[windsurfer]

if you can wait for sometime, then New Baleno and Logan should be there. Aveo is not a bad car. My friend owns one and you can get all the information you need about GM Hyd ***. Let me know if you require it. And I heard that there was 20k off on Aveo. Not sure if it is still valid.

[rajismine]

Dear Friend, forget all this. Go for a second hand Scorpio CRDE which is in excellent condition.

Other wise there are only two good options according to me:

1.) Honda city ZX
2.) Hyundai Verna

think...........

[kkr2k2]

Just been to the Hyundai Showroom (laxmi hyundai, himayathnagar) to check out the verna crdi and elantra crdi.
The sales excutive was the dumbest ever I could imagine. ( I once been to a TVS showroom bit early in the morning, there was a clerk who was much better)
She says the luguage volume as 150liters!!!! X 100

She didnt know most of the details be it the technical or standard features. Even checking out the car, we had to do it ourselves !!!.

Anyways, here is what I flet about Verna:
The car interiors look big but the leg room isnt better than indigo. In the drivers seat, my right was hitting the steering column as the key-in slot is kind of projected thing, had to push the seat completely back, still the legs were touching the steering even after puttting the steering at maximum height (I wonder how our sam is managing in his verna!!!). When the drivers seat is pushed completely back the gear know was not comfortable enough for the reach. One thing which really took my breath out was the big luguage boot. Its really very big.

A test drive would help us find out exactly. We wanted to have a test drive, but my dad got an urgent call and we had to leave.

Also checked the Elantra CRDi D, liked it in every aspect, thought the seating is low, the steering was comfortable and position of gear lever was really good. The rear seating is a delight. Only thing is we really got to do lots of bargain on this to get into our budget.

My dad enquired about an elantra. The owner is an aquaintance of my dad. He has an elanta, an octavia, a fiesta and a scorpio. He is not satisfied with the elantra and says the car skids when braked a bit harder than usually, funny thing; elantra has an ABS. He doesnt recommend Elantra. Can some one put some light on this.

Need a clarification, the sales executive mentioned the cost of the music system in the Elantra as 13,000/- !!! . According to the website the music sytem is a double din, 4 speakers and 2 w/ Cr. Bezel tweeters. Can any one tell me the right price of this set-up.

[RX135]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

He is not satisfied with the elantra and says the car skids when braked a bit harder than usually, funny thing; elantra has an ABS.

I do not know the reason, but I have witnessed it myself. It did skid couple of times under hard braking. But, I thought it was more of an aberration. Do we have any elantra owner here?

[aseem]

Why are you so obsessed with braking. After driving an Indica, any car that you are considering would be miles ahead in that dept. You still seem very particular about this issue. Is there some reason why you are so concerned in this dept. The reason I am saying is that I drive a Swift with upsized Potenza GIIIs without ABS, and most Indians drive without ABS, but dont generally face braking issues, or make their car buying decisions on braking...

[finneyp]

Originally Posted by GTO

I think its best for you to choose from:

1. The Optra 1.6 : Big, comfortable, refined and a genuine all-rounder. Your running is only 16000 p.a. so diesel / petrol wont make a difference.

I second GTO!

Chevy Optra 1.6 is big, spacious, comfy with a 1.6 VGIS refined engine!

[rahul_intlad]

Now that the nhc is a no-no,me too agree with GTO and finneyp it should be a toss-up between the Optra 1.6 and the verna crdi.

[sajo]

Originally Posted by finneyp

I second GTO!

Chevy Optra 1.6 is big, spacious, comfy with a 1.6 VGIS refined engine!

And soon to get a diesel. Why not wait and try that out?

[rocksterraghu]

Looking at your previous record, it doesn't look like you need ABS (since you mentioned it to be one of the most important prerequisites). You can concentrate more on things like air bags or different safety features such as impact bars on the doors, which are more relevant to Indian conditions. ABS plays a role only when you are on slippery surfaces like ice.

In fact, I suggest you go through this article and decide for yourself whether it is THAT important.

Howstuffworks "How Anti-Lock Brakes Work"

The rest have been decided by other members.

[kkr2k2]

After all discussions and deliberations and what not, the following has been shortlisted:

If the car had to be a deisel:
Budget: 8.5 Lakhs OTR.
Hence Verna CRDi

If the car had to be a petrol:
Budget: 7 Lakhs OTR(based on economical calculations compared to verna crdi)
Hence the options:
1. Baleno VXi, if we get some discounts else its LXi.
2. Chevy Aveo 1.6LT, again subject to discounts else its 1.4LS.
3. Verna petrol XI, some discounts here also desirable but not going for a lower model.

Note: deciding factors would be "comfort and ease of driving, VFM, Safety"
1. Of all Baleno LXi seems to be the best VFM,
2. For the "comfort and ease of driving" - shall decide after a good number of test drives and some feed-back from the tall(above 6 ft) owners and some aged(above 50 years) owners.
3. Safety - where should I go??? . The best source can be 'apna' Team-BHP . I will be missing out the ABS.

Indigo, fiesta and petra ruled out because of A.$.$. But will use them as cards while bargaining a good deal.

Below are the some 'approximate' costs I have to shell out incase of better variants. (its just a guess work)

==============================================
Diff.s bet. Verna I(7,05,621) and XI(7,26,323) variants = 21,000

Chrome Rear Garnish 500
Wood grain interiors 1500
Illuminated Glove Box 250
Front Portable Ashtray 250
Vanity Mirror with cover - Driver Side 250
Seat back pockets 250
Seat Back Hook 50
Adjustable Rear Headrest - 3 nos. 1500
Front seat Center Armrest 500
Dual height Adjustable Driver Seat 1500
Electrically Adjustable Rear View Mirror 10000
Height Adjustable Front Seat Belts 1000
4 Speakers 6000
Key less entry with theft deterrent system 2500
_______________________________________________
TOTAL 26,000/-
===============================================

===============================================
Diff.s bet. Aveo 1.4LS(7,17,000) and 1.6LT (7,65,000) = 48,000

1.6 engine against 1.4 10,000
14" alloy wheels(4) 12,000
Chrome coated exterior handles & trunk lid 1,500
Rear spoiler 6,000
Interior with Wood finish 1,500
Wood finish on IP and door trim 1,000
Electrically adjustable ORVMs with Heating function 10,000
Double DIN Music system instead of single 5,000
Hood insulation 1,000
Car alarm and keyless entry system 2,500
__________________________________________________ ____
TOTAL 50,500
================================================

Both the verna and aveo better models are worth the extra price paid.

But with the baleno, do i need to pay extra 50,000 with out much gain???
===========================================
Diff.s Bet. Baleno LXi(6,56,000) and VXi(7,48,000) = 92,000

Leather steering cover 1,000
Automatic climate control 10,000
Rear spoiler 6,000
alloy wheels 12,000
Power Antenna 1,000
MP3 music system 7,000
Silver finish centre garnish 1,000
Front seat height adjuster (driver's side) 1,500
Remote keyless entry 1,000
Rear window demister 2,500
__________________________________________________
TOTAL 43,000
============================================

P.S. If my approximations are not correct please correct me. Thank You.

[aseem]

All I would recommend is that go with a new car as opposed to Baleno. Of course you wont regret Baleno caz of its UPS, namely torqy engine, maruti A.s.s, fe, price etc.... but just somehow seeing someone buying a new car now, and going in for a model thats months away from discontinuation doesnt go down well with me. Of course its your money, so you make the final decision. Remember you would keep the car for 5 years, so better go for a slightly newer platform so that it looks new a few years in.

[benbsb29]

Looks like u have ruled out the Optra, which in my opinion is a good car with executive looks, and quite a decent performer too. i am sure your dad would love it too.

[Jaggu]

Go for Optra if petrol or Verna if diesel
If you are ok with gas check out optra with gas options []

[revharder]

hello,
NHC is a good capable car. it is indeed a very good family car.
try test driving with your family and then decide.

optra1.6 is another good contender here. but it doesnot enjoys any novelty like some other cars.

among both aveos, it is better to go for 1.4LS, as 1.6 is not as good as it should be.
new baleno is due very soon.
verna is not comfy/luxurious/goodlooking enough for family.

hope it didnot confused you anymore.

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

But with the baleno, do i need to pay extra 50,000 with out much gain???

This was the calculation I did , when I bought my VXi a year back.

The 'new' VXi @6.76 L OTR ; the LXi @5.93 OTR. Price difference = 83K

I added the desired aftermarket mod costs to the LXi
5 nos, 185/65 R14 tubeless tyres & 14" Alloys - 27000
Basic MP3 HU + 4 speakers (with papers) - 13000
Remote locking - 5000
That totals 45K. - So I save 38K ?
But ... the demister, the climate control, the height adjuster on the drivers seat might come in handy ... and it saves me the trouble of modding (I prefer stock cars)

Also add the cost of the OEM spoiler, Antenna etc .. I thought the price difference was more or less justified at that time ...

But if you'd like to exercise your own choice for accessories, then the LXi is better. The only thing you lose out on is the climate control.

Having said that, given your requirements, I'd still recommend you go for a Verna VGT.