[hydrashok]

My priorities:

1) Size and body-style: Hatchbacks only.
2) Handling (Handling + steering + responsiveness to steering input + braking + feel while driving).
3) ICEabilty: Solid build, stock locations/other install location possibilities.
4) Creature comforts.
5) Looks + how recent the car is.
6) A.S.S.
7) Engine/Power
8) F.E.
9) Rear-seat legroom.
10) Boot space.
12) Resale Value.

All of these are taken in the context of Price.

And of course, in my case, the big question: 'Will I be able to get it into my driveway and take it out again?' I have a pretty small garage/driveway and a very very narrow road with a 90 degree turn just before my gate. My old M800 had no issues. The current Palio gets scratched once in a while when cyclists and children appear out of nowhere.

[theMAG]

gemithomas,

You forgot to include the most important factor: Handling! I'll add it for you.

[mezereo]

My priorities wud be:
Comfort
Performance/Handling
After Sales Service

[deuce-deuce]

Originally Posted by theMAG

gemithomas,

You forgot to include the most important factor: Handling! I'll add it for you.

Make that the 2nd most important factor,right after looks.I could never get myself to buy an ugly car.This is also the reason why-if I had the money-I would never buy a Subaru Impreza WRX sti,even though it's such an outstanding car,unfortunately was styled by the engineer's dog.It doesn't matter that the Evo X drives better-I would buy it if it had the nano's engine because it looks astonishingly good looking for a car thats based on the good old lancer.

[mansidea]

[quote=mail4ajo;765159]I feel this poll would have been better if an priority order has been incorporated. Like a weightage for every factor. quote]

with you.

My priorities are:

• Low dependancy on soft roads
• Engine performance
• Safety & Reliablity
• Brand Image
• Value for Money
• Space & Comfort
• Looks

[groom]

what there is no safety in the entire list of priorities listed ??
I wouldnt buy a car which is NOT safe ... Safety First ...Performance next ....

[mail4ajo]

Originally Posted by groom

what there is no safety in the entire list of priorities listed ??
I wouldnt buy a car which is NOT safe ... Safety First ...Performance
next ....

Actually you will be surprised to learn that most Indians consider safety factors among the last priorities when choosing a car. I am not saying this, the end user survey by a popular manufacturer says so.
Consumer or car buyer behaviour and perception is everything in getting these cars to the market.

Now you understand why ABS and Airbags are luxury on Indian roads. I can bet everyone at Tbhp knows what ABS is. An averge car buyer doesn't. These smart manufacturers knows that fact through these surveys.

We have a long way to go before the car market will be fully matured. We are getting there quite rapidly.

[gemithomas]

Originally Posted by theMAG

gemithomas,

You forgot to include the most important factor: Handling! I'll add it for you.

Thanks a lot. I did not include safety since i thought it would be part of the features list. Please add safety separately if you think its necessary. Thanks.

[mail4ajo]

Originally Posted by gemithomas

Thanks a lot. I did not include safety since i thought it would be part of the features list.

This is what I meant by safety being just a feature on Indian cars rather than a standard fitting. Safety as a priority never stands out. 48% of the repondents on this simple survey mentioned performance. Manufacturers know these facts so well.

[S_budhiraj]

Every one wishes for a Practical VFM car with decent looks but all our dreams never come true so easily. There are cars with drop head gorgeous looks and there are cars which pass by and you hardly notice them. In the recent times there are few automobiles which are selling like Hot cakes but particularly are not great lookers, following vehicles are the great example of that:

Mahindra XYlo (Currently Topping the Charts in segment)

A MUV trying to look like SUV ended up being none of them added with ugly front Silver tooth. On the contrary offers Great Cabin space, Great torquey Engine, Mahindra reliability & same features as of the competition with amount couple of Lacs cheaper.

Swift Dzire (Best seller in the segment)

A great sporty Hatch trying to look like bigger sedan sibling but ended up looking like a hatch with forced bulbous boot. On the contrary offers Ace National Diesel Engine, Maruti Name, great mileage and good features.

Ikon TDCi (Again injected life into sales)

A decade old Sedan which used to look great with some Sporty flair ruined by the new Kinetic design. On the contrary offers Gem of a Diesel Engine, Decent features at the great VFM price.

What would my fellow Bhpian’s choose Looks or Practicality (VFM)

[vineethvazhayil]

Looks! definitely important for me here! I don't want the weird kind of head turner ever!

[raj_5004]

i prefer the looks & i wont mind sacrifing a bit of practicality for a good looking car.

[ImmortalZ]

I'm sorry, but I absolutely cannot live with a car like the DZire. Also, it will become very annoying to bump into objects as I try to walk to the driver's door and enter the car, blindfolded, to avoid looking at that derrière.

[StarVegabond]

In my view both looks as well as value for money is important.
i would not buy a ugly looking but great VFM car. I would buy a good looking car if it meets my basic needs even though it may not delight me. For me core proposition that the car brings in is important. e.g. a food dish that has a great presentation would enhance the hunger, but taste also need to be good. The side dishes also does not matter if taste and presentation of main item is good.

[gowda79]

It all depends on the Vitamin M you will be having at the time of purchase of vehicle to go for the Looks or the other ways.