What Rs 7-lakh car for the chauffeur-driven?

slango97 · 21st January 2020, 16:09

Hello everyone!

It is time to replace my mother's Hyundai Xcent (2014) petrol with a new car for ~7 lakhs OTR. Since the car will be chauffeur driven, safety and a solid build are very important, as is reasonably priced maintenance.

Our Xcent has taken quite a beating, and has issues with the clutch, steering, cabin electronics and others, apart from body damage.

What car would you suggest would stand up to such abuse?

PS: we have considered replacing our chauffeur, but everything apart from his driving is fine

Sreesh1009 · 21st January 2020, 16:56

How about a Santro AMT/Grand I10 NIOS AMT, you won't have to deal with any clutch issues.

IshaanIan · 21st January 2020, 18:37

Honestly a 2014 car is not that old and can be overhauled and used for another 6-8 years provided you please change your driver. If not for yourselves, atleast for the others on the roads considering you yourself are stating that his driving is bad. Why employ and give a bad driver a vehicle with which to endanger others?

akshays · 21st January 2020, 18:44

I would personally prefer a second hand sedan to be driver driven. A new car to a driver is a no-no for me. Irony is my new one is driven by my driver once a week utmost.
For back seat comfort, go ahead and buy the Corolla, supremely comfortable and not too low seated as well.

R-Six · 21st January 2020, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by slango97

It is time to replace my mother's Hyundai Xcent (2014) petrol with a new car for ~7 lakhs OTR

Frankly, what you need to replace is your chauffeur and not the car.

How may KMs it has clocked so far? And I'm guessing that the issue with the car is probably due to the driver itself. Dents and other nitty-gritty issues can be sorted if you take it to a good FNG or an authorized dealership. Give it a good mechanical makeover and you should be good for another couple of years at least.

slango97 · 21st January 2020, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Honestly a 2014 car is not that old and can be overhauled and used for another 6-8 years provided you please change your driver. If not for yourselves, atleast for the others on the roads considering you yourself are stating that his driving is bad. Why employ and give a bad driver a vehicle with which to endanger others?

We continue to employ him because he is very trustworthy, is a family man, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't ask for raises or bonuses, doesn't get chummy with others to pass around gossip.

Frankly, we're okay with slightly terrible driving given his good character.

slango97 · 21st January 2020, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sreesh1009

How about a Santro AMT/Grand I10 NIOS AMT, you won't have to deal with any clutch issues.

Will consider the Nios! We're actually pretty happy with Hyundai so it makes sense! But do you think it's safe to go ahead now, since it is a new car?

lamborghini · 21st January 2020, 19:47

If you can get a deal on the Etios / Liva - I'd get that. These cars are built for abuse given how popular they are with the taxi segment.
It's dated, will be discontinued soon, etc. but when it comes to bring driven around in, it is tough to beat this on a budget.

Storm2.0 · 21st January 2020, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamborghini

If you can get a deal on the Etios / Liva - I'd get that. These cars are built for abuse given how popular they are with the taxi segment.
It's dated, will be discontinued soon, etc. but when it comes to bring driven around in, it is tough to beat this on a budget.

Also it's safe with a 4star crash rating and proper rear seat headrests.

Sreesh1009 · 21st January 2020, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by slango97

Will consider the Nios! We're actually pretty happy with Hyundai so it makes sense! But do you think it's safe to go ahead now, since it is a new car?

I don't think it should be an issue. Are you looking for a top trim?

slango97 · 21st January 2020, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sreesh1009

I don't think it should be an issue. Are you looking for a top trim?

No, a mid-spec variant should be fine. Does the Nios come with any connected car feature that allows us to track our chauffeur's driving behaviour?

Does any other vehicle in this price segment have that?

Sreesh1009 · 22nd January 2020, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by slango97

No, a mid-spec variant should be fine. Does the Nios come with any connected car feature that allows us to track our chauffeur's driving behaviour?

Does any other vehicle in this price segment have that?

You can check out the Honda Amaze then. Though it doesn't come in an automatic variant with your budget but Honda does have a connected car feature which you have to subscribe to.

I've only seen cars like the Venue, Seltos etc get the connected car feature.

GTO · 22nd January 2020, 08:44

Spend 50 grand and bring your Xcent back to shape. Selling a 5-year old car is a colossal waste of money. Read my thread on the topic - link (Want to sell your car because of repairs? Think again!).

It's all the more pointless as you are clearly retaining a bad driver who is going to abuse / damage your new car too.

2000rpm · 22nd January 2020, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by slango97

Does the Nios come with any connected car feature that allows us to track our chauffeur's driving behaviour?

Does any other vehicle in this price segment have that?

You seriously need to replace your Chauffeur, driving doesnt seem to be his thing!

If after so many kms with him you are evaluating his driving and feel the need to monitor the driving style, then you are carrying a lot of unnecessary headache. This may be a very big safety hazard as the internals AND Externals of your cars are damaged indicating frequent accidents.

antz.bin · 22nd January 2020, 09:18

Keep the Xcent, 7lac OTR will give you a decently loaded loaded Hatchback or a base model sub 4m Sedan in the showrooms today.

Spend ₹50k on the Xcent and bring it up to speed. Spend ₹25k on the Chauffeur retraining and enjoy the car for much longer. Driving or for that matter, any other skill doesn't improve by itself beyond a point and retraining is necessary.

Training for defensive driving techniques on a racetrack or a dirt track road should be more helpful than you think. I am aware of a nice gentleman in Khopoli who used to offer defensive driving training packages for Chauffeurs on his dirt track.

Even in my case, the day I spent on the Buddh International (including about 40 minutes behind the wheel of the Race Polo) has done more to improve my driving skills than the 5 years driving my family cars did prior to that day.

It is an alternative solution but one that shouldn't really be ignored. Do evaluate this option before you take the plunge.

Cheers!

21st January 2020, 16:09	#1
slango97 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Chennai Posts: 50 Thanked: 214 Times View My Garage	What Rs 7-lakh car for the chauffeur-driven? Hello everyone! It is time to replace my mother's Hyundai Xcent (2014) petrol with a new car for ~7 lakhs OTR. Since the car will be chauffeur driven, safety and a solid build are very important, as is reasonably priced maintenance. Our Xcent has taken quite a beating, and has issues with the clutch, steering, cabin electronics and others, apart from body damage. What car would you suggest would stand up to such abuse? PS: we have considered replacing our chauffeur, but everything apart from his driving is fine
	() Thanks

21st January 2020, 16:56	#2
Sreesh1009 BHPian Join Date: May 2019 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 362 Thanked: 1,087 Times	re: What Rs 7-lakh car for the chauffeur-driven? How about a Santro AMT/Grand I10 NIOS AMT, you won't have to deal with any clutch issues.
	(1) Thanks

21st January 2020, 18:37	#3
IshaanIan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hyd Posts: 3,566 Thanked: 7,127 Times View My Garage	re: What Rs 7-lakh car for the chauffeur-driven? Honestly a 2014 car is not that old and can be overhauled and used for another 6-8 years provided you please change your driver. If not for yourselves, atleast for the others on the roads considering you yourself are stating that his driving is bad. Why employ and give a bad driver a vehicle with which to endanger others?
	(10) Thanks

21st January 2020, 18:44	#4
akshays BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Bangalore Posts: 103 Thanked: 139 Times	I would personally prefer a second hand sedan to be driver driven. A new car to a driver is a no-no for me. Irony is my new one is driven by my driver once a week utmost. For back seat comfort, go ahead and buy the Corolla, supremely comfortable and not too low seated as well.
	(4) Thanks

21st January 2020, 19:47	#8
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,122 Thanked: 5,791 Times View My Garage	If you can get a deal on the Etios / Liva - I'd get that. These cars are built for abuse given how popular they are with the taxi segment. It's dated, will be discontinued soon, etc. but when it comes to bring driven around in, it is tough to beat this on a budget.
	(7) Thanks

22nd January 2020, 08:44	#13
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,785 Thanked: 303,239 Times View My Garage	Re: What Rs 7-lakh car for the chauffeur-driven? Spend 50 grand and bring your Xcent back to shape. Selling a 5-year old car is a colossal waste of money. Read my thread on the topic - link (Want to sell your car because of repairs? Think again!). It's all the more pointless as you are clearly retaining a bad driver who is going to abuse / damage your new car too.
	(12) Thanks

22nd January 2020, 09:18	#15
antz.bin Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pune Posts: 1,009 Thanked: 4,096 Times Infractions: 0/1 (7)	Re: What Rs 7-lakh car for the chauffeur-driven? Keep the Xcent, 7lac OTR will give you a decently loaded loaded Hatchback or a base model sub 4m Sedan in the showrooms today. Spend ₹50k on the Xcent and bring it up to speed. Spend ₹25k on the Chauffeur retraining and enjoy the car for much longer. Driving or for that matter, any other skill doesn't improve by itself beyond a point and retraining is necessary. Training for defensive driving techniques on a racetrack or a dirt track road should be more helpful than you think. I am aware of a nice gentleman in Khopoli who used to offer defensive driving training packages for Chauffeurs on his dirt track. Even in my case, the day I spent on the Buddh International (including about 40 minutes behind the wheel of the Race Polo) has done more to improve my driving skills than the 5 years driving my family cars did prior to that day. It is an alternative solution but one that shouldn't really be ignored. Do evaluate this option before you take the plunge. Cheers!
	(2) Thanks