[fine69]

I voted for 10-30k but that's assuming that the car does 10k within the first 6 months, like mine did. I think the most enjoyable part of a car also has to do with it being new while being old enough for the driver to get accustomed to its dynamics while driving.

A car which is 1-2 years old and anywhere between 10-30k would be the most enjoyable to me. In fact throw in a 10-15 day long vacation to the mountains between this duration and I'd be the happiest. A new car, long vacation, adequately run-in, what more do I need!! Sigh, this has made me nostalgic now.

[INJAXN]

Interesting topic to discuss.
I voted for 10k to 30k, both the cars in family are in this range, and I think they both run smoothly.

Rarely drove a car which was in 30k to 50k range, so cannot comment.
when I learned driving, our pre-owned Zen had already crossed 70k, and was in very bad shape. A local mechanic in Indore ruined it :( .

[noopster]

Voted for 75-100K km. Both my current cars fall in this category as of today (Swift is 10 years/87,000 km and the Vento at 5 years/83,000 km). They are well-maintained, have had regular tyre and brake changes and been subjected to some mid-life mods. I don't have to worry about warranties being dishonoured and don't lose sleep over the occasional brush or scrape. Loans if any are paid up and I am in the market to replace one or both in the next couple of years which is always a fun process .

My first car was a Hyundai Accent GLS that I had to get rid of at 78,000 km due to an overseas move, just when I was beginning to enjoy it. With both my current cars I am targeting 1 L km, though I suspect the Swift will get to the 15 year scrapworthy mark before that milestone.

[AKTRACK]

Voted 30-50k. I have already done 20k on my Aspire and I think the car is still evolving for me. On a new car one tends to be a little overcautious till 20 - 30k. As far as i think 15-20k is nothing on new car as far as getting familiar is concerned.

One example is throwing the car around in the bends. Earlier I used to be too cautious because of the newness of the car and the puny tires. Once or twice the tyres gave way too. Now I have started throwing the car around and am realizing that the car is capable of more and could only go further with better rubber. I only was not using the right technique. As I keep piling miles on different roads and varying loads the connect keeps getting better.

[NaviRai12]

75K to 1L for me as my car in that range and I am enjoying it more. Below 50K, there were a lot of times when I had thought of changing the car and getting something more powerful. But now after the recent service and new shoes, I am enjoying it more than ever before.

Infact couple of weeks back, I was on a long drive and at the end of the drive, I had decided that I am not going to sell this car in near future.

To add in the same breath, 0 to 1000 kms is also an enjoyable time. The excitement of new car, smell of new car, self washing/cleaning almost everyday is an experience in itself.

[livetodrive]

For both the new cars I have owned (Santro and Dzire), IMO, 30 -50K is the correct range. The car gets "matured" and I start talking to her . Engine feels smoother and I reply to "kitna deti hain ?" with a big smile.

Waiting for my Abarth to cross the teenage and be an adult soon.

[abhii176]

Voted for 50-75k, even though my car Punto is currently at 95k(closing in on 7 years) and still going strong. I honestly feel the car will still be good post the 100k mark as well but yeah, post the 50k mark, the car has been incredibly fun to drive. Needless to say, she is extremely well maintained! Would have voted for 50k + if that was a category!

[NiInJa]

Voted for 30k to 50k with a caveat that by this time there might be certain issues cropping up with the car, here is my experience.

Beat Diesel : Engine and gearbox got exceptionally smoother after the 35k service where they replaced many necessary components in the checklist. But by this time the car has more scratches and normal wear and tear of seats and plastics and suspension which can be changed.

Brother's Linea : Doesnt feel like a diesel engine at 57k, except maybe at idling, but of late there are some issues with the gear shifts and terribly bored of the music system.

Wife's Brio : 18k on ODO, no niggles/issues whatsover. Yet the engine feels coarse and not exactly having the revered Honda finesse. But seats and plastics are holding up well.

[bbhavan]

I did vote for the 30-50K range. 10-30K is also fine, but I feel the next phase will give more of a relationship like feel. We do consider the car as a perfect companion by this time and it becomes an integral part of your life. The initial periods are all about understanding the machine and its intricacies, but the 30-50K range is all like milking the advantages of the car. After this period, some niggles may come up and so some sort of frustrations.

[landcruiser123]

My views:

• I've never owned a car and when I started driving, my Getz had done ~40 k and Innova had done ~52 k. I think these cars perform fabulously.
• We get the Innova maintained at every 5000 km and Getz at every 10000 km or 1 year with a air filter cleaning done six months after service.
• The first 5000 km matter a lot in a car. Be gentle on your car for first 2500 km and gradually increase the pace from 2500-5000 km.
• I think after 5000 km, the car runs well forever as long as you don't abuse the engine and send it to regular service.
• I've driven a Swift when it was at 1.45 lakh km and 1.66 lakh km. It stayed the same. Only manufacturer recommended maintenance was done.
• Cab drivers have told me that their Innova's enigne is the same even after 4 lakh kms.
• In short, all cars should feel and run in the same manner if well cared for.
• From a financial POV, 30-50k might be the best period of ownership. After 50k km, you do change a lot of parts. Also, the time at which you finish paying your loans should be enjoyable as you can spend more on fuel/mods.
• I think Paragsachania or HVK would be the people who'll give you the best answer to this question

[DrivingNirvana]

Hello biggrin! Nice and interesting thread.

I have voted for running-in phase.

The new fragrance of the car, the plastic cladded seats and occasional urge of redlining the engine is something that makes me happy. Obviously, this is not the phase when the performance is best or the FE is at its peak.

Regards

Saubhik

[AutoInt]

Nice interesting thread.

I have voted for 10 - 30K. 10k is good enough to understand the car, it dynamics, restrictions and limitations. I enjoyed my Vento TDI in this range. Currently it has done 70K, though the engine is still smooth, there are few niggles and clutch is not as smooth as it was.

I enjoy my Santro till 50K and had this till 70k and is still within the family.

I am tempted to think the range would depend on the brand, model and experience of the driver as well.

[gearhead_mait]

From my own experience, I felt the engine of my car (Hyundai EON Magna, 2012) feels much smoother after 30000 kms. The ride quality also has improved significantly post 40000 kms, though a part of this may be attributed to the new set of 4G tires it wears now.

So, voted for 30000-50000 range.

[Precision]

My Vote is for 50-75K for a couple of reasons :
1. Most indian cars have a default factory warranty till 50K kms, after which the driver is free to let his passion lose on the car. ( MODS and what not)
2. After 50K kms depreciation slows down till you hit 100k, so a well maintained car can be pushed to its limits without fear of losing out on its resale value. ( I definitely am not a fan of the thought of resale value being a sore point in having fun)
3. 50K kms translates to about 3 years of ownership which is a point for anyone , however new to driving to be able to be comfortable and Schumi'sh with his driving prowess.

[PrasannaDhana]

30k-50k km is what I enjoy my cars most. But somehow my Safari DICOR feels best after 90k. It currently has done 100k and feels most responsive and fuel efficient than it was before 30k. My beat feels worse now at 85k. It was smooth till 75k. My ciaz feels good as new(8 months) at 17k.