[KSTejaswi]

There's a good reason why you see so many Etios taxis. The engine is very reliable and tractable. It will do 120kmph easily enough if you push it, but its strength is in getting to 80~90kmph smoothly and staying there all day long effortlessly while keeping its occupants comfortable and sipping minimum fuel. (we have a 2012 Etios Liva Diesel, we get 20~22 kmpl when we decide to drive it sedately on long trips. When we do speed up, we get ~18kmpl on the highway)

Apart from what som9729 has mentioned, another good reason for picking the facelifted Etios is for the improvement in NVH.

The City Diesel is an equally good choice, a close friend has one and swears by it.

I have one query though - the idea is to replace a 2011 car, why replace it with a 2013 car? Your friend would be back in the market in 4 years. Considering that scenario, perhaps a 2017 Aspire or Amaze would be a good choice. They're good cars, with a powerful yet frugal powertrain, relatively inexpensive to maintain and can be used till 2030~2031.

[Asish_VK]

Please exclude the VW & Skoda from the list. Those are great cars and drives great, but will need your time and care to maintain in top shape.
If your friend doesn't mind doing preventive maintenance and occasional visits to garages for replacements (which will be pricey compared to others), they can be rewarding.

As someone already said in this thread, exclude Cruze. Will be a pain to maintain.

Also search for Verna 1.6 Diesels (Fluidic), if fits in the budget.

[SteeringWheel]

My two cents.

Out of the cars you have listed, I'd say choose between Etios and Sunny. The diesel engines in these cars are bullet proof and can do a few lakh kms easily. When it comes to service, I'd choose Etios over Sunny.

Etios Diesel We own a Feb 2013 pre facelift Etios(there was a facelift in 2013 Feb). Our car has done over 3.2Lakh kms, may have crossed 3.3 now but I haven't used the car recently. At this mileage, the engine sounds and feels like it did on day 1.

It's a boring car with a taxi image and if you look past that it's an alrounder. I'll also say it's a half baked product from Toyota, good thing is it remains that way without getting worse. We changed the clutch at around 2.4L kms because the original clutch has become hard. Suspension was also changed at more or less same time. Other than this we changed the alternator once and AC compressor bearing/clutch once. Do not remember anything more apart from regular maintenance.

Our usage was 70% highway but when it comes to the kind of use, it's unbelievable how it held up. Roads to our farm are like non existent and our Etios(filled with farm supplies) used to travel to farm and back almost every day without breaking a sweat. We checked mileage only once when the car was new and it returned 19+ on highway, must have increased later but we never really checked.

We are unable to find a replacement for this car, we just got new seat covers installed and changed the headlamps and it looks fresh. Very spacious cabin and the boot swallows all the luggage. We do not use it much these days. We are just keeping it cos we know it's reliable and it's very handy whenevern we need it.

Maruti DieselWe own a Brezza Diesel AMT which just crossed 1L kms. It has taken over the Etios duties now. It's holding up well so far but doesn't feel like it can age as well as the Etios did. I think Marutis are more like 1L or 2L kms cars at the most. Mileage is easily around 15% to 20% more than Etios. Displayed mileage sometimes goes beyond 25. We use it because it is automatic, else Etios will be our preferred car even with it's odo at 3.2L kms.

One more car you can consider is Verna Diesel. My daily drive is a 2017 facelift Verna diesel. The odo is only at 60k but the engine and car feel solid and just like how it felt when new. I feel this can easily do a few lakh kms like Etios. Cabin feels great but it's not a spacious car. The same engine was used in fluidic verna too. If you find a good verna within your budget, it can be considered.

[gck_tourer]

My vote goes for Ford Aspire. A gem of an engine, highly reliable and abuse friendly car available at throwaway prices owing to exit of Ford. On the contrary to popular belief, Ford maintenance is pretty cheap compared to your Marutis and Hyundais. The parts are long lasting and Ford is committed to servicing them for next 5 years atleast. There has been no news of shortage of any parts till now. Close your eyes and take the bargain if a good piece is available.

[jack_sparrow]

I recently bought and serviced a 2016 Ford Aspire in Kerala, so adding my 2 cents here.

I bought the car when it had around ~80K KM on the ODO and had to replace Clutch, tyres etc at 90k. The car runs great and pretty fun to ride. But OEM Parts availability is an issues since ford doesn't share parts OTC, but was able to source same company (Luke) parts from outside. Can also source OEM parts from Banglore if required, got from Bosch Service Centre. Also it may be a little hard to find good FNG's for ford. And try to buy the Titanium model, since many Trend Model in 2016 time frame doesnt have ABS in them, but Airbag is there (Figured this one out a little late ).

NIT Picking: The gear knob in most of the Aspires I saw had worn out, and original ones now cost around 5K, so bought one duplicate in JC road for 1.2K. Also im nearing 1 Lack and had to replace Thermostat and need to replace Suspension and timing chain in 1L. Guess 1L Km Service is going to be costly. And car had a slight lean towards left from starting, after a lot of alignments its okeyish now. This along with gear knob is common issue I think. And the engine noise is a little too much and can be heard inside in cabin.

This is my first post in forum, so apologies for any mistake.

[Ak24rapid]

I would strongly recommend the Skoda Rapid/VW Vento diesel. I've owned one for several years and experienced both its strengths and weaknesses.
Pros:
* Fuel Efficiency: This car is very fuel efficient, easily exceeding 20 kmpl in the city and achieving over 27.5 kmpl on the highway. Some reviews on Team BHP even report figures exceeding 29 kmpl.
* Performance and Handling: The 1.5-liter TDI engine offers an impressive 110 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. It pulls hard between 1500 and 3000 rpm and excels on the highway. The handling inspires confidence during emergency maneuvers and corners.
* Build Quality: The car feels solid and well-built. The doors have a satisfying thud when closed, ensuring a sense of safety for you and your passengers. The interior fit and finish are superior and hold up well over time. My Rapid is about to hit 75,000 km and is 6 years old, but both the exterior and interior look nearly new.
* Reliability: The car has been reliable, with only one instance of a fuel injector failure. Even in that case, the car remained drivable until I could reach a service station. The engine still delivers the same strong pull it had when new, even after 6 years.
Cons:
* Maintenance Cost: Being a diesel and European car, Skoda charges more for parts and service. Most spare parts are imported from Slovakia and are of high quality, but they are expensive. My last service cost Rs. 25,000 INR.
* Used Car Value: As with most European cars, the Rapid depreciates significantly. We bought the car for Rs. 12.5 lakh INR on-road in Chennai, but its current value is likely around Rs. 6 to 7 lakh INR.
* Ground Clearance: This is one of the biggest issues I've faced. The car scrapes on almost every speed breaker it encounters. Chennai has an abundance of speed breakers and poorly maintained roads, which is a major reason I decided to buy a Thar RWD.
Overall, the Rapid/Vento is a great car for enthusiasts, but it does have some drawbacks. Other strong contenders in this segment were the Ford Fiesta diesel and the Chevrolet Cruze. However, both brands have exited the Indian market, raising concerns about future service availability.

[BrakingBad]

Originally Posted by bijims

We came across a wonderful Fiat Linea 1.3 Emotion Multijet Diesel and boy is it a great car, a bit long and wide, but the car is spectacular, too bad Fiat shut shop, but the car has impressed us quite a bit.

As a previous owner of FIAT LINEA(11 years with 125k KM), I can vouch for it. I sold mine as I moved over to BMW. Still I like the steering of linea than any other cars. Only drawback with Linea is low on power for the vehicle size and weight. If you are okay with down shifting to 2nd gear at times, you should go for it. As far as looks concerned, it is still a head turner. I can list 100+s for Linea any day. Go for it. Fuel economy wise, it will be decent. 12 to 15 in city and 17 to 19 in highway.

You just need to find a good service centre. As Jeep is still selling, the parts are provided by Mopar for both fiat and jeep to the best of my knowledge.

Features wise, it is still loaded comparable to a decent 2020 car… in some cases even today’s cars.

If I have space , I would buy one and keep it. My profile picture won’t change at all

[swiftnfurious]

Etios : Great space, comfort, super reliable engine / mechanical, cheap cost of ownership, bland interior, boring engine

Amaze : Almost the same, but with a little better interior (pre facelift)

City : I see it's the entry "E" variant, so not sure on the features, but great space

Fiesta : Best drivers car in the list, good engine, comfort, low on space, easy on cost of regular service (possibly cheaper than Maruti, but above Toyota). Parts are no problem, even non-moving parts are available in 1-2 days in Chennai, may be couple of more days to rest of India

Dzire : Low on space, good engine, reasonably fun to drive, maintenance is decent (not cheap nor expensive), Maruti reassurance,

Skoda / VW : High cost of ownership, decently reliable (I hear only some issues with injectors in some version which has been rectified), fun to drive as I hear from friends, good ride / handling (especially Skoda)

Fiat / Chevy / Nissan : Suggest you don't bother about these.

I'd pick a Fiesta 10/10, if the family is small / space is not a constraint. Get the Titanium and it's THE MOST Loaded among these (I own one and at 1.06L kms and going strong. Major maintenance IS expensive, but lasts well. These include clutch, suspension, steering, timing belt etc and next change will be at 2L kms)

If space / comfort is a priority, Etios / City should be the choice. Amaze could be a close one, if a C-Sedan preferred.

[gck_tourer]

Originally Posted by jack_sparrow

I recently bought and serviced a 2016 Ford Aspire in Kerala, so adding my 2 cents here.


NIT Picking: The gear knob in most of the Aspires I saw had worn out, and original ones now cost around 5K, so bought one duplicate in JC road for 1.2K. Also im nearing 1 Lack and had to replace Thermostat and need to replace Suspension and timing chain in 1L. Guess 1L Km Service is going to be costly. And car had a slight lean towards left from starting, after a lot of alignments its okeyish now. This along with gear knob is common issue I think. And the engine noise is a little too much and can be heard inside in cabin.

This is my first post in forum, so apologies for any mistake.

Hey my Aspire is nearing 1.2 lakh service and i haven't replaced anything in the car till now apart from brake pads, tyres, battery. All of them once. Most of the repairs and replacement you have listed are the result of driving style and conditions. I don't think thermostat replacement is recommended in the manual for 1 lakh. I have been servicing my car regularly at Ford ASS and service bill never crossed 6k. 1.2 lakh service has timing belt replacement and a few other parts given below which would still keep the bill around 10k as per Ford Service Price Promise.

Diesel fuel filter
Brake fluid
Timings belt
FEAD belt
Air filter
AC dust filter

I don't see a need to go to a FNG with such good service and bills.

[bijims]

UPDATE 2

As per suggestion from @KSTejaswi, we decided to check out something that is from around 2015 or later so that we get around 5 years from the car, most of the options persist with a slight increase in budget, and with that, a new option has emerged a 2015 Hyundai Elantra SX Diesel MT, a few of you had mentioned Hyundai but I was surprised to see an Elantra at this price, it's the same Diesel as in the Creta and the Verna, but in a much superior package as I see it, car looks good, has run less than a lakh kilometres and is within our budget.

The only issue is we are not aware of the service and maintenance aspects of these bigger cars (in terms of size) like the Cruze, Elantra, Linea and even the VAG twins. Do provide your insights on these and thanks a lot for your recommendations thus far!

[yedukrishnan199]

In my opinion, it would be wise to opt for a car less than 10 years old, preferably diesel for long-running, with mileage of less than a lakh kilometre, preferably Japanese and most importantly brands still functioning in the Market (even if the cars themselves have been phased out), so with these in mind, here are my recommendations:

1. Toyota Etios Diesel: No nonsense car with space, but lacking in features, taxi image persists but besides that, you couldn't go wrong with a Toyota. Spares, maintenance and the like are all not expensive and budget-friendly.

2. Honda City Diesel/ Honda Amaze Diesel: The City would be a better pick for the space and overall better feel, However, the Amaze is no slouch either, both have the same diesel engine underneath and are reliable, a member of my family had a 2014 City Diesel and it was a gem of a car. Spare parts and maintenance are no issue at all and are budget-friendly.

3. Hyundai Verna Diesel: Another no-nonsense car with a potent diesel engine, the same one that plies on the Elantra (another great option if within budget) and Creta, the Verna has reasonably priced after-sales service and spare parts and is a reliable machine.

4. VW Vento Diesel/ Skoda Rapid Diesel: Be it the 1.6 TDI MT or the 1.5 TDI MT, both are great engines with best-in-class power and torque, excellent road manners, driveability and a European finesse that sets it apart, timeless design and looks mean the Vento and Rapid, be it from 2010 or 2022 looks the part and is a great option, however, spares and service costs are a bit pricey and that should be factored in before making a call.

5. Nissan Sunny Diesel: The Sunny is a CAAAR, as it was from its commercial way back when launched, with great space, a decent feature list and a potent 85PS diesel engine shared with the Duster, the spares and parts likely won't be an issue as Nissan has a large export market for the Sunny and it still exports the Sunny from India, the engines being shared with Renault mean engine parts won't be an issue either, However, Nissan's situation as a whole isn't looking good unless the with Honda materialises, which seems well on its way to becoming a reality, so all things considered, the Sunny is a good option worth considering.

[bijims]

UPDATE 3

With the market going crazy for SUVs, and quite a few options available within budget, we decided to check out the Renault Duster Diesel 85PS and the Ford Ecosport Diesel as well, both 2014 to 2015 models with less than 1 lakh on the odo, How do these compare and are they good options worth consideration? Please let me know your thoughts on this

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by bijims

UPDATE 3

With the market going crazy for SUVs, and quite a few options available within budget, we decided to check out the Renault Duster Diesel 85PS and the Ford Ecosport Diesel as well, both 2014 to 2015 models with less than 1 lakh on the odo, How do these compare and are they good options worth consideration? Please let me know your thoughts on this

Check for Ford service center in your locality. Since Ford shut shop, there aren't as many service centers. Duster is good option, If I recollect, there were some injector issues with diesel engine from Renault. 1.3 MJD Brezza is an option you can consider too, but a well maintained one will be bit pricey.

[bijims]

Originally Posted by PrideRed

Check for Ford service center in your locality. Since Ford shut shop, there aren't as many service centers. Duster is good option, If I recollect, there were some injector issues with diesel engine from Renault. 1.3 MJD Brezza is an option you can consider too, but a well maintained one will be bit pricey.

I don't know if it's only the case in my city or not, but all the dealerships that were running before Ford's exit continue to operate service centres and there are 4 service centres within 20 km of my home.

Duster looks to be a good option, I think the 85PS version has far fewer issues than the 110PS or am I wrong, but still do enlighten me on the issues you've heard of, and Thanks a lot for the reply.

[1.2Stretford]

Hello,

You can also add the fluidic verna 2013 to this list, the 1.6 CRDi will be a good choice to drive around offering good mileage. However the ride and handling will not be as comfortable as the japanese alternatives. A decent buy with a really good engine.