Where are the driver-oriented cars? The Honda Citys, Lancers, Balenos etc.?

suman · 13th October 2006, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikhilb2008

BSMotoring did a test of Palio 1.6, Swift and SRV and the Palio won easily. and the "sporty" SRV just abt managed to finish ahead of the much cheaper Swift

Nikhil, that was a "fantasy" race, not a real one

, please re-read the last couple of sentences in the article!

Vid6639 · 13th October 2006, 17:48

The lancer cedia is probably the closest to a true drivers car currently. The engine cant be compared to the OHC's but even the old lancer didnt have a powerful engine.
The cedia's handling is one of the best and it feels solid at high speeds. the steering is well weighted and the car can be thrown around very easily.
the 2L engine is tuned for driveability but at the same it is fast.
Just like the old Lancer it has a low seating position and heavy steering which feels great to drive.
The OHC will always be tough to dethrone but the cedia probably comes in close second with the baleno.

Dippy · 13th October 2006, 17:55

I heard the Cedia has the underpinnings of the EVO so no doubt it has to be a great handler. Even the old Lancer was a great handler in itself. But engine and other aspects wise sadly it was no where near the OHC as vid said

The Cedia hasnt been marketted properly else I dont see any reason why it cant sell. Its a good car for modifications as well.

rahul_intlad · 13th October 2006, 18:28

Go through all the threads on the what car section at team-bhp itself and you will see that most have fuel efficiency as an important criteria for their next car/suv...

Also another problem is the bad roads and traffic[indiscipline more a problem than the quantity of the traffic] ,In the cities it is difficult to use all the available power which the car can provide.Even expressways one cant actually set the roads on fire nowadays.

karthik247 · 13th October 2006, 20:17

Guess it can be called like this in terms rice boy cars..
Lower segment - Baleno, Lancer, OHC
Upper Segment - Civic, Octavia RS, Corolla...Cedia (tho' ppl hardly buy one)

Then there is the Aveo, NHC, Fiesta which are decent enough, but are still seem more like family cars.

Then there is the diesel class which is getting bigger and better..with the Accent, Elantra, Octavia etc...

Nikhilb2008 · 13th October 2006, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

Nikhil, that was a "fantasy" race, not a real one

, please re-read the last couple of sentences in the article!

I know that was a fantasy race....but I thought they REALLY raced (or at least testes) these cars.....

Sahil · 13th October 2006, 22:36

I think the Corolla is a much better package than the OHC. Now with the new price slashes it is even cheaper than what the OHC was.
I have said it before, and i say it again....The OHC Vtec is too hyped,specially on this forum.
No doubt it is a quick car and does bring a smile on your face when you gunn it...but that car is wayyy too light, thats my biggest problem with it...The car is not well made, Honda pumped in too much power and gave you the same skinny tyres for you to be bouncing all over the place on high speeds....I dont see the point in having a super fast light car which doesnt make you feel safe at high speeds.

kpzen · 13th October 2006, 23:24

The only new driver oriented car launched recently has to be the CEDIA...
But its sad to see it become a victim of poor marketing strategy...

Hope the CEDIA will also rise like a Phoenix in coming years as Baleno is doing these days...

hondadude · 14th October 2006, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Tell me one car under 10 lacs that as much fun to drive as my OHC Vtec.

Can't agree more. I have a 5 year old OHC VTEC and there are times I feel like buying a new car but then I look around and I don't have a replacement. Civic has great interiors and gizmos like paddle shifts etc but it ain't more fun to drive that my current ride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

I think the Corolla is a much better package than the OHC. Now with the new price slashes it is even cheaper than what the OHC was.
I have said it before, and i say it again....The OHC Vtec is too hyped,specially on this forum.

I paid 10L for my OHC VTEC in 2001. Even if you keep 5% inflation in mind, it was equivalent of high end Civic or Corolla in 2001. So, I agree with you about the price. It wasn't cheap but boy has it been a fun ride!

Yes, Corolla is a better package in terms of Comfort, Interiors engine etc but is it as fun to drive as VTEC ? IMO, no way! To each their own I guess.

carfreak · 14th October 2006, 11:42

i feel the main factor governing the introduction of new cars is just one thing-fuel efficiency!!with prices of petrol and diesel hitting the roof,cannot blame anyone for keeping mileage as their main priority.for example,when i bought the palio 1.6 sport 4 months back,my neighbour came and saw the car.guess the 1st question he asked-how much is the mileage??when i told him 12-13kmpl in highway,he gave me a strange look and asked-then why the hell did you buy it??
manufacturers are now facing tougher competition by the day in india.so to get profits they have to cater to what most people want-mileage.if comfort,ride quality,good interiors are thrown in,the merrier!!driving comfort is literraly thrown out of the window.this is the main reason why driver oriented cars are a rarity now.
and as some people ask,where are the roads to enjoy driving?few people go for long drives-as far as city driving in india is concerned the less said the better
the cedia,civic octavia rs are exceptions but how many can afford them(er,ahem,at least i cannot

)

Vid6639 · 14th October 2006, 11:53

Very true mileage is an important concern nowadays. But if you see the cars which delivered the best performance also had the best mileage. The OHC was extremely frugal, the lancer and the baleno both had good mileage too.

In the current crop of cars it's either only performance namely octy RS or mileage an practicality namely NHC.

The corolla is just a mid sized luxury sedan with a powerful engine. It's not driver oriented like the OHC, lancer, baleno or the cedia. These cars speak to the driver and give you a special feeling whenever your in the drivers seat.

carfreak · 14th October 2006, 12:10

Quote:

Very true mileage is an important concern nowadays. But if you see the cars which delivered the best performance also had the best mileage. The OHC was extremely frugal, the lancer and the baleno both had good mileage too.

yeah,thats right too.i guess these jap engines are the best as concerns performance and mileage!!
the fiat palio,octavia,ikon 1.6 all suffer mileage issues though performance is phenomenal

lurker · 14th October 2006, 19:42

The Punto Grande Sedan seems quite a looker from this spy pic...

Surprise · 14th October 2006, 22:12

Ok, it seems currently there is no car which can feed a car manic as OHC did.

In the current lot which car stand first in offering greatest driving pleasure ( for both sedan as well as hatchback)?

esteem_lover · 14th October 2006, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Quote:

Its (optra) got a lazy engine, an average gearshift and just about average handling / braking. On the performance front, a Baleno will leave it for dead.

Yes, but to go further than just comfort and VFM....the focus of Indian buyers really is on practicality. Look at the sales figures of the NHC, Innova, Indigo and so on.

wow ! baleno. very true. GTO, i would think that the OHC Vtech was a one of a kind car here in india. Like you said, we look at practicality with minimum running costs. Just look at the cost of petrol. in 2000, when th VTECH was launched along with the baleno & the lancer etc., petrol was Rs.32 per litre or even less. now it has almost doubled. these kind of things plus the stricter pollution norms have shifted the focus of manufacturers from FTD to VFM.

13th October 2006, 17:48	#17
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,730 Thanked: 43,471 Times View My Garage	The lancer cedia is probably the closest to a true drivers car currently. The engine cant be compared to the OHC's but even the old lancer didnt have a powerful engine. The cedia's handling is one of the best and it feels solid at high speeds. the steering is well weighted and the car can be thrown around very easily. the 2L engine is tuned for driveability but at the same it is fast. Just like the old Lancer it has a low seating position and heavy steering which feels great to drive. The OHC will always be tough to dethrone but the cedia probably comes in close second with the baleno.
	() Thanks

13th October 2006, 17:55	#18
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,559 Thanked: 2,462 Times	I heard the Cedia has the underpinnings of the EVO so no doubt it has to be a great handler. Even the old Lancer was a great handler in itself. But engine and other aspects wise sadly it was no where near the OHC as vid said The Cedia hasnt been marketted properly else I dont see any reason why it cant sell. Its a good car for modifications as well.
	() Thanks

13th October 2006, 18:28	#19
rahul_intlad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,579 Thanked: 4 Times	Go through all the threads on the what car section at team-bhp itself and you will see that most have fuel efficiency as an important criteria for their next car/suv... Also another problem is the bad roads and traffic[indiscipline more a problem than the quantity of the traffic] ,In the cities it is difficult to use all the available power which the car can provide.Even expressways one cant actually set the roads on fire nowadays. Last edited by rahul_intlad : 13th October 2006 at 18:30.
	() Thanks

13th October 2006, 20:17	#20
karthik247 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR, HYD Posts: 2,710 Thanked: 30 Times	Guess it can be called like this in terms rice boy cars.. Lower segment - Baleno, Lancer, OHC Upper Segment - Civic, Octavia RS, Corolla...Cedia (tho' ppl hardly buy one) Then there is the Aveo, NHC, Fiesta which are decent enough, but are still seem more like family cars. Then there is the diesel class which is getting bigger and better..with the Accent, Elantra, Octavia etc...
	() Thanks

13th October 2006, 22:36	#22
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	I think the Corolla is a much better package than the OHC. Now with the new price slashes it is even cheaper than what the OHC was. I have said it before, and i say it again....The OHC Vtec is too hyped,specially on this forum. No doubt it is a quick car and does bring a smile on your face when you gunn it...but that car is wayyy too light, thats my biggest problem with it...The car is not well made, Honda pumped in too much power and gave you the same skinny tyres for you to be bouncing all over the place on high speeds....I dont see the point in having a super fast light car which doesnt make you feel safe at high speeds.
	(1) Thanks

13th October 2006, 23:24	#23
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	The only new driver oriented car launched recently has to be the CEDIA... But its sad to see it become a victim of poor marketing strategy... Hope the CEDIA will also rise like a Phoenix in coming years as Baleno is doing these days...
	() Thanks

14th October 2006, 11:42	#25
carfreak BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Udupi Posts: 599 Thanked: 342 Times	i feel the main factor governing the introduction of new cars is just one thing-fuel efficiency!!with prices of petrol and diesel hitting the roof,cannot blame anyone for keeping mileage as their main priority.for example,when i bought the palio 1.6 sport 4 months back,my neighbour came and saw the car.guess the 1st question he asked-how much is the mileage??when i told him 12-13kmpl in highway,he gave me a strange look and asked-then why the hell did you buy it?? manufacturers are now facing tougher competition by the day in india.so to get profits they have to cater to what most people want-mileage.if comfort,ride quality,good interiors are thrown in,the merrier!!driving comfort is literraly thrown out of the window.this is the main reason why driver oriented cars are a rarity now. and as some people ask,where are the roads to enjoy driving?few people go for long drives-as far as city driving in india is concerned the less said the better the cedia,civic octavia rs are exceptions but how many can afford them(er,ahem,at least i cannot ) Last edited by carfreak : 14th October 2006 at 11:44.
	() Thanks

14th October 2006, 11:53	#26
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,730 Thanked: 43,471 Times View My Garage	Very true mileage is an important concern nowadays. But if you see the cars which delivered the best performance also had the best mileage. The OHC was extremely frugal, the lancer and the baleno both had good mileage too. In the current crop of cars it's either only performance namely octy RS or mileage an practicality namely NHC. The corolla is just a mid sized luxury sedan with a powerful engine. It's not driver oriented like the OHC, lancer, baleno or the cedia. These cars speak to the driver and give you a special feeling whenever your in the drivers seat.
	() Thanks

14th October 2006, 19:42	#28
lurker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tura Posts: 1,592 Thanked: 1,423 Times	The Punto Grande Sedan seems quite a looker from this spy pic...
	() Thanks

14th October 2006, 22:12	#29
Surprise Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,523 Thanked: 454 Times	Ok, it seems currently there is no car which can feed a car manic as OHC did. In the current lot which car stand first in offering greatest driving pleasure ( for both sedan as well as hatchback)?
	() Thanks