Ever thought of downshifting? From big car to small car?

sam_sant2005 · 6th May 2010, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

I switched from a 225HP Acura 3.2 TL to Santro Xing AT in 2003.

Yes, it can be done, but I had to buy another Sedan a year later since I got fed up on long highway drives.

See, this could happen. But for our 'top end' hatches like Swift, Figo, Polo, i20 etc the highway runs wont be boring I guess. Any note on that? Has anyone got any idea about lnog trips on those hatches?

sumeethaldankar · 6th May 2010, 19:33

i know someone who downgraded from a Accent to a Beat.The accent was replaced as it had become old and the person found the larger vehicle cumbersome to drive in daily traffic.

Mi10 · 6th May 2010, 19:34

A friend of mine is contemplating on selling his 11 year old Contessa classic to Ford Figo or Suzuki Ritz.

Not sure if this will come under downshifting

Going by the Traffic rise we have today, i think very sooner most of us would be downshifting from 4 wheels to 2 wheels

sidindica · 6th May 2010, 20:10

I got a shock in 2000 when my dad sent off his 1994 padmini for good and purchased a daewoo matiz. I just thought-big things come in small packages and just after experiencing the amount of legroom in the matiz, all my thoughts were quelled. nippy little fun to drive hatch, it was a marvel in interior packaging and served us for well over six figure kms before we replaced it with the santro in 2006. I simply hate the legspace on offer inside the santro as compared to matiz.

In our localities, maybe due to size constraints or parking problems, 2 people sold off their 8 year old accents for i10 kappas.

vinaydas · 6th May 2010, 20:19

we have a Palio , an Innova and a Camry so concept of downshifting does not apply as we already have vehicles of different segments.
personally i don't feel either the innova or the camry a pain to drive in the city.
The Congested roads make even a biker to suffer in the city , so a few extra CM's of wheelbase really matter.
running costs are a different issue altogether.

Guna · 6th May 2010, 20:24

I might downgrade to a hatch from my ANHC AT as a city car. But then I will also have a car meant for long drives.

svsantosh · 6th May 2010, 20:34

TATA Indigo CS ---->> Tata Nano

Had banged up the Indigo once, and also needed to get rid of the EMI (financial reason), Nano is a stop-gap until I gather enough cash to buy the next car with full cash!!

Guna · 6th May 2010, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinaydas

we have a Palio , an Innova and a Camry so concept of downshifting does not apply as we already have vehicles of different segments.
personally i don't feel either the innova or the camry a pain to drive in the city.
The Congested roads make even a biker to suffer in the city , so a few extra CM's of wheelbase really matter.
running costs are a different issue altogether.

I agree, once you are on the road size of the car doesn't matter. On the other hand bigger vehicles get more respect from other motorists! But the pain is when it comes to parking, especially in congested places.

Zero Cool · 6th May 2010, 20:50

I have purchased a SX4 zxi about 40 days back. just 3 days back I booked a polo. Now a polo can cost as much as a entry level sedan like accent,fiesta or aveo but i went for it because im already getting my rush of a big car, i need a practical car, easy to drive in city and easy to park. honestly buying a i20 over verna and accent actually makes sense.

Ricky_63 · 6th May 2010, 21:21

I think this is a very interesting topic. The thread-starter is surely a thinker !! Kudos to you buddy.

I see no reason why "downsizing" or what some of us call "downgrading" should be a problem at all. You gotta change with the times.

If your lifestyle demands a smaller vehicle, so be it. I see nothing wrong with that. Hypocrites who judge people with what they "drive" can take a hike. They may even question or judge you for the watch you wear or the clothes you have.

Can one be "judged" by these materialistic things ?? I think NOT. One should drive what is practical & what one enjoys & what one can easily afford. Whether it is an 800 or the Bentley Flying Spur.

You are what you are - does not matter what car you drive.

Personally I find the Swift far more convinient to drive & park than I do any of my other cars. I feel no shame in driving that, and I do not agree that we should feel inferior or complexed driving what we do. Afterall a car is meant for our convinience - Period

That is my POV

Cheers

shankaranand · 6th May 2010, 21:42

Great Thread!.. Just in time when I am seriously considering "Downshifting".

One issue though is, if you are used to luxuries of the big car, getting used to the smaller car takes time.

I am taking TD of smaller cars and have hard time liking them(interiors, space and comfirt).

Only i10 and i20 impressed me among smaller cars. But I20 costs as much as a bigger car.

Confused!.

carbaliga · 7th May 2010, 05:38

Good Thread!! I'm already in the market searching for a premium hatchback or an entry level sedan after selling off my Toyota Corolla. My experience so far --- "CONFUSED" as to what is my next buy. The biggest issue - You are spoilt for choice after having a luxury sedan. Every small missing feature put a Big X against the car. I'm going to get there shortly and probably will then post my experience in tihs shift journey.

ritedhawan · 7th May 2010, 06:25

Compulsion to downgrade, more than anything else will soon manifest itself. This is more appropriate in a city like New Delhi. no doubt, the city may have the best roads in comparison to other metros, long and wide. Inspite of a number of efforts by the agencies to widen or elongate the current roads in New Delhi. The rate at which the new cars are inducted in a city like New Delhi, will soon set all efforts of the agencies deployed to widen roads , obsolete. Case in point, my father who bought an accord 2007 model accord AT 2.4L 2 years ago, is now contemplating of buying i20 diesel for his daily commutance.

One also, believes, that the age group above 30 will sooner or later realise this and some are already making this downgrade. Thus, arrises out a question along with the one put by this thread: Why the older the age group the more will it accompany this change of 'downgrade' rather than the younger generation ?.

ampere · 7th May 2010, 07:09

Reasons to downshift?

Many.

- City traffic
- Good AT options.
- Powerful hatches which are also rock solid on long drives.
- Great many choices for the buyer. He can actually indulge.
- Easy maintenance and smaller parking requirements
- Suits urban lifestyles very well.
- Amazing engines and mileage

PLUS many many more !

v&v · 7th May 2010, 08:56

Real coincidence to find this thread. I am in process of down shift one of my sedan.

Reason - Parking - At residence a big issue
Economics - Planning a diesel hatchback - Daily running 80-120 kms /day
Lower cost of maintenance and running cost.
My wify too want to drive around - A strict no no to my baleno and safari.

Of course my view of down shifting holds good if you own multiple cars, otherwise i am not in for it.

6th May 2010, 19:33	#17
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,937 Thanked: 3,315 Times View My Garage	i know someone who downgraded from a Accent to a Beat.The accent was replaced as it had become old and the person found the larger vehicle cumbersome to drive in daily traffic.
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 19:34	#18
Mi10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,169 Thanked: 3,268 Times View My Garage	A friend of mine is contemplating on selling his 11 year old Contessa classic to Ford Figo or Suzuki Ritz. Not sure if this will come under downshifting Going by the Traffic rise we have today, i think very sooner most of us would be downshifting from 4 wheels to 2 wheels
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 20:10	#19
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,892 Thanked: 8,106 Times	I got a shock in 2000 when my dad sent off his 1994 padmini for good and purchased a daewoo matiz. I just thought-big things come in small packages and just after experiencing the amount of legroom in the matiz, all my thoughts were quelled. nippy little fun to drive hatch, it was a marvel in interior packaging and served us for well over six figure kms before we replaced it with the santro in 2006. I simply hate the legspace on offer inside the santro as compared to matiz. In our localities, maybe due to size constraints or parking problems, 2 people sold off their 8 year old accents for i10 kappas.
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 20:19	#20
vinaydas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,399 Thanked: 148 Times	we have a Palio , an Innova and a Camry so concept of downshifting does not apply as we already have vehicles of different segments. personally i don't feel either the innova or the camry a pain to drive in the city. The Congested roads make even a biker to suffer in the city , so a few extra CM's of wheelbase really matter. running costs are a different issue altogether.
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 20:24	#21
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,010 Thanked: 4,202 Times	I might downgrade to a hatch from my ANHC AT as a city car. But then I will also have a car meant for long drives.
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 20:34	#22
svsantosh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 4,001 Thanked: 6,301 Times View My Garage	TATA Indigo CS ---->> Tata Nano Had banged up the Indigo once, and also needed to get rid of the EMI (financial reason), Nano is a stop-gap until I gather enough cash to buy the next car with full cash!!
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 20:50	#24
Zero Cool BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 202 Thanked: 6 Times	I have purchased a SX4 zxi about 40 days back. just 3 days back I booked a polo. Now a polo can cost as much as a entry level sedan like accent,fiesta or aveo but i went for it because im already getting my rush of a big car, i need a practical car, easy to drive in city and easy to park. honestly buying a i20 over verna and accent actually makes sense.
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 21:21	#25
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	I think this is a very interesting topic. The thread-starter is surely a thinker !! Kudos to you buddy. I see no reason why "downsizing" or what some of us call "downgrading" should be a problem at all. You gotta change with the times. If your lifestyle demands a smaller vehicle, so be it. I see nothing wrong with that. Hypocrites who judge people with what they "drive" can take a hike. They may even question or judge you for the watch you wear or the clothes you have. Can one be "judged" by these materialistic things ?? I think NOT. One should drive what is practical & what one enjoys & what one can easily afford. Whether it is an 800 or the Bentley Flying Spur. You are what you are - does not matter what car you drive. Personally I find the Swift far more convinient to drive & park than I do any of my other cars. I feel no shame in driving that, and I do not agree that we should feel inferior or complexed driving what we do. Afterall a car is meant for our convinience - Period That is my POV Cheers
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 21:42	#26
shankaranand BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164 Thanked: 22 Times	Great Thread!.. Just in time when I am seriously considering "Downshifting". One issue though is, if you are used to luxuries of the big car, getting used to the smaller car takes time. I am taking TD of smaller cars and have hard time liking them(interiors, space and comfirt). Only i10 and i20 impressed me among smaller cars. But I20 costs as much as a bigger car. Confused!.
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 05:38	#27
carbaliga BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bengalooru Posts: 88 Thanked: Once	Good Thread!! I'm already in the market searching for a premium hatchback or an entry level sedan after selling off my Toyota Corolla. My experience so far --- "CONFUSED" as to what is my next buy. The biggest issue - You are spoilt for choice after having a luxury sedan. Every small missing feature put a Big X against the car. I'm going to get there shortly and probably will then post my experience in tihs shift journey.
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 06:25	#28
ritedhawan BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Noida Posts: 306 Thanked: 517 Times	Compulsion to downgrade, more than anything else will soon manifest itself. This is more appropriate in a city like New Delhi. no doubt, the city may have the best roads in comparison to other metros, long and wide. Inspite of a number of efforts by the agencies to widen or elongate the current roads in New Delhi. The rate at which the new cars are inducted in a city like New Delhi, will soon set all efforts of the agencies deployed to widen roads , obsolete. Case in point, my father who bought an accord 2007 model accord AT 2.4L 2 years ago, is now contemplating of buying i20 diesel for his daily commutance. One also, believes, that the age group above 30 will sooner or later realise this and some are already making this downgrade. Thus, arrises out a question along with the one put by this thread: Why the older the age group the more will it accompany this change of 'downgrade' rather than the younger generation ?.
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 07:09	#29
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,948 Thanked: 12,935 Times View My Garage	Reasons to downshift? Many. - City traffic - Good AT options. - Powerful hatches which are also rock solid on long drives. - Great many choices for the buyer. He can actually indulge. - Easy maintenance and smaller parking requirements - Suits urban lifestyles very well. - Amazing engines and mileage PLUS many many more !
	() Thanks

7th May 2010, 08:56	#30
v&v Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,545 Thanked: 1,205 Times View My Garage	Real coincidence to find this thread. I am in process of down shift one of my sedan. Reason - Parking - At residence a big issue Economics - Planning a diesel hatchback - Daily running 80-120 kms /day Lower cost of maintenance and running cost. My wify too want to drive around - A strict no no to my baleno and safari. Of course my view of down shifting holds good if you own multiple cars, otherwise i am not in for it.
	() Thanks