[Baburajs]

We need a small car at home in Kerala inlands with not so good roads. Only my parents live there so mostly the car will be driven by a driver or me when I am there. The primary needs are as follows

1 . Need to have AC (mandatory)
2. Needs to have decent Engine
3. Needs to have decent boot space.
4. LPG is an added advantage
5. Price should be between 3 to 3.75 lacs
6. Power steering and power windows not mandatory.

Based on the above needs I have the following cars lined up . Have listed the pros and cons as follows

Chevy spark - 3.5 Lacs - Pros - Good engine , good price, small decent car with AC . cons - Small boot , small tyres , A_S_S??

Chevy spark LPG - 3.63 Lacs - Pros - same as above + LPG ( good kit ) . cons - same as above

Beat PS - 3.7 Lacs - Pros - Good Engine , good style , better tyres .
cons - very small boot ,A_S_S?

EECO 5S AC - 3.4 - Pros - good boot , sliding doors ,
cons - van shape , small tyres , seats are not very good , very good A_S_S

Alto LX - 2.87 - Pros - Price , decent engine
cons - dated , small tyres, small boot,very good A_S_S

Zen Estillo LX - 3.6 - good Engine even though on 3 cylinders , looks ok now after the cosmetic changes
cons - somehow dont like the looks , not very comfortable ,very good A_S_S

indica xeta LPG - 3.55 - pros - Huge when compared to others , good leg space , decent boot
cons - dated , lingering old TATA problems. Circumspect engine, A_S_S?

Nano can also be added here but havent because of the puny tyres .

I am looking for your guidence. Will have to book the car in another one month so please have your suggestions pouring in. Lets have a healthy discussion.

Babu

[coolclouds]

I think, Ford Figo also can be considered. Its cheap and good

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Baburajs

Zen Estillo LX - 3.6 - good Engine even though on 3 cylinders , looks ok now after the cosmetic changes
cons - somehow dont like the looks , not very comfortable

How about the new WagonR (Link to)?

IMHO, every car has got its own pros & cons; as I see from your post, you've done a good job on analyzing each of the car's +ve & -ve points, which is a very good home work indeed; however there's always at some point, where in, you need to compromise on certain criteria. You could consider Punto, but for bad T.A.S.S or Swift, which exceeds your budget. So, that's why I feel you've done everything from you end except the final decision; and that final decision is to be based on some compromise, or probably even a used car could help you at that price. Good Luck

[jango]

Originally Posted by aargee

How about the new WagonR

Baburaj, i completely agree with Aargee. why don't you consider the WargonR ??. Maintenance and resale is never going to be a problem for you anywhere.

[greenhorn]

1) which town?

My recommends - the Wagon R duo/Santro Eco/ indica DLS ( as opposed to the xeta, since you want cheaper running costs, and something that can be maintained by any hole in the wall workshop). Xeta & LPG is a double bad combination

[nairrk]

Try TD Ford Figo and see how it perform and its features!
But think the price may be little more than your budget?
Try this also, prior finalising one.

[xenxer]

I will recommend for Santro ECO LPG or WangonR LPG. Since your parents are goiong to use the car theses two choices will be good since getting in and out of these cars are much effortless than the Alto like cars. I would say don't go for ford and chevy if your parents are staying in rural areas since they will not get the service.

[Latheesh]

Why not Figo, looks like a good package.

[Baburajs]

What about EECO 5 Seater with AC. I think I can have an LPG option there too and there will be ample space for the tank . And the boot also will be quite large. A_S_S should be good.

Or should I buy a EECO 5 seater without AC and retrofit AC in that. How economical will that be. Will the AC be bolt on and what will happen of Warranty.

Thinking deeply since we are put up in a remote area i think Fords and Chevys should be avoided since A_S_S will be a problem. So it boils down to Maruti, tata and Hyundai.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Baburajs

EECO 5S AC - 3.4 - Pros - good boot , sliding doors ,
cons - van shape , small tyres , seats are not very good , very good A_S_S

Alto LX - 2.87 - Pros - Price , decent engine
cons - dated , small tyres, small boot,very good A_S_S

Zen Estillo LX - 3.6 - good Engine even though on 3 cylinders , looks ok now after the cosmetic changes
cons - somehow dont like the looks , not very comfortable ,very good A_S_S

I think the above ones marked in bold should appear under pros instead of cons isn't it?

[Baburajs]

Originally Posted by aargee

I think the above ones marked in bold should appear under pros instead of cons isn't it?

Yes sir . Thats the bane of IT people . Copy paste error.

[sachinj12]

The New WagonR it has to be.

OT: Folks, looking at the price band , don't you think Figo would overshoot the budget?

[HappyWheels]

Babu,

For the parents, the other important point that should be stressed on (apart from what you have noted) is the ease with which they can enter and exit the vehicle. So, that would kick out Alto and Indica.

Not commenting on Beat and Spark, not enough first hand experience.

My vote for EECO, if you are for LARGE space and comfort, or Estilo, for the car like feel.

[abhinav.s]

Since the car is for parents, look at the ease of ingress/egress.
Coupled with this, also suggest you go for a vehicle with good suspension as the roads are not so good. Alto will lose out here as it neither has both.

Better consider tall boys like Wagon R & Santro as both are available with LPG. But the ride quality of a Santro is the on the bumpier side so you might want to have a test drive with the parents before you decide.

[Baburajs]

Is the new Wagon R released. If not what is the speculated price for the base model .