Introduction:
My family lives in Mumbai but we visit Mathura very frequently as my grandmother and my wife's family lives there. Thus we always need a car in Mathura to serve us when we visit and to do local duties for my grandmother.
We also keep our cars for a long time and historically we've sent our end of life cars from Mumbai to Mathura before they are eventually scrapped or given away to those who may want them.
This thread is to seek inputs from fellow BHP-ians to identify our next car for Mathura, and the corresponding shuffle it may create for us in Mumbai.
My Current Garage:
Before I proceed forward, let me introduce you to my current garage:
Mumbai:
1. 2014 Honda CR-V 2.4 AT AVN (ODO: 116xxx Km)
2. 2020 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Vxi MT (ODO: 22xxx Km)
3. 2006 Toyota Innova 2.4 G4 Diesel MT (ODO: 222xxx Km)
Mathura:
2010 Tata Manza 1.3 Aura Plus Diesel MT (ODO: 75xxx Km)
What's the trigger:
The Manza is DL-registered and has been unregistered this year due to the NGT ruling. It has also aged very poorly and is not in a running condition. I have decided to scrap it and replace it with a different car. As mentioned earlier, this thread is essentially about finding the replacement for the Manza.
Requirements for Mathura:
1. Reliable, as it will essentially be maintained by my chauffeur.
2. Spacious, should seat at least 5 with reasonable comfort.
3. Decent boot for the occasional station runs and to accommodate my grandmother's wheelchair.
3. Good AC
4. Manual, as it will be chauffeur driven.
The car will essentially be a beater and should serve us for the next 3-4 years.
My Options:
Option 1: Send my Innova from Mumbai:
Pros:
1. It's in great condition and it's fitness has been extended for 5 more years to 2026.
2. I got it valued recently and it will fetch me 1.8 lakhs in the open market. This amount does not justify selling the car, and i'm inclined to use it until its end of life. Unfortunately(!!), I don't see it dying on us any time soon

3. I plan to buy the Innova HyCross (or similar) as and when it is launched, so my utility for the Innova in Mumbai is fast approaching its end as I don't want two three-row cars in Mumbai.
Cons:
1. It is MH-registered, so the usual risks of running an out of state car in UP. However, this has never been a problem for us before.
2. The NGT ruling will prohibit the car to travel to Delhi NCR. This is a bit of a problem as we usually take a flight to Delhi and then drive down to Mathura. However, I can always borrow a car from my in-laws or hire a taxi for these trips.
3. It's a very big car for some of the narrower lanes of Mathura.
4. I'm not sure if it's too high for my grandmother to climb in.
5. Am I making a mistake by holding on to this car given the shadow of doubt on older diesel cars?
However, if I send my Innova I will need a replacement as I absolutely need three cars in Mumbai. As mentioned earlier, the long term replacement is another Innova but until it is launched I need a short term replacement which leads to option 2. FYI, I also have a backup booking of the XUV700 top end.
Option 2: Buy a 2015 Ciaz Zxi AT in Mumbai
My friend is selling his immaculately maintained 2015 Zxi AT (ODO: 23xxx Km) as he is upgrading to a Grand Vitara. This car is available for 5.5 lakhs. This option will only be considered if I exercise option 1.
Pros:
1. Owned by my friend and I can vouch for it's history and condition.
2. The Innova is mostly used by my parents on a daily basis and is chauffeur driven. The Ciaz offers similar 2nd row comfort for them. (The 3rd row is used when I move around with my wife, kids, nannies, strollers, etc.).
3. Reliable
4. Good resale: I'm assuming I won't lose much value if I decide to sell it in 1-1.5 years. My XUV700 booking is due to be delivered in Jan 2024.
Cons:
1. Am I making my life more complex by buying this car?
Option 3: Send my Dzire to Mathura
Pros:
1. It is registered in Mathura. Don't ask me why

2. It's a manual and I'd much prefer having an AT in Mumbai.
3. Will serve me for a very long time.
4. No NGT impact and can do Delhi runs.
5. I have Maruti warranty till 2026, so maintenance will be smooth.
Cons:
1. Am I making my life more complex by making this decision?
It's obvious replacement in Mumbai will be the Ciaz mentioned above in option 2.
Option 4: Buy a 2012 SX4 Vxi (CNG) (ODO: 139xxx Km)
Pros:
1. Low Price (~1.5 lakhs + ~50 thousand for preventive repairs)
2. UP registered
3. It's in an ok condition.
4. Spacious
5. Reliable
6. I know the owners of the Maruti dealership in Mathura through whom I'm procuring the car.
7. Can do Delhi runs for the next 2-3 years.
Cons:
1. High mileage (139xxx Km). Not sure of the remaining life of the car. I don't want a Manza like scenario very soon.
2. Smaller boot due to CNG.
Option 5: Buy a decent used car in Mathura
Pros:
1. Simplest option. The local True Value franchise has a few good samples of 2020-2021 Balenos and Dzires. As mentioned earlier, I know the owners.
2. Will get Maruti warranty.
Cons:
1. The Innova dilemma will remain.
Conclusion
I request my fellow members to advise me on how I should go about this scenario. My wife feels I am over-complicating the scenario, and the rest of the family do not feel as strongly about the Innova as I do.
Looking forward to your inputs.
P.S. Mods: please merge this into a new thread if needed. Also, please add this to appropriate section of the forum if required.