Heart says Swift, Pocket says Santro!

Rocky_Balboa · 5th June 2007, 14:58

Hi TBhpians,

Greetings from a confused member!
I have been talking to various members here about buying a new car (2nd Esteem or new Santro), almost decided on Xing XL considering the following factors:
a) max budget of 4L
b) easy on pocket for maintenance
c) good resale value
I was ready to invest 1L from my pocket and rest as EMI, a max of 8k at it.

However am surprised how an hour's test drive can change perspective, had a test drive of Swift today afternoon and ive fallen for it, I have been hating swift for its bulbous looks but a td vanished it all!

Heart says Swift (even though the td vehicle had been badly abused, i still loved the drive), Brain says Xing XL.

Confused! Someone please talk to me through this.
TChau,
+Rocky_Balboa+

tsk1979 · 5th June 2007, 15:43

As any car lover would say, let your heart rule.
5 years ago my head took a decision, I don't regret it most of the times, though some time I just wonder what was I thinking.
Just stating the facts for you. Rest its upto you.

That said, I am sure that you won't regret buying a swift over a santro, but a year later you may wonder why didn't you spend that little extra.

sithon · 5th June 2007, 15:47

are you considering only these 2 in your 4 L budget? There are more choices now - i think the Spark fits in the budget doesnt it?

benbsb29 · 5th June 2007, 15:48

Rocky, quite a difficult situation to be in this... buying a new car.
Go with your heart here. The Swift will not dissappoint. Its much better than going for a Santro and then lusting after any Swift you see (which is quite common nowadays!!).

EDIT :

Quote:

Still Less common than santro for sure

Ajay, he doesnt lust after the Santro.

Wimwian · 5th June 2007, 15:55

Rocky, I was in the exact same situation couple of months ago... was breaking my head over the choice between the Santro and the WagonR. Didn't like the rear end design of the Swift at all... so didn't even take a TD the first time I went to the Maruti showroom. Then one day my friend dragged me for a TD and guess what, 5 mins was all it took to clear my doubts... getting delivery of my Swift Vxi with ABS this weekend :-)

I didn't want a commuting vehicles, there'r enough cabs on the road for that... I wanted a car for doing what I love - driving! If u also fall into the same category, close ur eyes and go for the Swift...

Ajay_J · 5th June 2007, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Rocky, quite a difficult situation to be in this... buying a new car.
Go with your heart here. The Swift will not dissappoint. Its much better than going for a Santro and then lusting after any Swift you see (which is quite common nowadays!!).

Still Less common than santro for sure

. Rocky, Swift is definitely better car and slightly costlier too, but its worth the money.Test drive both of them more than once properly and note the differences. Extra moolah you spend can be considered as investment....you will get it back in form of resale value, which if well maintained Swift should fetch more.
All the best.

navdeep · 5th June 2007, 15:58

Heart and brain are rarely in sync with each other. No matter what you choose you won't feel disappointed. If you are planning to keep your car for more than 3 years, go for Swift and manage that extra cash required.

Edit : Also note that the current santro may be phased out by year end.

TRANSAM · 5th June 2007, 16:02

balboa,i have been fortunate to currently use both of your short listed vehicles, the swift feels leagues ahead in the small car seg,in terms of the engine (smooth and silent), drive, interiors cabin size & space etc another observation even if one sits with two fairly healthy passengers in the front you dont feel the congestion or elbow knocks, as i have experienced in the santro xing (but xing xl is value for money and returns a decent FE)..then again, its heart over mind!!swift is a clear winner .... all the best with your choice...

Rocky_Balboa · 5th June 2007, 16:04

Thanks people, please keep them coming

Me and my Wife are going to keep the car for an year and 1/2 max, now thats also a big constraint why the brain says Santro!!!

srishiva · 5th June 2007, 16:27

Follow your heart, Brain will follow on...

tsk1979 · 5th June 2007, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky_Balboa

Thanks people, please keep them coming

Me and my Wife are going to keep the car for an year and 1/2 max, now thats also a big constraint why the brain says Santro!!!

That changes things, take a santro. I reckon you want a bigger car later. So don't splurge on the swift now, go for a santro, save the moolah and upgrade then!

scooby05 · 5th June 2007, 16:38

A car on 4 wheels is a neccessity, anything beyond is pleasure,
If you want as a neccessity go for the Alto. otherwise the Swift is far ahead and better.
One life, and must enjoy it, why have regrets later,
the saying goes thus= kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab. why wait for 2 years!!

nikunj_cal · 5th June 2007, 16:42

Still I would say swift as I am sure your perspective of keeping the car for only 1.5 years will change after you start loving your car the way i do . In case you are hell bent on selling it in 1.5 years then go for an alto man, why waste money on the Santro ?? Fuel up your savings and buy a SX4 !!! .... :-)

navdeep · 5th June 2007, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky_Balboa

Thanks people, please keep them coming

Me and my Wife are going to keep the car for an year and 1/2 max, now thats also a big constraint why the brain says Santro!!!

So swift is out .. go for santro

Rocky_Balboa · 5th June 2007, 16:47

Thanks tsk1979 and others.
We are looking at moving out of india 1 1/2yrs from now, hence the smaller car option. And when we return We would like a Civic to be our racehorse(s)

5th June 2007, 14:58	#1
Rocky_Balboa BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Namma Bengalooru Posts: 676 Thanked: 358 Times View My Garage	Heart says Swift, Pocket says Santro! Hi TBhpians, Greetings from a confused member! I have been talking to various members here about buying a new car (2nd Esteem or new Santro), almost decided on Xing XL considering the following factors: a) max budget of 4L b) easy on pocket for maintenance c) good resale value I was ready to invest 1L from my pocket and rest as EMI, a max of 8k at it. However am surprised how an hour's test drive can change perspective, had a test drive of Swift today afternoon and ive fallen for it, I have been hating swift for its bulbous looks but a td vanished it all! Heart says Swift (even though the td vehicle had been badly abused, i still loved the drive), Brain says Xing XL. Confused! Someone please talk to me through this. TChau, +Rocky_Balboa+
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 15:43	#2
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	As any car lover would say, let your heart rule. 5 years ago my head took a decision, I don't regret it most of the times, though some time I just wonder what was I thinking. Just stating the facts for you. Rest its upto you. That said, I am sure that you won't regret buying a swift over a santro, but a year later you may wonder why didn't you spend that little extra.
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 15:47	#3
sithon BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 70 Thanked: 0 Times	are you considering only these 2 in your 4 L budget? There are more choices now - i think the Spark fits in the budget doesnt it?
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 15:55	#5
Wimwian BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 191 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Rocky, I was in the exact same situation couple of months ago... was breaking my head over the choice between the Santro and the WagonR. Didn't like the rear end design of the Swift at all... so didn't even take a TD the first time I went to the Maruti showroom. Then one day my friend dragged me for a TD and guess what, 5 mins was all it took to clear my doubts... getting delivery of my Swift Vxi with ABS this weekend :-) I didn't want a commuting vehicles, there'r enough cabs on the road for that... I wanted a car for doing what I love - driving! If u also fall into the same category, close ur eyes and go for the Swift...
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 15:58	#7
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	Heart and brain are rarely in sync with each other. No matter what you choose you won't feel disappointed. If you are planning to keep your car for more than 3 years, go for Swift and manage that extra cash required. Edit : Also note that the current santro may be phased out by year end. Last edited by navdeep : 5th June 2007 at 16:00.
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 16:02	#8
TRANSAM BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 705 Thanked: 247 Times	balboa,i have been fortunate to currently use both of your short listed vehicles, the swift feels leagues ahead in the small car seg,in terms of the engine (smooth and silent), drive, interiors cabin size & space etc another observation even if one sits with two fairly healthy passengers in the front you dont feel the congestion or elbow knocks, as i have experienced in the santro xing (but xing xl is value for money and returns a decent FE)..then again, its heart over mind!!swift is a clear winner .... all the best with your choice... Last edited by TRANSAM : 5th June 2007 at 16:04.
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 16:04	#9
Rocky_Balboa BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Namma Bengalooru Posts: 676 Thanked: 358 Times View My Garage	Thanks people, please keep them coming Me and my Wife are going to keep the car for an year and 1/2 max, now thats also a big constraint why the brain says Santro!!!
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 16:27	#10
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	Follow your heart, Brain will follow on...
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 16:38	#12
scooby05 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,145 Thanked: 192 Times	A car on 4 wheels is a neccessity, anything beyond is pleasure, If you want as a neccessity go for the Alto. otherwise the Swift is far ahead and better. One life, and must enjoy it, why have regrets later, the saying goes thus= kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab. why wait for 2 years!!
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 16:42	#13
nikunj_cal BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 450 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Still I would say swift as I am sure your perspective of keeping the car for only 1.5 years will change after you start loving your car the way i do . In case you are hell bent on selling it in 1.5 years then go for an alto man, why waste money on the Santro ?? Fuel up your savings and buy a SX4 !!! .... :-)
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 16:47	#15
Rocky_Balboa BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Namma Bengalooru Posts: 676 Thanked: 358 Times View My Garage	Thanks tsk1979 and others. We are looking at moving out of india 1 1/2yrs from now, hence the smaller car option. And when we return We would like a Civic to be our racehorse(s)
	() Thanks