Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose?

sourav9385 · 27th September 2017, 15:38

All the money in the world, no day job to speak of, and no responsibilities/dependencies as such? Driving pleasure, hands down! No contest!

Cuz if it breaks, I'll just replace it with another one!

But I'm a mere mortal, with bills to pay, an extremely short temper, negligible patience, no trust fund, and no time to spend on frivolities. So reliability it is!

dipak1406 · 27th September 2017, 15:57

eg. 1 - I landed in Mumbai airport after 15.45 hrs non stop flight from US. Home is 3 kms from airport so reached home at 7 pm and just took my car (corolla) and left for Abu Road where my family was on holiday

the AC conked off but the car continued and reached 769 kms ( 2 stops of bio break) driving entire night

eg. 2 - I was driving from Abu road to Mumbai with family and immediately on reaching Baroda the truck ahead dropped a big bolder. Car went over it and the left tyre rim got bend and there was a crunching noise from the bottom.

Took car to the side it was again around 8 in the evening and with my mother 76 yrs and kid 8 yrs inside did not know what to do on highway which was pitch dark

Changed the tyre and with prayers on lips started the car and drove non stop to Mumbai.

Other small incidences are a plenty. So for me its Reliability (bulletproof)

Thank you for reading
Deepak

mrinmoy_s · 27th September 2017, 16:00

What an apt Thread! Driving pleasure all the way for me.
Incidentally, I was discussing this topic with my close friend last week. He bought the Polo GT TSI solely on my recommendation last year. He keeps thanking me for making him buy that beauty as he's enjoying his daily ride with a plastered grin on his face. During one such car discussion, he mentioned that he would like to keep the car for 10 years+ like his Dad's Maruti Zen. That's when I had to tell him that nobody in their wildest dreams would ever think of keeping the GT TSI for that long and I advised him to sell the car immediately after the 4 years of extended warranty. While he was disappointed, I told him my perspective - 'these Germans are like flings, amazingly fun but expensive in long run. While having flings in its most commonly understood form are certainly not advisable for us married mortals, these cars can give us a better taste of adrenaline'. He had a naughty smile on his face

I will pick up the Octavia RS over the Camry any day even if I had 35L+ in my pocket.

speedguy · 27th September 2017, 16:16

Voted for Driving pleasure. We petrol heads love Mustang over Toyota any day!

PrideRed · 27th September 2017, 16:18

I would prefer a combination of both. A car that is reasonably fun to drive and reliable at same time. Example: I would pickup Figo Aspire over Dzire/Ameo. The former is fun to drive,punchy and fairly reliable. There are such cars in every segment, just that we end up making decision based on historical data/perception which may not hold good today.

hemanth.anand · 27th September 2017, 16:54

Should I say anything more than my signature? Yes, I should, because one-liners aren't allowed on TBHP

I could have chosen a Swift when I purchased a Punto
I could have chosen the Ecosport when I purchased the GT

People told me "Suzuki has service stations at every corner of the country". but I said, "I'll visit a service station once a year; distance doesn't matter". I even drove 250Kms to Salem once for a scheduled service. Call me crazy, but that's me!

People told me that Ecosport (AT) looks better and is a bigger car. But it was just boring to drive. Nothing other than the DSG in the GT came close.

Driving pleasure are inseparable words for me. It is always more important than absolute reliability

veedub89 · 27th September 2017, 17:03

Woah! The irony!
A car-enthusiast forum that doesn't want driving pleasure? 200 for reliability and 185 for driving pleasure at the time of my vote.
What gives, guys/gals?

I voted for driving pleasure.
That doesn't mean I am ok with the car being in the workshop every alternate month.
If the car doesn't excite you and you aren't looking for excuses to drive it then why even consider owing one, is my thinking.
I think if you can maintain the car right, you can ensure good reliability to a great extent.

Not everyone gets a lemon from the dealership and various reliability issues are just ownership/maintenance issues. A little bit of care and foresight will keep your car, any car, running smoothly. As fas as dealership interaction goes, making sure that YOU know what is being done on your car will ensure the car is well looked after. Don't just deliver the car at the workshop and walk away only to collect it later. Do your due diligence and find out what all is going to be replaced/repaired at the time of drop-off. Don't think twice about their "no customers in the workshop area" policy.
Do thorough PDIs.
When I picked up my Volvo earlier this year, I told the GM of sales that he will get his advance payment cheque after I have done the underbody inspection.
He was there when the car was on the lift. He admitted that even he had never seen the S60 from below. He has been with Volvo for years now!

Sorry about the rant. Drive safe!

Annibaddh · 27th September 2017, 17:09

I bought a Vento TDi HL, when all my friends went for either the City or the Verna. When all my relatives scared be about about VW being unproven in India, lower resale, higher perceived maintenance and the unreliability (have heard horror stories of cars spending months in workshops because of unavailability of parts). Even today, with age creeping up on old gal, every time I sit behind its wheels, my joy knows no bounds. Touch the highway and there's no end to things you can do with the machine. And she does all this while feeling heavy, mature, planted and secure. Still cannot stand the City, as excellent as that is. Cannot tolerate the Verna (though I've heard good things about the new avatar). And all things considered, haven't had a particularly poor experience with VW (Diesel-gate notwithstanding).

So what I'm trying to say is: Pleasure > Reliability.

kavensri · 27th September 2017, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by veedub89

Woah! The irony!
A car-enthusiast forum that doesn't want driving pleasure? 200 for reliability and 185 for driving pleasure at the time of my vote.
What gives, guys/gals?

Why did you think that each one of those 200+ (including me) voted for 'reliability'? I can assure you, each and every person in this forum (and many more outside) would prefer a ideal world of 'driving pleasure + reliability'. But here the question was, Reliability or Driving Pleasure. So this was a tricky question and hence you see the 'divided' opinions (almost 50-50) even in an enthusiasts forum.

Reinhard · 27th September 2017, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by veedub89

Woah! The irony!
A car-enthusiast forum that doesn't want driving pleasure? 200 for reliability and 185 for driving pleasure at the time of my vote.
What gives, guys/gals?

Considering the market share that Maruti has in India - I'm glad that those like us who picked "pleasure" are at least in the fight & close! I expected us to be outnumbered by a big margin

.

No offense to the brand and certainly not to owners. Just that the primary reason why people buy a Maruti is reliability in most cases.

ACM · 27th September 2017, 17:41

Sadly I select driving pleasure as seen from my rides over the year.

But as I age I feel myself moving towards reliability.

We can safely believe that the best of both worlds would be the most expensive.

Originally Mercs, BMW, Audi, Volvo etc. were supposed to signify reliability and then we had Luxury and Safety and finally Driving pleasure added to the characteristics of these bands.

Somewhere along the way they forgot reliability.

aadithsince1980 · 27th September 2017, 17:47

My RD 350 any day over a KTM duke 390! Guess that sums it up

Driving pleasure any day

romeomidhun · 27th September 2017, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Considering the market share that Maruti has in India - I'm glad that those like us who picked "pleasure" are at least in the fight & close! I expected us to be outnumbered by a big margin.

Some Maruti cars are not only reliable, but are fun to drive too. Consider Swift, S-Cross 1.6, old Baleno, Zen etc. So, don't think that all who voted for "pleasure" are non-Maruti owners. The reverse is also true. Eg: There are a lot of Toyota owners who might have voted for reliability.

Customers are not here just to pay for the non-performing brands to keep their kitty bulky. Let those manufacturers earn money by their good products, not by some people's hatred towards Maruti.

Reinhard · 27th September 2017, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Some Maruti cars are not only reliable, but are fun to drive too. Consider Swift, S-Cross 1.6, old Baleno, Zen etc. So, don't think that all who voted for "pleasure" are non-Maruti owners. The reverse is also true. Eg: There are a lot of Toyota owners who might have voted for reliability.

Customers are not here just to pay for the non-performing brands to keep their kitty bulky. Let those manufacturers earn money by their good products, not by some people's hatred towards Maruti.

I'm not talking about the voters on forum at all buddy. I know. However like I said, majority % of Maruti owners undeniably buy them for reliability/availability of service centers. In the overall numbers, how much % do SCross1.6, Old Baleno owners amount? Negligible. I have driven the Zen, no comments about it. Swift indeed is a fun to drive car - one of the best. But thats not the only car that Maruti's sales numbers are made of.

I was just relating MARUTI's overall market share which is upwards of 50% with member feedback. I'm not saying an OMNI owner will not like to have driving pleasure. I owned an OMNI for years & I have voted for pleasure.

It was more of a light hearted comment.

unni246 · 27th September 2017, 18:05

Nice thread as always GTO:

For me driving pleasure indeed is top priority

However I simply feel that until you take care of your ride, it takes care of You.

On weekdays I am more of a 2 wheeler guy taking out by 4 wheels only during weekends or long trips.

The 2 cars in my family are - a 7 year old Ford Fiesta & a pre-owned 11 year old Baleno (assumed to be totally unreliable as per many auto freaks).
However I have never been in a single situation where I had to ever consider that 'why did I buy my cars'.
With regards to the spares for the Baleno - yes it's a bit of trouble but not impossible (atleast in a city like Bangalore). End of the day I am a happy person to drive it around, sourcing & fixing things on it.

In case of long journeys I do not have to think twice with either cars - they are just ready to take me anywhere I need to zip off.

View Poll Results: For me, it's:
Driving pleasure over absolute reliability	353	49.16%
Absolute reliability over driving pleasure	365	50.84%
Voters: 718. You may not vote on this poll

27th September 2017, 15:38	#136
sourav9385 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 444 Thanked: 770 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? All the money in the world, no day job to speak of, and no responsibilities/dependencies as such? Driving pleasure, hands down! No contest! Cuz if it breaks, I'll just replace it with another one! But I'm a mere mortal, with bills to pay, an extremely short temper, negligible patience, no trust fund, and no time to spend on frivolities. So reliability it is! Last edited by sourav9385 : 27th September 2017 at 15:40.
	(6) Thanks

27th September 2017, 15:57	#137
dipak1406 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 31 Thanked: 290 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? eg. 1 - I landed in Mumbai airport after 15.45 hrs non stop flight from US. Home is 3 kms from airport so reached home at 7 pm and just took my car (corolla) and left for Abu Road where my family was on holiday the AC conked off but the car continued and reached 769 kms ( 2 stops of bio break) driving entire night eg. 2 - I was driving from Abu road to Mumbai with family and immediately on reaching Baroda the truck ahead dropped a big bolder. Car went over it and the left tyre rim got bend and there was a crunching noise from the bottom. Took car to the side it was again around 8 in the evening and with my mother 76 yrs and kid 8 yrs inside did not know what to do on highway which was pitch dark Changed the tyre and with prayers on lips started the car and drove non stop to Mumbai. Other small incidences are a plenty. So for me its Reliability (bulletproof) Thank you for reading Deepak
	(3) Thanks

27th September 2017, 16:00	#138
mrinmoy_s BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Mumbai Posts: 66 Thanked: 173 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? What an apt Thread! Driving pleasure all the way for me. Incidentally, I was discussing this topic with my close friend last week. He bought the Polo GT TSI solely on my recommendation last year. He keeps thanking me for making him buy that beauty as he's enjoying his daily ride with a plastered grin on his face. During one such car discussion, he mentioned that he would like to keep the car for 10 years+ like his Dad's Maruti Zen. That's when I had to tell him that nobody in their wildest dreams would ever think of keeping the GT TSI for that long and I advised him to sell the car immediately after the 4 years of extended warranty. While he was disappointed, I told him my perspective - 'these Germans are like flings, amazingly fun but expensive in long run. While having flings in its most commonly understood form are certainly not advisable for us married mortals, these cars can give us a better taste of adrenaline'. He had a naughty smile on his face I will pick up the Octavia RS over the Camry any day even if I had 35L+ in my pocket.
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 16:16	#139
speedguy BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pune Posts: 162 Thanked: 660 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? Voted for Driving pleasure. We petrol heads love Mustang over Toyota any day!
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 16:18	#140
PrideRed Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: BLR/PTR Posts: 3,282 Thanked: 9,667 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? I would prefer a combination of both. A car that is reasonably fun to drive and reliable at same time. Example: I would pickup Figo Aspire over Dzire/Ameo. The former is fun to drive,punchy and fairly reliable. There are such cars in every segment, just that we end up making decision based on historical data/perception which may not hold good today. Last edited by PrideRed : 27th September 2017 at 16:20.
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 16:54	#141
hemanth.anand Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 3,274 Thanked: 14,700 Times View My Garage	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? Should I say anything more than my signature? Yes, I should, because one-liners aren't allowed on TBHP I could have chosen a Swift when I purchased a Punto I could have chosen the Ecosport when I purchased the GT People told me "Suzuki has service stations at every corner of the country". but I said, "I'll visit a service station once a year; distance doesn't matter". I even drove 250Kms to Salem once for a scheduled service. Call me crazy, but that's me! People told me that Ecosport (AT) looks better and is a bigger car. But it was just boring to drive. Nothing other than the DSG in the GT came close. Driving pleasure are inseparable words for me. It is always more important than absolute reliability
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 17:03	#142
veedub89 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 517 Thanked: 1,077 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? Woah! The irony! A car-enthusiast forum that doesn't want driving pleasure? 200 for reliability and 185 for driving pleasure at the time of my vote. What gives, guys/gals? I voted for driving pleasure. That doesn't mean I am ok with the car being in the workshop every alternate month. If the car doesn't excite you and you aren't looking for excuses to drive it then why even consider owing one, is my thinking. I think if you can maintain the car right, you can ensure good reliability to a great extent. Not everyone gets a lemon from the dealership and various reliability issues are just ownership/maintenance issues. A little bit of care and foresight will keep your car, any car, running smoothly. As fas as dealership interaction goes, making sure that YOU know what is being done on your car will ensure the car is well looked after. Don't just deliver the car at the workshop and walk away only to collect it later. Do your due diligence and find out what all is going to be replaced/repaired at the time of drop-off. Don't think twice about their "no customers in the workshop area" policy. Do thorough PDIs. When I picked up my Volvo earlier this year, I told the GM of sales that he will get his advance payment cheque after I have done the underbody inspection. He was there when the car was on the lift. He admitted that even he had never seen the S60 from below. He has been with Volvo for years now! Sorry about the rant. Drive safe!
	(2) Thanks

27th September 2017, 17:09	#143
Annibaddh BHPian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mumbai Posts: 255 Thanked: 570 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? I bought a Vento TDi HL, when all my friends went for either the City or the Verna. When all my relatives scared be about about VW being unproven in India, lower resale, higher perceived maintenance and the unreliability (have heard horror stories of cars spending months in workshops because of unavailability of parts). Even today, with age creeping up on old gal, every time I sit behind its wheels, my joy knows no bounds. Touch the highway and there's no end to things you can do with the machine. And she does all this while feeling heavy, mature, planted and secure. Still cannot stand the City, as excellent as that is. Cannot tolerate the Verna (though I've heard good things about the new avatar). And all things considered, haven't had a particularly poor experience with VW (Diesel-gate notwithstanding). So what I'm trying to say is: Pleasure > Reliability. Last edited by Annibaddh : 27th September 2017 at 17:10.
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 17:41	#146
ACM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,745 Thanked: 4,361 Times View My Garage	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? Sadly I select driving pleasure as seen from my rides over the year. But as I age I feel myself moving towards reliability. We can safely believe that the best of both worlds would be the most expensive. Originally Mercs, BMW, Audi, Volvo etc. were supposed to signify reliability and then we had Luxury and Safety and finally Driving pleasure added to the characteristics of these bands. Somewhere along the way they forgot reliability.
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 17:47	#147
aadithsince1980 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: bangalore Posts: 184 Thanked: 160 Times View My Garage	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? My RD 350 any day over a KTM duke 390! Guess that sums it up Driving pleasure any day
	() Thanks

27th September 2017, 18:05	#150
unni246 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: KA-53 / KL-08 Posts: 187 Thanked: 154 Times	Re: Driving Pleasure vs Reliability - If you had to choose? Nice thread as always GTO: For me driving pleasure indeed is top priority However I simply feel that until you take care of your ride, it takes care of You. On weekdays I am more of a 2 wheeler guy taking out by 4 wheels only during weekends or long trips. The 2 cars in my family are - a 7 year old Ford Fiesta & a pre-owned 11 year old Baleno (assumed to be totally unreliable as per many auto freaks). However I have never been in a single situation where I had to ever consider that 'why did I buy my cars'. With regards to the spares for the Baleno - yes it's a bit of trouble but not impossible (atleast in a city like Bangalore). End of the day I am a happy person to drive it around, sourcing & fixing things on it. In case of long journeys I do not have to think twice with either cars - they are just ready to take me anywhere I need to zip off.
	() Thanks