Hi..I am planning to get upgraded to a luxury sedan which would happen around Jan '09. The Car would be based out from mumbai.
My run-in with the car would
1. Not be more than 1000 kms a month in the city.
2. 75% chauffeur driven and 25% (Over Weekends) personal driving.
3. I plan to keep this car for at least 5 years. Hence, the resale wouldn't really matter to me.
4. All other car options are out-of-the-window since im very sure i desire to choose ONLY between these two options and i do not desire to be confused anymore.
5. My budget would be around 12-14 Lacs (This budget includes all auxiliary costs like insurance, road tax, registration and so on. This could stretch by two lacs considering my final option but not beyond the same.)
6. Would prefer an automatic, if i find the same in my budget.
The choices i am contemplating are the following.
A. Skoda Laura
B. Honda Accord (Second Hand 2007 or IF i manage to get the same in the above mentioned budget, then the 2008 Accord)
A. Skoda Laura
I would love to buy the l & k Automatic. Automatic being the preferred option. However that would be pushing my budget accross the board. So i would have to stick mostly with the Manual Ambiente.
I wouldnt have a problem with the second hand l & k. However at a personal level, i have had 2 friends who had their turbo blown on the skoda. One was an octavia L & K and the other was the Laura L & K. Both 2005 models with turbo repair bills of over a lac. Hence am a bit apprehensive about the same. Though it could be that both cars were driven extremely rash. Probably you guys can correct me if im wrong.
Pros:
I love the gizmos which come with the Laura
Fascinated by the sturdy tank-like look
Diesel Economy
Cons:
No Leg-Room at the back if both seats are pushed right back
Expensive A-S-S (After-Sale-Service) and Parts
The turbo-worry as mentioned above
B. Accord
I wouldn't mind the second-hand Accord 2007 or 2008 whichever fits in budget by the time of purchase.
Pros:
I love the airy space which the accord provides
Honda A-S-S and cheaper parts
Bigger engine and a category above the Laura
Cons:
2007 Accord may look outdated with time.
I am slightly confused as it stands. I wouldnt have a problem with getting any of these cars second-hand since my friend deals in impounded Auto-Loan cars. Hence, it will be a breeze to get a well-maintained car. The only contemplation is budget and should i go for a second hand L & K or Accord. Another worry is i read in a publication that Skoda Laura is getting its new model in 2009. Is it worth the wait? Thanks in advance to one and all.