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Originally Posted by vb-san Some common requirements in a what-car thread - for the self-driven:
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[*]We all love our family, so why an inferior option for the immediate family member (spouse / parents). Shouldn't the so-called lesser expert driver need a safer car? Why should your wife/dad drive a Wagon R and not an Ecosport?[/list] - In the developed markets, big large SUVs or MPVs are more popular among women. But here the mighty men want to feel more macho and need to command respect - do you really need a car for that?
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Brilliant thread! I recently read about a BHPian who had bought a higher end vehicle for themselves with very stringent requirements, while the wife got a bare basic (not exaggerating) car. Both got hatches, mind, but the budget for the husband's car more than double that for the wife's car.
When reading about this, I felt the same as you did. When both these cars would be driven almost exclusively in the city, then why the extraordinary bias?
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Originally Posted by kozhissery ABS does not get activated in low speed. Anyway that what my Swift's User manual says Attachment 1404937
I feel the vehicle should have structural stability and Airbags (vehicle that's going to be used inside city). Most of the accidents inside city are of minor and not Fatal, mostly structural damages (unless banged with Tipper). |
ABS is useful at any speed above that mentioned, especially with the 9th gen which accounts for gravel, sand (and snow though not relevant for most of India).
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Originally Posted by smartcat In almost all households, the second car is driven within city limits.
Death or severe injuries in car accidents are extremely rare within city limits, because of low speeds. ABS never activates at slow speeds. Airbags too won't pop out in low speed impact. That's probably why I don't feel unsafe when driving my dad's Santro or my FIL's Vista base model - within the city.
Airport runs might involve comparatively higher speeds, but I guess people take the big safe car with large boot on airport duties. |
What low speeds are you referring to? I'm sure you do drive above 6kmph within the city. Also remember that even 30kmph within the city in a head-on with another vehicle travelling at 30kmph will still be a 60kmph impact. Quite severe, and sufficient for airbags to deploy.
ABS is about avoiding accidents, while airbags are to help survive them. I agree though that structural integrity and airbags should be mandatory, but disagree that ABS is not required in the city. In which city in India does one NOT see vehicles being driven at 80, 90 or even 100? Outer Ring Road and Intermediate Ring Road for Bangalore folk?
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Originally Posted by Vigkey Well, by low speeds, I meant city driving speeds i.e. speeds in 20-30 kmph....
Hope I am clear with the point now |
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Originally Posted by Santoshbhat Generally I find women averse to driving bigger cars. |
Well that's probably because they don't get a chance or are not given the confidence to drive a larger vehicle. My wife drives our Rapid everywhere in the city, while I prefer the scooter because it is far more convenient getting around in traffic.
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Originally Posted by hybridpetrol I think even the ESP, EBD and TCS will be of no use in slippery surfaces. All of these technologies adjust the braking to ensure the vehicle does not lose control for various reasons, such as under steering / over steering, uneven surfaces etc.
All these assume that the car is on a surface where the wheels can roll properly. When the car is skidding on a water surface, braking will not bring back the vehicle back to control.
I am not sure whether there is any other technology to prevent such aquaplaning or gain back control. Experts can throw more light on this |
Not sure how this is relevant to the thread.
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Originally Posted by civic-sense That is only part of the answer. In India, we do not treat women's luxuries/necessities equal to men's. Not just car, they even get cheaper smartphones, often what the husband used before he upgraded. We have progressed a lot from the times when they were left to eat after (leftovers of) their husbands, but they are still made to stay a step behind. |
Well said!
There are some exceptions, especially when it isn't ones' own money at stake. For example when my parents were planning on buying a car, I suggested the Polo TSI. My parents bought the Vento Comfortline diesel because it cost less at that time after discounts - bigger car, diesel. If I had a controlling stake in what has to be bought, they would have the Polo TSI instead.
I like this thread because it raises some questions that a lot of us will find either difficult to answer because many do the same. In my extended family a relative drives his i20 Sports which was purchased recently, while the wife has been handed down a decade old Zen Lxi. That's an upgrade for her, because she previously drove an Indica diesel sans power steering and only AC (no heater)!! This is in Delhi traffic, if you can imagine that.