What Car: changing the aging Lancer

vivek_agra · 29th March 2007, 15:30

Need to change the aging Lancer (Oct 2000, GLXi) for my wife. She is a senior consultant and has a driver. The drive is about 1500km/month.

Hence looking for a car, which will be driven by driver mostly.
Backseat comfort is important (I have Skoda RS, I drive myself)

Looking at less used Corrolla, Accord (new shape), new Cedia Spirit (8.65 on road in GGN)

Perception is an important consideration..
Budget is from 6 to 9 lakhs.

Like Cedia, given Lancer experience, but had few doubts on
- Perception
- Resale value
- Spare part costs (though i expect not too many needed)

Any thoughts on what is the perception of Cedia in the market.

thanks

Vivek

Dippy · 29th March 2007, 15:47

Have you considered the NHC? Its a good car to be driven in, seats are comfortable and its in your budget too. Another car that comes to mind is the Optra 1.6.

vivek_agra · 29th March 2007, 15:49

Dippy, I think the size is important, Optra may qualify. How is Optra as a car to own and maintain.

DCEite · 29th March 2007, 15:50

For backseat comfort, following cars are in your budget:

Toyota Corolla HE 1.8J
Cheverlet Optra
Honda City ZX
TATA Indigo XL

now take your pick.

Dippy · 29th March 2007, 15:56

The Optra is a good package overall and they offer a 4 year warranty as far as I remember. I dont know about the service maybe other Optra owners on the forum can shed some light on it. I found the back seat very comfortable Taking into mind the point you mention let me rate the Optra IMO

Perception - Very classy

Resale value - not as good as the Hondas or Toyotas (Found a 2004 1.8 t Automart for just 5.5 lakhs asking price low run great condition)

Spare parts - might be pricey but then they offer you a good warranty period

Hope this helps. Happy car shopping.

csentil · 29th March 2007, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivek_agra

(snip)
Looking at less used Corrolla, Accord (new shape), new Cedia Spirit (8.65 on road in GGN)

Perception is an important consideration..
Budget is from 6 to 9 lakhs.

Sorry to point out, Accord at a budget of 6 to 9 lakhs?? Even if you get a second hand one at that price you should go ahead and buy it!!

Corolla stripped down version is almost 9+ lakhs. Not worth it, as it would be replaced next year and its stripped of all the goodies.

Optra is a good choice and so is the NHC. Optra has very elegant looks, almost stately and sort of an official car and is a good performer. NHC has futuristic looks and is the leader in that segment.

unknown · 29th March 2007, 16:01

For backseat comfory nothing can Beat corolla Buy the "Corolla Executive" It's costs around 9-10 bracket

shuvc · 29th March 2007, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivek_agra

Looking at less used Corrolla, Accord (new shape), new Cedia Spirit (8.65 on road in GGN)

Perception is an important consideration..
Budget is from 6 to 9 lakhs.

You seem to be considering a used car too. In that case you could also look at the old gen Accord, old gen Sonata. Both big, classy and comfortably within your budget.

Purely for perception, a D segmenter will have more presence than a C+. Try and hunt for a used new shape Accord within 9L.

himanshugoswami · 29th March 2007, 17:50

Go in for an Optra 1.6 in a dark shade! It looks classy, has all the requisite goodies even in the base version, and copupled with the discounts on offer, you will get a middle version (royale i think) for about 8.5. It definitely has more street cred than an NHC or Indigo XL or even the cedia. The Corolla is neck and neck with teh Optra.

suman · 29th March 2007, 18:12

Optra Royale 1.6....I hope she has a GOOD driver who will take care of the car.

theMAG · 29th March 2007, 18:28

I'm not sure if any car manufacturer makes Senior-Consultant specific cars, but since image is important to you a Jap/Euro sedan is what you want. And a City is in that price range. You could also get it repainted in glittering gold paint before taking delivery. The Cedia doesnt have sufficient road presence. If you're OK with this replacement car looking perceptibly upscale than your RS you could also go with your original choice of used Accord

normally_crazy · 29th March 2007, 20:24

I would second Dippy here. Go for the Chevrolet Optra. Looks classy and huge. Is very comfortable and relatively trouble free. Also with GM offering nice A.S.S deals makes it very VFM.

manikjeet · 29th March 2007, 21:59

Optra is a good car it is really a looker thats what i feel. Even i was thinking of getting a optra a few months back and the dealer was giving the fully loaded optra at 9.45 (in chandigarh) so you could go for the fully loaded model with the sunroof and all
We didn't go for a optra because my dad found civic more appealing

Fiero · 30th March 2007, 00:11

Optra 1.6 is the perfect choice IMO ... have an Optra 1.8 ... 2 years 20000K ... quite inherently reliable ... maintinance won't be an issue ... the rest of the pros and cons have been mentioned ... engine is not class leading by any sense of the word ... but the rest is well into corolla territory ... beats it at a few things as well

abhibh · 30th March 2007, 02:05

Well the comfort levels of Optra is even better than Corolla. The next thing IMHO that provides better comfort is ACCORD. Go for optra with eyes closed. Maintenance depends upon dealer in your area. If you are not comfortable with the maintenance of GM then you can opt for Corolla.

29th March 2007, 15:30	#1
vivek_agra Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 8 Thanked: 0 Times	What Car: changing the aging Lancer Need to change the aging Lancer (Oct 2000, GLXi) for my wife. She is a senior consultant and has a driver. The drive is about 1500km/month. Hence looking for a car, which will be driven by driver mostly. Backseat comfort is important (I have Skoda RS, I drive myself) Looking at less used Corrolla, Accord (new shape), new Cedia Spirit (8.65 on road in GGN) Perception is an important consideration.. Budget is from 6 to 9 lakhs. Like Cedia, given Lancer experience, but had few doubts on - Perception - Resale value - Spare part costs (though i expect not too many needed) Any thoughts on what is the perception of Cedia in the market. thanks Vivek Last edited by vivek_agra : 29th March 2007 at 15:44.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 15:47	#2
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,752 Thanked: 4,200 Times	Have you considered the NHC? Its a good car to be driven in, seats are comfortable and its in your budget too. Another car that comes to mind is the Optra 1.6.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 15:49	#3
vivek_agra Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 8 Thanked: 0 Times	Dippy, I think the size is important, Optra may qualify. How is Optra as a car to own and maintain.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 15:50	#4
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,590 Thanked: 3,483 Times	For backseat comfort, following cars are in your budget: Toyota Corolla HE 1.8J Cheverlet Optra Honda City ZX TATA Indigo XL now take your pick.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 15:56	#5
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,752 Thanked: 4,200 Times	The Optra is a good package overall and they offer a 4 year warranty as far as I remember. I dont know about the service maybe other Optra owners on the forum can shed some light on it. I found the back seat very comfortable Taking into mind the point you mention let me rate the Optra IMO Perception - Very classy Resale value - not as good as the Hondas or Toyotas (Found a 2004 1.8 t Automart for just 5.5 lakhs asking price low run great condition) Spare parts - might be pricey but then they offer you a good warranty period Hope this helps. Happy car shopping.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 16:01	#7
unknown BANNED Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 439 Thanked: 23 Times	For backseat comfory nothing can Beat corolla Buy the "Corolla Executive" It's costs around 9-10 bracket
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 17:50	#9
himanshugoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: !!!! Posts: 2,325 Thanked: 2,693 Times	Go in for an Optra 1.6 in a dark shade! It looks classy, has all the requisite goodies even in the base version, and copupled with the discounts on offer, you will get a middle version (royale i think) for about 8.5. It definitely has more street cred than an NHC or Indigo XL or even the cedia. The Corolla is neck and neck with teh Optra.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 18:12	#10
suman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 4,586 Thanked: 281 Times View My Garage	Optra Royale 1.6....I hope she has a GOOD driver who will take care of the car.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 18:28	#11
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	I'm not sure if any car manufacturer makes Senior-Consultant specific cars, but since image is important to you a Jap/Euro sedan is what you want. And a City is in that price range. You could also get it repainted in glittering gold paint before taking delivery. The Cedia doesnt have sufficient road presence. If you're OK with this replacement car looking perceptibly upscale than your RS you could also go with your original choice of used Accord Last edited by theMAG : 29th March 2007 at 18:40.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 20:24	#12
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,305 Thanked: 543 Times View My Garage	I would second Dippy here. Go for the Chevrolet Optra. Looks classy and huge. Is very comfortable and relatively trouble free. Also with GM offering nice A.S.S deals makes it very VFM.
	() Thanks

29th March 2007, 21:59	#13
manikjeet Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: chandigarh Posts: 1,617 Thanked: 296 Times View My Garage	Optra is a good car it is really a looker thats what i feel. Even i was thinking of getting a optra a few months back and the dealer was giving the fully loaded optra at 9.45 (in chandigarh) so you could go for the fully loaded model with the sunroof and all We didn't go for a optra because my dad found civic more appealing
	() Thanks

30th March 2007, 00:11	#14
Fiero BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 359 Thanked: 166 Times	Optra 1.6 is the perfect choice IMO ... have an Optra 1.8 ... 2 years 20000K ... quite inherently reliable ... maintinance won't be an issue ... the rest of the pros and cons have been mentioned ... engine is not class leading by any sense of the word ... but the rest is well into corolla territory ... beats it at a few things as well
	() Thanks

30th March 2007, 02:05	#15
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	Well the comfort levels of Optra is even better than Corolla. The next thing IMHO that provides better comfort is ACCORD. Go for optra with eyes closed. Maintenance depends upon dealer in your area. If you are not comfortable with the maintenance of GM then you can opt for Corolla.
	() Thanks