Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range?

Turbo_asd · 14th February 2015, 10:57

I think it should be the diesel options you are looking for, considering your monthly running. Given the current scenario, I would recommend the Vento or Rapid diesel DSG. I would pick the Vento, given that it feels more premium, and that you are now accustomed to VW after sales. It all boils down to personal choice, though.
On the other hand, you could wait for the face lifted Verna, whose launch is merely days away. In all likelihood, the 4 speed gearbox will continue, but if it is replaced with a more contemporary one, your search might just end there. The looks are just flooring, the refinement is surreal,the engine is powerful, and since backseat comfort is probably irrelevant to you, a diesel automatic Verna might just be the most compelling choice. It seems to be sufficiently safe as well.
Good luck choosing!

premc44 · 14th February 2015, 11:47

I do agree, a diesel VW vento/Polo or Skoda 1.5, all with DSG would be the choice, given that DSG employs the latest technology in automatic transmission. I have not driven the Diesel/DSG combination. Reports indicate very good FE figures. I did get a chance to drive a new petrol Vento TSI/DSG and it gave a FE average of 16 Km/L on a 140 Km high way run with fairly busy traffic. For a petrol automatic, that is impressive and no other car can offer all these as of now.

drmohitg · 14th February 2015, 13:24

So the new Verna has been launched and all the news of that 6 speed AT box turned out to be rubbish afterall. I would still however urge you to try and take a TD of the Verna and see how bad is the overall experience w.r.t. Rapid/Vento. I am extremely wary of the cost and reliability of the VAG group product with that kind of running.

kisharchit · 15th February 2015, 21:02

The Verna is a personal favorite of Dad and me. But that 4 speed box... The only reason petrol automatics are considered because my Polo gives 11-12 right now with some eco driving. It consists of light traffic with open roads (Dwarka to Noida) though it can get pretty nasty at times. And the Ecosport, Polo Tsi gives around the same FE so in reality not much fuel savings just a newer car. :P

Is there any chance the Zest may come with AMT in XT trim?

fiestarry · 15th February 2015, 22:01

I have driven the Laura DSG on a fairly long trip as well as city conditions.
There is nothing remarkable about it. The German cars come with the added headache of monumental costs of repair, service and spares.
With GTO mentioning that the 7speed DSG is a nervous affair, I am not sure that the VW lot should be on your short list.
Well, you have the luxury of a few months.

abhjain · 15th February 2015, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by premc44

I do agree, a diesel VW vento/Polo or Skoda 1.5, all with DSG would be the choice, given that DSG employs the latest technology in automatic transmission. I have not driven the Diesel/DSG combination. Reports indicate very good FE figures. I did get a chance to drive a new petrol Vento TSI/DSG and it gave a FE average of 16 Km/L on a 140 Km high way run with fairly busy traffic. For a petrol automatic, that is impressive and no other car can offer all these as of now.

I have a Rapid diesel DSG and drive between Dwarka and Bhikaji. Car consistently delivers North of 16 kmpl in notorious traffic of ring road.

H_Dogg72 · 15th February 2015, 22:17

That's absolutely amazing.
My TSI polo gives poop average.
Never double digit. It always hovers around 5-7

kisharchit · 16th February 2015, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhjain

I have a Rapid diesel DSG and drive between Dwarka and Bhikaji. Car consistently delivers North of 16 kmpl in notorious traffic of ring road.

That is extremely relieving. I am spending most of my time on the ring road as well! This will lead to some decent amount of savings on fuel but oh how good does the Ecosport look...

heydj · 16th February 2015, 20:35

I am increasingly getting convinced what is the point of having free revving engine, drivers car, lots of bhp & torque etc. The car makers market us the cars showing us free empty roads where you are driving at top speed, accelerating etc. Fact of the matter is we spend travelling 1-2 kms stretch while driving 30 minutes+.

I would suggest going for easy to drive small city car with automatic gears, great millage, cheap spare parts (every second day in bumper to bumper traffic someone nicks), and decent safety features to protect us from accidents happening at snails pace. In such a scenario Brio comes to mind.

If driving on highways is the majority use then Polo TSI etc are all good options.

abhjain · 16th February 2015, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisharchit

That is extremely relieving. I am spending most of my time on the ring road as well! This will lead to some decent amount of savings on fuel but oh how good does the Ecosport look...

Yes please drive the DSG once and you will forget all the looks argument! All the best and do let me know if you need any more information. I drive between Noida and Bhikaji. I used to stay in Dwarka till last year.

kisharchit · 18th February 2015, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by heydj

I am increasingly getting convinced what is the point of having free revving engine, drivers car, lots of bhp & torque etc. The car makers market us the cars showing us free empty roads where you are driving at top speed, accelerating etc. Fact of the matter is we spend travelling 1-2 kms stretch while driving 30 minutes+.

I would suggest going for easy to drive small city car with automatic gears, great millage, cheap spare parts (every second day in bumper to bumper traffic someone nicks), and decent safety features to protect us from accidents happening at snails pace. In such a scenario Brio comes to mind.

If driving on highways is the majority use then Polo TSI etc are all good options.

Brio is certainly in the list. Mom has a huge crush on the car since it was launched way back. Would waiting for the new Jazz make sense?

heydj · 18th February 2015, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisharchit

Brio is certainly in the list. Mom has a huge crush on the car since it was launched way back. Would waiting for the new Jazz make sense?

You could but the pricing of Jazz needs to be spot on, if the price is too high then one might as well as go in for other options in the similar price range. Also upon launch it might (might not) have a waiting period.

I diesel Maruti Ritz Vdi could be an option, though it comes without airbags.

If I were to buy a hatchback today with automatic transmission then I would have gone for Brio as the looks of Jazz have never appealed to me (opinions may vary).

D4D · 18th February 2015, 21:36

Looking at your needs, I would suggest only Rapid/Vento TDI DSG.

Got good performance, a good diesel box and and shouls deliver good FE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisharchit

what rumors say, it will be replaced with Elantra's 6 speed so that's solved. The 2014 versions have solved the soft suspension too, so that's solved as well.

Nope. It's not true. The verna retains it's 4 speed auto box

kisharchit · 19th February 2015, 21:56

If I am considering the ES, then how would the Fiesta fare in this comparo?

Rajeevraj · 19th February 2015, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisharchit

If I am considering the ES, then how would the Fiesta fare in this comparo?

You mean Fiesta AT? Fiesta no longer comes with an AT variant.

14th February 2015, 10:57	#16
Turbo_asd BHPian Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Bangalore Posts: 111 Thanked: 95 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? I think it should be the diesel options you are looking for, considering your monthly running. Given the current scenario, I would recommend the Vento or Rapid diesel DSG. I would pick the Vento, given that it feels more premium, and that you are now accustomed to VW after sales. It all boils down to personal choice, though. On the other hand, you could wait for the face lifted Verna, whose launch is merely days away. In all likelihood, the 4 speed gearbox will continue, but if it is replaced with a more contemporary one, your search might just end there. The looks are just flooring, the refinement is surreal,the engine is powerful, and since backseat comfort is probably irrelevant to you, a diesel automatic Verna might just be the most compelling choice. It seems to be sufficiently safe as well. Good luck choosing!
	() Thanks

14th February 2015, 11:47	#17
premc44 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kozhikode Posts: 86 Thanked: 121 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? I do agree, a diesel VW vento/Polo or Skoda 1.5, all with DSG would be the choice, given that DSG employs the latest technology in automatic transmission. I have not driven the Diesel/DSG combination. Reports indicate very good FE figures. I did get a chance to drive a new petrol Vento TSI/DSG and it gave a FE average of 16 Km/L on a 140 Km high way run with fairly busy traffic. For a petrol automatic, that is impressive and no other car can offer all these as of now.
	() Thanks

14th February 2015, 13:24	#18
drmohitg Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Liverpool/Delhi Posts: 5,449 Thanked: 7,573 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? So the new Verna has been launched and all the news of that 6 speed AT box turned out to be rubbish afterall. I would still however urge you to try and take a TD of the Verna and see how bad is the overall experience w.r.t. Rapid/Vento. I am extremely wary of the cost and reliability of the VAG group product with that kind of running.
	(1) Thanks

15th February 2015, 21:02	#19
kisharchit BANNED Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Noida/Delhi Posts: 286 Thanked: 369 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? The Verna is a personal favorite of Dad and me. But that 4 speed box... The only reason petrol automatics are considered because my Polo gives 11-12 right now with some eco driving. It consists of light traffic with open roads (Dwarka to Noida) though it can get pretty nasty at times. And the Ecosport, Polo Tsi gives around the same FE so in reality not much fuel savings just a newer car. :P Is there any chance the Zest may come with AMT in XT trim?
	() Thanks

15th February 2015, 22:01	#20
fiestarry BANNED Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Mumbai Posts: 341 Thanked: 608 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? I have driven the Laura DSG on a fairly long trip as well as city conditions. There is nothing remarkable about it. The German cars come with the added headache of monumental costs of repair, service and spares. With GTO mentioning that the 7speed DSG is a nervous affair, I am not sure that the VW lot should be on your short list. Well, you have the luxury of a few months.
	() Thanks

15th February 2015, 22:17	#22
H_Dogg72 BANNED Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Delhi Posts: 505 Thanked: 564 Times	That's absolutely amazing. My TSI polo gives poop average. Never double digit. It always hovers around 5-7
	() Thanks

16th February 2015, 20:35	#24
heydj BHPian Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rotterdam/Delhi Posts: 569 Thanked: 881 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? I am increasingly getting convinced what is the point of having free revving engine, drivers car, lots of bhp & torque etc. The car makers market us the cars showing us free empty roads where you are driving at top speed, accelerating etc. Fact of the matter is we spend travelling 1-2 kms stretch while driving 30 minutes+. I would suggest going for easy to drive small city car with automatic gears, great millage, cheap spare parts (every second day in bumper to bumper traffic someone nicks), and decent safety features to protect us from accidents happening at snails pace. In such a scenario Brio comes to mind. If driving on highways is the majority use then Polo TSI etc are all good options.
	() Thanks

19th February 2015, 21:56	#29
kisharchit BANNED Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Noida/Delhi Posts: 286 Thanked: 369 Times	Re: Automatic car in the 12 - 13 lakh range? If I am considering the ES, then how would the Fiesta fare in this comparo?
	() Thanks