[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by AJ56

Agreed, the only reason I suggested used was to be honest I find cars in the 10-20L range have major compromises in one or more core areas.

I don’t know what condition your corolla is in currently but if it’ll only take 30-40k to restore it then it’s a no brainer, as you can delay the decision and revisit after a few years.

I have the Liva currently, that particular Corolla has long been scrapped

I am not content with how the Liva performs on the highway. Even without AC its pretty slow, worse with the AC on. Hence I am in two minds of keeping it as well.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by chaksjr

I have the Liva currently, that particular Corolla has long been scrapped

I am not content with how the Liva performs on the highway. Even without AC its pretty slow, worse with the AC on. Hence I am in two minds of keeping it as well.

Oh then definitely avoid cars under 120hp, I’d suggest look at 2012-13 2.4L Accords, enough power for highways, 6 airbags, ESP (Honda calls it VSA) and ABS, 5 star NCAP rating and good rear legroom. You’ll find good examples for 5-6L, keep the balance for any maintenance (not that’ll you need to do much as it’s again a very reliable vehicle). If you get the manual you can still get decent fuel economy on highways. I have a 2010 and couldn’t be happier, will drive it till it hits 15 years.

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by AJ56

Oh then definitely avoid cars under 120hp, I’d suggest look at 2012-13 2.4L Accords, enough power for highways, 6 airbags, ESP (Honda calls it VSA) and ABS, 5 star NCAP rating and good rear legroom. You’ll find good examples for 5-6L, keep the balance for any maintenance (not that’ll you need to do much as it’s again a very reliable vehicle). If you get the manual you can still get decent fuel economy on highways. I have a 2010 and couldn’t be happier, will drive it till it hits 15 years.

Again, the only reason stopping me from getting a used vehicle is liquid funds. Otherwise I would have surely not thought of a new car as of now.
And even if I have to go used, the budget will solely depend on how much I'll get by selling my Liva here, which will not be much, ie I will again have to source a car from the NCR used market and get it transferred here.

[RaviGowda]

Hey! I do not see Kia Sonet in your list. HTK + 1.2 Petrol may come in your budget with all the features you looking for. Recently, i test drove it and also suggest you to check it.

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by RaviGowda

Hey! I do not see Kia Sonet in your list. HTK + 1.2 Petrol may come in your budget with all the features you looking for. Recently, i test drove it and also suggest you to check it.

The Venue, Sonet were left out because the variants I can afford would not come with most features which I want. Also, I considered the Nexon because even though I'll have to miss the features here as well, I'll at least get the 120hp

Though I'll have a re-look since you have mentioned that it may come with the features I need. Thanks!

[NarediAni7518]

Since you said that your parents will be travelling with you, and you want a car that is reliable, safer and with good fuel efficiency, your requirements need either of these three:-
1. Honda Jazz
2. Honda Amaze
3. MS Vitara Brezza/Urban Cruiser
All these three cars are comparatively safer and provide peace of mind go ahead eyes closed with either of them

[PrasannaDhana]

Firstly, congratulations on car shopping!

Here are my suggestions :

1. Get a diesel (or a Smooth, efficient petrol). Our estimated running will always overshoot the initial figure we thought about

2. For 5 years, 9% loan, it's approximately 2k incremental emi for every lakh. If you opt for a diesel (assuming 1.5 lakh premium in price over petrol model), that's a 3k extra in EMI. By your calculation, 1500 km per month running will break-even the extra emi. Also, you get better resale for diesel after 6/7 years

As much I love the altroz diesel, I am also skeptical about its reliability (from recent engine failure of 1.5D). I have zero complaints, and it might just be issues from that particular batch (late 2020- early 2021) of 1.5 altroz diesels. In defense of tata's 1.5 diesel, there are lakhs of cars with it running - both altroz and nexon diesel.

I must add, my ownership of altroz diesel has been blissful and flawless so far (2 months 2 weeks & 7500 km). I absolutely love everything about the car. I have owned 7 tatas so far and have had no issues with the last 5. I hope the streak continues. Even if it doesn't, I am okay with spending a few hours at the A.S.S for all the good things the car provides me with. That may not be the case with everyone though.

I also recommend Kiger turbo (4 star safety presumably and exciting performance in sports mode) and even ciaz as you have experience with owning sedans. Ciaz 1.5 though may not be as frugal as an altroz 1.5, it is quite refined and fairly fuel efficient too. It is one comfortable car with superb space. Safety is a question though.

Any inclination towards i20 1.5 sportz? I think it costs the same as the Altroz 1.5 D XZ+. The Hyundai 1.5 diesel is silky smooth and it is fast too.

I vote against Tiago/Tigor/Altroz 1.2 NA/Punch. That petrol engine is weak. Period.

If you can wait for a couple of months, you might even get an Altroz DCT (iturbo). In the meanwhile I would have clocked 15k km and would be in an even better position in judging the Altroz 1.5D.

Baleno facelift is coming this February. Who knows, it might become safer (Maruti is changing to thicker panels I heard) and be even more value for money.

Happy time car shopping!

[Phukan23]

Altroz and Amaze might be the right choice, in diesels only. They have big displacement diesel engines that offers good punch as well as fuel efficiency. Both the cars are safe too.

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Firstly, congratulations on car shopping!

Here are my suggestions :

*SNIP*

Happy time car shopping!

Haha yes by the time I need to make a booking you would be around 15k with the Altroz. The OP in the 1.5D thread seems to be mentioning that it was a problem only in that particular batch, Tata should have issued a recall though, anyways.

The Tiago & Tigor would be the most VFM choices, though I agree that the 1.2NA is a weak engine, and considering I am currently not happy with the Liva's performance, going back down that road might be not a good experience for me since I have to keep the car for the next 6-7 years.

I will definitely be trying the Kiger Turbo & the Magnite as well probably, though I prefer the Kiger over the Magnite in all regards except for the lack of cruise control.

Originally Posted by Phukan23

Altroz and Amaze might be the right choice, in diesels only. They have big displacement diesel engines that offers good punch as well as fuel efficiency. Both the cars are safe too.

I agree, the Altroz D right now is at the top of the list, along with an Amaze D or P/Kiger turbo/Magnite turbo and maybe the Altroz iturbo itself.
I have not been able to find any official review/ownership reports of the Kiger on the forum hence relying on videos on YouTube to gauge the car.

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by chaksjr

I have not been able to find any official review/ownership reports of the Kiger on the forum hence relying on videos on YouTube to gauge the car.

I have test driven the Kiger turbo.

It is a very good package.

Good space even for my large frame in both rows, good build quality, a lot of features and very nice to drive. The throttle response, suspension and steering changes superbly in sports mode for enthusiastic driving. Getting it to triple digit speeds is a cakewalk. Renault service costs is among the cheapest.

There are 2 drawbacks though. One major - that stupid gearbox which is a shame to the entire package. Very notchy and its a pain to use.

Secondly, fuel efficiency might not be the strong suit for the kiger turbo, as it is with any small turbo petrol.

Regarding the Amaze diesel, take a test drive. It is a very comfortable car and a rare VFM package inside Honda showroom. The 1.5 IDTEC is quite noisy and it might bother most of the users. Altroz 1.5 Revotorq is very refined in comparison, only to be beaten by the superb Hyundai 1.5 diesel.

[praveesh4u]

Originally Posted by chaksjr

4. Amaze - wide-spread complaints with respect to the engine mounts (only restricted to the Diesel though, I think)

Being a diesel amaze owner, I can confirm the engine mounting issues and other parts quality issues. These issues come into play only if you are the kind of guy who can identify these issues. Ignorance is a bliss in case of Amaze ownership. Nonetheless the i-dtech engine is fun to drive.


Since you are looking for the petrol variant, please DO take a test drive in a hilly area and try stop and go while ascending. The lower-end torque is relatively low and the car tends to stall.

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

There are 2 drawbacks though. One major - that stupid gearbox which is a shame to the entire package. Very notchy and its a pain to use.

Secondly, fuel efficiency might not be the strong suit for the kiger turbo, as it is with any small turbo petrol.

Regarding the Amaze diesel, take a test drive. It is a very comfortable car and a rare VFM package inside Honda showroom. The 1.5 IDTEC is quite noisy and it might bother most of the users. Altroz 1.5 Revotorq is very refined in comparison, only to be beaten by the superb Hyundai 1.5 diesel.

Just watched an Altroz D vs i20 D on Autocar, they mentioned the same thing on refinement. TD's will determine the ultimate choice, just trying to narrow down basis other members experience.
And on a T-Petrol, yes I know efficiency can be a gamble. Heavy footed driving can really bring the efficiency down to almost single digits, and I don't want that. I am able to manage an overall average of ~15 on the Liva currently, and would want to improve on that.

Originally Posted by praveesh4u

Being a diesel amaze owner, I can confirm the engine mounting issues and other parts quality issues. These issues come into play only if you are the kind of guy who can identify these issues. Ignorance is a bliss in case of Amaze ownership. Nonetheless the i-dtech engine is fun to drive.


Since you are looking for the petrol variant, please DO take a test drive in a hilly area and try stop and go while ascending. The lower-end torque is relatively low and the car tends to stall.

I hear you, will consider that during the TD.
I think the facelifted Amaze looks even better, but looking at the prices, i-Dtec seems to be out of reach except for the S variant.

[deep_bang]

Crazy thought: Nexon EV.
It can support your 38km daily drive easily. Long drives will need some planning though.
Good power.
Extra money spent now (loan) will be recovered via savings on fuel.

[AROO7]

Looking at your requirement and the price bracket I will suggest three cars in the order of preference Mahindra XUV 300, Tata Nexon, and Tata Altroz. The best thing about these three is the safety aspect and the peace of mind as they are loads of them on the road so any initial niggles must have been ironed out (fingers crossed on that part though). Below is the snapshot of the safety score of these three and I believe this will give you a better idea as to which is safer even though all three are five-star rated. As for the highway driving and driving pleasure a diesel + MT in any three will be bliss. Automatic on the Nexon and XUV 300 is AMT which isn't the best of the crop. So all the best for your new car purchase and I hope this will help you in zeroing on your perfect ride.

Ride Safe & Cheers,
Anant

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by deep_bang

Crazy thought: Nexon EV.
It can support your 38km daily drive easily. Long drives will need some planning though.
Good power.
Extra money spent now (loan) will be recovered via savings on fuel.

The EMI will turn out to be too expensive for me
And my current place of residence is rented and I don't plan to stay here for more than the next 2-3 years, hence investing in the charging infra also doesn't make sense right now.

Originally Posted by AROO7

Looking at your requirement and the price bracket I will suggest three cars in the order of preference Mahindra XUV 300, Tata Nexon, and Tata Altroz. The best thing about these three is the safety aspect and the peace of mind as they are loads of them on the road so any initial niggles must have been ironed out (fingers crossed on that part though).
Ride Safe & Cheers,
Anant

The Altroz will the only one which can kind of fit in my stretched budget and offer me all the features I need. It remains high on my list, the XUV300 and Nexon are rather expensive for the features I want.