Help me ease my troubled mind

Floyd de Souza · 9th March 2006, 14:10

Yeah...and besides quite a few other Balenos, mine too will be on the streets of Mumbai in a weeks time...a new one. After plenty of research and test driving, I decided on the Baleno after selling my S10. The parameters (must have-not optional) on which my choice was based was 1. Price - < 7 lacs (ex-showroom) 2. Three box 3. Petrol 4. Low running cost and maintenance (including ASS) 5. Good power and driveability(definitely a requirement after driving an S10). 6. Good ride comfort and handling 6. Good space and comfort 7. Decent looks and safety. Resale value was not considered as I plan to keep the car for at least 4 years.
The cars in my radar were the NHC, Fiesta (1.4 & 1.6), Accent (1.5 & 1.6), Ikon Lancer and Petra.
After driving all the cars, I found that only the Baleno met my requirement in all parameters and that too at a very reasonable price (the LXi is real VFM). The only cars which came close were the Fiesta and Lancer. The Fiesta lost out on no. 4 (because it is too new to get sufficient feedback) and the Lancer lost out on no. 5 (though it was very driveable because of its flat torque curve, it did'nt have enough grunt).
So..there you have it. I can't tell you which car to buy but can give you my experience to help you make an informed choice. It is unlikely that the Baleno will be discontinued soon according to most dealers as sales have been picking up and MUL seems to be satisfied. And now you do see quite a few Balenos on the road.

supremeBaleno · 9th March 2006, 14:38

The following link gives details of new cars bought by tbhp-ians a few months ago and the clear winner was the Baleno.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ecently-4.html
Baleno at 17 cars and Swift at 15 cars (1 vote from Aseem) were the only ones in 2 digit numbers.
If still someone says that there are no Balenos on the road, no one is buying it etc .......................

aseem · 9th March 2006, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

My wife did not like the Baleno's looks and was rooting for Accent. Took me some time to bring her over.

Supreme Baleno, you need to work on your attitude. You can not force your opinions on others. Everyone is not your wife who you can convince in to buying a Baleno.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zappo

Hey SupremeBaleno... I have been watching this heated thing going on between you and aseem. And I know you are pretty fired up. I just decided to intervene because you seem to have got that "shelf-life" word straight jacketed, probably based on some bookish definition (wikipedia?!).

Well said Zappo. Supreme Baleno, I am neither a marketing major, nor did I major in English. I used the word "shelf life" as I deem appropiate, so please dont be my headmaster from 1st grade and tell me that I have used an inappropiate word, lets stick to the point we are discussing, and I am sure anyone and everyone reading what I wrote, gets what I mean.

Please READ that I have nothing against Baleno. My advise was not clouted by the car I own. I gave the strengths and weaknesses of that product. Baleno was an excellent buy a few years back, but now its getting old. Any prespective buyer needs to know the pros and cons of every car before making a decision.
I myself own an Esteem 2004, and a Swift 2005. However I dont tell every prespective buyer to buy an Esteem as it has great FE, great power, high resale compared to Ford, etc. As I dont let my judgement be biased based on the car I own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremebaleno

Anyway, the rear of the Baleno will be seen only by others, when Baleno drivers leave them far behind.

Dude its a Baleno, not a Ferrari...lol. I mean yeah its got 94 bhp or something, but dude 0-100 in 11.5 seconds or something right.... Swift does it in 13, and I think Esteem does it in 12.5 or something. But I never considered a Swift, Esteem or Baleno for that matter fast. Its not a V6 Turbo with 200+ bhp you own.

Loving your car is one thing, but being totally non objective in your views.... I know its got more power compared to the competition, so lets just leave it at that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremebaleno

Looks are subjective. You think a Baleno is ugly - this is a democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion, however stupid it might be.

Lastly, please refrain from calling someones views stupid just caz they dont agree with you. I hope you enjoy your car and keep it for 5 years, and than still buy a Baleno 5 years later. But thats you, please dont impose your will on others, let them decide for themselves.

supremeBaleno · 9th March 2006, 16:37

I am not joining issue with you, buddy.
This is xcentric's thread and I would prefer we revert back to his topic.

prince85 · 9th March 2006, 17:31

this is soo funny. Aseem, i think that suprmem baleno never called your suggestions stupid in any of his posts.

Anyways common guys, its just a car, we need to get things going back again in this thread guys.

prince85 · 9th March 2006, 17:32

Yuppie, i guessed it right, aseem does have an esteem and a swift

.

yogi1771 · 9th March 2006, 17:42

hi xentric the best thing for u to do now after knowing the pros and cons is to testdrive the cars which u have listed and decide as the saying goes one mans food maybe other mans poison

xentric · 9th March 2006, 17:50

You bet yogi! As it is this thread has become really re hot!! Wowee, lots of emotion in this house. But anyways I wanna thank each and every one who helped out.

I must tell you guys that my wavering mind has come up with an all together new option which is the Scorpio 2.6 CRDe, although being a lakh plus over my budget. Sometimes I just drive myself up the wall. I guess I am true to my nick.

Sorry guys! Thanks once again!

Cheers,

Xentric

supremeBaleno · 9th March 2006, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince85

Yuppie, i guessed it right, aseem does have an esteem and a swift

.

Prince85, you were right about that. Also, I guess the Esteem introduced in 1993 does not become dated in 2004 after 11 years.

BTW, in the following post, he mentions owning a Baleno too.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/105733-post17.html

aseem · 9th March 2006, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Prince85, you were right about that. Also, I guess the Esteem introduced in 1993 does not become dated in 2004 after 11 years.

BTW, in the following post, he mentions owning a Baleno too.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/105733-post17.html

Baleno is owned by my brother in Chandigarh. Its a great car, I never said its a bad car. Nor is Esteem a bad car. However they are old. I actually am looking forward to upgrade my Esteem. By the way we also have a 2005 Santro (another moms decision). But Esteem and Swift I paid for them. Rest family cars...
Lastly after buying the Swift, putting a good music system, and meaty tyres, I hardly drive the Esteem anymore. Its mainly used by my dad occaisonaly.
The decision to buy an Esteem was my moms. However I agree I did a mistake by buying a dated car. Thats why we are selling it. Lets just leave this discussion at that! I rest my case. No more comments from me PERIOD!

prince85 · 9th March 2006, 18:37

i think you are wrong on that supremebaleno. The esteem was introduced in the last part of 94 and not 93.Hhave owned two esteems in 8 years and i am in love with that car. BTW, why am i talking about the poor old esteem here???? you know why, coz

.

Cheers

Zappo · 9th March 2006, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by aseem

No more comments from me PERIOD!

Over?!!

Now that its through, may I ask you SB are you really so much emotionally surcharged about everything?! Let everyone have their say mate. Anyways... no. I also must drop it here. Waise, xentric has already moved onto a Scorpio now

supremeBaleno · 9th March 2006, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince85

i think you are wrong on that supremebaleno. The esteem was introduced in the last part of 94 and not 93.Hhave owned two esteems in 8 years and i am in love with that car.

Prince, you are right. It was 94. And just incase you misunderstood my post about the Esteem - that example was given only to know why someone would say that a 6-year old Baleno is dated, but not a 10-year old Esteem. I am aware that the Esteem is a great car (have mentioned that earlier in this thread also) and I was not casting any aspersions on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappo

Over?!!

Now that its through, may I ask you SB are you really so much emotionally surcharged about everything?! Let everyone have their say mate. Anyways... no. I also must drop it here. Waise, xentric has already moved onto a Scorpio now

If I came across as emotionally surcharged, I apologize buddy. I thought we were having an arugument and each one of us was presenting our view on it. And I guess it is perfectly OK to agree to differ.

aseem · 9th March 2006, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Prince, you are right. It was 94. And just incase you misunderstood my post about the Esteem - that example was given only to know why someone would say that a 6-year old Baleno is dated, but not a 10-year old Esteem. I am aware that the Esteem is a great car (have mentioned that earlier in this thread also) and I was not casting any aspersions on it.

Couldnt resist.... But who said Esteem is not DATED??? (please qoute) Its ANCIENT!!!
PEACE!

prince85 · 9th March 2006, 23:48

The esteem is ancient eh? Thats why its selling more than the ikon 1.3 and the accent gle and ofcourse the corsa included which fall in the same price band

i some how always get a feeling with aseem as if he feels that he is the ruler here and everyone else are fools

. nothin personal buddy

9th March 2006, 14:10	#46
Floyd de Souza BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 321 Thanked: 228 Times	Yeah...and besides quite a few other Balenos, mine too will be on the streets of Mumbai in a weeks time...a new one. After plenty of research and test driving, I decided on the Baleno after selling my S10. The parameters (must have-not optional) on which my choice was based was 1. Price - < 7 lacs (ex-showroom) 2. Three box 3. Petrol 4. Low running cost and maintenance (including ASS) 5. Good power and driveability(definitely a requirement after driving an S10). 6. Good ride comfort and handling 6. Good space and comfort 7. Decent looks and safety. Resale value was not considered as I plan to keep the car for at least 4 years. The cars in my radar were the NHC, Fiesta (1.4 & 1.6), Accent (1.5 & 1.6), Ikon Lancer and Petra. After driving all the cars, I found that only the Baleno met my requirement in all parameters and that too at a very reasonable price (the LXi is real VFM). The only cars which came close were the Fiesta and Lancer. The Fiesta lost out on no. 4 (because it is too new to get sufficient feedback) and the Lancer lost out on no. 5 (though it was very driveable because of its flat torque curve, it did'nt have enough grunt). So..there you have it. I can't tell you which car to buy but can give you my experience to help you make an informed choice. It is unlikely that the Baleno will be discontinued soon according to most dealers as sales have been picking up and MUL seems to be satisfied. And now you do see quite a few Balenos on the road.
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 14:38	#47
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,676 Thanked: 2,919 Times View My Garage	The following link gives details of new cars bought by tbhp-ians a few months ago and the clear winner was the Baleno. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ecently-4.html Baleno at 17 cars and Swift at 15 cars (1 vote from Aseem) were the only ones in 2 digit numbers. If still someone says that there are no Balenos on the road, no one is buying it etc .......................
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 16:37	#49
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,676 Thanked: 2,919 Times View My Garage	I am not joining issue with you, buddy. This is xcentric's thread and I would prefer we revert back to his topic.
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 17:31	#50
prince85 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 971 Thanked: 123 Times	this is soo funny. Aseem, i think that suprmem baleno never called your suggestions stupid in any of his posts. Anyways common guys, its just a car, we need to get things going back again in this thread guys.
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 17:32	#51
prince85 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 971 Thanked: 123 Times	Yuppie, i guessed it right, aseem does have an esteem and a swift .
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 17:42	#52
yogi1771 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 697 Thanked: 16 Times	hi xentric the best thing for u to do now after knowing the pros and cons is to testdrive the cars which u have listed and decide as the saying goes one mans food maybe other mans poison
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 17:50	#53
xentric Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 12 Thanked: 0 Times	You bet yogi! As it is this thread has become really re hot!! Wowee, lots of emotion in this house. But anyways I wanna thank each and every one who helped out. I must tell you guys that my wavering mind has come up with an all together new option which is the Scorpio 2.6 CRDe, although being a lakh plus over my budget. Sometimes I just drive myself up the wall. I guess I am true to my nick. Sorry guys! Thanks once again! Cheers, Xentric
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 18:37	#56
prince85 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 971 Thanked: 123 Times	i think you are wrong on that supremebaleno. The esteem was introduced in the last part of 94 and not 93.Hhave owned two esteems in 8 years and i am in love with that car. BTW, why am i talking about the poor old esteem here???? you know why, coz . Cheers Last edited by prince85 : 9th March 2006 at 18:41.
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 23:48	#60
prince85 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 971 Thanked: 123 Times	The esteem is ancient eh? Thats why its selling more than the ikon 1.3 and the accent gle and ofcourse the corsa included which fall in the same price band i some how always get a feeling with aseem as if he feels that he is the ruler here and everyone else are fools . nothin personal buddy
	() Thanks