I've shortlisted three options: the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Exter, and Tata Punch. (All in AMT guise)

BHPian petrocarb recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I'm on a lookout to find sub-4 meter car for my father who will be 75 now, and I've shortlisted three options: the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Exter, and Tata Punch. (All in AMT guise)

Let me break down my analysis (Have driven Exter and Punch and not the new Dzire) and request your expert insights!

Dzire (Latest Gen)

Pros:

• Great fuel efficiency - 25.71 kmpl (AMT). Real world not out yet
• Impressive 382L boot space that can easily handle weekly grocery runs
• Engine performance is smooth and tuned to city driving
• Top-notch safety credentials with 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Program

Cons:

• The AMT gearbox can get a bit tricky in stop-and-go city traffic
• Because of size of tyres and suspension tuning it may not be ideal in bad road conditions (The ground clearance is also rated at 163 mm)

Hyundai Exter

Pros:

• Suspension and ride quality that can handle our diverse road conditions
• Steering that's light and easy to manoeuvre
• Packed with modern features like sunroof and wireless charging
• Comprehensive safety package with 6 airbags

Cons:

• Fuel efficiency in city conditions seems a bit modest at 10-12 kmpl. Relying on real feeback from some of the owners
• Seat design might not be ergonomically perfect for all body types.
• Absence of a driver armrest could be a minor inconvenience
• Build quality is unknown since the car hasn't been crash tested

Tata Punch

Pros:

• 5-star safety rating that provides peace of mind
• Ground clearance that can tackle rough and uneven terrains
• Reasonable interior space
• Robust build quality

Cons:

• Engine performance might feel slightly underwhelming during overtaking
• Service issues that my father will absolutely hate to have. He has been driving Marutis all his life
• Some friends have reported lower than expected mileage

The usage pattern is almost 95% City and 5% with below mentioned parameters

• Daily city commuting with minimal highway trips
• Prioritising driving comfort and ease
• Safety requirements should be covered
• Reliable after-sales service
• Ride comfort for senior citizens

What would you recommend considering these specific requirements? Are there any other models I should explore?

I was also suggesting to look for Kylaq/Magnite, but ease of owning and maintenance is of prime importance and my father is not keen on experimenting now

Cheers!

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

This is a no brainer when I look at this, latest Gen Dezire ticks all the boxes right?

Exter is the next interesting option, but for the mileage and maintenance cost in the long run. Ride also will be less than Dezire for city roads.

Here's what BHPian yedukrishnan199 had to say on the matter:

The upcoming Honda Amaze seems to be a good choice, too. It should provide you with a reliable, safe, and practical car with a good engine and gearbox combo (especially the CVT). Do consider it as it is launching at the end of the month; otherwise, the Dzire seems to be the best option.

Here's what BHPian Petrolhead2722 had to say on the matter:

I was in the same boat last year. My grandfather turned 83 and wanted a new car.

We considered a few cars - Baleno, Glanza, I20, Fronx and Dzire. He was adamant on sticking to Maruti Suzuki as every car he’s owned comes from their factory. His heart was set on Baleno, but considering Toyota’s superiority as a brand, I somehow managed to convince him for the Glanza automatic.

It’s been a year and 8k kms up and he’s loving the car.

So i’d suggest the same for you. A Glanza S Amt, would be probably around 9.5 lakhs OTR. Ingress isn’t an issue for him and his requirements were the exact same as you’ve listed above.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

For MT, my pick would be the Dzire. It's astonishing what all the car offers at a great price.

BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Maruti Dzire

What you'll like:

• 5-star safety rating at the GNCAP! Safety features such as 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all, TPMS, 360-degree camera, ESP, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts etc.
• Sharp & contemporary styling - the best looking compact sedan on sale today
• Smart-looking interior with a nice dashboard & fine ergonomics
• We feel the Dzire is well-priced for the package on offer
• Manual transmission with short throws is very slick, and a joy to use. Absolutely brilliant MT!
• Great drivability and light controls, along with a small footprint make it a joy in the city
• Choice of sporty MT and convenient AMT - take your pick. CNG variants available for those with high running
• 3-cylinder engine is fuel-efficient; ARAI rating of 25.71 km/l for the AMT, 24.79 km/l for the MT and 33.73 km/kg for the CNG
• Suspension offers a compliant ride & neutral on-road behaviour
• Long list of features including automatic LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED foglamps, cruise control, 9-inch touchscreen HU paired with an Arkamys sound system, rear A/C vents, wireless smartphone charging, footwell lighting, connected car features etc.
• Maruti's widespread service network, excellent after-sales support & fuss-free ownership experiences

What you won't:

• 1.2L petrol is not fast & exciting enough for enthusiasts. Not as refined as the outgoing 4-cylinder, nor as powerful (power has actually dropped to just 81 BHP)
• Lacks the solid build of some rivals. Panel gaps could be tighter too
• Mediocre plastic quality (interiors) is typical Maruti-grade; very ordinary
• AMT can get jerky & slow. Some competitors offered smoother ATs (e.g. Amaze CVT, Aura AMT)
• 382 litre boot is 5-10% smaller than all competitors. While cargo capacity is still fair, the boot lip is high, and the mouth is narrower than the others
• Light coloured interiors are prone to getting soiled easily
• Rear seat’s under-thigh support is mediocre for taller passengers
• Some misses (auto-dimming IRVM, front armrest, driving modes, smaller spare tyre on the Z trims...)
• L & V variants get horribly skinny 165 mm tyres. For safety reasons, please upgrade to at least 185 mm tyres if you buy these trims
• 163 mm ground clearance (unladen) raises our eyebrows, although Maruti cars aren't known to scrape speed breakers

Link to Review

Honda Amaze

What you'll like:

• An all-rounded compact sedan with well-priced variants
• Spacious & practical interiors
• Suspension offers comfortable ride quality with neutral on-road behaviour
• Features such as cruise control, paddle shifts (petrol AT), LED projector headlamps etc.
• 3-year unlimited km warranty, extendable to 5-years / unlimited km and Honda's unique 10-year Any Time warranty

What you won't:

• Diesel or CNG variants not available
• Petrol CVT is fair within the city, but rather mediocre on the highway
• Look closely and you'll find a few faults in part quality, fit and finish (uncool for a Honda)
• Tall rear passengers will find headroom to be insufficient & the fixed headrests useless
• The 175 mm tyres are too thin, while the 35-liter fuel tank is too small

Link to Review

The 2021 Facelift

Hyundai Aura

What you'll like:

• An all-rounder of a compact sedan. Very well-priced for what it offers
• Precise build & quality (including interiors) are easily the segment best
• Balanced road manners & easy-to-drive nature
• Features such as cruise control, wireless phone charging, rear view monitor & more
• Six airbags, ABS & ISOFIX child seat mounts are standard across all variants
• Hyundai's competent after-sales, fuss-free ownership experiences & customisable warranty

What you won't:

• Its hatchback sibling - the Grand i10 Nios - got just 2 stars in the GNCAP crash test
• Overdone styling - particularly at the rear - is polarising (it grew on us though)
• Narrow width makes it a 4-seater. Some competitors offer more spacious cabins
• Low speed ride quality is firmer than what one expects in a Hyundai. Bad roads are felt
• Some misses (auto-dimming IRVM, thinner spare tyre, non-adjustable neck restraints)
• Ordinary stereo. Hyundai’s ICE hasn’t kept up with the times (sound quality = 6/10)

Link to Review

The 2023 Facelift

Tata Tigor

What you’ll like:

• Great styling. A chic-looking compact sedan. Solid build too
• Tata has put in a lot of effort on quality and it shows
• Well-priced for what it offers; undercuts all the direct competitors
• High quality, nicely designed cabin. Lots of storage and a segment best 419-litre boot
• Good driveability, a compliant ride & neutral road manners
• CNG available in the top variant, unlike other CNG models; available with AMT too
• Amazing 8-speaker Harman entertainment system. Sounds top class!
• Feature list with 2 driving modes, parking sensors, cooled glovebox, touchscreen ICE etc.
• 4-star GNCAP safety rating is praiseworthy

What you won't:

• Mediocre 3-cylinder engine. Lag behind the competition in refinement
• Concerns over long-term reliability
• 6-month service interval is too frequent! A 1 year interval is the segment norm
• When driven hard, the AMT can't match the smoothness & shift-times of a conventional automatic. Gets confused on climbs as well
• A rare Tata car that cannot seat 5 (best for 4 adults)
• Tata's after-sales experience remains a gamble. Service quality is far from that of Maruti & Hyundai

Link to Review

The Tigor iCNG AMT

Here's what GTO had to say matter:

I don't think I have ever voted for a Dzire before, but always a first time, right?

For MT, my pick would be the Dzire. It's astonishing what all the car offers at a great price. An all-rounder if I ever saw one = safety, looks (I like the design), space, neutral suspension, driveability, practicality & fuel economy.

For AT though, I wouldn't choose the Dzire or its AMT (I hate AMTs). Would get the Amaze CVT (also wait for the next-gen model whose launch is just around the corner!), or an EV from the same price band.

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

This could potentially become a straight DZire Vs. Amaze battle if Honda deliver a more mature Amaze in the upcoming launch.

Tigor is well-built but its powertrain can't match the Japanese competition for finesse, and Aura is a bit quirky (though the cabin is likely the best quality of the bunch).

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

My pick will be the Dizre MT. If AT, I will wait for the new Amaze to hit the market.

Maruti can totally conquer this market by just adding the 1.0 Boosterjet with the Dzire! Later they can bring a hybrid version too!

• 5* safety rating - Check
• Reliability- Check
• Strong service network- Check
• Resale value- Check
• VFM- Check
• Dzire CNG- Cab market - Check

Now if they add the 1.0 Boosterjet:

• Fun to drive - Check
• A proper AT- Check

With the 1.0 turbo, I am sure, few Slavia/Virtus customers will at-least take a TD before finalizing!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The third-generation Amaze will be launched in the Indian market on December 4.

Honda has released a set of digital sketches of the third-generation Amaze. The upcoming compact sedan will take on the newly launched Maruti Suzuki Dzire in the Indian market.

The new-gen Honda Amaze has been designed at the Honda R&D Asia Pacific centre in Thailand. The overall styling appears to have been heavily inspired by the Honda City. The car has an almost upright hexagonal grille at the front with sleek LED headlamps on either side. A prominent shoulder line runs along the sides and seamlessly blends into the rear fascia. 

The rear end of the new Amaze looks almost identical to its larger cousin, the City. The wraparound taillights have an S-shaped LED light signature. Overall, the design looks clean and crisp. The car also has a shark fin antenna and dual-tone alloy wheels.

The new Amaze is expected to have a 2-tone interior with a simple, horizontal dashboard. The design and layout look similar to those of the Honda Elevate. It features a free-standing touchscreen in the centre, rectangular air conditioner vents, a compact climate control module, and a 3-spoke steering wheel.

Under the bonnet, the new-gen Amaze is likely to retain the same 1.2-litre petrol engine. This unit produces 89 BHP and 110 Nm and is available with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT.

The third-generation Amaze will be launched in the Indian market on December 4.

I spent close to Rs 2500 to buy Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant Spray, Ultimate Quik Wax, Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner and Supreme Shine Thick Deep Microfiber Towel.

BHPian JDMBOI recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Meguiar's car care products review

I purchased four Meguiar's products back in June. Why Meguiar's? Some may ask. It's because every detailing video I have ever watched, Meguiar's was always there in the top recommendations.

Items I bought -

• Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant Spray, 473ml.
• Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, 473ml.
• Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner, 473ml.
• Meguiar's Supreme Shine Thick Deep Microfiber.
• Total cost - ₹ 2454 including taxes.

Purchase and delivery experience

The purchase and delivery experience with Planet Car Care was absolutely phenomenal. Ordered the items on 01 June 08:43 AM and received the items the next day i.e 2 June at 10:00 AM. I have never received an order this swiftly. (If you live down south expect more delivery time as they are based in Delhi)

Likes (Planet Car Care)

• Swift delivery (literally in 25 hours).
• Packaging. (All products were taped (nozzles and caps (see first picture)) and wrapped in bubble wrap & taped nicely)
• Frequent email and SMS updates as order processing reaches the next step.

Dislikes (Planet Car Care)

• Shampoo was manufactured in 11/2022 (1.5 yrs old) While others were manufactured in 2023.
• Stuff (cardboard & paper) used to fill the box could have been better, it felt like they took them from a dustbin.

Disclaimer: I'm neither associated nor paid by Planet Car Care, I purchased the above-mentioned products with my own money.

Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant Spray

This is the product that you use for all the plastic panels of the car, from door panels to the dashboard. It helps in retaining the natural color and shine of the plastic by blocking the UV rays and defending against cracking, fading and ageing of the plastic.

Composition - Thick white liquid.

Likes

• Nice fragrance.
• Not greasy and easy to apply.
• Enhances the color of the plastic.

Dislikes

• Cost.
• Too many warnings/precautions mentioned will make you wonder if it is safe to use. (Note - I didn't get any skin allergy/ other problems after using the product)
• Don't like the spray modes. (Give circular cutout, please)

Modes - There are three modes - OFF, wide circular spray and straight spray.

How to use

I have used the product three times since I bought it, the best and easiest way is to keep it at straight spray mode and press the trigger firmly while keeping the nozzle as close as you can toward the area where you want to apply or simply apply it onto the microfiber cloth and rub that to the desired area. If you use a wide circular spray it will cover a larger area and will get onto other parts and you will have to wipe the excess liquid off. A simple circular cutout would have been much better than the spray.

Tip - Apply it early in the morning or late in the evening (cabin will be cooler)

Before and After

I clicked so many pictures of before and after but the pictures aren't doing justice to the result achieved as it almost looks the same so I didn't upload other pictures, here are a few of them which show the difference.

LHS-Before RHS-After

End result

Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

Likes

• Nice fragrance.
• Compatible with snow foam cannons. (thick foam)
• Remove bird dropping like nothing.
• Loosens the dirt and makes cleaning easier.

Dislikes

• Cost.
• Again, too many warnings/advisory mentioned. (Note - I didn't get any skin allergy/ other problems after using the product)

Press the cap and use the small rectangular cutout which pops up to get the shampoo out or simply remove the top cap or remove the whole cap. Personally, I remove the whole cap and use the cap as a measurement tool.

If you have a foam canon and a pressure washer, it is going to be very easy to wash the car with this shampoo as it loosens the dirt, mud and bird drops easily, all you have to do is spray the foam and see the sheeting in action. Since, I don't have it so I had to use wipe down method and was amazed by how easily the dirt came off (I used the ultimate wax 20 something days ago, maybe it is helping too).

Before

After wipe down

Before

After wipe down

Meguiar's Supreme Shine Thick Deep Microfiber

I bought this because it is recommended to use this particular microfiber cloth with the ultimate quik wax so I thought why not give it a try. At first, I was not convinced with the quality but after a wash, it has become soft.

Continue reading JDMBOI's review for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

The third-generation Honda Amaze is expected to make its global debut by the end of this year.

The third-generation Honda Amaze has been spotted testing in India for the first time. The test mule was recently seen on the outskirts of Delhi.

The prototype of the new-gen Amaze was fitted with an emissions testing kit, and looking at the spy images, it seems the camouflage is hiding the car’s pre-production bodywork. The overall design though, looks similar to the current Amaze. The car has a boxy appearance with smoked taillights and a shark fin antenna. 

The new Amaze is expected to be based on a modified version of the same platform that underpins the City. It is likely to be powered by the same 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine as the current model. It produces 89 BHP and 110 Nm and is paired with a 5-speed manual or a CVT.

The third-generation Honda Amaze is expected to make its global debut by the end of this year. The compact sedan will compete with the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura.

Source: 91wheels

I am considering the Honda Amaze CVT, MG ZS EV and Honda City Hybrid.

BHPian yogiii recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am looking to buy a car for city use only.

Primary requirements are:

• Proper automatic (no AMTs)
• Reliable
• Low running costs - 15,000km running per year

Cars considered

• Honda Amaze VX CVT - 11L On road
• MG ZS EV Executive - 20L On road
• Honda City Hybrid ZX - 21L On road (UP registration)

I keep my cars long term, till they die or Delhi NCR comes with newer regulations.

Unable to decide whether I should just buy Amaze, the last of its dying breed or go all out and spend much more.

Here's what BHPian boniver had to say about the matter:

It is not worth any amount of money to buy an EV in this country with the current state of infrastructure.

Here's what BHPian krishnakarthik1 had to say about the matter:

Please go and get yourself a Tiago EV XT and you can thank me later! Most VFM EV in the market. Super fun to drive and you save a lot of money too.

Here's what BHPian rajshenoy had to say about the matter:

Honestly, I don't think Amaze is a comparison with City or MG ZS. This way you could have the same dilemma with say, Seltos/Creta/Hyryder as well.

I think Amaze will help you save some cash upfront (invest it) vs City or ZS should keep your upgrade itch away for another decade.

Do think there are other considerations here, like long-distance driving on highways, EV charger at home etc.

But if it is an EV over a Petrol car, the ZS EV is not double the cost of say Creta or Seltos and is an attractive deal actually.

Here's what BHPian Aroy had to say about the matter:

Charging an EV at home will be a problem if there is no power plug where you park your car.

Financially it makes little sense to get an EV. Yes if the Government lets you keep an EV for a longer time than an ICE, then it is viable. But will your battery last (10,15 years) that long? A battery change in an EV is a big expense, at times half the cost of a new EV, so take that into account for financial analysis.

Here's what BHPian DivyanshuDiv had to say about the matter:

If you have a fixed budget to buy a car and a need, better buy something that you could fit in your monthly expenses.

Today, most people in our nation are aspirational buyers, they look at the features and social media to get reviews for cars. What hurts the most is the longevity and economy with these useless feedback sources, especially influencers, who are mostly the least educated about the rudiments of the vehicle, and tend to implant and inspire buying decisions.

Tata Motors is one of the examples, which got the maximum profit, and Ford was the least, when they echoed a lot about the high maintenance and average of their cars, which wasn’t true.

Currently, EV consumers are guinea pigs, and these products haven’t reached an acceptable level for rollouts, in terms of ranges and rechargeable solutions, but the government and players are pushing and banking on it. These products won’t last like their ICE counterparts, and with every mile you cover, with every recharge cycle, the life on the core unit will deplete and eventually won’t last long. The current battery types won’t be cheap in future as the technology evolves, and future mass manufacturing units might be more robust and close to our real-world needs.

So, a cheaper investment should be a petrol car rather than an expensive EV, but the better solution currently available has to be hybrid engines, and the government should use them as a filler until EV evolves. I would recommend, buy either an efficient petrol or limited hybrids we have at our disposal or wait for some time until we get more hybrids in India. EVs will need at least 5 more years to become what ICE was 30 years back, and at least a decade to get a low-cost, range-extensive, feature-loaded, safe and fast charging version.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

From here starts the actual adventure and fun but you have to be careful, precise, 100% focused on the roads and keep checking your surroundings for shooting stones.

BHPian Singh09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello BHPians,

First of all sorry if this post gets too long for your liking but a small one wouldn’t suffice for this travelogue. But on the other hand, you just pick up your favourite popcorn and drink to go through this beautiful and picturesque journey.

Background:

It all started with a dream. A dream that began almost 6-7 years ago. And I am grateful to the almighty that I have actually started living that dream. If you have gone through my last travelogue, then you might be aware of my new venture and if not then I’ll share it again with you guys. I had ventured into Travel Vlogging which was a long-waited dream and along with cars it’s also my passion as well. So, I started my YouTube channel with the handle “Expedition Wheels".

The plan

Since I have a low-slung sedan so I planned to do this trip in May-June. And my brother-in-law was accompanying me on this trip. Since he works for an IT company I left him to set the dates as per his approved leaves. So after talking to his PM, he managed to get 3 leaves and 2 WFH and in addition to that, we had a weekend. So in total, we had approximately 7 days.

The ride

And the ride for this trip was my Honda Amaze CVT – Diesel. I was a bit skeptical though but then again as they say “Jahan Chaha Wahan Raha” – Where There is a will, There is a way.

The itinerary

• Day (1): Start from Moradabad and stay in Delhi as I had to attend a friend’s House Warming Party.
• Day (2): Start from Delhi to Ambala and drop my wife at her sister’s place and drive to Shimla.
• Day (3): Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur – Reckong Peo.
• Day (4): Reckong Peo – Khab – Nako – Tabo – Kaza
• Day (5): Kaza
• Day (6): Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Rampur – Narkanda – Shimla
• Day (7): Shimla – Ambala – Delhi – Moradabad

Preparation

• Car - I had got my car serviced 2 weeks before but still, I made a quick stop at the Honda Service Center and told the Service Manager to get the car checked as I was planning a trip to Spiti. They did a test drive, Put the car on the lift and checked the entire car and everything turned out to be OK.
• Medication - Since it was my first time driving to Spiti and high altitudes I got all kinds of medications I could think of, like Headache, Diamox, stomach ace, Bad stomach, Fever, Cold, Vomiting, band aids etc.
• Food & Eatables – I bought a lot of chips, cookies, protein bars, juices, Frooti and Crate of packed water bottles.
• My Equipment – This has become a major part of all my trips ever since I started Travel Vlogging. DSLR, GoPro, Laptop, Both Cell Phones, GoPro Mount, Mobile Holder, Gorilla tripod, Tripod Stand, Clear all the memory cards, Check the right angle of my dashcam, Check all the cables, extra cables and memory cards, charge all the gadgets, Mics etc.

Day 1

• Kms Covered: 225 kms
• Route: NH 9
• Toll: Rs. 340

We (Wife, myself and junior) left Moradabad after lunch and reached Noida easily within 3 hours including a small stop at Gajraula for Fries and Coffee. With Junior it’s mandatory to stop, may it be just fries but the car can’t cross Gajraula without paying a toll to KFC or McDonald’s. Enjoyed the housewarming party at our friend’s place and reached Dwarka and called the day off.

Day 2

• Kms. Covered: 350 kms
• Time taken: 8.30 Hrs
• Route: NH 44 from Delhi then onto NH 5 after Zirakpur.
• Toll: Rs. 500

We started late in the afternoon from Dwarka as BIL was doing WFH and got free around 2:30 PM. So as soon as he got free, we left for Ambala and got our first tank filled in Vikaspuri.

Trunk loaded.

There was quite a bit of traffic throughout our journey to Ambala and we didn’t stop anywhere in between and made it to Ambala by 6:15 PM. We took a short break at my sister in Law’s place, grabbed a cup of coffee, sent some mails and by 6:45 we were back on the road to Shimla.

Though I was a bit sceptical about the office-hour traffic while crossing Zirakpur but we sailed through it without any issues. As we reached closer to Solan it started to rain heavily. Luckily we stopped before Solan and had our dinner so we didn’t have to stop in the rain. Though we had to drive at a reduced speed as it was night and rain was making it a bit harder to navigate through the debris from mountains and the big vehicles but still we managed to reach Shimla by 11:00 PM and called it a night.

We Witnessed this on our way to Shimla. Looks like the Alto was overtaking and banged into another car.

Day 3

• Kms Covered: 216 km
• Time taken: 9:30 hrs
• Toll: No toll.

Though we had planned to leave early but we got late and started around 10:30 am from Shimla and we had to pay the price for starting late as we got stuck in traffic.

As soon as we were out of Shimla we stopped at a petrol pump and got our tank full. Drive to Narkanda is very beautiful as you witness greenery and apple orchids on your way and the road was also fine without any major drama. It felt like freshly laid tarmac and we just glided till Narkanda.

After you cross Narkanda and head for Rampur you start going downhill and almost get closer to the Sutlej river.

Temperature in Narkanda was hovering around 20 degrees whereas in Rampur it got back to 35 degrees almost and it started feeling hot. And as you cross Rampur you start getting patches which are landslide prone and roads are destroyed and I had to be very careful navigating my Amaze through those patches and be careful of the sharp stones, you also cross Nigul Sari which encountered heavy landslides last year in the rain and as a matter of fact it was again hit by a landslide few days ago and the road was closed.

But as you cross a couple of landslides you enter the majestic Kinnaur Valley and Oh my God the views and landscapes start changing with each and every turn.

You drive further and hit the famous cliffhanger section which gives you an altogether different feeling and driving experience as you navigate through half-cut mountains hanging above you.

As you keep driving forward nature keeps throwing something or other in your way like landslides, waterfalls, and picturesque green mountains with the Sutlej River flowing on one hand. We stopped so many times that I even lost count after some time and kept making reels, shorts and clicking unlimited pictures.

Yours faithfully

Night shot from our balcony

We stopped for our lunch at Jeori and by 8:00 Pm we reached our hotel which was between Reckong Peo and Kalpa. Ordered an energy drink with some nice chicken tikka and salted peanuts and meanwhile enjoying my energy drink I transferred all the data to my Hard drive from all cameras. After that, we had our dinner and called it a night.

Video of my Day 3 journey

Continue reading about Singh09's road trip for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

I went to the shop and complained about this. They called their supplier who said that he cannot offer any warranty on the frame.

BHPian Daewoo1995 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

With the sudden increase in demand for Android-based aftermarket head units, the Chinese manufacturers smartly moved to standard 9-inch and 10-inch systems. These are mounted onto aftermarket frames that are specifically made for these Head unit systems.

When I upgraded the head unit on my Honda Amaze to the 9-inch Blaupunkt San Andreas (which is a non-android based system with wired and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto), I was happy as this would have a perfect flush fit in the aftermarket 9-inch stereo frame. However, this happiness did not last long.

After a few months of usage, the frame started developing paint cracks on the top and side. These areas were prone to direct sunlight.

I went to the installation shop and complained. They called their supplier who said that he cannot offer any warranty on the frame.

The shopkeeper said that he could get the frame repainted by a good-quality paint shop for INR 1000. I was mad as the cost of the frame itself was INR 800, so I refused.

When my car was at the Honda workshop, I asked the service manager if he had observed similar issues in aftermarket frames in other Amaze cars at the workshop, and he said that this is common and most Amaze cars with such aftermarket frames have similar cracked paint.

Has anyone here in the BHP community faced similar issues?

I'm confused if I should get it repainted as I'm not sure about the finishing and paint quality. I even tried to source a frame in Matte finish (basically a frame without any paint on it - just plastic) assuming that it won't show similar results due to heat since there won't be any paint to be damaged.

Below are a couple of images of the frame taken with the flash on.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

You get what you pay for, no? As with most such parts in the market, there are cheap ones, midpriced ones and expensive ones. I'd gotten an aftermarket frame for my new head-unit in the Honda Civic and it never had any problem.

800 bucks is quite cheap. Not to mention, the product itself was unbranded. Was probably manufactured for 50 bucks. The rest of the 800 are margins at the different levels, taxes, shipping etc.

Here's what BHPian saikishor had to say about the matter:

If the functionality of the frame remains unaffected, I feel it would be fine for use and you shouldn't be bothered much as there seems to be no realistic solution to this. Live with it if it works, or repaint/replace every now and then. I don't see anything beyond this.

Here's what BHPian windrider had to say about the matter:

Why don't you go to a sticker shop and get that wrapped? Some of the thicker vinyls like fake carbon fibre would completely hide the cracks and look cool too. If the wrap is done right, it will last a long time without peeling off.

Here's what BHPian bravo82in had to say about the matter:

I have a Honda Amaze with an aftermarket stereo and faced the same issue with the quality of the aftermarket frame. It's nearly impossible to find a high-quality frame for budget sedans.

After exploring various options, I chose a matte finish frame and had it painted gloss black. It’s holding well for the last 2 years.

If your existing frame is a good-quality one, consider re-painting it else go for the matte finish one and have it painted gloss black.

Alternatively, you could have the frame wrapped in good-quality gloss black vinyl film.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I'm living in a rental house temporarily and setting up a charging point is not feasible for the next 1.5 yrs

BHPian abhiroopmn recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been trying to replace my secondary car and making a decision on which car is more appropriate has made me go bonkers. Too many pros and cons to evaluate and more days I spend on research I only am finding myself in a deeper pit than I started with, hence decided to post here to receive some expert advices and suggestions from current owners of those cars.

A little background of myself:

• I live in Bangalore and currently own two cars - Hector Diesel and Tiago XZA. Hector used to be primary car before my left leg started showing signs (my left calf muscle is like 3 inches more than my right). So, I converted my Hector Diesel to a weekend and outstation car and bought a Tiago for office commute car in Bangalore traffic. I'm happy to say that I picked up a pre-owned Tiago since it helped he understand the issues of owning a Tata and a good feel of how AMT automatics are. So, after 3 yrs I have decided to replace it with a superior automatic. EVs seem to be superior automatics but they come with their baggage of issues though. Else, would have to look at more reliable and smooth automatics.
• Daily to & fro commute to office is about 50km
• I'm living in a rental house temporarily and setting up a charging point is not feasible for the next 1.5 yrs
• My office has EV charging points which I plan to use as the primary source
• Don't plan to spend lavishly on the second car. Last car hunt made me realise that more I see a higher segment EV my FOMO just increases
• I do not have a parking temporarily and park on the road (within a gated community). Not sure if I should be worried of rodents.
• Occasionally drive to Hassan and I foresee that these trips could become more frequent.

Some of the cars I test drove so far:

• Hyundai i20 CVT: The drive was smooth but I did not find it real fun. Probably addicted to the Turbo on my Hector.
• Hyundai Aura AMT: I was skeptical of picking up an AMT again, but the SA insisted that I drive it once before I decide. To my surprise, I actually liked the way Aura responded compared to i20. The braking on Aura was not smooth though and felt the bite was real hard (probably that's something I can get adjusted to over time)
• Honda Amaze: I had this on my list but could not test drive until now

I observed that my budget to buy an automatic was reaching around 14L, so decided to look at EVs. Sadly there are only 5 EVs - Comet, Tiago, Punch, Nexon, XUV400 (removed Tigor since it's similar to Tiago, and other cars since they are over 20L which I feel is too much for my secondary run).

Don't plan to spend lavishly on the second car. Last car hunt made me realise that more I see a higher segment car my FOMO just increases

I do not have a parking temporarily and park on the road (within a gated community). Not sure if I should be worried of rodents causing major damages to battery modules.

Occasionally drive to Hassan and I foresee that these trips could become more frequent in the future.

Driving experience offered by EV cars looks enticing to me compared to Tiago AMT. Some suggestions that I received so far have been that EVs that although you save on fuel, it would all just accumulate at the end when you need replace the batteries.

I think my yearly usage on this car would be around 13 - 20k depending on whether it can do short trips as well. So, I'm open to suggestions on whether EV makes sense or if there are other better cars that I need to consider.

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

You seem to have forgotten to add the Fronx 1.0 turbo with its competent torque converter gearbox. Also if you have tried a used car before, why not add a used automatic Brio to your search?

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

With 13-20 K worth of driving an year, office charging option and mostly city drives EVs are a no brainer. Just one question; is home charging option available? If that too is yes then fear not just go for it. All this FUD about battery life is nonsense.

Here's what BHPian nova.19_exe had to say on the matter:

Check out the i20 N-Line. Comes with a DCT option. Better than the i20 CVT in every way possible

Just out of curiosity, what is your actual budget and till what can you stretch till? Knowing that, folks can get an idea and help you based on that.

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I visited two local garages and the mechanics suggested that I should try either Gabriel or Monroe.

BHPian suhailcbe recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi everyone!

I have been facing issues with my car's suspension. It's a Honda Amaze S Diesel (2013) model. The suspension seems fine on plain roads but very noisy on bumpy roads. I visited two local garages and Honda ASC as well. They all suggested a suspension kit replacement. I'm assuming it means the struts and the springs.

Honda ASC's estimate is around 36k, while local mechanics suggested trying aftermarket struts like Monroe or Gabriel. They also said Monroe is the actual OE parts manufacturer for Honda (not sure if this is true). I checked Monroe's product catalog, it doesn't have Amaze suspension listed.

• Any experiences with aftermarket suspension brands?
• Which would be the most reliable brand for Honda suspension kits?

I know Honda parts are reliable but I don't really want to spend 36k for it. My Dad wants to give suspension reconditioning a try (the mechanics suggested not to do so).

Any suggestions, opinions and experiences are always welcomed!

Thanks in advance!

Here's what BHPian Thatautoguy46 had to say about the matter:

We own a 2013 Amaze VX Diesel and had to change the entire suspension setup too. But Honda Service centre gave an estimate of a whopping 75K. So opted for getting it changed at a private garage which quoted 27K. It has been great running so far, but two of the front bushes have been replaced recently because of the failure (say broken) I guess.

I don't know which brand it is, but if the service centre quoted 36K including labour just go ahead with it. You can even claim a warranty for the parts I guess.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say about the matter:

I guess the ASC’s estimate includes linkages and bushes as well and not just the struts. I would say that if you’re getting a quote of 36k for what I am assuming is a suspension overhaul (considering the age of the car and the fact that it is a diesel which would have added to the wear and tear) from the ASC, you should go for it.

Trying to save a few pennies here and there by simply changing the struts won’t help you at all and that is the kind of thing that erodes an old car even further towards its grave. At the end of the day the Amaze was made in India so Honda ASC should not be ripping you off all that much.

Why don’t you instead get a list of parts from them that need changing and search for those on Boodmo yourself then you’d be able to tell for sure how much money can be saved.

Overall my advice would be that spending 36k for a suspension overhaul from the ASC is completely fair for what is a 10-year-old car this is the kind of maintenance that will ensure it lasts another 10 years not trying to see what parts can be skipped and which aftermarket struts to go for instead.

Here's what BHPian Rajeevraj had to say about the matter:

I have done an overhaul for my 2013 Vento and went for Sachs shocks. I know it is a popular brand for VAG group cars but not sure about Honda. Volkswagen/Skoda OEM brand for the Vento/Rapid/Polo used to be Gabriel. There are a couple of detailed reviews of an overhaul with Sachs.

36K seems on par if it includes the whole overhaul. Link Rods, Top Mounts etc. Were you happy with the suspension in the initial years? If so, then an OEM overhaul should be fine. Otherwise, you can look at after-market brands.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say about the matter:

Why replace the shocks then? Noisy suspension is unlikely to come from the shocks itself. It is far more likely some other part has worn out. Save yourself a bunch of money and find somebody who can find the true cause of the noise. Likely to be a rubber or a sway bar or something simple like that.

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