The New Honda City or a 2007 Skoda Laura. EDIT : Bought the city!

Scarface · 18th April 2009, 17:22

Hi Guys,

I am a bit indecisive about the which car to go for. Have a second hand 2007 Skoda Laura L&K being sold by a family member & the other option is the New Honda City. Love both the cars & the money I would be shelling out would be the same for any of the cars.Cant really decide on what basis to compare the two.I currently own a 2003 Honda City 1.5 EXI. So do I stick with the same brand but a brand new car or go for a luxury segment not so new baby.

HELP ME WITH YOUR VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS !

BenjiRoss · 19th April 2009, 20:43

if you read a lot of threads here you will notice that a lot of people have trouble in maintenance of their Skodas due to 2 reasons:
1. High cost of spares
2. Some unethical practices by skoda and their dealers which means that once your car is out of warranty (2007 model) you run the risk of a lot of frustrating experiences.

The Honda City seems to be a better choice as it will be easier to own and maintain and is more trouble-free.

snaronikar · 19th April 2009, 20:53

I would definately recommend to go in for Honda. The main reasons are:

1) A** is better than Skoda.
2) Spares are less costlier than Skoda.
3) Skoda people are known for their notorious ways of handling cars during servicing.(pls ready the threads already posted in this forum).
4) Honda a better VFM car than Skoda.
5) Resale value is better than Skoda.

You can also check Fiesta 1.6/SX4/Fiat Linea. The balance is left to you to decide.

greenhorn · 19th April 2009, 21:08

my vote for the NHC ( of these two). I'd suggest you give a look at the linea as well!

gowda79 · 19th April 2009, 21:45

Please go with the ANHC instead going with the Skoda which is a costly affair in service department

neeld · 19th April 2009, 22:52

You should go for the ANHC. A new car is a new car and Skoda's are expensive to maintain.

Silver Knight · 19th April 2009, 23:33

ANHC all the way buddy. And with the recent happenings related with service and there are news that Laura is going for a face lift ANHC is the one to go for.

YC.BALENO.CHD · 20th April 2009, 06:00

Avoid skoda. Reason: Do I really need to mention? heh heh
You may very well have a look at LInea as well as the Fiesta 1.6 S. Both are terrific buys, and both are excellent in some or other aspects. And both the top-end Fiesta and Linea are cheaper to buy than the Honda City too, plus you may have to add alloys and mp3 to the new city which further elevates the cost.
If you are hell bent towards a City only (in that segment), then its always better than a used laura, even if the latter is being sold by a person well known to you.

Regards.

ImmortalZ · 20th April 2009, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaronikar

4) Honda a better VFM car than Skoda.
5) Resale value is better than Skoda.

You can also check Fiesta 1.6/SX4/Fiat Linea. The balance is left to you to decide.

Hmm.

Well, Skoda cars are VFM when you consider the sticker price and bundled equipment. However, once the car is registered in your name, the Honda makes more sense. You also have to think about it in this way - would you buy a Laura L&K paying full price? And by that I mean, are you capable of footing the service bills that come with a Merc C220? If yes, and if the Skoda A.S.S in your town is good, go for it. If not, the Honda makes much more sense.

Also, you have to consider the alternatives in the segment. If you like diesel, the Linea and Verna are good candidates. If you want petrol, the Fiesta 1.6S is a driver's car bar none. Drive them all, answer the question above, and then decide.

SkyWalker · 20th April 2009, 09:56

ANHC. I would not buy the Skoda because of poor service and costly spares.

Guna · 20th April 2009, 10:53

I would say it depends on what you are looking in a car.
It is true that ANHC will be a practical choice, but in terms of the feel of the car I guess Laura is in a different league. It is a question of which is a better compromise.

vineethvazhayil · 20th April 2009, 11:02

I guess if you want a new car, less maintenance expenses and relative peace of mind, go for the ANHC even though it is a class lower. The Laura is a notch above and you get far more comfort and features and luxuries in it, plus obviously higher cost of ownership and maintenance. So depending on what is priority for you, the choice is straight forward!

pawan_pullarwar · 20th April 2009, 11:14

Skoda owners are already facing lot of service related issue, I dont suggest you to go for Laura.

redeff · 20th April 2009, 11:23

I say stay away from both. The Luara is fantastic but expensive to maintain, more of a heart buy. My heart and head both advice against the ANHC, it's not VFM. Put in the little extra and go in for the civic instead.

sidwadia · 20th April 2009, 11:25

[quote=ImmortalZ;1267686]Hmm.

Well, Skoda cars are VFM when you consider the sticker price and bundled equipment. However, once the car is registered in your name, the Honda makes more sense. You also have to think about it in this way - would you buy a Laura L&K paying full price? And by that I mean, are you capable of footing the service bills that come with a Merc C220? If yes, and if the Skoda A.S.S in your town is good, go for it. If not, the Honda makes much more sense. quote]

Guess you have answered your own question. VFM is not just the purchase sticker price, but the overall cost of ownership. My two cents :
A) I would not risk my money on Skoda as i prefer a "TROUBLE FREE" ownership experience.
B) Overall cost of ownership is high (Spares/service)
C) Having owned/driven a Honda City, I vouch for the "H" badge.
Cheers

18th April 2009, 17:22	#1
Scarface Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 16 Thanked: 0 Times	The New Honda City or a 2007 Skoda Laura. EDIT : Bought the city! Hi Guys, I am a bit indecisive about the which car to go for. Have a second hand 2007 Skoda Laura L&K being sold by a family member & the other option is the New Honda City. Love both the cars & the money I would be shelling out would be the same for any of the cars.Cant really decide on what basis to compare the two.I currently own a 2003 Honda City 1.5 EXI. So do I stick with the same brand but a brand new car or go for a luxury segment not so new baby. HELP ME WITH YOUR VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS !
	() Thanks

19th April 2009, 20:43	#2
BenjiRoss Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tamilnadu Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 1,330 Times	if you read a lot of threads here you will notice that a lot of people have trouble in maintenance of their Skodas due to 2 reasons: 1. High cost of spares 2. Some unethical practices by skoda and their dealers which means that once your car is out of warranty (2007 model) you run the risk of a lot of frustrating experiences. The Honda City seems to be a better choice as it will be easier to own and maintain and is more trouble-free.
	() Thanks

19th April 2009, 20:53	#3
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	I would definately recommend to go in for Honda. The main reasons are: 1) A** is better than Skoda. 2) Spares are less costlier than Skoda. 3) Skoda people are known for their notorious ways of handling cars during servicing.(pls ready the threads already posted in this forum). 4) Honda a better VFM car than Skoda. 5) Resale value is better than Skoda. You can also check Fiesta 1.6/SX4/Fiat Linea. The balance is left to you to decide. Last edited by snaronikar : 19th April 2009 at 20:57.
	() Thanks

19th April 2009, 21:08	#4
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,744 Thanked: 4,387 Times View My Garage	my vote for the NHC ( of these two). I'd suggest you give a look at the linea as well!
	() Thanks

19th April 2009, 21:45	#5
gowda79 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,478 Thanked: 194 Times View My Garage	Please go with the ANHC instead going with the Skoda which is a costly affair in service department
	() Thanks

19th April 2009, 22:52	#6
neeld BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 197 Thanked: 102 Times	You should go for the ANHC. A new car is a new car and Skoda's are expensive to maintain.
	() Thanks

19th April 2009, 23:33	#7
Silver Knight BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Trichur Posts: 220 Thanked: 467 Times	ANHC all the way buddy. And with the recent happenings related with service and there are news that Laura is going for a face lift ANHC is the one to go for.
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 06:00	#8
YC.BALENO.CHD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,128 Thanked: 261 Times View My Garage	Avoid skoda. Reason: Do I really need to mention? heh heh You may very well have a look at LInea as well as the Fiesta 1.6 S. Both are terrific buys, and both are excellent in some or other aspects. And both the top-end Fiesta and Linea are cheaper to buy than the Honda City too, plus you may have to add alloys and mp3 to the new city which further elevates the cost. If you are hell bent towards a City only (in that segment), then its always better than a used laura, even if the latter is being sold by a person well known to you. Regards.
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 09:56	#10
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	ANHC. I would not buy the Skoda because of poor service and costly spares.
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 10:53	#11
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,008 Thanked: 4,190 Times	I would say it depends on what you are looking in a car. It is true that ANHC will be a practical choice, but in terms of the feel of the car I guess Laura is in a different league. It is a question of which is a better compromise.
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 11:02	#12
vineethvazhayil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,513 Thanked: 456 Times View My Garage	I guess if you want a new car, less maintenance expenses and relative peace of mind, go for the ANHC even though it is a class lower. The Laura is a notch above and you get far more comfort and features and luxuries in it, plus obviously higher cost of ownership and maintenance. So depending on what is priority for you, the choice is straight forward!
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 11:14	#13
pawan_pullarwar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pune - Now in Munich, Germany Posts: 778 Thanked: 129 Times	Skoda owners are already facing lot of service related issue, I dont suggest you to go for Laura.
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 11:23	#14
redeff BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 356 Thanked: 272 Times View My Garage	I say stay away from both. The Luara is fantastic but expensive to maintain, more of a heart buy. My heart and head both advice against the ANHC, it's not VFM. Put in the little extra and go in for the civic instead.
	() Thanks

20th April 2009, 11:25	#15
sidwadia BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 152 Thanked: 32 Times	[quote=ImmortalZ;1267686]Hmm. Well, Skoda cars are VFM when you consider the sticker price and bundled equipment. However, once the car is registered in your name, the Honda makes more sense. You also have to think about it in this way - would you buy a Laura L&K paying full price? And by that I mean, are you capable of footing the service bills that come with a Merc C220? If yes, and if the Skoda A.S.S in your town is good, go for it. If not, the Honda makes much more sense. quote] Guess you have answered your own question. VFM is not just the purchase sticker price, but the overall cost of ownership. My two cents : A) I would not risk my money on Skoda as i prefer a "TROUBLE FREE" ownership experience. B) Overall cost of ownership is high (Spares/service) C) Having owned/driven a Honda City, I vouch for the "H" badge. Cheers
	() Thanks