Automatic Required - but which one ??

JishD · 19th August 2010, 16:34

Okay guys, need to buy an automatic for the better half by mid Sept

My options :
1. 2004 CRV Auto : 70K kms, dealer, 5.8L + 12K(insurance) + 3k (registration)
2. A-Star Auto : 4.35L (insurance and registration under co. lease)
3. Maruti SX-4 Auto : 8.3L ..upper end of spectrum
4. i10 Auto Magna : 4.51L
5. i20 Auto : 7.3L

Daily running would be about 10-20 KM so FE is not much of an issue
Which of these would be best for my requirements ?

Heart is set on the CR-V which is in very good condition but am worried about spares availability as this is the earlier version
Cons also include outright purchase (vit M outflow) and the fact that it might be a bit large for a beginner
OTOH, I get to drive it whenever its free

)

ajmat · 19th August 2010, 19:25

Re: The CRV - parts are not scarce, it will take time to order. Escpcially if you prang it. Also insurance depreciation means you will take a big hit in an accident.

Rest = all depends on requirements re: space and usage, Test them and decide

normally_crazy · 19th August 2010, 20:17

Looks like a fight between the A star and the i10 - if getting the car for your wife. Also your running indicates that it could be mostly city driven, right ?

blackasta · 19th August 2010, 20:27

If its for a new driver and this is a second/third car - go for i10 / Astar.

i10 - nice interiors + rear seat space
astar - nice handling + sporty

bkbkr1212 · 19th August 2010, 20:46

TD both i10 and A-star and choose the one which suits you best.
A-star has better handling.
i10, as Blackasta mentioned has brilliant interiors and looks quite too. But hearing confusing FE about i10 AT, though you mentioned FE is not a big factor.
But I am sure you wouldn't want 10-12 kmpl for a 1.2L vehicle.

Please rule out SX4- AT.

Again, TD both and take a decision.

lamborghini · 21st August 2010, 02:04

If it is for a new driver, and a second car, get the i10.
If this is the primary car and for a new driver, get the i20.

Since it looks like most of the driving will be done in the city, a smaller car will be easier to handle.

I would advice you to avoid the CR-V, as if there are any replacements in the future, you could get a big bill from Honda. Someone was advised a suspension overhaul for their CR-V and was given a quote of 80K upwards.

Anand123 · 21st August 2010, 02:43

Since the car is for a new driver and for city runs, a hatchback is better. Get the i10 A/T. It looks far better than the A-Star and women will surely love its interiors. I'd suggest you to get the i10 Sportz A/T.

JishD · 24th August 2010, 01:04

Thanks a lot guys ! - so the CRV is out !

The car will basically be used as a second car and the driver is new so I see the unanimous view is i10 AT.

Now, I have one more option ( suggested by the wife) - City CVT 2005-2006.

What are the pros and cons of this model ? Esp vis a vis the i10 AT which she has also driven.

A-Star AT is neither available for TD in GGN or in Kolkata ( in fact dealers in Kolkata dont even know that there is an A-Star AT

) so Ajmat's review is all the dough I have on that one.

gou · 24th August 2010, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by JishD

Now, I have one more option ( suggested by the wife) - City CVT 2005-2006.

Thats what I was going to tell you about. I think this is a good option. You can even look out for OHC AT. Thats a brilliant car.

I have owned a used Santro and a used OHC AT. Both when bought were 7 yrs old and Santro had done 61k kms and OHC 70k kms. Surprising I find the maintenance cost to be less for OHC compared to Santro. Honda regular servicing cost is cheaper than Hyundai and well defined.

I understand FE is not a concern but just to inform you I will mention it. On the forum I read i10 AT to give around 6-9 kmpl. OHC AT will give you around 8-10 kmpl. NHC CVT which you mentioned would give you more - around 12-13kmpl (a colleague having it informed me).

My suggestion would be to go for a used City, either OHC or NHC CVT whichever you can find in good condition. You get a much better car and with Honda reliability is also good. And may be it will cost you less. You will also like the occasional drives which you will have in it.

Cons for this compared to i10 AT are that this is bigger car and parking in small spaces might be a problem, but I felt that once you use it you get used to it.

Also if you can inform us about the other primary car that you have it will be good and may be people can suggest you depending on that.

Tejas@perioimpl · 24th August 2010, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by JishD

What are the pros and cons of this model ? Esp vis a vis the i10 AT which she has also driven.

Extensively driven both the above models. The i10 autobox is much better than the Honda one IMO. The i10 is ideal for city driving. If you do go in for the i10, i suggest an immediate tyre upgrade. The current set is too thin and the car wallows like a boat in choppy waters.

However, if the car runs less than 10kms, expect poor FE.

JishD · 27th August 2010, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by gou

Also if you can inform us about the other primary car that you have it will be good and may be people can suggest you depending on that.

Well, currently I have a Honda City ZX 2006 which I use as my primary car. The AT will largely be used for short office / market runs.

Has anyone tested the A-Star AT in real world conditions yet ? Still not in the showrooms

JishD · 3rd September 2010, 13:52

Ok guys, yesterday I FINALLY got a test-drive on the A-star automatic. Suits the second car requirements to a T. A cramped rear seat will not matter as we will only have 1-2 people in the car at any time.

BUT....A-Star is not a great seller, so what resale values can I expect after a couple of years ?

Also, any other known problems with it ?

Finally, what are the best discounts I can get on the Star ? Any dealer recommendations in Gurgaon/NCR ?

Sutripta · 8th September 2010, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by JishD

A-Star AT is neither available for TD in GGN or in Kolkata ( in fact dealers in Kolkata dont even know that there is an A-Star AT

Took a test drive today in Kolkata.

Fairly long one, from south Cal to Dalhousie at 1 PM, to find out how it will behave in actual city conditions.

Kickdown response extremely inconsistent. Which means I'll not have the confidence to squirt through gaps. Think it is Maruti's tweaking to increase FE for India, as I don't think it will pass muster abroad. Decided against it.

Does anyone know whether the GBox control is electronic or hydraulic?

Sutripta

JishD · 5th October 2010, 10:38

Hyundai has made my decision much simpler by removing the i10 AT magna in the new lineup and upping the price of the AT sportz by about 28k.

With the price difference after discounts at around a lakh, and knowing the depreciation automatics face, am FINALLY going with the A-Star ( yes yes , I know I brickbatted the A-Star on the AT test drive thread

)

Can anyone recommend me the best dealer in NCR /Gurgaon ? I'm having serious issues with Apra (courteous but cant close a deal) and Vipul (not even bothered).

ContiMental · 20th February 2012, 17:39

How is the i10 in the automatic?
I have an i10 Sportz which i bought about 2 months ago. The manual gearshift feels amazing and the peppy engine helps me beat traffic amazingly!

19th August 2010, 16:34	#1
JishD BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 579 Thanked: 743 Times	Automatic Required - but which one ?? Okay guys, need to buy an automatic for the better half by mid Sept My options : 1. 2004 CRV Auto : 70K kms, dealer, 5.8L + 12K(insurance) + 3k (registration) 2. A-Star Auto : 4.35L (insurance and registration under co. lease) 3. Maruti SX-4 Auto : 8.3L ..upper end of spectrum 4. i10 Auto Magna : 4.51L 5. i20 Auto : 7.3L Daily running would be about 10-20 KM so FE is not much of an issue Which of these would be best for my requirements ? Heart is set on the CR-V which is in very good condition but am worried about spares availability as this is the earlier version Cons also include outright purchase (vit M outflow) and the fact that it might be a bit large for a beginner OTOH, I get to drive it whenever its free )
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 19:25	#2
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,866 Thanked: 27,980 Times View My Garage	Re: The CRV - parts are not scarce, it will take time to order. Escpcially if you prang it. Also insurance depreciation means you will take a big hit in an accident. Rest = all depends on requirements re: space and usage, Test them and decide
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 20:17	#3
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,369 Thanked: 528 Times View My Garage	Looks like a fight between the A star and the i10 - if getting the car for your wife. Also your running indicates that it could be mostly city driven, right ?
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 20:27	#4
blackasta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: WB 26 Posts: 3,406 Thanked: 2,917 Times View My Garage	If its for a new driver and this is a second/third car - go for i10 / Astar. i10 - nice interiors + rear seat space astar - nice handling + sporty
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 20:46	#5
bkbkr1212 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 180 Thanked: 12 Times	TD both i10 and A-star and choose the one which suits you best. A-star has better handling. i10, as Blackasta mentioned has brilliant interiors and looks quite too. But hearing confusing FE about i10 AT, though you mentioned FE is not a big factor. But I am sure you wouldn't want 10-12 kmpl for a 1.2L vehicle. Please rule out SX4- AT. Again, TD both and take a decision.
	() Thanks

21st August 2010, 02:04	#6
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,114 Thanked: 5,761 Times View My Garage	If it is for a new driver, and a second car, get the i10. If this is the primary car and for a new driver, get the i20. Since it looks like most of the driving will be done in the city, a smaller car will be easier to handle. I would advice you to avoid the CR-V, as if there are any replacements in the future, you could get a big bill from Honda. Someone was advised a suspension overhaul for their CR-V and was given a quote of 80K upwards.
	() Thanks

21st August 2010, 02:43	#7
Anand123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 2,297 Thanked: 5,225 Times	Since the car is for a new driver and for city runs, a hatchback is better. Get the i10 A/T. It looks far better than the A-Star and women will surely love its interiors. I'd suggest you to get the i10 Sportz A/T.
	() Thanks

24th August 2010, 01:04	#8
JishD BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 579 Thanked: 743 Times	Thanks a lot guys ! - so the CRV is out ! The car will basically be used as a second car and the driver is new so I see the unanimous view is i10 AT. Now, I have one more option ( suggested by the wife) - City CVT 2005-2006. What are the pros and cons of this model ? Esp vis a vis the i10 AT which she has also driven. A-Star AT is neither available for TD in GGN or in Kolkata ( in fact dealers in Kolkata dont even know that there is an A-Star AT) so Ajmat's review is all the dough I have on that one.
	() Thanks

3rd September 2010, 13:52	#12
JishD BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 579 Thanked: 743 Times	Update : A - Star Automatic Ok guys, yesterday I FINALLY got a test-drive on the A-star automatic. Suits the second car requirements to a T. A cramped rear seat will not matter as we will only have 1-2 people in the car at any time. BUT....A-Star is not a great seller, so what resale values can I expect after a couple of years ? Also, any other known problems with it ? Finally, what are the best discounts I can get on the Star ? Any dealer recommendations in Gurgaon/NCR ?
	() Thanks

5th October 2010, 10:38	#14
JishD BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 579 Thanked: 743 Times	Hyundai has made my decision much simpler by removing the i10 AT magna in the new lineup and upping the price of the AT sportz by about 28k. With the price difference after discounts at around a lakh, and knowing the depreciation automatics face, am FINALLY going with the A-Star ( yes yes , I know I brickbatted the A-Star on the AT test drive thread ) Can anyone recommend me the best dealer in NCR /Gurgaon ? I'm having serious issues with Apra (courteous but cant close a deal) and Vipul (not even bothered).
	() Thanks

20th February 2012, 17:39	#15
ContiMental BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 54 Thanked: 25 Times	Re: Automatic Required - but which one ?? How is the i10 in the automatic? I have an i10 Sportz which i bought about 2 months ago. The manual gearshift feels amazing and the peppy engine helps me beat traffic amazingly!
	() Thanks