Please Advise: upper mid-sement car

the_trooper · 2nd November 2007, 15:01

A colleague of mine wants to buy a new car.

The budget is around 8 lakhs.

A few of the cars shortlisted are the Verna, Fiesta, and the SX4.

The Honda City is there in the list, but since another family already owns one, they want to buy something different if possible.

The car will mostly be used in the city, with the very rare out of station trip.

Average distance travelled per month would be, well, what under 1000km I guess.

The car is gonna be self driven.

One specific requirment for this car would be passenger comfort. Spacious and comfortable.

The choice between diesel and petrol is open, and milage is not really a priority, neither is ground-shattering performace. It is basically gonna be used to transport the family.

What would you suggest? Please pour in your opinions, no matter how good or ridicuous you think your point is.

VMG · 2nd November 2007, 15:21

If your friend can stretch lit bit more, he can close his eyes and go for Cedia base version. Cedia is very comfortable and comes with all safety features, good in handling, good FE in this segment and excellent braking. It is Driver's car.

zoom2_ash · 2nd November 2007, 15:23

Whats the size of the family? If it is 4 or less then SX4 is the choice else Fiesta and SX4 both are cramped for 3rd passenger in the rear seat. In that case, options will be City, Aveo or optra 1.6.

As your friend already has City in their family and if they are happy with the car then i guess they should go for it again. But if they just want to try something else, then try out Aveo or Optra 1.6.

ranc · 2nd November 2007, 16:57

If you are looking to buy a Petrol car (which I presume you are), dont go beyond SX4, its value for money and a damn good car, I have had one for nearly two months now and its just wonderfull.

theMAG · 2nd November 2007, 17:06

Quote:

It is basically gonna be used to transport the family.

The SX4 is not perfect for family use due to its stiff suspension. A softer sprung car like the Verna or the Optra is more apt.

vnabhi · 2nd November 2007, 17:26

I would suggest Fiesta 1.6 sxi over an SX4---the Fiesta is more of a driver's car, has better driving dynamics, handling, stability, ride, turning radius, better sounding stock ICE, etc.
Only flip sides are no airbags, and no steering mounted stereo controls. You can't play mp3 either.

joseph5600 · 2nd November 2007, 17:40

If you are looking at driving pleasure Fiesta would be the best option.
If Space and comfort, Verna or Honda City would be good.
SX4, though it is a new vehicle, has the same old engine of Baleno and the build quality of the vehicles stated above are better than SX4.

extreme_torque · 2nd November 2007, 18:34

SX4 anyday. Its a wonderful car and has something for everyone.

bblost · 2nd November 2007, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

The SX4 is not perfect for family use due to its stiff suspension. A softer sprung car like the Verna or the Optra is more apt.

Just curious. What do you suppose a SX4 should be used for?

surajs · 2nd November 2007, 18:48

SX4 is the best bet.If he can stretch his budget, Optra is a good choice as well.

2nd November 2007, 19:24

i would suggest chevrolet aveo or honda city or hyundai verna.. they all are very good and comfortable cars..

burnt. · 2nd November 2007, 20:01

Regarding comfort, among the shortlisted options, I would choose the Verna. It has a really soft suspension and is really comfortable to travel in, particularly on bad roads. But its not really fun to drive, particularly the petrol variant.

PatienceWins · 2nd November 2007, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

The SX4 is not perfect for family use due to its stiff suspension. A softer sprung car like the Verna or the Optra is more apt.

SX4 should not be the choice if comfort of family, particularly elder people, is your priority. Its complete VFM and is a drivers car. If you can stretch more go for Cedia or Honda City. Cedia is a drivers car and gives good compromise between ride and handling.

lamborghini · 2nd November 2007, 22:54

I would suggest a Cedia for your friend.
Its a lower D segment car that is fully loaded with everything and a car your friend would love to drive.
The SX4 is also a good car but has sub standard interiors, poor performance and is cramped for more than 4 people.
Another option would be the Aveo or the Optra.

theMAG · 2nd November 2007, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

Just curious. What do you suppose a SX4 should be used for?

As a VFM, fun-to-drive car for the driver and his young wife/girlfriend with the elderly rear-seat occupants wishing they'd done the trip in a Volvo bus.

2nd November 2007, 15:01	#1
the_trooper BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chn Posts: 215 Thanked: 103 Times View My Garage	Please Advise: upper mid-sement car A colleague of mine wants to buy a new car. The budget is around 8 lakhs. A few of the cars shortlisted are the Verna, Fiesta, and the SX4. The Honda City is there in the list, but since another family already owns one, they want to buy something different if possible. The car will mostly be used in the city, with the very rare out of station trip. Average distance travelled per month would be, well, what under 1000km I guess. The car is gonna be self driven. One specific requirment for this car would be passenger comfort. Spacious and comfortable. The choice between diesel and petrol is open, and milage is not really a priority, neither is ground-shattering performace. It is basically gonna be used to transport the family. What would you suggest? Please pour in your opinions, no matter how good or ridicuous you think your point is.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 15:21	#2
VMG BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 347 Thanked: 47 Times	If your friend can stretch lit bit more, he can close his eyes and go for Cedia base version. Cedia is very comfortable and comes with all safety features, good in handling, good FE in this segment and excellent braking. It is Driver's car.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 15:23	#3
zoom2_ash BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 74 Thanked: 5 Times	Whats the size of the family? If it is 4 or less then SX4 is the choice else Fiesta and SX4 both are cramped for 3rd passenger in the rear seat. In that case, options will be City, Aveo or optra 1.6. As your friend already has City in their family and if they are happy with the car then i guess they should go for it again. But if they just want to try something else, then try out Aveo or Optra 1.6.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 16:57	#4
ranc BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lost somewhere on the Leh Manali hway Posts: 516 Thanked: 14 Times	If you are looking to buy a Petrol car (which I presume you are), dont go beyond SX4, its value for money and a damn good car, I have had one for nearly two months now and its just wonderfull.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 17:26	#6
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: DC -> DC Posts: 5,999 Thanked: 2,428 Times View My Garage	I would suggest Fiesta 1.6 sxi over an SX4---the Fiesta is more of a driver's car, has better driving dynamics, handling, stability, ride, turning radius, better sounding stock ICE, etc. Only flip sides are no airbags, and no steering mounted stereo controls. You can't play mp3 either.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 17:40	#7
joseph5600 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 113 Thanked: Once	If you are looking at driving pleasure Fiesta would be the best option. If Space and comfort, Verna or Honda City would be good. SX4, though it is a new vehicle, has the same old engine of Baleno and the build quality of the vehicles stated above are better than SX4.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 18:34	#8
extreme_torque BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,462 Thanked: 5,534 Times	SX4 anyday. Its a wonderful car and has something for everyone.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 18:48	#10
surajs BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: TVM Posts: 105 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	SX4 is the best bet.If he can stretch his budget, Optra is a good choice as well.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 19:24	#11
aks316 Posts: n/a	i would suggest chevrolet aveo or honda city or hyundai verna.. they all are very good and comfortable cars..
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 20:01	#12
burnt. BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 251 Thanked: 26 Times	Regarding comfort, among the shortlisted options, I would choose the Verna. It has a really soft suspension and is really comfortable to travel in, particularly on bad roads. But its not really fun to drive, particularly the petrol variant.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2007, 22:54	#14
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,166 Thanked: 5,937 Times View My Garage	I would suggest a Cedia for your friend. Its a lower D segment car that is fully loaded with everything and a car your friend would love to drive. The SX4 is also a good car but has sub standard interiors, poor performance and is cramped for more than 4 people. Another option would be the Aveo or the Optra.
	() Thanks