not, which of them is better?) 2. Now this is the most important – HEADROOM – Which hatchback around the 4 - 5 L budget has ample head room, as I am 6'3" tall? I also wear a turban (+ 2") and this adds to the pain of driving most of the small cars available in indian market. Would Maruti Suzuki's Swift be comfortable to drive? I am open to other cars too! 3. I'll not drive this car for more than 15000 Kms per year, which will be mostly within the city. 4. I am not looking to buy a sedan as I have limited parking space. One more important consideration where narrow parking space in streets and traffic congestion within the city are factors. 5. As this is my first car and i dont have much driving experience, Would you recommend buying a year old car instead of a new one? If yes, approx. how much genuine kilometers should it have? Thank you so very much for your valuable assistance in choosing my first car. I sincerely wish you and TEAM - BHP all the very best!
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 09:59	#2
goldie_malhotra BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 757 Thanked: 12 Times	Hey Harry, why not also bring the Ford Fusion into consideration. It provides excellent space for 5 adults with a decent ride, and had enough roof height to accomodate you. It is quite peppy to drive around in the city and the highway, and can take on a decent share of bad-roads. FE may be a bit lesser than Swift/Getz, but it may not be a big issue with your low usage. You may also want to check out its resale value, which is low.
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:03	#3
arunforu1 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 254 Thanked: 7 Times	Hi harry, if your prime consideration is space & headroom then swift is out. Look for getz, Indica might be a good option if you dont suffer from taxi syndrome. Ford fusion is bit bigger on budget.wagon R too provide decent space. for sitting 5, getz & indica makes sense in hatchbacks. Last edited by arunforu1 : 24th April 2007 at 10:18.
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:13	#4
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	Buy a second hand Indica/Fusion.
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:18	#5
rishibravo BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 579 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Why hasnt anyone suggested him a Palio . You can also look at the Palio Adventure Harry
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:21	#6
raajks BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 578 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	Since its your first car, Alto can be a good start Palio, would be a good option... if you plan to keep it for a min of 2 years
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:25	#7
Hellcat BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 222 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Harry... why not consider the upgraded Palio Stile also.
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:32	#9
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	Looking at your requirements, Swift is definately out and Fusion is out of budget. Only option you have are Getz , Palio and Indica. Drive each of them and decide as per price, brand , FE and value.
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 10:35	#13
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	I personally dont buy a used car and wouldnt recommend buying one either. While Fusion and SRV are the biggest hatches available right now, you can go for Getz or U-VA for considerable space. hyundai has a big name in India and GM is no.1 worldwide. Fiat is a good option but I certainly wouldnt recommend that to a new user. Sales and service while improving leaps and bounds, its still ages away to meet the best. According to me aveo uv-a or getz it is.
	() Thanks