[Samurai]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

Boy if a buyer looks up this site to solve his onfusion he is no doubt about to get even more confused

If a normal car buyer looks up this thread, he will be severely confused by why people are fighting over Baleno and Petra (and what is that?). They will wonder why not Accent!!!

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by Samurai

They will wonder why not Accent!!!

or an ESTEEM..............

[RX135]

Originally Posted by Samurai

If a normal car buyer looks up this thread, he will be severely confused by why people are fighting over Baleno and Petra (and what is that?).

Good one, Samurai! I agree. Whenever anyone talked to me about my new car, immediate reaction is "Fiat what? umm..Petra? I know Palio..but Petra..errr.."

However, in the same breath I would like to add that, after all this skepticism whoever has taken a ride in the car was mighty pleased with it.

[shuvc]

Got the Baleno LXi quote (no negotiations) here in Kolkata today:

Ex-showroom - 5,92,690
Insurance - 22,254
Tax - 35,883
-------------------------------
Base price 6,50,827
-------------------------------

Discounts - 61,754 (based on 85% finance option)
Free MGA - 28,000 (has anybody got cash instead of MGA ?)
-------------------------------
Net OTR price 5,61,073 (assuming MGA as cash)
-------------------------------

Petra ELX quote OTR (no negotiations) was 6,16,000/-


So one can throw in extended warranty (4yrs, 80K) for 4595/-, opt for 13" alloys and tubeless (15000/- ?) , add a mp3 stereo (15000/- ?) for the Baleno and still stay within the Petra's price ..

Me thinks the current price hike has taken away one of the Petra's prime USP's.

[imjimmy]

Also another minor difference is that by changing the tyres, you won't get 100% accurate report on the speedometer of the vehicle (although the difference is just 0.22%).

Thanks for replying.A Very interesting observation. Precisely the same thing happened to me with my Zen when i went for fatter 13 Inch tyres instead of the stock 12 inches.

One the FE decreases and the speedometer reading was inaccurate. In fact it was as high as 5-6Km excess reading when covering 250 Km!!

First I had decided to exchange the tyres with 185/70 R13. But now I have changed my mind. After all its additional 5-6 K and the company has provided with the stock tyres after much analysis and tests

Yeah right.. Even i think i will wait for now. Let me take it on the highway or hills and push the car and then see the handling and the safety...and decide on the change, if needed.As of now i like the ride with the stock tyres.

The only additions i have done as of now are:
Sony CD/Mp3 player (got yesterday ,could not wait -half day off ) and plastic mats.

Now thinking of 2 additions if i can get them done at a reasonable price.

-Getting the silver console of the Vxi in the front.
-Getting the Vxi steering on this car. That one was leather covered and felt cool!

[RX135]

Originally Posted by shuvc

Discounts - 61,754 (based on 85% finance option)
Free MGA - 28,000 (has anybody got cash instead of MGA ?)

Word of caution : Is the discount available only on 85% finance option? If yes, you better check what rate are you getting it. You eventually might end up paying more than the discount. I am poor in finance related discussion, so if any Finance gurus are around, please throw some light.

[vivek_pinkoo]

Originally Posted by shuvc

Got the Baleno LXi quote (no negotiations) here in Kolkata today:

Ex-showroom - 5,92,690
Insurance - 22,254
Tax - 35,883
-------------------------------
Base price 6,50,827
-------------------------------

Discounts - 61,754 (based on 85% finance option)
Free MGA - 28,000 (has anybody got cash instead of MGA ?)
-------------------------------
Net OTR price 5,61,073 (assuming MGA as cash)
-------------------------------

Petra ELX quote OTR (no negotiations) was 6,16,000/-


So one can throw in extended warranty (4yrs, 80K) for 4595/-, opt for 13" alloys and tubeless (15000/- ?) , add a mp3 stereo (15000/- ?) for the Baleno and still stay within the Petra's price ..

Me thinks the current price hike has taken away one of the Petra's prime USP's.

it is not fare to compare Baleno Lxi with Petra ElX. Is it?

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by vivek_pinkoo

it is not fare to compare Baleno Lxi with Petra ElX. Is it?

It would be good if you could elaborate why they should not be compared

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by RX135

Word of caution : Is the discount available only on 85% finance option? If yes, you better check what rate are you getting it. You eventually might end up paying more than the discount. I am poor in finance related discussion, so if any Finance gurus are around, please throw some light.

Don't think so: Discount comprises the following heads

Standard discounts
# Full Insurance - 22254
# Dealer disc - 5000
# Corporate disc - 10000 (they say its a benefit given to employees of some listed companies)

Additional discounts if finance is taken
# Ad-hoc - 2000
# 4.5% of loan amount - 22500 considering 5L loan

However, I'm sure that ultimately they will recover the discount (and more) in the total cost of the loan. Guess its just a trade off between saving some thousands up-front versus paying 50/- extra EMI per lakh/month.

[vivek_pinkoo]

Originally Posted by shuvc

It would be good if you could elaborate why they should not be compared

Because Baleno Lxi belong to Petra El category which is still 5 lakh range where as Baleno VXi should be compared Petra ELS. I hope the thing would be clear to u.

[shobhit15]

Originally Posted by imjimmy

-Getting the silver console of the Vxi in the front.
-Getting the Vxi steering on this car. That one was leather covered and felt cool!

Yaar tell me also if you get the silver console and the steering wheel and the price. I would like to get them installed too.

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by vivek_pinkoo

Because Baleno Lxi belong to Petra El category which is still 5 lakh range where as Baleno VXi should be compared Petra ELS. I hope the thing would be clear to u.

I think instead of model numbers we should compare features .. in the price comparison I have given, you can get similar features in the Baleno LXi (after adding alloys,stereo) at a price less than the ELX.

[vivek_pinkoo]

Originally Posted by shuvc

I think instead of model numbers we should compare features .. in the price comparison I have given, you can get similar features in the Baleno LXi (after adding alloys,stereo) at a price less than the ELX.

Ok agreed but same thing u can do with Petra EL and compare with Baleno VXi instead puting ass on LXi and comparing with Petra ELX. Does it not make more sense?

[xezas]

Originally Posted by shuvc

Discounts - 61,754 (based on 85% finance option)
Free MGA - 28,000 (has anybody got cash instead of MGA ?)
-------------------------------
.

Yeah, I got cash instead of MGA from Bimal Auto, Indiranagar.
Thought I'd put in the alloy wheels and audio from outside at a cheaper rate. Come to think of it, its been 2 months and still no alloy wheels or audio....hmmm.

[RX135]

Originally Posted by shuvc

However, I'm sure that ultimately they will recover the discount (and more) in the total cost of the loan. Guess its just a trade off between saving some thousands up-front versus paying 50/- extra EMI per lakh/month.

If you think it is being recovered from you over period of time, then it doesn't count much, except the fact that you dont need to invest your own money now. Such discounts can turn out to be a marketing gimick, so better consult it with a finance expert.

Talking about cars, choose one which you like more and which you are more comfortable with. A difference of 10K-20K is immaterial. If you find owning a Maruti gives you a piece of mind, go for it even if it's expensive. If you are lured by the car and heart says Petra, go for it. Trust me, you wont care for difference of 10-20 thousands then.