Team-BHP > The Indian Car Scene


View Poll Results: Best driver's car below 5Lakhs (ex-showroom)
Figo - TDCi 58 17.68%
Swift - 1.2K series 111 33.84%
Figo - 1.2 petrol 12 3.66%
Swift - DDiS 120 36.59%
A-star 8 2.44%
Chevy Beat (Petrol) 19 5.79%
Voters: 328. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
  Search this Thread
68,664 views
Old 18th June 2010, 23:35   #31
Senior - BHPian
 
Amartya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Evanston
Posts: 1,748
Thanked: 736 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by .anshuman View Post
@Clevermax: Figo has good dynamics but the performance offered does not make it as exciting to drive as the Swift, especially the Petrol version. The Swift has both entertaining agile handling and a peppy engine.
Agreed and it's funny how in my opinion Maruti have the two most fun to drive cars in this range:

a. Swift
b. A-star - Just a change of tires is recommended.
Amartya is offline  
Old 18th June 2010, 23:39   #32
Senior - BHPian
 
supremeBaleno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chennai / Kochi
Posts: 5,545
Thanked: 2,693 Times

What's so funny about that ? You sound like these were the first cars from Suzuki to be FTD.
supremeBaleno is offline  
Old 18th June 2010, 23:45   #33
Senior - BHPian
 
anachronix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Madras
Posts: 3,286
Thanked: 1,336 Times

Below 5 Lakhs!? The Figo should be the winner, the feedback & the handling powers of the wonderful Fiesta chassis mated to the TDCi makes it absolutely FTD car at that price!

I have mixed feelings about the Swift. Its got the most peppy petrol/diesel(?) engine, the handling/feedback for the FTD factor has never been consistent! What are the Swift options for a below 5 Lakh car?

@ Amartya! are you serious about the A-Star? I haven't driven one, but I would like to know if its so good to be called one of the best in the sub 5 Lakh segment!

Quote:
Originally Posted by supremeBaleno View Post
What's so funny about that ? You sound like these were the first cars from Suzuki to be FTD.
I think Swift was the first from Maruti to have ever come close to something called FTD!

Last edited by anachronix : 18th June 2010 at 23:47.
anachronix is offline  
Old 18th June 2010, 23:50   #34
Senior - BHPian
 
nitrous's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UAE/Lon/Madras
Posts: 6,965
Thanked: 322 Times

Swift's petrol engine gives it the edge over the Figo.
nitrous is offline  
Old 18th June 2010, 23:53   #35
Senior - BHPian
 
anachronix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Madras
Posts: 3,286
Thanked: 1,336 Times

@Nitrous! ^^ How would you compare a SwiftD against the FigoD?
anachronix is offline  
Old 18th June 2010, 23:54   #36
Senior - BHPian
 
xingamazon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,400
Thanked: 121 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amartya View Post
Agreed and it's funny how in my opinion Maruti have the two most fun to drive cars in this range:

a. Swift
b. A-star - Just a change of tires is recommended.
Well not just that, adding to the fun, among the by-gone ones suzuki has two of the best I would feel as a drivers car.
1. Suzuki Zen
2. Alto Vxi 1.1L
xingamazon is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 00:00   #37
Senior - BHPian
 
supremeBaleno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chennai / Kochi
Posts: 5,545
Thanked: 2,693 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by anachronix
I think Swift was the first from Maruti to have ever come close to something called FTD!
I think, therefore I am. Hmm. Thinking is free - go ahead & indulge. Looks like you missed the fact that this thread starts with the Zen as the FTD car & to the best of my knowledge the Zen was a Maruti. The Alto1.1 was another and so was the M800-5speed, whose performance I have seen on track and on city roads. There are other cars, but since they dont meet the 5-lakh criteria, no use bringing them here.

Last edited by supremeBaleno : 19th June 2010 at 00:08.
supremeBaleno is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 00:05   #38
Senior - BHPian
 
sajo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pune
Posts: 2,625
Thanked: 1,152 Times

Since the Palio 1.6 is no longer in contention, my vote goes to the Swift K-series.

It appeals in equal proportions to the following sets of buyers within the 4-6L range :

- Enthusiast
- Commuter
- Enthusiastic Commuter

Take a long TD and decide for yourself guys..

PS : I have put my money where my mouth is !
sajo is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 00:17   #39
Distinguished - BHPian
 
.anshuman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Good-Gaon
Posts: 7,763
Thanked: 11,063 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by xingamazon View Post
Well not just that, adding to the fun, among the by-gone ones suzuki has two of the best I would feel as a drivers car.
1. Suzuki Zen
2. Alto Vxi 1.1L
Xingamazon, The Swift is much more fun to drive than the cars you have listed here. The Alto1.1 surely did have very good performance but the EPS and handling were not worthy of the FTD title.

The Zen was a great handler but the performance was not in the league of the Swift and it could not carry as much speed as a Swift in a corner. The later version with EPS and 12"rims lost the FTD factor.


Quote:
Originally Posted by gemithomas View Post
Among diesels it surely is the Figo TDCi. (with a atleast 5k run engine and after the engine has attained optimum operating temperature ). I think the base model comes under 5L.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rajushank84 View Post
I think we may have different definitions of drivers car, so may help to mention that as well.

To me, the only two contenders are:
1. Figo diesel
2. Swift petrol
(I think base model of both these cars comes <= 5lakhs).
I disagree with you guys here, the Diesel engine in the Figo feels best at low revs, the engine feels unenthusiastic at high revs and lacks top end power. Overall the acceleration is in the league of Punto and Polo.

The DDiS/MJD engine in the Swift is much more sporty and enthusiastic than the TDCi unit in the Figo. The power in DDiS tapers after 3000rpm but still it manages to be much more FTD compared to the Figo.

Only if Ford decides to plonk the 1.6 Engine in Figo from the Fiesta it will be able to match/outperform the Swift.

Both the engines in Swift are peppy and have adequate performance to please an enthusiast but when it comes to ultimate FTD factor, the high revving Petrol is the winner.

Last edited by .anshuman : 19th June 2010 at 00:21.
.anshuman is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 00:46   #40
BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 713
Thanked: 100 Times

Assuming it below 5 lakhs ex-showroom, just 1 car comes to mind > Maruti Swift LXi. You are the fuel!
rjalihal is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 01:35   #41
Senior - BHPian
 
shuvc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kolkata
Posts: 2,913
Thanked: 352 Times

The Fabia and Polo entry level variants are priced < 5L.

Yes they too have underpowered engines, but aren't they good to drive overall?

Quote:
Originally Posted by supremeBaleno View Post
There are other cars, but since they dont meet the 5-lakh criteria, no use bringing them here.
IIRC, the Esteem LX/LXi used to have a tag < 5L
shuvc is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 03:19   #42
BHPian
 
sunil8089's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chennai
Posts: 198
Thanked: 153 Times

How you define a drivers car?

Why not a Santro or i10 not in the list?
sunil8089 is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 06:11   #43
Senior - BHPian
 
Amartya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Evanston
Posts: 1,748
Thanked: 736 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by supremeBaleno View Post
What's so funny about that ? You sound like these were the first cars from Suzuki to be FTD.
It's funny to "me", because the A-star hardly ever gets mentioned and is not very popular (of course due to it's other flaws like lack of space) while the Swift has always been acknowledged. If you read my post again, you'll see I quoted .Anshuman's post.

OT: If I might say so, it helps to sometimes to not be cynical about every bhpian you doesn't agree with you on all issues (read, the Nano thread), and just for your information, here's my list of cars till date( a 1985 Suzuki SS80 DX Red, 2003 Baleno Vxi, Ford Fusion+ 2006 (1.6)). As you can see, there are a couple of Maruti's in there and I consider both of them (specially the Baleno) to be great to drive.

Last edited by Amartya : 19th June 2010 at 06:18.
Amartya is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 08:44   #44
Senior - BHPian
 
Mi10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 1,169
Thanked: 3,267 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by rajushank84 View Post

What I mean by drivers car:
1. Handles well: It is designed with more importance for handling than ride
2. Steering feels direct, sharp, responsive and offers good feel as well
3. Accelerates well
4. Body/chassis design and dynamics enable it to take high speed curves, lane changes, twisties, hairpin bends etc at a reasonable speed and feel fun when doing it.
5. Everything feels "fun" to do: changing direction, changing gears, accelerating.
6. Decent tyres
7. Smooth and precise gearshift
8. Just the right amount of clutch play - not too much, not too little

What are NOT must-haves in a drivers car:
1. Plush ride
2. Space (interior, knee room, boot, whatever)
3. Rear seat comfort
4. Fuel efficiency
5. Gadgets like power windows, music, central lock etc etc
6. Good looks
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunil8089 View Post
How you define a drivers car?

Why not a Santro or i10 not in the list?
A Santro or an i10 doesn't fare here because the engine is as such not a free revving one, The handling usually is pathetic with tons of body roll, and finally the steering feedback (Esp in i10) at higher speeds is equal to driving on water!!

Ya all the above IMHO
Mi10 is offline  
Old 19th June 2010, 11:23   #45
BHPian
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Delhi
Posts: 49
Thanked: 0 Times

Maruti, Honda (and I guess also toyota) cars come with EPS, how can a car without feedback be a drivers car??
k!ng_@thur is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks