[rambono5]

Hi folks,

Lemme first admit, with not inconsiderable embarrassment, that I had asked for advice in this forum 2 years back, about buying a new car (was looking at the Octavia vRS & Embera at that time). I have been dillying for one year and dallying for another. All the while driving my Ikon SXI which is now filled with geriatric problems. Now I've got a little more money to spend but a lot more cars to choose from. Would therefore appreciate some advice. Here goes :

My budget is about 20L OTR in Bangalore (don't mind stretching or saving a couple of lakhs).

I am usually in the backseat (which is the best place to be in Bangalore traffic). So I would appreciate some comfort & legroom there. But I also go on extended highway trips (maybe 2-3 short ones and 1 long one per year). This is when I drive and I love driving fast & furiously during these trips. So I need a balance of rear-seat comfort and driving thrills. Prefer an automatic transmission in city rides but am ok with a manual.

FE is not a big issue for me and neither is resale.

Features are welcome. The more, the merrier. Trip computers, iPod compatibility, Parking sensors, Xenons, tubeless tyres and whatever else.

One personal quirk - I hate wood in the interiors (an absolute no-no). Give me chrome, or aluminiun or titanium or anything but no wood.

The difficult part is that because of a flexible budget, I have too many cars in mind :

1. Octavia RS - My heart is still pointing me there, but won't it be obsolete by now?
2. Laura vRS - Though I don't have much of it being launched anytime soon.
3. Honda Accord - The new one seems perfect but does it have the build & handling of the Skodas?
4. Honda CRV - How fast does it go on highways?
5. Volkwagen Passat - Will I be trading comfort for brandname?
6. Any other car out there. A few more options can't confuse me any more

Would appreciate suggestions/advice.

Thanks

Rambono5

[rangaraj]

Originally Posted by rambono5

1. Octavia RS - My heart is still pointing me there, but won't it be obsolete by now?
2. Laura vRS - Though I don't have much of it being launched anytime soon.
3. Honda Accord - The new one seems perfect but does it have the build & handling of the Skodas?
4. Honda CRV - How fast does it go on highways?
5. Volkwagen Passat - Will I be trading comfort for brandname?

1. Octavia RS - you wanted rear seat comfort - not too much of that around in this car..
2. No hint of this coming
3. You will get pretty much all that you are asking for - back seat comfort (great), decent performance when you drive yourself. Decent interiors/features
4. Similar to the Accord - fast enough for Indian roads
5. Way above the couple of lacks over 20L.. Closer to 30L

Of the lot, you are better off with an accord..or the CRV if you want a SUV.

[iraghava]

I think the Octavia RS has been discontinued now & there is no sign of the Laura RS on the horizon.

I would choose between the Accord & the CR-V and would prefer the Accord for its superior comfort & more powerful engine. But it's a bit low on the gadget count.

Passat I believe is around 28-29L on-road Bangalore so unless you're ready to stretch you budget by nearly another 40-50% I don't think it fits the comparison.

[csentil]

The new Accord is very low on gadgetry. So that is an issue. Otherwise for all your other takes the new Honda Accord fits the bill.

If you want a lot of bells and whistles you'll have to look at the Camry. However its too expensive compared to its direct competitor (Accord).

What about the Nissan Linea? (Is that the right name, Gosh, I'm having a blankout) Its a good car, has great back seats (though only 2 can sit nicely on it), has enough bells and whistles. Dunno about the wood in it. There was a review somewhere in tbhp. Only problem is most of these are used by Leela. So your car could be mistaken for one of the hotel cars. :-0

[rambono5]

Thanks for the prompt answers. Is there any car outside my list that fits?

[hondadude]

Originally Posted by csentil

What about the Nissan Linea? (Is that the right name, Gosh, I'm having a blankout)

Its Nissan Teana, website is NISSAN TEANA

[SumitB]

My vote goes to the CRV for 2 reasons:

1. You want back seat comfort, agreed that the Accord has it in plenty but its low on gadgetry.
2. You will drive it on the highway and on Indian highways, the CRV will offer you peace of mind as you will feel more secured sitting high up.

[smsrini]

Wait for the Mitsubishi Outlander or go for the Chevy Captiva.

[Ash_vtec]

Laura DSG seems tailor made for you.
1. gadgets galore
2. no tacky wood finish (agree with you on this, indian consumers are hell bent on everything beige and wood)
3. good ride and acceptable space in backseat
4. not too cumbersome to manage in a city like b'lore (decent size, sub 5 mtr)

5. incidental bonus, its a diesel, lower running costs

6. built to last

[lurker]

Originally Posted by rambono5

Would appreciate suggestions/advice.

Thanks

Rambono5

Go for the Nissan.

V6 engine .. luxurious rear leg room

and no one else has it.

[danlalan]

Originally Posted by hondadude

Its Nissan Teana, website is NISSAN TEANA

Nissan Teana LOOKS awful if you ask me. Otherwise its a good car.

My option would be

1. Camry
2. Superb

[theEnd]

How do you feel about buying a car for about 13L and then putting 7L of goodies and gadgets in it? There are quite a lot of folks here who could help you spend a few lakhs each on music (2L sounds reasonable for a top class set-up), engine mods (you could have a turbo etc for about 2L) and other sweet stuff like OZ wheels (1L) and a moonroof (1L) etc etc etc.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Ash_vtec

Laura DSG seems tailor made for you.
1. gadgets galore
2. no tacky wood finish (agree with you on this, indian consumers are hell bent on everything beige and wood)
3. good ride and acceptable space in backseat
4. not too cumbersome to manage in a city like b'lore (decent size, sub 5 mtr)

5. incidental bonus, its a diesel, lower running costs

6. built to last

the laura is extremely overpriced. it has gadgets but lots of people only seem to have problems with them. see threads on tbhp. good ride. but for for 18-20l should there be acceptable space in the back seat? i think it should be more than acceptable.

whatever lower running costs are due it being a diesel will be nullified with the high service costs. etc. (okay a bit of exaggeration) completely agree about the build quality.

Originally Posted by lurker

Go for the Nissan.

V6 engine .. luxurious rear leg room

and no one else has it.

its a v6 engine with a 4 speed auto. wont be fun to drive at all. but the back seat is heaven.

[Sahil]

I'd say go for the accord or superb

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Sahil

I'd say go for the accord or superb

would you really suggest the superb when a new one is due soon?