Team-BHP - Baleno or Fiesta

Hi Folks, there is a lot of debate on Baleno vs Fiesta these days. Maruti Baleno seems to be the fav of this forum, its got performance, cheap spares, FE, low cost of ownership running for it, apart from being heavily discounted.
On the other hand there is Fiesta, a new entrant in this segment, with fresh looks and new age interiors. Its not as responsive as Baleno, nor as cheap to maintain, however its got a good overall package and is not as dated as Baleno.
Since it seems all new buyers are confused between these two cars, its fair to have a poll and see where the TBHPians stand. Has something changed, has Baleno become dated... or are there still zillions of Baleno fans around???
The comparison can only be between Baleno Vxi and Ford 1.6 top model or Baleno Lxi and Ford 1.6 base, as they are evenly matched in terms of power. We wont bring the diesel or 1.4 in this comparison...
Let the poll begin...

Hi Bro.. well i would still prefer the baleno vxi over ford any day.. for some simple reasons.. the new vxi "climate control air con" a very good improvement.. also it looks stunning in black. the spares are cheaper, and after all maruti reliability and good resale value.. very good power.. and ofcourse handling and the ride comfort is unbeatable.. i have no idea about the ford because i have not driven it yet but the ford will have its plus points too.. but still i would go in for the baleno anyday.

Baleno has lived past its prime. Alloys,climate control and other goodies too wont do any good to lure me to it.

Yes Fiesta's engine is not responsive as the baleno's but still its newer, better interiors, fresh design, better handling, newer looks and technology and intresting price.

fiesta it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by devarshi84

I wouldnt agree lesser...What you have mentioned is exactly what my opinion would be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wolf

I wouldnt agree lesser...What you have mentioned is exactly what my opinion would be.

but many people still think the otherway round. the major factor being that it's a "maruti":)

Its worth adding Palio 1.6 sports in the poll. Anti-FIAT guys, please don't jump on me. Since the launch Palio 1.6 sports proved to be one among the reliable machines available in India even with poor FIAT backing. Now TATA in the scene we can expect some thing good.

One word of caution for maruti lovers, if every one accepts that maruti vehicles are ultimate machines and buys only maruti vehicles, don't we get bored of seeing 99% marutis on the road? No competition is self destruction. And we will be back to Ambassador days.

despite baleno's VFM and fiesta's new-ness, i guess the clinching factor for me would be the space inside, as i find the fiesta horribly cramped from all angles other than the drivers - ikon had so much more space ....

Aseem, this is a loaded poll. Your views on Baleno is well known, your comment in my BHP Garage makes it clear.

Your have stacked 1.6 Fiesta against just Baleno, which Baleno? You do know that most BHPian would buy Lxi and not Vxi. Even after latest changes, I would still buy Lxi over Vxi, and use the extra dough to mod.

In your initial comment you say Fiesta 1.6 vs Vxi and 1.4 vs Lxi, but it is not reflected in the poll choices.

A fair poll would have been where you could select more than one choice from the following list:

Would you buy Fiesta 1.6 over Baleno Vxi?
Would you buy Baleno Vxi over Fiesta 1.6?
Would you buy Fiesta 1.4 over Baleno Lxi?
Would you buy Baleno Lxi over Fiesta 1.4?
Would you buy Fiesta 1.6 over Baleno Lxi?
Would you buy Baleno Lxi over Fiesta 1.6?

And I would have picked 1st, 4th and 6th because Fiesta 1.6 makes sense only over Vxi and not Lxi. And I wouldn't touch the 1.4 engine.

BTW, my Father-in-Law is getting his Fiesta 1.4 delivered today.

i too agree with Hellcat with the prices, its a little too much for the Fiesta... well if one is looking for sheer comfort and luxury then i would suggest the fiesta but then again if u want sheer performance and are looking to modify ur car then its obviously going to be the Baleno... you can use the extra dough to improve the comfortness and interiors of the baleno is what i think...

having sat in the fiesta i somehow feel that the leg room is little less...

ford fiesta 1.6sxi over the baleno whatever model personally own a fiesta1.6sxi

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To be honest, neither car really rocks my boat. But between the two, I'd take the Baleno, simply because I'm a big guy and the Fiesta feels too small and has no road presence.

I guess I might be a bit biased, because I had high hopes for the Fiesta 1.6 when it was launched and the testdrive completely disappointed me, while the Baleno was pretty much what I expected it to be.
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