Small car, all safety features, below 6L

determinus · 10th December 2007, 20:27

A friend of mine - my boss's wife, a child psychologist - is looking for a small car. Self driven, will be used purely for city commuting, but safety and comfort are the highest priority, means -- good ride comfort and options of ABS/ EBD/ airbags is a must. AT is desired option, but can do without. And one single feature should be "trouble free" (which actually rules many options out

)

Additional requirements: should be easy for elder people to get in and out and once in a while it might be taken to a highway. Fuel efficiency or resale is not a concern. Should be small, easy to park (visibility). Her husband drives a Civic AT, and she currently drives a 1996 Cielo AT!!! Budget is not an issue, but setting a limit of 6L. For a good candidate, it is flexible.

After going round and round, we keep coming back to Spark. Other than it is 'yet-another-car-from-GM', is it the right choice? The second option is the Zen Estilo as it comes with an AT. My boss is trying to push the purchase till the launch of Fabia with the PD engine :-)

The also rans were Swift - small rear glasshouse, visibility, wider towards bottom; Getz - very spacious but too big and too low; Fusion - no ABS or airbag as options, also big; the height and visibility makes this a good compromise option; Santro - didnt like the ride; Palio - big and sturdy, but road visibility is a concern and no airbag options. Anything missing here?

Any other suggestions to "Small reliable car, ALL safety options, comfortable ride, round about 6L"? Thanks in advance.

iraghava · 10th December 2007, 20:33

Actually the Swift ZXi seems to be the ideal car for her.

Eddy · 10th December 2007, 20:40

I think the i10 might be the answer

low_bass_makker · 10th December 2007, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

Actually the Swift ZXi seems to be the ideal car for her.

I agree I have the same car and feature at that price are quite good.

hyper123 · 10th December 2007, 20:45

If he can wait for the fabia, wouldn't that be a better choice? It may be more expensive than the swift, but I'm sure the quality and safety features will be better than the swift.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 10th December 2007, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by determinus

ABS/ EBD/ airbags is a must.

Within 6L, with ABS/EBD/Airbags. I guess the options are limited to the i10 and the Swift (leaving Estilo/Spark etc). Of which my choice would defenitly be the Swift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyper123

If he can wait for the fabia, wouldn't that be a better choice?

Since the design is almost same, and size is a bit more. The negatives he has mentioned about the Swift would only be more on the Fabia.

hyper123 · 10th December 2007, 20:56

Size is not the only thing. Visibility depends on the driving position and the area of the greenhouse. Swift's small rear window kills visibility. I think the pros out-weigh the cons.

Akshay1234 · 10th December 2007, 21:13

wait for the i10 to come out with an auto.

roms · 10th December 2007, 21:25

Agree with others, I10 AT could be a prime candidate. It may be a bit pricey, but then you dont get many options with an auto tranny anyways. Plus, the fetaure list seems to be long. My vote for I10.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 10th December 2007, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234

wait for the i10 to come out with an auto.

This months Overdrive says i10 is available with the option of auto tranny which used to come in the Santro.

Might be a mistake!

saabasheer · 10th December 2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by determinus

"Small reliable car, ALL safety options, comfortable ride, round about 6L"?

SKODA Fabia would be the all rounder for you, but have to wait for 1 month and stretch the budget slightly but sure no more disappointments.............You will get all you want

blue_pulsar · 10th December 2007, 22:22

Its Swift ZXi. If they are looking at comfort, let me tell you that I felt that the front seats of the swift are more comfy than the i10, although I agree that the rear seats of i10 are more comfortable. I thought this is because of the narrowness of the i10. I really don't think the wider-towards-bottom is much of a concern. And you can overcome the rear visibility issues by opting for optional parking sensors also.

Also, I don't feel that the Fabia having the ABS/EBD, airbags will come at a price tag of below 6l.

jkdas · 10th December 2007, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by determinus

A friend of mine - my boss's wife, a child psychologist - is looking for a small car. Self driven, will be used purely for city commuting, but safety and comfort are the highest priority, means -- good ride comfort and options of ABS/ EBD/ airbags is a must. AT is desired option, but can do without. And one single feature should be "trouble free" (which actually rules many options out

)

Additional requirements: should be easy for elder people to get in and out and once in a while it might be taken to a highway. Fuel efficiency or resale is not a concern. Should be small, easy to park (visibility). Her husband drives a Civic AT, and she currently drives a 1996 Cielo AT!!! Budget is not an issue, but setting a limit of 6L. For a good candidate, it is flexible.

After going round and round, we keep coming back to Spark. Other than it is 'yet-another-car-from-GM', is it the right choice? The second option is the Zen Estilo as it comes with an AT. My boss is trying to push the purchase till the launch of Fabia with the PD engine :-)

i10, Opt for Magna-O,

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Within 6L, with ABS/EBD/Airbags. I guess the options are limited to the i10 and the Swift (leaving Estilo/Spark etc). Of which my choice would defenitly be the Swift.

I too heard that there is an auto but! it comes only as Era spec and not as Magna spec, a shame!

tsk1979 · 10th December 2007, 23:53

Below 6L the cars coming with ABS and Airbags
1. Swift
2. Indica
3. i10

Fabia? I thought we are talking 6L. Fabia is going to be atleast 6.5L Ex showroom

jkdas · 10th December 2007, 23:58

Ford Fusion, not sure if it comes with ABS, airbags though, but 7lac up.

10th December 2007, 20:27	#1
determinus BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 277 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Small car, all safety features, below 6L A friend of mine - my boss's wife, a child psychologist - is looking for a small car. Self driven, will be used purely for city commuting, but safety and comfort are the highest priority, means -- good ride comfort and options of ABS/ EBD/ airbags is a must. AT is desired option, but can do without. And one single feature should be "trouble free" (which actually rules many options out ) Additional requirements: should be easy for elder people to get in and out and once in a while it might be taken to a highway. Fuel efficiency or resale is not a concern. Should be small, easy to park (visibility). Her husband drives a Civic AT, and she currently drives a 1996 Cielo AT!!! Budget is not an issue, but setting a limit of 6L. For a good candidate, it is flexible. After going round and round, we keep coming back to Spark. Other than it is 'yet-another-car-from-GM', is it the right choice? The second option is the Zen Estilo as it comes with an AT. My boss is trying to push the purchase till the launch of Fabia with the PD engine :-) The also rans were Swift - small rear glasshouse, visibility, wider towards bottom; Getz - very spacious but too big and too low; Fusion - no ABS or airbag as options, also big; the height and visibility makes this a good compromise option; Santro - didnt like the ride; Palio - big and sturdy, but road visibility is a concern and no airbag options. Anything missing here? Any other suggestions to "Small reliable car, ALL safety options, comfortable ride, round about 6L"? Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 20:33	#2
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Actually the Swift ZXi seems to be the ideal car for her.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 20:40	#3
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,386 Thanked: 13,292 Times	I think the i10 might be the answer
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 20:45	#5
hyper123 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 321 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	If he can wait for the fabia, wouldn't that be a better choice? It may be more expensive than the swift, but I'm sure the quality and safety features will be better than the swift. Last edited by hyper123 : 10th December 2007 at 20:46.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 20:56	#7
hyper123 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 321 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	Size is not the only thing. Visibility depends on the driving position and the area of the greenhouse. Swift's small rear window kills visibility. I think the pros out-weigh the cons.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 21:13	#8
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,316 Times	wait for the i10 to come out with an auto.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 21:25	#9
roms BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 641 Thanked: 26 Times	Agree with others, I10 AT could be a prime candidate. It may be a bit pricey, but then you dont get many options with an auto tranny anyways. Plus, the fetaure list seems to be long. My vote for I10.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 22:22	#12
blue_pulsar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,112 Thanked: 403 Times	Its Swift ZXi. If they are looking at comfort, let me tell you that I felt that the front seats of the swift are more comfy than the i10, although I agree that the rear seats of i10 are more comfortable. I thought this is because of the narrowness of the i10. I really don't think the wider-towards-bottom is much of a concern. And you can overcome the rear visibility issues by opting for optional parking sensors also. Also, I don't feel that the Fabia having the ABS/EBD, airbags will come at a price tag of below 6l.
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 23:53	#14
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,823 Times View My Garage	Below 6L the cars coming with ABS and Airbags 1. Swift 2. Indica 3. i10 Fabia? I thought we are talking 6L. Fabia is going to be atleast 6.5L Ex showroom
	() Thanks

10th December 2007, 23:58	#15
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Ford Fusion, not sure if it comes with ABS, airbags though, but 7lac up.
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