Petra to Laura - I will never learn!!

akas_chauhan · 12th January 2010, 22:13

Congratulations Siva. Laura is a strong car and i think it is a good decession to buy Laura against Civic. Would you mind sharing your black beauty hear?

tacho · 12th January 2010, 22:13

50K for a test drive? The whole point of a test drive is to help you make a decision and it could go either way. I think they could have been subtler and refused you a TD by lying that they don't have a car etc., but this is laughable. Please share the name of the dealer

gkrishk · 12th January 2010, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

Congrats! That just feels so logical upgrade, since both Petra and Laura have similar strengths (ride, handling, solid feel) and weaknesses (A/S/S, resale). And when/if I have to upgrade my Petra (black one that is), Laura would be the top contender.

I am hooked by Octavia's looks even after so many years of seeing it. It sure has a regal touch.

Now being a Petra owner myself, obvious and curious question here! Despite being in separate segments altogether, how do these 2 cars compare with each other?

I went from a 2001 Siena 1.6 to a 2007 Octavia TDI. A diesel Octavia is not comparable to a Laura TSI but here is my 2 cents' worth:
The Siena has a gem of an engine. Plenty of torque, pulls well from low rpms in any gear and revs well too. The ride is firm and sure footed. However the suspension was noisy on rough roads and the bottom would touch the ground unless one was careful. The one thing I didn't like on the Siena was the spongy brakes.
I was disappointed with the Octavia's poor acceleration when I got it, having been spoilt by the Siena. But it felt more stable and I found I could handle corners at higher speeds. The overall feel was one of a greater degree of sophistication and refinement.

prashant03 · 12th January 2010, 22:31

The Laura 1.8 TSI is a brilliant car. If only it came in the L&K trim, it would give a serious run for their money to cars in higher price segments.

I was seriously tempted before finally settling on a 2.0 petrol A4. The 1.8 does feel underpowered in the A4, but again, is brilliant for the Laura.

sivadas · 12th January 2010, 23:01

Thanks to all !!!
This is the only picture I am currently having.

nkrishnap · 12th January 2010, 23:27

The black LAURA looks gorgeous. Congrats! Wishing you many more happy miles with the beast.

Do post more pics of the beast

Anand123 · 13th January 2010, 00:02

Congrats Sivadas. Good selection of car and moreover good selection of colour. Laura looks the best in black. Now get a good set of alloys and you'll be having a great car. And please start saving for the leather. More pics are awaited.

shuvc · 13th January 2010, 00:40

Lovely car.
Congrats and great that you followed your heart. It does take guts.

Amartya · 13th January 2010, 00:52

Well, congratulations on your acquisition. Also loved the fact that you went with your heart. As far an engineering is concerned, you have made a very good decision.

The Siena too was a very good car that Fiat's incompetence in finding the right partner (PAL was a recipe for disaster) and bad PR killed the very competent car.

Wishing miles of happiness to a fellow petrolhead.

Sudan_NFS · 13th January 2010, 01:21

Congratulation on the new buy and it seems you have gone by your hearts.
Black color for this car looks really good.

I wish you fun filled and safe drive with the new buy.

vnabhi · 13th January 2010, 02:55

Congrats on the new Laura TSI. Black looks best in the Laura. My neighbour has one and I am green with envy.
The dash of the Laura and the Superb are the best in that class---not even the Merc comes close to either.

khan75 · 13th January 2010, 09:35

Looks great but that wheel gap is atrocious! Any plans on modding that baby?

n.devdath · 13th January 2010, 09:55

Congrats on your buy.

Good to see so many Lauras coming to the TBHP family. It is indeed a great car with an exceptional TSI engine. It appears to be pretty high up the ground. Does it still scrape speed breakers and stuff?

Jaggu · 13th January 2010, 10:29

Great thread! Lovely car! and a big Congratz to you!

recshenoy · 13th January 2010, 10:44

congratulations Sivadas. what plans for Petra,will give company to Laura?

12th January 2010, 22:13	#16
akas_chauhan BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio Posts: 596 Thanked: 25 Times	Congratulations Siva. Laura is a strong car and i think it is a good decession to buy Laura against Civic. Would you mind sharing your black beauty hear?
	() Thanks

12th January 2010, 22:13	#17
tacho BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 135 Thanked: 31 Times View My Garage	50K for a test drive? The whole point of a test drive is to help you make a decision and it could go either way. I think they could have been subtler and refused you a TD by lying that they don't have a car etc., but this is laughable. Please share the name of the dealer
	() Thanks

12th January 2010, 22:31	#19
prashant03 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 34 Thanked: 0 Times	The Laura 1.8 TSI is a brilliant car. If only it came in the L&K trim, it would give a serious run for their money to cars in higher price segments. I was seriously tempted before finally settling on a 2.0 petrol A4. The 1.8 does feel underpowered in the A4, but again, is brilliant for the Laura.
	() Thanks

12th January 2010, 23:01	#20
sivadas BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 506 Thanked: 208 Times View My Garage	Thanks to all !!! This is the only picture I am currently having. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

12th January 2010, 23:27	#21
nkrishnap Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,983 Thanked: 7,407 Times View My Garage	The black LAURA looks gorgeous. Congrats! Wishing you many more happy miles with the beast. Do post more pics of the beast
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 00:02	#22
Anand123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 2,297 Thanked: 5,225 Times	Congrats Sivadas. Good selection of car and moreover good selection of colour. Laura looks the best in black. Now get a good set of alloys and you'll be having a great car. And please start saving for the leather. More pics are awaited.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 00:40	#23
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	Lovely car. Congrats and great that you followed your heart. It does take guts.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 00:52	#24
Amartya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Evanston Posts: 1,748 Thanked: 736 Times	Congrats Well, congratulations on your acquisition. Also loved the fact that you went with your heart. As far an engineering is concerned, you have made a very good decision. The Siena too was a very good car that Fiat's incompetence in finding the right partner (PAL was a recipe for disaster) and bad PR killed the very competent car. Wishing miles of happiness to a fellow petrolhead.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 01:21	#25
Sudan_NFS BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: chennai Posts: 759 Thanked: 16 Times	Congratulation on the new buy and it seems you have gone by your hearts. Black color for this car looks really good. I wish you fun filled and safe drive with the new buy. Last edited by Sudan_NFS : 13th January 2010 at 01:24.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 02:55	#26
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: DC -> DC Posts: 5,958 Thanked: 2,393 Times View My Garage	Congrats on the new Laura TSI. Black looks best in the Laura. My neighbour has one and I am green with envy. The dash of the Laura and the Superb are the best in that class---not even the Merc comes close to either.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 09:35	#27
khan75 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta/London/Dubai/Delhi Posts: 371 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	Looks great but that wheel gap is atrocious! Any plans on modding that baby?
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 09:55	#28
n.devdath BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,287 Thanked: 2,811 Times	Congrats on your buy. Good to see so many Lauras coming to the TBHP family. It is indeed a great car with an exceptional TSI engine. It appears to be pretty high up the ground. Does it still scrape speed breakers and stuff?
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 10:29	#29
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Great thread! Lovely car! and a big Congratz to you!
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 10:44	#30
recshenoy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mangalore / Bangalore Posts: 1,128 Thanked: 254 Times	congratulations Sivadas. what plans for Petra,will give company to Laura?
	() Thanks