[zenx]

Sorry - like many others could not post in 'What car' - have lurked out here really long but have not written much.

Alrite. Have a 4 and a half year old City 1.3. Had a zen before that (and in some ways loved that more than the City) Now The City is a gr8 driving car and feels just as good now (well almost) as it did when it arrived - its done about 35K (i use my P-180 a lot - Blore traffic is less painful).

With 2 kids etc, need a little more space. With petrol hitting 51, a diesel would be nice (also coz diesel's are inherently more fues efficient). My total mileage is not too high - but a large %age of it is likely to be on highways.

Not even sure if I want to sell the City - it'll probably last me 3-4 years more without fuss (though I dread Honda's invoice when the tme comes for parts replacements/redos etc - they're v v expensive)

Have considered the Marina (ok looks, decent power, have driven the older Indicas and they're decent on highways - inside Blore nothing is) The fun-to-drive factor will be zot compared to the City (and even less compared to the Zen - very involving little brat) but then one is getting older - kids - a more sedate drive may be just the thing. And if it really hits 15kmpl on highways (I do bet 90-120 mostly - not too fuel efficient a driving style - get about 14max in the city on highways) - diesel on that - then its worth a dekko.

part of the reason for change is also, well, change itself Probably do not want to spend too much over what I might get for my 2001 march City (4ish?)

Are the Tata's too painful to keep ?

Other choices that come to mind:

-used Qualis (i know its ugly but can carry 6/7 ppl! Family trips are easier)
-used/new Scorpio (how terrible is that middle row, really? Are older ones reliable at all as used buys?)
-used Altura (i'd loved the car. its not a diesel, but has the space)

Logically - it seems one should just stick to the City and get a good paint job etc done. (It took some cosmetic hammering in a smallish accident), and pray it doesn't have to visit Whitefield too soon (they'll figure out what I have in the bank and empty it rapidly) However - I've had this question come up multiple times in the last year so decided to post it here anyway.

rgds,
Sameer
http://beyondspiti.blogspot.com/

[jkdas]

hi mate, just saw your introduce yourself thread!

1. diesel would be worth teh money if you drive 1500 plus every month
2. old 1.3 maynot get that price i guess coz vtec price comes in that range ( info frm various threads about price here)
3.marina/indigo would be a nice buy in taht price range.
4. qualis production stopped; so leave it alone. you may not get a good price later when you want to sell it.
5. scorpio, i hate it for its handling.( read its aint so safe at 100kmph plus)
6. can you get an altura now? second hand? nice engine/need extra petrol dose than you city!
7.sell old city get new city
8.new baleno is now cheap that what it was long ago, so is ikon.
9. difference in price of petrol and diesel may become negligible in teh future.

emm, think thats enough from me.

[Steeroid]

I've heard all these posts saying diesels arent worth it if you arent doing "xxxx" kms a month and stuff like that.

I used to be a diehard petrolhead, thought diesels were only meant for tractors and other earthmoving equipment.

I was happy with the 11kmpl of petrol that my Accent used to give.


However, I soon found the actual cost of each long distance trip I make increasing by leaps and bounds over the last one year. Petrol prices moved from the low 40s to almost 50, which is a 25% increase. Suddenly diesels were making sense.

Bought a diesel vehicle recently and I'm lovin it. I can finally justify driving to various places when flying down would've been cheaper with the petrol vehicle. My Safari gives me 11 kmpl even after I maintain an average speed of >70 kmph on the highways, regularly staying at or over 110 kmph most of the time. At 34 bucks a litre, its 15 whole bucks or nearly 30% cheaper than petrol. Or Petrol is 45% costlier than the Rs.34 it takes for a litre of the sticky stuff.

Go for diesel. YOu wont regret it.

Oh by way of choices you have the Tavera which looks much better than the Qualis, returns about 17 km to the litre, carries 7, is much more stable and roomy than the Scorpio and has a snazzy looking Elite model with all the right accessories. You can also tip over all the rear seats and get a flat loadbed thats large enough to lay out a queen-size mattress. Highly recommended.

Perhaps you should also take a look at the Diesel Fiesta, though it might cost more than the Tavera and have less space and utility value. Your Zen can fill in for the quick runabout jobs while the Tavera can tackle Bannarghatta road.

[zenx]

Steer - I agree with ur point abt diesels starting to make sense. Precisely the reason for my dilemma.
Tavera ? Hmmm never thought much of it - and also heard about inconsistent build quality. Dunno if thats really so though.
You use the Safari eh ? Now I grew up up in Telco and have a slight bias too - but I've heard its a monster to maintain - is that accurate ? The advantage with Tata vehicles usually is that u can afford to maintain it - but the qn is how often to u need to afford them - that may become a pain point.
As for the Baleno - i'd have bought it over the City upfront had the price been right - so a residual fascination remains i guess.
I sold my Zen when I bought the City - so thats not around anymore :(

[Steeroid]

I am not sure about inconsistent build quality, but Taxi operators still lament the demise of the Qualis despite the Tavera giving better mileage - obviously GM arent doing things as well as Toyota are. The Tavera's engine is also not as smooth as the Qualis'...

As for the Safari, I dont know about it being big on maintenance because all the visits I have had so far have been covered by the bumper-to-bumper 4-year warranty. I believe the Tavera also comes with something similar (not 4 year, but including a substantial service holiday period). However, since you're mostly into city driving I wouldnt recommend the Safari - the Tavera on the other hand is just right with the price, size, convenience and economy. You should consider the Scorpio, but IMHO the Tavera's build quality, space, price, handling, safety and economy would be better while the Scorpio would score on image.

If you shift to a Baleno from your City 1.3, then you're maintaining status quo with a new vehicle as they are not very different - the right choice if you're pretty happy with the way things are at the moment and dont want to change anything. I personally wouldnt go with that approach, since I would like to try out a different experience when I change vehicles...why spend a few lakhs to continue what you're already doing?

PS: If you buy the Safari, you can join me on a trip to Ladakh. Be nice to have someone who's been there before, the hard way!

[nishant_kingpin]

Sameer:

The Indica when it was launched and the vehicles before the model leaving out the Sierra were like a sad story. But the best thing about this company is that it usually keeps improving the cars regularly.
The Turbo Indica for instance is ages ahead of the first car that came in. Steeroid here has already mentioned his experience with the Safari.

I can tell you after having only Tata vehicles since the Indica came in, maintanance visists have reduced for me personally by over 100%. Usually I dont visit the service center for anything else apart from the usual service schedule.
Tavera is a good car too and should be easy on the pocket as well as high on resale

[zenx]

Thanks Steer/Nishant.
My driving is mostly out of town. In the city its the Pulsar I prefer.
I'd love to own the Safari. But am very apprehensive. Of course I'm
not planning to spend 8L or more, so a new one is out. Woule older
ones make any sense reliabilty wise ? 90bhp also sucks for a 2.5 tonner.
How anemic might the Tavera's 80bhp be, on the same note ?

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by zenx

Thanks Steer/Nishant.
My driving is mostly out of town. In the city its the Pulsar I prefer.
I'd love to own the Safari. But am very apprehensive. Of course I'm
not planning to spend 8L or more, so a new one is out. Woule older
ones make any sense reliabilty wise ? 90bhp also sucks for a 2.5 tonner.
How anemic might the Tavera's 80bhp be, on the same note ?

Between the older Safari and the Tavera, there's no contest. The Tavera's engine does a much, much better job than the 2 litre engine on the 2 1/2 tonne Safari. Better interiors, fit & finish and economy seal the case.

[zenx]

The Fiesta diesel CDI complicates my decision even more - esp if its priced like the Fiesta thread says it is. I guess i'll keep the City for a year more before any move....

[zenx]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

PS: If you buy the Safari, you can join me on a trip to Ladakh. Be nice to have someone who's been there before, the hard way!

hmmm sure. but i'll prbly go on a bike again There are some roads where a 4 wheeler will just not do. Will be nice to have a place to dump all the luggage tho

[Max]

man, hyundai is lunching new accent next year. I think you should also consider it.

[vandan]

[quote=Steeroid]
. I believe the Tavera also comes with something similar (not 4 year, but including a substantial service holiday period).
QUOTE]
the tavera also has a four year "engine waranty" if i remember right with 150k kms

[veyron1]

Originally Posted by steeroid

Between the older Safari and the Tavera, there's no contest. The Tavera's engine does a much, much better job than the 2 litre engine on the 2 1/2 tonne Safari.

beg to differ here; ever tried driving the tavera with a/c? it's more lethargic than the safari 2.0. also, on the ergonomics and comfort front, the safari leads by a football field. that damn handbrake on the tavera is positioned beside the steering column, pukka muv style, and the seat comfort isn't as great as it's made out to be: i speak from experience... and not to mention, the gearshift is far better on the safari. the only saving grace is the slightly lighter clutch that makes for easier city drives, and the fuel economy (when compared to the safari).

@zenx; it seems like you are stuck between different categories; here are my opinions..

used stationwagon:altura (good luck finding one, though; properly maintained ones are VERY hard to come by)
new stationwagon:marina
used muv: scorpio
used suv: safari
used sedan: accent crdi.....

[nitroxx]

Just stick to the Honda bro, long run no engine issues till like 100,000 kms And who says citys' are hard to maintain bring it to me man anytime you have a problem ok...?

[solly]

If you drive more than 1500kms per month go for the new fiesta disel by Jan next year and sell your city before december this year. If you keep your city any longer, resale might be an issue.