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-   -   Choosing a Spacious Diesel Sedan upto 12L (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sedans/99001-choosing-spacious-diesel-sedan-upto-12l-9.html)

@AS, thanks for sharing your views mate. No, I haven't purchased the car yet. The purchase has been delayed for a while.

I really was looking for a simple spacious diesel VFM diesel sedan. The Manza was the clear answer. Spacious and OTR of 7+L Delhi. Somehow (thanks to a misguided advertizement) I ended up taking a TD of the Optra and the confusions started :uncontrol.

Consequently, I started checking out other other options.

From what I have gathered till now, if one has to keep the car long enough (which I expect to) this is probably the best diesel buy under 15L unless one doesn't mind Skoda's repair bills. Had a concern about parts availability, but interactions on TBhp are making me more assured that it should not be much of an issue.

About the Vento, it really is a no-no for me. Can't sit in the rear bench! More on that at http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2352259 In my case the Head decision would be the Manza.

Congrats on your Magnum. If you could PM me your number, we'll be able to discuss this a bit better.

You can also explore this

Have been following it mate. Thanks.

Have seen the new Fiesta at the Select City Mall in Delhi. They don't allow you to sit in it. It doesn't seem as big as the Verna. The cabin does not seem spacious enough. But at times, looks can be deceptive. Even though I have never been one, have heard someone who owned a Nana and an Etios talking about how very spacious the Nano is.

Am looking forward to Fiesta's launch. Any idea about how expensive the Fiesta is likely to be on maintenance costs?

I drive a petrol optra, its an excellent car in all aspects, space and comfort wise it will give the newer launched cars run for their money. Why go in for a Diesel? If you are going to resale within 5 years or your running is less it will make no sense. I feel a petrol car is far smoother than a diesel ones, even though the the diesel ones are fairly quiet now days, but you will surely notice difference if you drive a petrol and diesel back to back. So go in for a Optra only if you want to keep it for more than 5 yrs, else the resale values are pathetic, or if you are in love with that particular engine. OR Settle down with the CRUZE, newer car and blaster of an engine!

The reason to go for a diesel in the first place was that I do have ample running. Then to add to it, they way I drive I like to have the power and torque; also like the feeling of a high torque engine. It again points to a diesel. Then the Optra has a brilliant diesel engine, which is rather smooth besides the oodles of torque and power it offers.

I do expect to keep the car for atleast 5 years. Possibly more. About the Cruze, though it does have an even more powerful engine, it is a lot more expensive and the cabin is not as spacious.

As of now, it seems to be between the Optra (heart) and the Manza (mind).

I too am on the lookout for a diesel sedan. Only thing my requirements are a bit different from yours. I am looking for only Performance and Handling & nothing else.
As for you I would recommend the Manza. It is the most spacious and truely more car par car. However Optra magnum despite being a firecracker from Chevy I would advise you to refrain from buying at-least a new one.
In case you find Vento to be cramped, you dont need to worry about linea/verna/fiesta. Each one is more cramped than the Vento by a decent margin.
So here is my take
1) Pre-worshipped Magnum
2) Manza
3) Look out for Etios diesel
4) Logan

The space related point, not withstanding, you should at least look at the Fiesta Classic Diesel. Would be definitely perfect for the budget and at the same time, ideal for handling.

Refer the picture below

Looks like it would have a very decent rear spacing...even more clearer, if the height of the person, seated at rear got mentioned :)

Stratos - ?????

Test drive report by Mustang.101 on new Fiesta (Petrol Variant)

If only acres of space and bullet proof reliability is your concern with no worry for spare parts for years then the Mahindra Verito should be your choice. The other option is the soon to be released Etios diesel. If looks are a concern then just forget that you ever read this post extolling the virtues of both these cars who look like long lost brothers who found each other in India. After all thousands and thousands of Taxi drivers/operators who vouch for the Logan/Verito could not be wrong. Also do not go by the bhp and torque figures of the Verito. I have a Cruze and its not easy to shake of a Logan/Verito tailing you in the twisties because of ample torque in the lower rpm band. The open highway is another matter in the Cruze though.

Thats cool, wonder why the cruze has a smaller cabin in spite of being huge and muscular. Then my points will go for Optra rather than Manza. Well Optra really has amazing build quality, you cant compare both unless you are looking into the price factor. What about the new Verna ? or the upcoming ford fiesta?

Seating 3 people in the rear bench is not important in my case. Don't really see any benefit of the Logan over the Manza. The looks of the Logan/Verito don't appeal to me at all. The Etios is not much better either. Etios does have the advantage of Toyota reliability so in case it the diesel does get launched, will TD it just in case it pops up a surprise.

The Manza clearly has it's share of pluses. The lack of foot space around the pedals is bothersome for me. Also the 1.3MJD seems a tad underpowered for sedans.

Is there anything against the Optra, besides a dated look (I see benefits in such designs too) and poor resale (intend to keep the car for 5-7 years)?

Have had a couple of bad pre-owned experiences, so that idea is not too appealing. Also, finding a good diesel with very less usage in a car which only sold moderately seems rather unlikely.

As for you, the upcoming Fiesta may be the one to go for. Or maybe a pre-owned Optra with suspension mods. You may want to check Brraj's car and posts on the forum for this.

Thanks mate. Sitting in comfort is a very important parameter for me. At times on long distance journeys, I end up driving for 10-12 hours.

Besides better handling, would the Fiesta have any major benefit over the Manza?

Thanks for sharing.

Are the pics from the Fiesta Classic or the upcoming one? Any idea of the height of the passengers in the rear?

What I remember from the short TD of the Fiesta years ago was that I was rather uncomfortable sitting in the drivers seat. The space around the knees and legs in general was rather tight. Hope it is better with the new Fiesta.

Pics are of upcoming fiesta. More things are discussed at the Fiesta thread on space. Headroom- no idea

Thanks mate.

Looks, though not the prime concern aren't irrelevant. The needs to have atleast some appeal for me. The Manza scores over the Verito/Logan and the Etios in my books. Since you do have a Logan - how would the Verito/Logan be better than the Manza?

The Logan Cruze comparison seems interesting. What kind or roads and traffic are we talking here?



The Cruze has a coupe like styling. Often makes the cabin less spacious. Price is a factor.

Will check the new Verna, but from what I notice, it is unlikely to have suitable headroom at the back. Also may not be too good a handler. The Fiesta may not be any better on space. Let's see how it pans out.

*Even if you keep the car for 6 years resale matters.
*The car will be phased out pretty soon. You might envy the new one.lol:.
*Spares will be difficult to source since the car did not manage good numbers.

I am considering brand new only. Fiesta feels it will lack the punch. I have already booked the Vento. About to test drive Verna (won't buy one though) and hope Ford to launch the Fiesta before the delivery.

More power
Infinitely better interior quality.
More solidly built
More equipment
And most importantly not a TATA. Hence no niggles.

However if space and comfort is top priority, nothing beats the Manza.
Lacks power? Get a tuning box.

Some thoughts:
* The difference in resale may not be too much. If one keeps interest costs etc in mind (am no financial whiz though), it may not mean much at today's money terms. Maybe equivalent of putting in say 20k in an FD/Shares to offset the cost.

* Don't know if Chevy has a product to slot between the Aveo/upcoming Sail (initially may only come in 1.4 petrol) and the Cruze. It would be quite a wide gap. As for the others, 1.6 diesels are selling around 9-11L OTR, so don't think there would be any envy ;-)

*Spares was my BIG concern. Experiences shared by fellow Bhpians has put me a bit at ease on this.


Just in the car is going to be used by tall people, do consider the headroom of the Vento. My experience with the TD is there earlier in the post and also at:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2352259

The tuning box is something that skipped my mind.
* Would it affect warranty?
* Can it be easily removed when the vehicle is sent for service?
* What are the costs involved?
* Any flip side to installing a tuning box?