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-   -   Worthy upgrade for the Linea T-Jet? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-car/196331-worthy-upgrade-linea-t-jet.html)

Hello to all my BHPian friends

I have an almost 7 years old Linea T-Jet with 50K on the ODO. I love the car and have no issues with it. However, it is getting old, in terms of number years. So, am in a dilemma about which I would like to get an opinion from you guys.

I plan to get a new car, but it should be an upgrade to the Linea. So, in your opinion what would be a suitable upgrade to Linea?

As you can see from the KMs that Linea has traveled, my running is very low. It is not more than 1000 KM a month. Below are my requirements in the order of preference:

1) Petrol Car
2) Safety
3) Very comfortable (both front as well as back)
4) Loaded with features
5) Beautiful Interiors
6) Fun to drive with good ride and handling
7) Decent mileage (atleast in double figures in Delhi NCR)
8) Solid build quality
9) Ability to take highway drives, once in a while
10) Ease of maintenance and trouble free ownership
11) The budget is around 17-18 big ones

Request opinions from all the knowledgeable folks to help me make up my mind. I am more interested in Sedans rather than Mini SUVs as my running in mostly in the city and the roads in Delhi NCR are quite good.

Given your running, do you really want to change the Linea? I doubt whether they make any car like that anymore. The only "upgrade" per se would probably be the Octavia, but that would be out of your budget right? A Vento TSI maybe, but that is not really an upgrade over the Linea. If you are open to pre owned, there would be plenty of options.

If not pre owned, I suggest do a refurbish and run it possibly for a couple of more years? Of course, I understand the itch too. Tough dilemma :D

A very tough choice due to lack of options. I think the only one available around that budget would be the Elantra.

If I had been in your place either would have remapped the TJet, get a bigger inter cooler and enjoy it for a couple of more years or increase the budget and get an Octavia 1.8 Tsi. The 17-18 are not big enough to give an upgrade to the Tjet. stupid:

Forget an upgrade if you are looking for anything less than 25 lakhs. I went through a similar dilemma a couple of years ago and Jetta was the only car that felt as solid as Linea at that time. I don't think there has been any new entrant under 20 lakhs that is as exciting and safe as a Linea TJet.

Both of you guys have totally understood my dilemma clap:

After Linea, it is really tough to choose an upgrade.

Arvind - I already am in 2 minds. 1 says to enjoy the Linea for a few more years and then junk it once done. The 2nd says to upgrade and give the Linea to wifey.

Octavia 1.8 does seem like a good upgrade but I get scared about the after sales and service costs as well as the DSG issues...

Sadly, in 7 years, the prices of cars in the segment have doubled. So you essentially end up with a car from the same segment but with better features and safety.

Go for top end automatic petrol variant of either Honda City or Hyundai Verna. Neither car ticks all your requirements though.

I too thought about these 2, but don’t really feel like an upgrade. As you rightly said that none of these 2 cover all my requirements. Am juggling between Octavia or Compass...

Octavia will be my choice too. You can also look at a pre owned 3 series.

completely outlandish thought: Why not a pre-owned S-Cross 1.6? Its available at a bargain price and is a hoot to drive. I can attest to it since I own one :)

Yes, I know. Just a random thought that popped up :-)

SCross ? Do you mean Maruti SCross? :Shockked:

Thanks for the suggestion and completely out of the box thinking.

But don’t think it is an upgrade to the Jet. Plus this is a Diesel mill.

Like others mentioned the only worthy upgrade will be an Octavia TSI. If budget permits the Octavia VRS will be a fantastic upgrade.

Why not try a petrol BMW, from maybe Chandigarh, Punjab etc as maybe in Delhi, the resale of petrol cars maybe a bit high, but at other places, it might be in your budget.
Rear wheel drive - check
Absolutely FTD - check
BMW - check

Can’t think of anything much else.

You might want to wait for the new Honda Civic. Given the brain fade moments that Honda seems to be dodging these days, it might be priced really well.

If they're still around and you can find a well-maintained example, get a pre-owned Laura Tsi or Laura vRS. Its the only true upgrade over the Linea T-Jet which also won't break the bank, meets each criteria you listed out. Only con is most will be over 5 years old now, but they don't come with the problematic DSG.

Since its a pre-owned car, you won't be very dependent on the Skoda ASC and can make do with FNG which shouldn't be hard to find in Delhi.

If not, a petrol BMW is also an excellent upgrade as suggested by Sheel.

I think the Jeep Compass (diesel) will be a worthy upgrade for 2 reasons :

1. It’s a LOT more powerful than a Linea. Will almost feel like a sports car.

2. It’s a different type of vehicle; will stimulate different feelings. You’ll have a better view of the road; ingress and egress will be easier and you won’t have any hesitations of driving over our great Indian road conditions.

Oh, and did I mention both Linea and Compass are cousins (FCA)? ;-) It’s not a bad thing to stay in the family. Hehe.