[BUSA]

Originally Posted by HSV

He mentioned affordable too...

He said big guns and when you say big guns it usually refers to Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, etc

[Nitin]

On a serious note,even if a convertible is introduced at a price range b/w Rs 7-9 lakhs, there will be a huge number of takers.
What the Indian market looks for is a little variation. In this case,there isn't a contender in the convertible-sports car section. Given that the vehicle has a decent list of goodies, families looking for a fun-car;individuals with fair amount of money interested in the style+fun strata -- -- these are the ones who'd make the sales propell.
Apart from the Audi/BMW/Merc etc, a more reachable car w.r.t the cost ..

[1100D]

Agree on the fun part being a selling point, but the Storm has something else going totally wrong for it, that is, it is a convertible. Even the most fun loving people would not prefer a convertible in India. I know an owner who bought it on impulse but he can never drive it with the top down (and even driving top down, there is no point there) . Infact they actually messed up by not offerring the "Streak" at all. Streak would have actually been more practical and yet retained the Fun part.

[Nitin]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Agree on the fun part being a selling point, but the Storm has something else going totally wrong for it, that is, it is a convertible. Even the most fun loving people would not prefer a convertible in India. I know an owner who bought it on impulse but he can never drive it with the top down (and even driving top down, there is no point there) . Infact they actually messed up by not offerring the "Streak" at all. Streak would have actually been more practical and yet retained the Fun part.

Thats a point! Given that there is so much of polution, it really won't be fun driving a convertible in India (atleast not within city limits).

[1100D]

Originally Posted by Nitin

Thats a point! Given that there is so much of polution, it really won't be fun driving a convertible in India (atleast not within city limits).

Thats where the original car that was designed by Gerard Godfroy, the San Streak, a Coupe would have come in handy. But somehow, someone envisaged a convertible on the same car and then the convertible only made it to the market. The coupe was all but forgotten.

[Nitin]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Thats where the original car that was designed by Gerard Godfroy, the San Streak, a Coupe would have come in handy. But somehow, someone envisaged a convertible on the same car and then the convertible only made it to the market. The coupe was all but forgotten.

There are very few coupes in India. The miata's probably the most 'affordable' coupe/convertible. I wonder how the general enthusiast would decide b/w the two.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by Nitin

There are very few coupes in India. The miata's probably the most 'affordable' coupe/convertible. I wonder how the general enthusiast would decide b/w the two.

Mazda (given that Ford is a common fixture) quite surprisingly does not have a presence in India. However Miata pricing can go in the territory of Accord.

[Nitin]

The 2007 Miata MX-5 is priced at about $25K.(touring version-loaded).
If these were to be sold in India,a price tag of Rs 15-20 lakhs is assured. A lot of people who could afford such cars,would probably get the Accord for many reasons.

Put in a coupe/roadster for under 10 lakhs,and boom- consumers move in that direction,over night..

[safari_lover]

Originally Posted by BUSA

He said big guns and when you say big guns it usually refers to Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, etc

Think I missed 'Indian ' before big guns
By affordable I mean 7-9Lac. Agreed they can't be driven in the cities but atleast we can think to take them on the highways.

[coolmob]

there is a dealer in kirti nagar, new delhi who is selling these san storms for 6.75 laks !!! he has two red test drive cars and quite a few of them in his showroom too. even a sx4 or honda city are much better at this price

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by safari_lover

Think I missed 'Indian ' before big guns
By affordable I mean 7-9Lac. Agreed they can't be driven in the cities but atleast we can think to take them on the highways.

in that case they will have more presence in the second hand market, because most of the buyers would like to use it as a weekend get away car.
(incase of tbhpians, it would be for the meets )

raj.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by Nitin

The 2007 Miata MX-5 is priced at about $25K.(touring version-loaded).
If these were to be sold in India,a price tag of Rs 15-20 lakhs is assured. A lot of people who could afford such cars,would probably get the Accord for many reasons.

Put in a coupe/roadster for under 10 lakhs,and boom- consumers move in that direction,over night..

You are quite right about your market analysis. That is where the convertible needs to be positioned but as is mentioned on this thread, the base car should not be segments below the price point segment. As in the Base car of the San storm is more or less the Zen category car at the price of a Fiesta or SX4. So if we have a 10L convertible, it has to be the Fiesta category base car with at least a 1.6l engine (and this is my wishlist a rear wheel drive!! Will not hurt even if the prev gen Miata is brought in and marketed in this segment)

[Nitin]

Originally Posted by 1100D

You are quite right about your market analysis. That is where the convertible needs to be positioned but as is mentioned on this thread, the base car should not be segments below the price point segment. As in the Base car of the San storm is more or less the Zen category car at the price of a Fiesta or SX4. So if we have a 10L convertible, it has to be the Fiesta category base car with at least a 1.6l engine (and this is my wishlist a rear wheel drive!! Will not hurt even if the prev gen Miata is brought in and marketed in this segment)

Spot on! Bring back the Miata,and you have a success story waiting to be written. A convertible/coupe at Rs8-10lakhs would be a good buy.

[speedy]

nitin if the miata was to make its way to india it would not be less then 18lacs. not many people would want too head into that territory

[Nitin]

Originally Posted by speedy

nitin if the miata was to make its way to india it would not be less then 18lacs. not many people would want too head into that territory

Thats absolutely right. The reference was to the old generation Miatas,not the new ones.
As mentioned before,the new MX5s sell at ~$25K, so if it were to be introduced in India, a tag of Rs 15-19 lakhs could be seen.
On the contrary, a convertible/coupe for 1/2 that price would excel.