Skoda Fabia or (Wait for) Honda Jazz

prkothan · 28th February 2009, 20:11

Hi all,

I am planning to buy a premium hatch back for my daily office use and occasional weekend trips.

Currently own a Fiat Palio 1.2 (2002 model/Tangerine mist color - 50000 km driven). My average monthly drive is 1000 km (expected to go up by 50%).

My palio gives mileage around 9.3km/l city - partial AC and 14 km/l in highway. (I always track/check mileage for every refill and I do always tankful)

My requirements for next car:

1. Must be more frugal and more reliable than my current car. (My Palio is extremely reliable and I am completely in love with my car.
So far I have changed only 3 spares in my car -

a . Changed some thing fuel supply in under body which got damaged due to stone hitting while driving from Tripati to chennai. It cost around Rs 160.
b. Some thing related clutch plate - costed Rs 3000 and repaired slave cylinder.
3. Coolant leak - mechanic said that - some metal plate corrosion - cost Rs 2.5K)
)

2. Must have better clutch (or auto transmission). (you all know OV Palio clutch is not a great one).
3. Much better breaks (I think Palio breaks are OK, but I expect much greater breaks).
4. It should look different and exclusive (should not be owned by mass.) Thats the reason I am going for premium hatch back instead of sedan.
5. Since my average drive per month may go up, diesel car is also desirable.
6. Not so interested in driving in high RPMs and always self driving.

Currently in favor:
1. Skoda Fabia (diesel or 1.2/1.4 petrol).
2. Ford Fusion (diesel)
3. Honda Jazz
4. Maruti Ritz/Splash.

Not in favor:

1. Fiat Linea/Punto - (because its a car for mass, not an exclusive car. And also I would like to taste different brand. )

Here my questions:

I have test drived Skoda Fabia diesel, I am OK with manythings but main gripe its engine noise. Dealer says that, the noise will after 20000 kms.Is it true?

2. Service/maintenance and spare parts: Heard that skoda maintenance is pretty costly and it will increase after 4 yrs. Is it true. I am planning to own this car for long term (10 yrs?). Well, I am not planning to sell my Palio as well. My 7 yr old Palio looks very new. No one can believe its 7 yrs old either by look or by driving it. Hence I am looking for similar car.

3. I am OK with Fabia petrol - if its engine is better than Palio 1.2 OV . Which engine is better 1.2 or 1.4 ?

4. Fusion is a nice car, but bothered about its market failure status and Ford service.

5. Heard that Jazz will be launched by June. Is it true? What could be likely engine configuration?

6. Personally I like to go for diesel car, every one in my family advocate for Petrol car. My dad says that - diesel is not good for health and u'll feel tired after every drive. Is it true? I haven't driven a diesel car (except test drives). Also not so bothered about saving few thousand rs at cost of my health (if that myth about diesel engine turned out to be true.)

Please share your thoughts.

Regards,
Prasanna

====
Fiat Palio 1.2 OV/50000/Tangerine mist

theEnd · 28th February 2009, 21:27

The Fusion is indeed a very nice car. And the Ford 1.4 diesel engine is very frugal and pleasant enough to drive (although I would choose the 1.6 petrol myself). The reason that this car was a "market failure" as you suggest was that most Indian customers want a "dikky" if they're paying more than 6L or 7L for a car. Also, you will get the exclusivity you want because they're quite rare on the road.

The Fabia is a very well appointed car, and is wonderfully put together. I would pick the 1.4 petrol. (1.2 petrol is underpowered and diesel is noisy).

The Honda Jazz is the most popular car in Great Britain among retired folks! But, being a Honda it should be quite decent.

Nice avatar b.t.w... I wish we could buy the Alfa Mito here in India.

loving_alaap · 2nd March 2009, 17:10

1500 KM / month is a diesel territory.

Honda will not have a Diesel.

So, At present in your budget.

Skoda Fabia (only with extra warranty / maintenance plan) and Hundai Verna diesel.

If you are looking to keep the car for 10 years, you can also think for Fusion (after 10 yrs, resale is not that much worrying, *** does)

Better go by Verna diesel.

karanraheja · 2nd March 2009, 17:31

Prasanna, for your usage its safest bet to go for diesel. I would say wait for i20 crdi and GP ( though you not that keen on it). Since you keeping your car for a long terms i would suggest stay away from Skoda. Suggest you to wait till June , thats the time premium hatchbacks will be raining in our market. But frankly i would suggest GP!!

kiku007 · 2nd March 2009, 18:14

Prassana

IMHO please test drive the Hyundai Getz CRDi. I have not driven the car but have read very good things about the car in this forum!
* Powerful CRDi Diesel Engine
* You can't go wrong with Hyundai's service in Chennai
* At 6+ Lakhs, the car isn't Mass favourite either

But I think the car lacks imp safety features (Or am I wrong?).

deepakhon · 2nd March 2009, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiku007

Prassana

IMHO please test drive the Hyundai Getz CRDi. I have not driven the car but have read very good things about the car in this forum!
* Powerful CRDi Diesel Engine
* You can't go wrong with Hyundai's service in Chennai
* At 6+ Lakhs, the car isn't Mass favourite either

But I think the car lacks imp safety features (Or am I wrong?).

I would second this.

Also, I guess Honda Jazz will be more mass market than GP, since many more people buy a Honda as compared to a Fiat

.

devarshi84 · 3rd March 2009, 01:55

I would strongly suggest you to look at Ford Fusion. Is more spacious and better thought out car with a genuinely advanced and silent diesel.

SkyWalker · 3rd March 2009, 10:42

out of your list the most exclusive will be:

Fusion D: wont recommend. Its exclusive alright, but spares are horribly expensive.
Fabia D: same here. Spares and service will be even more expensive.
Getz CrDi: spares and service would be reasonable.

and then these could be launched within 4-5 months
Jazz: expect public to lap up the cheapest Honda in the market. It wont be exclusive but will be a great car and will give you a great FE (assumption)
GP Diesel: would be a good car and good VFM. Like Linea - expect FIAT to prices spares reasonable.
i20 D: pricing would keep this reasonably exclusive. But you never know.

Diesel not good for health and tiring is no longer true. don't worry about it. If it was me i would probably wait for a few months and choose from Jazz/GP/i20D.

Guna · 3rd March 2009, 12:27

One pointer: Recent issue of ACI carries article on parts of all cars and Fabia is the most expensive, much higher then even Fusion.

ScorpMan · 3rd March 2009, 19:25

Hi Prasanna.

Following are my thoughts for your queries:

1. Skoda Fabia has a very noisy diesel engine, and its not going to improve much, whatsoever the dealer claims. It is not very refined either and sounds like a tractor.(No offenses to any Fabia owners)

2. Maintenance and Spares for a Skoda is not only expensive but Day Light robbery. Some of the spares are ridiculously overpriced, be it Fabia or Octavia.

Guna has rightly pointed in the above post to check out the March 09 ACI, and you will be shocked with the price difference over other cars.

3. If you still decide to go for a Fabia, and that too a petrol, 1.4 is definitely better. The 1.2 sucks.

4. You are very right about Fusion, it is a NICE car but it has bombed and its gonna be a HUGE task for Ford to make it a success. Again, the parts are much more expensive over others.

5. Honda Jazz, brilliant car, and hopefully it will be here by June-July, and initially only 1.2 petrol will be offered. And it will be hugely reliable being a Honda with a very refined and frugal petrol engine.

6. Diesels are great for health, and little rockets like Swift D and Getz CRDi will surely bring a smile on your face every time you take them for a ride. But, Getz isnt very comfortable in bumper to bumper traffic with that Turbo-Lag, and Swift will always make you feel a part of the crowd, and its certainly not gonna hold itself tight for a long term( Rattles ).

Further, forget about the Maruti Ritz, its gonna be huge success like its sibling, The Swift and will be everywhere.

So, finally we are left with Honda Jazz, it will undoubtedly be hugely successful as well but will not sell in huge numbers like Swift or Ritz, because of the price factor.

But, all in all, it will be worth the wait, and IMO the best buy for you.

Happy Driving.

drashkum · 4th March 2009, 22:17

Quote:

If you still decide to go for a Fabia, and that too a petrol, 1.4 is definitely better. The 1.2 sucks.

he Fabia is a very well appointed car, and is wonderfully put together. I would pick the 1.4 petrol. (1.2 petrol is underpowered and diesel is noisy)

mate!! fabia 1.4 petrol ( elegance model is not under production any more ( courtesy gurudev motors chennai - dealer for skode) only ambience ( 1.2) petrol will be available as on 1/03/09

and yes the deisel is noisy . pretty loud noise too. happened to tset drive it the dealer says why bother about noise when performance is good.

but its pretty costly too the topend is 8.58 lakhs on road . if u put 50000 more u would get a honda city for 9.22 lakhs in chennai. the pricing is daylight roberry

manujkansal · 4th March 2009, 23:22

IMO let the cars roll out,see the performance of each one,and then make up your mind.

VKJ · 15th March 2009, 19:14

Skoda Fabia.....you can even consider VW polo!

Guna · 15th March 2009, 20:40

If exclussivity is the main criteria, Chevy SRV may be worth taking a look at

joslicx · 15th March 2009, 22:56

Avoid Skoda.
If you can, wait for Jazz. Its definitely coming in June/July timeframe.

28th February 2009, 20:11	#1
prkothan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 180 Thanked: 39 Times	Skoda Fabia or (Wait for) Honda Jazz Hi all, I am planning to buy a premium hatch back for my daily office use and occasional weekend trips. Currently own a Fiat Palio 1.2 (2002 model/Tangerine mist color - 50000 km driven). My average monthly drive is 1000 km (expected to go up by 50%). My palio gives mileage around 9.3km/l city - partial AC and 14 km/l in highway. (I always track/check mileage for every refill and I do always tankful) My requirements for next car: 1. Must be more frugal and more reliable than my current car. (My Palio is extremely reliable and I am completely in love with my car. So far I have changed only 3 spares in my car - a . Changed some thing fuel supply in under body which got damaged due to stone hitting while driving from Tripati to chennai. It cost around Rs 160. b. Some thing related clutch plate - costed Rs 3000 and repaired slave cylinder. 3. Coolant leak - mechanic said that - some metal plate corrosion - cost Rs 2.5K) ) 2. Must have better clutch (or auto transmission). (you all know OV Palio clutch is not a great one). 3. Much better breaks (I think Palio breaks are OK, but I expect much greater breaks). 4. It should look different and exclusive (should not be owned by mass.) Thats the reason I am going for premium hatch back instead of sedan. 5. Since my average drive per month may go up, diesel car is also desirable. 6. Not so interested in driving in high RPMs and always self driving. Currently in favor: 1. Skoda Fabia (diesel or 1.2/1.4 petrol). 2. Ford Fusion (diesel) 3. Honda Jazz 4. Maruti Ritz/Splash. Not in favor: 1. Fiat Linea/Punto - (because its a car for mass, not an exclusive car. And also I would like to taste different brand. ) Here my questions: I have test drived Skoda Fabia diesel, I am OK with manythings but main gripe its engine noise. Dealer says that, the noise will after 20000 kms.Is it true? 2. Service/maintenance and spare parts: Heard that skoda maintenance is pretty costly and it will increase after 4 yrs. Is it true. I am planning to own this car for long term (10 yrs?). Well, I am not planning to sell my Palio as well. My 7 yr old Palio looks very new. No one can believe its 7 yrs old either by look or by driving it. Hence I am looking for similar car. 3. I am OK with Fabia petrol - if its engine is better than Palio 1.2 OV . Which engine is better 1.2 or 1.4 ? 4. Fusion is a nice car, but bothered about its market failure status and Ford service. 5. Heard that Jazz will be launched by June. Is it true? What could be likely engine configuration? 6. Personally I like to go for diesel car, every one in my family advocate for Petrol car. My dad says that - diesel is not good for health and u'll feel tired after every drive. Is it true? I haven't driven a diesel car (except test drives). Also not so bothered about saving few thousand rs at cost of my health (if that myth about diesel engine turned out to be true.) Please share your thoughts. Regards, Prasanna ==== Fiat Palio 1.2 OV/50000/Tangerine mist Last edited by prkothan : 28th February 2009 at 20:13.
	() Thanks

28th February 2009, 21:27	#2
theEnd BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 534 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	The Fusion is indeed a very nice car. And the Ford 1.4 diesel engine is very frugal and pleasant enough to drive (although I would choose the 1.6 petrol myself). The reason that this car was a "market failure" as you suggest was that most Indian customers want a "dikky" if they're paying more than 6L or 7L for a car. Also, you will get the exclusivity you want because they're quite rare on the road. The Fabia is a very well appointed car, and is wonderfully put together. I would pick the 1.4 petrol. (1.2 petrol is underpowered and diesel is noisy). The Honda Jazz is the most popular car in Great Britain among retired folks! But, being a Honda it should be quite decent. Nice avatar b.t.w... I wish we could buy the Alfa Mito here in India.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 17:10	#3
loving_alaap BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 808 Thanked: 9 Times	1500 KM / month is a diesel territory. Honda will not have a Diesel. So, At present in your budget. Skoda Fabia (only with extra warranty / maintenance plan) and Hundai Verna diesel. If you are looking to keep the car for 10 years, you can also think for Fusion (after 10 yrs, resale is not that much worrying, *** does) Better go by Verna diesel.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 17:31	#4
karanraheja Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 436 Times	Prasanna, for your usage its safest bet to go for diesel. I would say wait for i20 crdi and GP ( though you not that keen on it). Since you keeping your car for a long terms i would suggest stay away from Skoda. Suggest you to wait till June , thats the time premium hatchbacks will be raining in our market. But frankly i would suggest GP!!
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 18:14	#5
kiku007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AU Posts: 2,409 Thanked: 8,557 Times	Prassana IMHO please test drive the Hyundai Getz CRDi. I have not driven the car but have read very good things about the car in this forum! * Powerful CRDi Diesel Engine * You can't go wrong with Hyundai's service in Chennai * At 6+ Lakhs, the car isn't Mass favourite either But I think the car lacks imp safety features (Or am I wrong?).
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 01:55	#7
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 213 Times View My Garage	I would strongly suggest you to look at Ford Fusion. Is more spacious and better thought out car with a genuinely advanced and silent diesel.
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 10:42	#8
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,528 Thanked: 136 Times	out of your list the most exclusive will be: Fusion D: wont recommend. Its exclusive alright, but spares are horribly expensive. Fabia D: same here. Spares and service will be even more expensive. Getz CrDi: spares and service would be reasonable. and then these could be launched within 4-5 months Jazz: expect public to lap up the cheapest Honda in the market. It wont be exclusive but will be a great car and will give you a great FE (assumption) GP Diesel: would be a good car and good VFM. Like Linea - expect FIAT to prices spares reasonable. i20 D: pricing would keep this reasonably exclusive. But you never know. Diesel not good for health and tiring is no longer true. don't worry about it. If it was me i would probably wait for a few months and choose from Jazz/GP/i20D.
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 12:27	#9
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,189 Thanked: 4,636 Times	One pointer: Recent issue of ACI carries article on parts of all cars and Fabia is the most expensive, much higher then even Fusion.
	() Thanks

3rd March 2009, 19:25	#10
ScorpMan BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: DL/PB/HR Posts: 366 Thanked: 133 Times	Hi Prasanna. Following are my thoughts for your queries: 1. Skoda Fabia has a very noisy diesel engine, and its not going to improve much, whatsoever the dealer claims. It is not very refined either and sounds like a tractor.(No offenses to any Fabia owners) 2. Maintenance and Spares for a Skoda is not only expensive but Day Light robbery. Some of the spares are ridiculously overpriced, be it Fabia or Octavia. Guna has rightly pointed in the above post to check out the March 09 ACI, and you will be shocked with the price difference over other cars. 3. If you still decide to go for a Fabia, and that too a petrol, 1.4 is definitely better. The 1.2 sucks. 4. You are very right about Fusion, it is a NICE car but it has bombed and its gonna be a HUGE task for Ford to make it a success. Again, the parts are much more expensive over others. 5. Honda Jazz, brilliant car, and hopefully it will be here by June-July, and initially only 1.2 petrol will be offered. And it will be hugely reliable being a Honda with a very refined and frugal petrol engine. 6. Diesels are great for health, and little rockets like Swift D and Getz CRDi will surely bring a smile on your face every time you take them for a ride. But, Getz isnt very comfortable in bumper to bumper traffic with that Turbo-Lag, and Swift will always make you feel a part of the crowd, and its certainly not gonna hold itself tight for a long term( Rattles ). Further, forget about the Maruti Ritz, its gonna be huge success like its sibling, The Swift and will be everywhere. So, finally we are left with Honda Jazz, it will undoubtedly be hugely successful as well but will not sell in huge numbers like Swift or Ritz, because of the price factor. But, all in all, it will be worth the wait, and IMO the best buy for you. Happy Driving.
	() Thanks

4th March 2009, 23:22	#12
manujkansal BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 148 Thanked: 13 Times	IMO let the cars roll out,see the performance of each one,and then make up your mind.
	() Thanks

15th March 2009, 19:14	#13
VKJ BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 85 Thanked: 2 Times	Skoda Fabia.....you can even consider VW polo!
	() Thanks

15th March 2009, 20:40	#14
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,189 Thanked: 4,636 Times	If exclussivity is the main criteria, Chevy SRV may be worth taking a look at
	() Thanks

15th March 2009, 22:56	#15
joslicx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,289 Thanked: 1,028 Times	Avoid Skoda. If you can, wait for Jazz. Its definitely coming in June/July timeframe.
	() Thanks