Hi Guys,
I had sold my Palio some time ago.
I wish to forget that period of my life.
I pushed it more than I drove it
It had become a topic of conversation amongst family and friends.
I have been at receiving end of a lots of funny ones.
Let bygones be bygones.
I decided to test drive a few cars.
But one day before the scheduled test drives, I made a huge mistake.
I drove my friend's Merc, E 280 CDI.
I have been driven around in it many times but it was my first time driving it, and Sweet Lord ...
It was the most unbelievable drive of my life.
The backseat experience is ok. Its no big deal.
There's leather and stuff but no gizmos to speak of.
But pedal to the metal and its a revelation.
You can feel the power in the seat of your pants yet the ride is so soft.
The way it grips the road is fabulous.
As you can imagine from Palio to Merc is a jump. A huge jump.
Anyways, back to test drive day.
I didn't have a budget in mind hence the extensive list of test drives.
I wanted to be sure, really sure this time.
- Honda City
I sat in the car that was in the showroom. It was so pathetic from the inside
I didn't even bother with a test drive.
I had heard that the interiors were not upto the mark but that was an understatement.
- Honda Civic
She's a Hottie. I was really excited about this one. I dreamt of a white Civic with white alloys.
Despite the huge number of Civic's I see on the road, It hasn't diminished its charm.
I thought this would be the one.
She's STUNNING to look at.
Being a photographer, I had shot a Civic a year back for Castrol.
I knew then that this was the car I would buy someday.
The test drive changed all that. The low end torque is just not there.
It feels dead. And it scraped its underbelly on the way out of the showroom.
The drive wipes the smile off your face that you had when you saw her.
What a letdown.
- Honda Accord - 2.4
I'm 34 and a photographer. Even though the Accord has a corporate look I liked it a lot.
Spacious and roomy in the back. Finish was alright too.
But it felt 'tinny'. Like a huge shell thats not solid from within.
It drove fine, the AT.
The shifts were smooth but the engine felt it could do with a lot more grunt.
Low end torque was nothing to write home about.
And of course the big calculator type display. Its quite a shame.
We aren't in the 80's anymore, Honda.
- Ford Fiesta - 1.6 S
This baby reminded me of my Yamaha Rx-135 I had in my college days.
It begs to be pushed. You can't drive it slow.
It will turn Leonardo di Caprio to a Colin Farell.
Scary performer.
The interiors were better than the Honda City.
It does carry of the sporty look, with the alloys and the spoiler, quite well.
- Hyundai Verna - Diesel
The Verna is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Its ugly to look at, there are no two ways about it.
That people buy it, is a nod of approval to its performance not its looks.
The Dzire also seels like hot cakes does not make it a looker, does it ?
But thats going OT.
I could test the AT coz the dealership didn't have one.
Its great to drive though i sensed a bit of Turbo lag initally.
The interiors are pleasant.
But its chassis lets it down.
I never got a feeling of security. A bit skittish.
- Fiat Linea - Petrol & Diesel
I know that after my Palio experience i should never have entered the showroom
but there was positive feedback on Team-BHP and other forums so why not give it a chance.
The interiors were quite good though the instrument panel is quite cluttered looking.
The retro look is not to my liking. The finish was really good in most parts.
I think most of us adjust our seats in any new car we sit in.
I did the same and the seat adjsuter came off and into my hand.
Which ofcourse, I handed over to the sales exec in the passenger sear
The look on his face ... Priceless ...
The engine was underpowered in the petrol. The diesel has more torque hence feels punchier.
I drove both of them back to back.
The boot is huge.
If your're from the Mafia, you can definately hold a guy in there.
- Toyota Corolla Altis
Nothing bad about this one. Just that it evokes no emotion.
Its a safe performer.
The dash is alright but the fake wood trims just cheapen the look of the car.
- Skoda Superb - 1.8 TSI
Superb, Superb, Superb.
No other word for it.
Its not that great to look at. A bit gawky i would say.
But the game changes on the inside.
Plush and loaded. Solid built feel.
This car comes closest to the the German trio we have in India.
Quality is fantastic. Top of the line.
Fit for a king, of a small kingdom ofcourse.
The DSG gearbox is slick and smooth. 7 speed one.
Never felt the gear shift ... up or down.
Its goes beserk in Sports mode.
Redlines all the way and is great fun to drive.
Kinda Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Never makes you feel its just a 1.8 litre under the hood.
20.5 L on road Mumbai is a great price.
Ofcouse I'm aware of the issue going on the forum but credit must be given where due.
Car for car, it beats the pants off the accord. And great fun to drive too.
Now the question.
Should I go a used Mercedes - C200 K -W 204 - 2008 model -
5,000 to 9,000 kms used.
or a new Skoda Superb Petrol.
I have never driven a C-class but i just the love the way the new C looks.
Its pretty sharp looking in white.
How good is the c 200k ?
Will I miss the torque of the diesel ?
Carwale lists these cars at 24 - 25 lakhs.
Is that a good price or can they get lower ?
Of course there are people listing them at 27 and up but lets get real.
They don't sell at those prices.
The diesels are more expensive, ofcourse.
A Merc is a Merc.
Skoda can never get close to it in image but as a product its fantastic.
Please don't suggest a BMW as I am a Merc fan.
I know nothin of bimmers except that they come in 3 / 5 / 7 variety.