Best Highway Car under 7.5 lakhs

numerouno · 16th August 2006, 16:33

I am planning to undertake a 4000 km trip sometime in Diwali from Pune to Kerela and back and am looking at buying a good highway vehicle which will be comfortable for a minimum of 5 passengers.
I shortlisted the following in varying price ranges

Tata Indica Turbo (4.5 Lakhs)
- Pro's - cheapest, decent power and torque for the highway, decent interior space, Excellent Fuel Economy
- Con's - Boot Space, Long term reliability, Hear too many scary stories
Tata Indigo LX (5.7 Lakhs)
- Pro's - same as Indica, Big Boot, Good rear seat
- Con's - Long term reliability, Hear too many scary stories
Tata Safari Dicor LX (7.6 Lakhs)
- Pro's - Boss of the Highway, Great passenger comfort
- Con's - Long term reliability, Too large turning radius to be used in the city
Ford Fiesta TDCi Exi (7.7 Lakhs)
- Pro's - Extremely refined, Fuel Efficient
- Con's - Looks delicate, not sure how it will handle our Bad Highways, Expensive spare parts

Would have liked to include the Innova but I'm already stretching by budget till 7.5 Lakhs. Not sure if I should consider any Petrol options right now seeing the way Fuel prices are shooting up.

I know that 3 of my options include the Tata's and all 3 of them will probably get an engine upgrade. Is it worth going in for the Tata Safari Dicor 3 ltr engine knowing that a new one is round the corner ?
I would ideally like to take a decision to buy a vehicle by end of this month or early next month so that I have enough time to run-in the vehicle before taking it on a long road trip.

Please let me know based on your experiences as to which one would be an ideal choice for the highway.

Steeroid · 16th August 2006, 16:49

Hi numerouno

I'm not sure if the Pune-Kerala trip can be the sole criteria for buying a car - you're not likely to be doing this trip every month, are you?

You should therefore widen your choices. Pune-Kerala is no biggie anyway - we did it comfortably in a day and a half in our old Accent, but we were just 2 1/4 passengers....

Dont worry about the scary stories about the Indica/go, though. My friend's Indigo taxis regularly do the Kerala-Goa tourist trail at least 3-4 times every month and all his cars have logged in about 100,000 kms in a year and are still going strong.

Please look at your long-term requirements beyond the Pune-Kerala trip and come up with a set of criteria - that will help people here give you more pertinent advice.

sbasak · 16th August 2006, 16:54

Why not consider Baleno, Fusion?

Boom Shiva · 16th August 2006, 17:03

How about Tavera? Seems to fit your bill pretty well. It's a diesel, fits more than five comfortably, is rugged, and I think it's definitely within your budget.

aZa · 16th August 2006, 17:07

Yes seating 5 ppl in comfort for 4000kms of highway travel, i think Tavera and Safari fit the bill. Too many scary stories bout Indica and indigo well there are a lot more sucess stories too, i've seen 1L+ indicas going strong.

revharder · 16th August 2006, 17:07

i completely agrees with Boom Shiva.
Tavera is avery capable vehicle and it can serve you well after your that 4K trip.

numerouno · 16th August 2006, 17:22

I already have a Santro for daily city use which I currently intend to keep since its much easier in the city.. I was looking for a vehicle thats bigger than the santro and can accomodate 5 people in reasonable comfort. I have a daily commute of close to 45 km so it could eventually replace the Santro as my daily commute if it fits the bill.

Space, Drive comfort, Economy is what I'm looking for in my next vehicle.

Steeroid · 16th August 2006, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by numerouno

Space, Drive comfort, Economy is what I'm looking for in my next vehicle.

Go for the Dicor if you dont mind missing out on the new engine. Nothing wrong with the old engine except the narrow-ish powerband. Space, comfort and to a certain extent economy make up for it.

kvish · 16th August 2006, 18:46

For highway driving, one need's a powerful and a car with very good handling...and within 7.5L, Baleno and Fiat cars i.e Petra and adventure would probably be the ones to consider...

Tech · 16th August 2006, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by revharder

i completely agrees with Boom Shiva.
Tavera is avery capable vehicle and it can serve you well after your that 4K trip.

As per JD Power review for 2005, however Tavera has highest problems as per UV Segment details which is even higher than the industry norms.

http://www.indiacar.com/index2.asp?p...er/iqs2005.htm

xtreme power · 16th August 2006, 19:31

dude...one suggestion from me..
and i can bet u its the best among the lot..
go in for a chevy forester..
u wont regret it....
perfect for the highway.....very tough and smooth..
extremely comfortable and refined
grips the road like crazy....
and also if u want to go a bit offroading....whats the harm

scorp 1 · 16th August 2006, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtreme power

dude...one suggestion from me..
and i can bet u its the best among the lot..
go in for a chevy forester..
u wont regret it....
perfect for the highway.....very tough and smooth..
extremely comfortable and refined
grips the road like crazy....
and also if u want to go a bit offroading....whats the harm

Forester? Under 7.5? Hey !! I hope you aren't kidding !!

The best possible vehicle would be one with higher stance and comfort for 5. Safari and Innova would fit the bill.
Else, you can also go for Fusion or Fiat Adventure Diesel.

devarshi84 · 16th August 2006, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by numerouno

I am planning to undertake a 4000 km trip sometime in Diwali from Pune to Kerela and back and am looking at buying a good highway vehicle which will be comfortable for a minimum of 5 passengers.
I shortlisted the following in varying price ranges
[/list]Would have liked to include the Innova but I'm already stretching by budget till 7.5 Lakhs. Not sure if I should consider any Petrol options right now seeing the way Fuel prices are shooting up.

I know that 3 of my options include the Tata's and all 3 of them will probably get an engine upgrade. Is it worth going in for the Tata Safari Dicor 3 ltr engine knowing that a new one is round the corner ?
I would ideally like to take a decision to buy a vehicle by end of this month or early next month so that I have enough time to run-in the vehicle before taking it on a long road trip.

Please let me know based on your experiences as to which one would be an ideal choice for the highway.

tata's make good cars and are the third biggest manfuacturers in India. If you are considering the indca/indigo/marina, its the largest selling platform in the country. Look at either indigo/marina would be good. But going for a diesel considering just 1 trip would not be good. IF you average rougly around 1500-2000 then look at petrol but if its gonna be on the higher side then buy the diesel.

As an option for a highway car costing max 7.5 for 5 people I would look at

chevrolet Aveo. Next gen corsa with space and fiestas comfortable cousin.
Fiat petra(adventure even bettert). I dont know if 5 can seat properly.
Ford Fiesta. The more spirited cousin of Aveo.
Ford Fusion is good for 5 people too with good power.
Mahindra scorpio crde. Handling a suspect, otherwise good.

All the above mentioned cars will carry 5 people, costs below 7.5 and are stable on the highway. Fiesta and aveo come with additional safety features which should have a priority on the checklist.

concluding, i would look at ford fiesta tdci on the upperside and indigo marina on the lowerside of the budget.

Jeeves · 16th August 2006, 21:17

I have read really good things about the Ford Fusion, especially the new version...its even cheaper by a lakh!

ballkey · 16th August 2006, 22:30

A bit OT: Maybe this is what the old-timers indicate when they say the quality has gone down in this site.

Guy comes in and requests advice in selecting a highway car - with a list of choices. Here we go, recommending everything in (and out of) the current market - Petra,Baleno,Fusion, Adventure, Forester, Scorpio, and what not! How's the poor bloke supposed to make a choice?

Can we have a bit more focus guys? We expect everybody to ask their questions after thoroughly researching the topic - guess what, the people who respond should do their research too! Sorry if I've offended anyone.

16th August 2006, 16:33	#1
numerouno BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 38 Thanked: 19 Times	Best Highway Car under 7.5 lakhs I am planning to undertake a 4000 km trip sometime in Diwali from Pune to Kerela and back and am looking at buying a good highway vehicle which will be comfortable for a minimum of 5 passengers. I shortlisted the following in varying price ranges Tata Indica Turbo (4.5 Lakhs) Pro's - cheapest, decent power and torque for the highway, decent interior space, Excellent Fuel Economy Con's - Boot Space, Long term reliability, Hear too many scary stories Tata Indigo LX (5.7 Lakhs) Pro's - same as Indica, Big Boot, Good rear seat Con's - Long term reliability, Hear too many scary stories Tata Safari Dicor LX (7.6 Lakhs) Pro's - Boss of the Highway, Great passenger comfort Con's - Long term reliability, Too large turning radius to be used in the city Ford Fiesta TDCi Exi (7.7 Lakhs) Pro's - Extremely refined, Fuel Efficient Con's - Looks delicate, not sure how it will handle our Bad Highways, Expensive spare parts Would have liked to include the Innova but I'm already stretching by budget till 7.5 Lakhs. Not sure if I should consider any Petrol options right now seeing the way Fuel prices are shooting up. I know that 3 of my options include the Tata's and all 3 of them will probably get an engine upgrade. Is it worth going in for the Tata Safari Dicor 3 ltr engine knowing that a new one is round the corner ? I would ideally like to take a decision to buy a vehicle by end of this month or early next month so that I have enough time to run-in the vehicle before taking it on a long road trip. Please let me know based on your experiences as to which one would be an ideal choice for the highway.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 16:49	#2
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Hi numerouno I'm not sure if the Pune-Kerala trip can be the sole criteria for buying a car - you're not likely to be doing this trip every month, are you? You should therefore widen your choices. Pune-Kerala is no biggie anyway - we did it comfortably in a day and a half in our old Accent, but we were just 2 1/4 passengers.... Dont worry about the scary stories about the Indica/go, though. My friend's Indigo taxis regularly do the Kerala-Goa tourist trail at least 3-4 times every month and all his cars have logged in about 100,000 kms in a year and are still going strong. Please look at your long-term requirements beyond the Pune-Kerala trip and come up with a set of criteria - that will help people here give you more pertinent advice. Last edited by Steeroid : 16th August 2006 at 16:51.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 16:54	#3
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	Why not consider Baleno, Fusion?
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 17:03	#4
Boom Shiva BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,055 Thanked: 18 Times	How about Tavera? Seems to fit your bill pretty well. It's a diesel, fits more than five comfortably, is rugged, and I think it's definitely within your budget.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 17:07	#5
aZa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Noida / Delhi Posts: 1,595 Thanked: 21 Times View My Garage	Yes seating 5 ppl in comfort for 4000kms of highway travel, i think Tavera and Safari fit the bill. Too many scary stories bout Indica and indigo well there are a lot more sucess stories too, i've seen 1L+ indicas going strong.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 17:07	#6
revharder BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 460 Thanked: 56 Times	i completely agrees with Boom Shiva. Tavera is avery capable vehicle and it can serve you well after your that 4K trip.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 17:22	#7
numerouno BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 38 Thanked: 19 Times	I already have a Santro for daily city use which I currently intend to keep since its much easier in the city.. I was looking for a vehicle thats bigger than the santro and can accomodate 5 people in reasonable comfort. I have a daily commute of close to 45 km so it could eventually replace the Santro as my daily commute if it fits the bill. Space, Drive comfort, Economy is what I'm looking for in my next vehicle.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 18:46	#9
kvish BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 627 Thanked: 195 Times	For highway driving, one need's a powerful and a car with very good handling...and within 7.5L, Baleno and Fiat cars i.e Petra and adventure would probably be the ones to consider...
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 19:31	#11
xtreme power BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 732 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	dude...one suggestion from me.. and i can bet u its the best among the lot.. go in for a chevy forester.. u wont regret it.... perfect for the highway.....very tough and smooth.. extremely comfortable and refined grips the road like crazy.... and also if u want to go a bit offroading....whats the harm
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 21:17	#14
Jeeves BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 28 Thanked: 0 Times	I have read really good things about the Ford Fusion, especially the new version...its even cheaper by a lakh!
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 22:30	#15
ballkey BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 422 Thanked: 28 Times	A bit OT: Maybe this is what the old-timers indicate when they say the quality has gone down in this site. Guy comes in and requests advice in selecting a highway car - with a list of choices. Here we go, recommending everything in (and out of) the current market - Petra,Baleno,Fusion, Adventure, Forester, Scorpio, and what not! How's the poor bloke supposed to make a choice? Can we have a bit more focus guys? We expect everybody to ask their questions after thoroughly researching the topic - guess what, the people who respond should do their research too! Sorry if I've offended anyone.
	() Thanks

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