[tsk1979]

Hi,
A friend of mine and I went looking for a high power diesel car costing less than 10 lacs
The market threw at us the following options
1. Indigo LX Tdi. = 5.5 On road
2. Accent Crdi = 7.5 on road
3. Elantra Crdi. = 10 on road (After 1 lac discount)
4. Skoda Rider 1.9 = 12 on road

After much deliberation the choices are either elantra or Skoda. Though my friend loved the build quality of skoda, he is almost sold on the elantra.
Reasons:
1.At 10 Lakhs elantra gives Traction control, ABS, Climate control etc., Skoda rider is missing these. Both have airbags and trip computer. Cant go for higher end skoda as its above budget
2.Skoda lacks space. We both are 6'2" and we found that in front passenger seat even with seat fully back its uncomfortable. Cant really strech like you can in an indigo (His previous car is indigo so space comparison is to that)

The second point is one which made his opinion swing the most. Our legs touch the glove box if we try to relax in front seat. No matter how much seat adjustment the showroom guy did, the problem remained. This did not come in the other three cars.

So now the question comes is that wether there is something so grossly wrong with an elantra that he should skip it? All he wants is a powerful diesel with low maintainace costs. Incidently service cost of elantra with oil change is 2500Rs. How much for the skoda? Please put forward arguments against the elantra which are so strong as to overlook the major flaws skoda has.

[manson]

well the skoda is going to definately be more expensive in maintenace costs for sure , but tis gets offset by the phenomenal resale it has . i've even heard of a new look octavia coming out sometime soon , so this mite juts be another reason for not buyin an octavia if he wants to buy a car immediately .

manson .

[tsk1979]

But wont that be 14+?
He is not too bothered by resale since he intends to keep it for 1lac+. The only major concern is that the elantra should not become a white elephant after 50K or so.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

1. Indigo LX Tdi. = 5.5 On road

What is this Indigo "Tdi" and how is this different from the regular Indica?

[tsk1979]

Well for starters its got a "boot", and indica is a hatch . I guess you meant regular indigo.Instead of the regular Turbodiesel engine its got TD with intercooler and 32bit ECU. Power is 70BHP and torque 13.5Kgm, up 8Bhp and 1kgm from regular indigo.

[DCEite]

Tell your friend to buy two Indigo LX TDIs... instead of one Elantra/Skoda..
These days i am seeing many Indigo TDIs flying on Delhi Roads.. and the drivers look happy too..!.. ;-)

[drifter]

The skoda tdi would have been the ideal choice....but like manson mentioned before...maintenence costs can be a real issue.

The elantra crdi is the one to go for. sweet engine. not so fond of its look though. its a hyundai...so peace of mind with regards to after sales service. Test drive it before you make your decision. You cant go wrong with the elantra barring its resale.

Drifter

[artofzen]

Go for elantra dude.It look sreaal bad,but that engine with around 28kg of torque wont let you down.But if he is got the money to spare go for skoda ,no second thoughts then .

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

So now the question comes is that wether there is something so grossly wrong with an elantra that he should skip it? All he wants is a powerful diesel with low maintainace costs. Incidently service cost of elantra with oil change is 2500Rs. How much for the skoda?

1. No there's nothing grossly wrong with an Elantra, except for its debateable looks.

2. Yes it has a powerful diesel engine with low maintenance costs. The torque from the 2.0 CR diesel is addictive.

3. Yes the Elantra is more spacious and comes with more real options as well as bells and whistles than the Skoda. However, Elantra's rear seat is a bit low even if the rear seat isnt cramped liked that on the Skoda.

4. The Skoda is a very dependable vehicle, but spares (should you need them) are on the ridiculously expensive side. They are also sometimes subject to availability. Hyundai spares are usually cheaper, and their service is > excellent. Their vehicles are also as reliable.


Go for the Elantra - its a no-brainer at 2 lakhs lower than the Octavia's base model if he can live with those looks. The biggest problem with its looks is that ridiculous front grille and this can be mitigated by going in for the darker colours - the grille is not so prominent then.

[Abhay]

Since you have 2 options....my personal choice would have been the Skoda but as you say space for you guys is important and budget is 10.....
go for the Elantra......as Steeroid has pointed out nicely......of course you get all the goodies like TC/ABS etc etc too which is very nice.

In case your friend doesnt think its ugly or even if he thinks that way but is prepared to still buy it ...your choice is done :-)

yeah steer, the grille looks like a freckled teenage girl with braces !

anyhoo, Elantras seem to be around a lot thesedays...I went in Pune for months w/o seeing a single one but last sunday saw THREE Elantras in the space of an 8km drive

[tsk1979]

thanks for the replies guys. I guess it will be elantra unless wife and kid say no! Another thing about spare costs. Can any skoda owner enlighten about the cost of regular service and frequently replaced parts? Also is there any elantra owner on this forum who can do the same. His 4 year old likes SuV shaped vehicles. So it may turn out to be scorpio though he definately does not want SUV. How does the scorpio crde rate in terms of ASS and spares parts/service costs. Any scorpio owners care to elaborate?

[amitoj]

*sigh* Petra D would have been worth a consideration as well.... but for the dark clouds that linger over fiat. Any idea about the reputation of fiat dealers in delhi?

[ported_head]

These should help you:

Rtech's 1.9 TDi Long Term Ownership report

NC's 1.9 TDi Review

Hyundai Elantra CRDi Test Drive

[RJK]

Routine oil change costs in the region of Rs 8500 in a Skoda.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by amitoj

*sigh* Petra D would have been worth a consideration as well.... but for the dark clouds that linger over fiat. Any idea about the reputation of fiat dealers in delhi?

PLEASEPLEASE I implore, beseech, BEG you...DONT bring fiat into this too. Lets try to keep ONE thread free of Fiat, PLEASE.