Budget Rs. 13 lakh: Need a new or preowned AT car to replace my i10

My travel everyday is a 10 kms round trip to and fro office. But I do travel across the city every other day. This usually ends up commuting in peak hour traffic in the evenings.

BHPian danlalan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Wow this is my first thread in a very very long time( 10 yers i guess). I am so confused as to what i should buy that I've gone totally blank. Looking for some recommendations on buying a new car or a used low kilometer car.

So a little about me,

Stay:

I live on rent and I will continue to do so. The place that I currently stay at,  I will be here for atleast the next 5yrs approx.

My parking:

This place has tight parking spots and spots change every time because its first come first serve, but nonetheless all the spots are tight in terms on getting into and out of as they are stack parking. To get into the stack you have to take a 90 degree turn tight turn which would require at least 2 to 3 iteration before getting into them.

My travel:

My travel everyday is a 10 kms round trip to and fro office. But I do travel across the city every other day. This usually ends up commuting in peak hour traffic in the evenings.

I do a once every 15/20 day Mumbai-Pune (350km round trip) run. My monthly running would turn out to be about 1.5k to 2k kms a month.

My cars & their life sentence:

This usually hovers around 9 to 10yrs, I guess this would be the case for most people.

My last daily drive was a 2012 i10 automatic (sold).

Preference & budget:

• New or used preferably 2020 or later models.
• I am looking for a daily drive that is fuel efficient.
• Petrol or diesel.
• Non electric.
• Automatic gearbox for sure. Shouldn't be an iMT. AMT not so sure as I've heard they aren't the best shifters.
• Would prefer the compact SUV types as high ingress degress is an advantage.
• Brand preference would first be a Hyundai (Having owned one) then Kia (used) then others.
• The budget is the constraint. This was a 10 lakhs. Would want to spend a max of 13 lakhs no higher, Not a single rupee more.

Had a option of a used Sonet HTK+ DCT diesel 11k kms. Vitara ZDI. Don't know if these are a good choice over probably a new Venue S(O) DCT or anything else new.

Let the suggestions begin.

Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:

Consider the following suggestions given your situation, bearing in mind your running and your parking scenario:

• Used Maruti Brezza Petrol or Diesel.
• Toyota Urban Cruiser Petrol or Diesel.
• Used Tata Nexon EV Prime if you can get one, else the Petrol or Diesel variant.
• Used Maruti Swift.
• Used Maruti WagonR.
• Used Maruti Ignis.

The reasons for the above suggestions are the following; the frugality of the engines in the above vehicles, easy serviceability, general reliability, practicality and peace of mind, compactness of size and proportions, good ground clearance for our typical road conditions and general ease of parking.

Here's what BHPian ajayc123 had to say on the matter:

I would say new Brezza or Toyota Urban Cruiser, if you can get hold of one.

Reasons:

• Compact - better bet for your parking situation.
• Frugal.
• Reliable.
• Proper automatic.
• Safe.
• Powerful enough for highway.

Here's what BHPian Srivatsav Balan had to say on the matter:

I come from a similar situation like yours on tight parking spots and congested roads especially during office commute hours.

I opted for Ignis MT considering the compactness and higher turning radius and well within my budget and it has been amazing choice for packed city!

However, the AT gearbox of Ignis did not inspire me to drive more of it and I ended up getting MT as the stick is not much of trouble for me and was not keen on AT to start with.

Here's what BHPian 07CR had to say on the matter:

Yours and mine travel criteria is kind of similar, wherein I travel 22 kms to and fro to my office. There is also a 400-500 km highway only trip every month. I purchased a preowned Sonet HTX iMT, this year in Feb (7 month old car). It's served my requirements quite well, and I purchased this at 11 L.

Any reason to avoid iMT? Even I was apprehensive of it first, but the gearshift is pinky finger light, and the ease of auto clutch enhances the comfort. The 120 PS motor also is more than ample for any of my city or highway needs( it offers better performance than my Ecosport S 1.5 TDCI). That said the daily mileage hovers between 10-14 kmpl, depending on the traffic. On highways, at cruise of 85-90 it delivers 17-18 kmpl (all mileage with AC).

If you are in for a Sonet iMT, I know of a reliable Pune dealer, who is selling a one year old HTX+ iMT, at little more than 11.5L. Will dm you the details if interested. Happy shopping!

Here's what BHPian d-g-p had to say on the matter:

• Take a call on DCT after going through pro and cons you can find from a large number of threads in this forum. In general it is better if DCT can be avoided in bumper to bumper and start stop traffic.
• Amongst torque converter and CVT gearbox for new car with above criteria you can go with:
• New Brezza VXI AT.
• Nissan Magnite turbo CVT if you are confident with service centers in your city. You can choose XV or XV premium according to budget.
• Renault Kiger turbo CVT ( Some safety like features like ESC missing).
• For used car with AT Brezza, Urban cruiser, Ecosport with a good deal (with consideration that Ford has exited Indian market) or a Diesel TC AT Sonet if you can find one. These are all sub 4 metre cars that would fit with your space constraints and SUV stance.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.