My journey ended at Honda City

Podilam · 28th April 2008, 22:08

Hi Folks,
I was a confused person running around all sorts of cars trying to figure out what is the best VFM car that my money can buy! I test drove all most all the cars in A/B/C segment cars and some MUV and SUVs. In the process I used to look at motoring magazines/websites for new car reviews, launches and to find best car for me. Intermittent travel trips to abroad, used to break this process and initialize it to the beginning of same confusion “what car?”
Then I came across team-bhp forum 'the best in indian car scene’. Then I joined this forum, rather I should say 'university' that taught me about cars. Simply I got addicted to this forum. The contents available in this forum and active participation is far far better than any magazine/motoring website. It is awesome. The moment I go home from office, I used to immerse in team-bhp world. So the complaints from my wife and kid that they are being neglected

.
The information/reviews/suggestions available in this forum are excellent but at the same time u get confused across the diversity of opinions. This hunted me for sometime, then I realized that use this forum information to support decision of choice (only).
I looked at Innova but corporate purchase only 7 seater due to yellow plate registration for 8 seater. Having 7 seater innova with 5 passengers is not a good option than sedan that can accommodate same 5 people and still a boot left for ur luggage. In 7 seater, last row has to be stuffed with 5th person and luggage. So where is comfortability of buying a MUV?
Tata Safari, very good I am travelling on highways most of the time! Advantage it is indian, more service centers and problems are!! Anyway it is too big vehicle for me to drive in city.
Cedia, no resale value. Called local HM dealer couple of times for test drive, but never heard from them later. Then I realized they are not interested in selling cars, so out of my list. Nice looking car though.
Then SX4. Somewhat better looking than City but higher boot. Its length is equal or more then honda city! May be on specs, but if u watch it carefully, maruti put rear bumper lengthier than city but no way it contributes to passenger space. SX4 plastics no way u can compare with City. ABS and airbags of definitely score high for SX4 but for me, 90% of the travel is city and bumper to bumper traffic (Airport road). Somehow I did not like dashboard design of SX4.
Verna I test drove but I did not like the rear end design. It looks like when the design team is assigned design task, the moment they reached boot design, they ended up with no schedule and to hurry cutting the boot. If the boot is longer by another 10 CMs, car would have looked awesome and so the rear seats leg space. When front seat is moved back completely, I found my knees touching the seat if sit in rear. Compared to SX4, interiors are better.
My wife liked honda city interiors the most in C segment. Fuel efficiency is excellent in C segment petrol versions, and Honda badge. Though issue of low ground clearance appeared to me as blocking before purchasing but I realized I have to compromise on some, if I need other features. Model is getting phased out by end of this year; no issue for me. I am sure there is a buyer who will pay me better than equivalent car after 5 years.
In between there was confusion and Swift dezire (ZDI) came in to my list booked the car from pratham, went to BIMAL for a test drive, experience was good though black interiors are up to my liking. On the way back home, had a small break at Whitefiled honda looked at Honda city. Looking at the interiors and comfort then reverted to Honda city again, and this time no second thoughts.
So it is finally Honda city for me. I got it on 25-Apr delivered and my journey of car purchase (the confusion) ends here. Not yet start using, as waiting for 30-Apr to come (auspicious day). ... Next I will post details of my car (pics) and initial driving experience.

Bottom line: I wonder at some people who decide and buy car with no time. And observation is they do not much about cars but they know they want a car.
Morale: More knowledge brings more confusion! I have the proof. Tell u in my next post

alabjarus · 28th April 2008, 22:46

Congrats on your new car. Which model is it....EXI, GXI or VTEC.

Having owned an NHC VTEC for over 17 months, let me assure you City is an excellent choice. I had wonderful ownership experience with no visits to the service station except for routine services. Ground clearance is not as big an issue as its made out to be. Excercising caution is the key.

Enjoy the machine.

Naga_SwiSan · 28th April 2008, 23:33

Podilam,All the very best for your new city.City will always be a VFM,no doubt about it.Enjoy the ride.

diabloo · 28th April 2008, 23:48

Hey Podilam, thats a well thought out selection process

. It will serve as a guide to other car buyers.

Congratulations cheers:

LLL · 29th April 2008, 01:16

hi podilam...congrats on your new car.

would suggest you change the title of the thread to something like your search for car ended in honda city.

right now your thread title means something bad..

dipen · 29th April 2008, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Podilam

Hi Folks,
Tata Safari, very good I am travelling on highways most of the time!

ABS and airbags of definitely score high for SX4 but for me, 90% of the travel is city and bumper to bumper traffic (Airport road).

Contradictory about city and highway driving, aint it.
Congrats on the buy. One can rarely go wrong with the Honda badge in India.

jacobgeorge · 2nd May 2008, 19:38

Podilam, congrats on your purchase... I own a City CVT and love every moment driving it.

dhaval · 3rd May 2008, 02:39

Congrats Podilam. The Honda City is surely a good car, and will continue to give good service for many years. I hope now that 30th April is over, you have started driving it and started enjoying your ride. Do post the photos and write about your driving experience.

Cheers,
Dhaval

kutlee · 3rd May 2008, 12:48

Congrats and pictures please? your search ended and journey started LOL !!!!

GTO · 3rd May 2008, 13:50

You can never go wrong with a Honda City! Congratulations. Am glad we helped you with your purchase decision.

vkochar · 3rd May 2008, 15:05

Great choice !! BTW what model is it that you brought ?

Also upload a few pics of the car. I heard GXi now comes with Alloys as standard !!

faithless_1984 · 3rd May 2008, 15:08

Quote:

You can never go wrong with a Honda City!

True that.!

Congrats Podilam.
Post some pics of the car.

28th April 2008, 22:08	#1
Podilam BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 34 Thanked: 11 Times	My journey ended at Honda City Hi Folks, I was a confused person running around all sorts of cars trying to figure out what is the best VFM car that my money can buy! I test drove all most all the cars in A/B/C segment cars and some MUV and SUVs. In the process I used to look at motoring magazines/websites for new car reviews, launches and to find best car for me. Intermittent travel trips to abroad, used to break this process and initialize it to the beginning of same confusion “what car?” Then I came across team-bhp forum 'the best in indian car scene’. Then I joined this forum, rather I should say 'university' that taught me about cars. Simply I got addicted to this forum. The contents available in this forum and active participation is far far better than any magazine/motoring website. It is awesome. The moment I go home from office, I used to immerse in team-bhp world. So the complaints from my wife and kid that they are being neglected. The information/reviews/suggestions available in this forum are excellent but at the same time u get confused across the diversity of opinions. This hunted me for sometime, then I realized that use this forum information to support decision of choice (only). I looked at Innova but corporate purchase only 7 seater due to yellow plate registration for 8 seater. Having 7 seater innova with 5 passengers is not a good option than sedan that can accommodate same 5 people and still a boot left for ur luggage. In 7 seater, last row has to be stuffed with 5th person and luggage. So where is comfortability of buying a MUV? Tata Safari, very good I am travelling on highways most of the time! Advantage it is indian, more service centers and problems are!! Anyway it is too big vehicle for me to drive in city. Cedia, no resale value. Called local HM dealer couple of times for test drive, but never heard from them later. Then I realized they are not interested in selling cars, so out of my list. Nice looking car though. Then SX4. Somewhat better looking than City but higher boot. Its length is equal or more then honda city! May be on specs, but if u watch it carefully, maruti put rear bumper lengthier than city but no way it contributes to passenger space. SX4 plastics no way u can compare with City. ABS and airbags of definitely score high for SX4 but for me, 90% of the travel is city and bumper to bumper traffic (Airport road). Somehow I did not like dashboard design of SX4. Verna I test drove but I did not like the rear end design. It looks like when the design team is assigned design task, the moment they reached boot design, they ended up with no schedule and to hurry cutting the boot. If the boot is longer by another 10 CMs, car would have looked awesome and so the rear seats leg space. When front seat is moved back completely, I found my knees touching the seat if sit in rear. Compared to SX4, interiors are better. My wife liked honda city interiors the most in C segment. Fuel efficiency is excellent in C segment petrol versions, and Honda badge. Though issue of low ground clearance appeared to me as blocking before purchasing but I realized I have to compromise on some, if I need other features. Model is getting phased out by end of this year; no issue for me. I am sure there is a buyer who will pay me better than equivalent car after 5 years. In between there was confusion and Swift dezire (ZDI) came in to my list booked the car from pratham, went to BIMAL for a test drive, experience was good though black interiors are up to my liking. On the way back home, had a small break at Whitefiled honda looked at Honda city. Looking at the interiors and comfort then reverted to Honda city again, and this time no second thoughts. So it is finally Honda city for me. I got it on 25-Apr delivered and my journey of car purchase (the confusion) ends here. Not yet start using, as waiting for 30-Apr to come (auspicious day). ... Next I will post details of my car (pics) and initial driving experience. Bottom line: I wonder at some people who decide and buy car with no time. And observation is they do not much about cars but they know they want a car. Morale: More knowledge brings more confusion! I have the proof. Tell u in my next post
	() Thanks

28th April 2008, 22:46	#2
alabjarus BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 210 Thanked: 78 Times	Congrats on your new car. Which model is it....EXI, GXI or VTEC. Having owned an NHC VTEC for over 17 months, let me assure you City is an excellent choice. I had wonderful ownership experience with no visits to the service station except for routine services. Ground clearance is not as big an issue as its made out to be. Excercising caution is the key. Enjoy the machine.
	() Thanks

28th April 2008, 23:33	#3
Naga_SwiSan BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chennai,London Posts: 35 Thanked: 0 Times	Podilam,All the very best for your new city.City will always be a VFM,no doubt about it.Enjoy the ride.
	() Thanks

28th April 2008, 23:48	#4
diabloo BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengalooru Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 17 Times	Congratulations Hey Podilam, thats a well thought out selection process . It will serve as a guide to other car buyers. Congratulations cheers:
	() Thanks

29th April 2008, 01:16	#5
LLL BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 635 Thanked: 2 Times	hi podilam...congrats on your new car. would suggest you change the title of the thread to something like your search for car ended in honda city. right now your thread title means something bad..
	() Thanks

2nd May 2008, 19:38	#7
jacobgeorge BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 53 Thanked: 6 Times	Podilam, congrats on your purchase... I own a City CVT and love every moment driving it.
	() Thanks

3rd May 2008, 02:39	#8
dhaval BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 404 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Congrats Podilam. The Honda City is surely a good car, and will continue to give good service for many years. I hope now that 30th April is over, you have started driving it and started enjoying your ride. Do post the photos and write about your driving experience. Cheers, Dhaval
	() Thanks

3rd May 2008, 12:48	#9
kutlee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,141 Thanked: 232 Times View My Garage	Congrats and pictures please? your search ended and journey started LOL !!!!
	() Thanks

3rd May 2008, 13:50	#10
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,309 Times View My Garage	You can never go wrong with a Honda City! Congratulations. Am glad we helped you with your purchase decision.
	() Thanks

3rd May 2008, 15:05	#11
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	Great choice !! BTW what model is it that you brought ? Also upload a few pics of the car. I heard GXi now comes with Alloys as standard !!
	() Thanks