[shancz]

Originally Posted by ssathiyanarayan

1. Also from Team BHP forums understand that the serviceability and maintenance are not similar to MSIL.
2. Saw a Skoda Slavia just getting into showroom and i've got bit struck by the looks of it. Team BHPians also have lavish praise for the car.
3. Honda City only bummer is that Honda's plan for a heavy hybrid upgrade planned later this year. Don't want to get pitied after few months of buying.

1. True, its usually more expensive than MSIL

2. If you're worried about HMIL's serviceability and maintenance then I would suggest to stay away from Skoda. Multiple threads on the topic spanning from Rapids to Octavias and more

3. I am not sure about Honda but that's a guess based on their current response but they could surprise us as well.

On MSIL stable, the Baleno is coming in a couple of weeks, Brezza should be next followed by Ertiga but I doubt the S-Cross will make it in the next 6 months at least. But if you can wait out this year then it's worth it.

[chaksjr]

Have been following all the details on the new Baleno since they spy shots surfaced last year, have to say that I am more than curious now to check it out. Despite my initial decision to avoid MS, looks like I cannot without giving the new Baleno a once over.
The addition of the 6 airbags and (supposedly) thicker sheet metal is enough for me to consider it over the Diesel Altroz.

Having taken some time to think over my options, as a corporate rookie, maybe it makes sense to go with something which can give me peace of mind during ownership and not throw up any surprises. If budget allows, it will be either the new Baleno or the Altroz.
If I need to restrict myself to a lower budget, would then consider either one of the Magnite/Kiger NA twins or the Tiago.

Awaiting the Baleno launch to see pricing and then go to a TD.

[ssathiyanarayan]

Dear Fellow BHPians,

Thanks for the quick responses. When i was discussing the cars suggested there was a debate with Home Ministry and hearing the prices, she went so shocking. She got furious with the pricing and told me to restrict to the budget as cars are a depreciating asset. Final verdict was to stick to 10Lacs OTR for a 5 seater and 13 to 15 Lacs OTR for a 7 seater.

So i'm forced to change my priorities. Don't want to compromise too much on build quality and safety just to meet the budget. I’m preferring automatics most. The reasons are pretty simple:
1) I want the car to be driven by my better half as well
2) Bumper to bumper traffic makes gear shifts pain staking
3) Mileage difference which used to be there earlier with automatics vs manual is negligible today
4) Better choice of automatics
5) Aged parents are about to join me. So ingress and egress should not be a problem – though this should not be a reason with manuals

Based on revised budget the following is my shortlist across manufacturers. I’ve aligning more with Petrol models and choosing diesel models only when it’s the only option in my price bracket. This is owing to the diminishing price difference with petrol and diesel. Starting away from ev as nothing is near budget.

5 seaters:
Honda: Amaze S CVT (P), Jazz V CVT (P)
Tata: Tiago XZA+ (P), Tiago NRG (P), Tigor XZA+ (P), Punch Accomplished Dazzle (P), Nexon XMA (P),
Mahindra: XUV 300 W4
Toyota: Urban Cruiser Premium AT (P) – with a stretch
Renault: Kiger RXZ CVT 1.0 L Turbo (P) – with a stretch
Hyundai: Grand i10 NIOS Sportz AMT (P) & (D), i20 NLine – with a big stretch
MSIL: Dzire ZXI AGS (P), Brezza VXI AT (P), S-Cross Alpha AT (P), Ciaz Alpha AT – with a bit of stretch

Special considerations:
Tata: Altroz XZ+ (P), Altroz XT iTurbo (P) – it’s a turbo petrol

7 seaters:
Mahindra: Marazzo M2 (D) & M4+ (D) with a bit of stretch, Bolero Neo N10 (O) (D), Bolero B6 (O) (D), Scorpio S5 (D) & S7 (D) with a bit of stretch
Toyota: Innova Crysta 2.7 GX AT (P) – with a big stretch. Wife will definitely agree coz of Toyota reliability
MSIL: Ertiga ZXI AT (P), XL6 Alpha AT (P)
Renault: Triber RXZ Easy-R

After reading AdityaDeane & Venky03 review of Renault Triber , SharathScorp & Leoshashi review of MSIL XL6 I’m more inclined to go for a 7 seater rather than a 5 seater. We are already 2 adults and 2 kids aged 11 and 5. Further planning to bring parents also to stay with me. So when planning trips we will be 4 adults and 2 kids. Also this car will be a daily driver as well as a highway wagon. My trips will be one or twice to my hometown – Pune to Chennai. So I need a better car on long run. I intend to keep this vehicle before the EV switch which will take at least 10 years to come mainstream.

Some articles on used car ownership by GTO had me wonder if i can also go down that route. But can the members guide on which cars to avoid in used car market

I’m planning on adding the following to the cara and need some advise and clarification:
1) Fixing of projector headlights, fog lamps, interior ambient mood lighting, boot lighting, defoggers, rear wiper with wash, better infotainment system like touch screen and better speakers – all in case they are missing the buying car – will they have any effect on electrical warranty. Some modifications specialist suggestions in Pune or Chennai as I intend to purchase my car from either of them
2) I plan to do engine remapping, especially if it's a used car. More towards improving girl efficiency rather than boosting torqueand power. Don't intend to do drag races. Some suggestions in Pune or Chennai as I intend to purchase my car from either of them
3) CNG after market kit. Some suggestions in Pune or Chennai as I intend to purchase my car from either of them
4) Can I fix CNG after market kit on any automatic. Will it void warrenty. Coz after 1 or 2 long trips or may be 6 months down the line once the itch for the new car fades, everyone will ask for the mileage, maintenance and reliability of the vehicle
5) Can some engine remapping solve the issue when CNG fixed on automatic cars
6) Used cars means which models to stay away or which one to buy
7) I have asked for many things, so apologies for asking too much from fellow members

[ssathiyanarayan]

Dear Fellow BHPians,

Thanks for the quick responses. When i was discussing the cars suggested there was a debate with Home Ministry and hearing the prices, she went so shocking. She got furious with the pricing and told me to restrict to the budget as cars are a depreciating asset. Final verdict was to stick to 10Lacs OTR for a 5 seater and 13 to 15 Lacs OTR for a 7 seater.

So I'm forced to change my priorities. Don't want to compromise too much on build quality and safety just to meet the budget. I’m preferring automatics most. The reasons are pretty simple:

1. I want the car to be driven by my better half as well
2. Bumper to bumper traffic makes gear shifts pain staking
3. Mileage difference which used to be there earlier with automatics vs manual is negligible today
4. Better choice of automatics
5. Aged parents are about to join me. So ingress and egress should not be a problem – though this should not be a reason with manuals

Based on revised budget the following is my shortlist across manufacturers. I’ve aligning more with Petrol models and choosing diesel models only when it’s the only option in my price bracket. This is owing to the diminishing price difference with petrol and diesel. Starting away from ev as nothing is near budget.

5 seaters:

• Honda: Amaze S CVT (P), Jazz V CVT (P)
• Tata: Tiago XZA+ (P), Tiago NRG (P), Tigor XZA+ (P), Punch Accomplished Dazzle (P), Nexon XMA (P),
• Mahindra: XUV 300 W4
• Toyota: Urban Cruiser Premium AT (P) – with a stretch
• Renault: Kiger RXZ CVT 1.0 L Turbo (P) – with a stretch
• Hyundai: Grand i10 NIOS Sportz AMT (P) & (D), i20 NLine – with a big stretch
• MSIL: Dzire ZXI AGS (P), Brezza VXI AT (P), S-Cross Alpha AT (P), Ciaz Alpha AT – with a bit of stretch

Special considerations:

• Tata: Altroz XZ+ (P), Altroz XT iTurbo (P) – it’s a turbo petrol

7 seaters:

• Mahindra: Marazzo M2 (D) & M4+ (D) with a bit of stretch, Bolero Neo N10 (O) (D), Bolero B6 (O) (D), Scorpio S5 (D) & S7 (D) with a bit of stretch
• Toyota: Innova Crysta 2.7 GX AT (P) – with a big stretch. Wife will definitely agree coz of Toyota reliability
• MSIL: Ertiga ZXI AT (P), XL6 Alpha AT (P)
• Renault: Triber RXZ Easy-R

After reading AdityaDeane & Venky03 review of Renault Triber , SharathScorp & Leoshashi review of MSIL XL6 I’m more inclined to go for a 7 seater rather than a 5 seater. We are already 2 adults and 2 kids aged 11 and 5. Further planning to bring parents also to stay with me. So when planning trips we will be 4 adults and 2 kids. Also this car will be a daily driver as well as a highway wagon. My trips will be one or twice to my hometown – Pune to Chennai. So I need a better car on long run. I intend to keep this vehicle before the EV switch which will take at least 10 years to come mainstream.


Some articles on used car ownership by GTO had me wonder if i can also go down that route. But can the members guide on which cars to avoid in used car market

I’m planning on adding the following to the cara and need some advise and clarification:

1. Fixing of projector headlights, fog lamps, interior ambient mood lighting, boot lighting, defoggers, rear wiper with wash, better infotainment system like touch screen and better speakers – all in case they are missing the buying car – will they have any effect on electrical warranty. Some modifications specialist suggestions in Pune or Chennai as I intend to purchase my car from either of them
2. I plan to do engine remapping, especially if it's a used car. More towards improving girl efficiency rather than boosting torque and power. Don't intend to do drag races. Some suggestions in Pune or Chennai as I intend to purchase my car from either of them
3. CNG after market kit. Some suggestions in Pune or Chennai as I intend to purchase my car from either of them
4. Can I fix CNG after market kit on any automatic. Will it void warranty. Coz after 1 or 2 long trips or may be 6 months down the line once the itch for the new car fades, everyone will ask for the mileage, maintenance and reliability of the vehicle
5. Can some engine remapping solve the issue when CNG fixed on automatic cars
6. Used cars means which models to stay away or which one to buy

I have asked for many things, so apologies for asking too much from fellow members

[chaksjr]

I TD'ed the NA Altroz and Punch over the weekend. Have visited and seen the Baleno in the showroom but they did not have a TD car available at that time.
Among the Tata's, for some reason, the Punch felt more spirited to drive. I understand the engine is the same but there seemed to be a slight difference in the response of the engines (the Altroz had lesser kms on the odo so maybe the engine hadn't run-it yet? I don't know)

The rear bench of the Punch also had a lot more thigh support, at-least for somebody like me who is only 5'4", when compared to the Altroz & the Baleno. Was not impressed with the Tata's ICE touchscreen, the Baleno's was much slicker.

The digital dash of the Tata though had pretty sharp graphics and was great to look at.

On the flip side, have been considering getting a used diesel Altis from Delhi instead of buying a new car as of now. Would be a much easier financial burden which I can keep for a couple of years while I can grow at work to easily be able to afford a competent new car.

The search has started, have taken the help of my friend to find a good G/GL example from 2012-2013.

Will post updates here as and when things happen.

[NovemberKing_91]

Originally Posted by ssathiyanarayan

Dear Fellow BHPians,

I have asked for many things, so apologies for asking too much from fellow members

Hi,

With your requirements, 4 adults and 2 rapidly growing kids, the entire 5 seater segment is wiped. Don't bother there.

In the 7 seater segment,
Mahindra : Bolero, Scorpio are not the safest or the most comfortable cars to be in. Marazzo is quite nice though, please test drive. May have issues with after sales services since it is not the best selling model out there.
Toyota: Innova Crysta, reliable, true, but do you really want it? You intend to fit aftermarket CNG kits I reckon, so, that is added cost. So, seriously ask yourself, is it worth it?
Renault: Triber, honestly, just not made for long distance trips due to lack of power. It is a city car at best. Also, with all 7 seats in place, I believe there is virtually no boot space to spare.
MSIL: Ertiga and XL6. These two cars are your best bets IMHO. These have been in market long enough that spares are easy to find, so are mechanics who know the ins and outs of the machine. You will find customization options for these too.

Since you mentioned that you do not want to drag race it and would rather have it be more user friendly, the Ertiga would tick the boxes for sure. Also, it will be cheaper than the competition, except for Triber. So, that gives you some room for further modifications to improve creature comfort.

I hope I have been able to help a bit! Whatever you choose, we will be quite interested to know about it

[Samegoodkid]

I would suggest to look at Jazz CVT as well. Although, it isn't a driver's car per say but it has everything else going for it. It is spacious, has good engine and is an island of peace amidst the chaos in city.
I have had a good experience in the last 5 years of ownership and is a car that you can keep it for a long time. Pls refer Mr. Narayan and Mr GK.Mahajan's review which will make you fall in love with the car.

[chaksjr]

Hi all,

Post figuring out that I'd rather go in for a used car, I got to know that one of my old colleagues from the previous organization I was at was going to sell his Ecosport Diesel. This got me interested and I finalized buying it from him over a short call. Post that it was only about the wait, as he was waiting the delivery of his new Seltos.

I knew the car was always well kept and driven sensibly, so I had no qualms or concerns in buying it without even driving it once.

Fast forward to middle of August, I took delivery of the car and drove it down to Hosur from Delhi. The car had run 62258kms when I took it. The interior is pristine and I am loving the change to a torquey Diesel from a lethargic Petrol.

The variant is a stop-gap which was on sale for a few months before the actual facelift came in October 2017. This has an 8" touchscreen but no SYNC3 or Android Auto capability. Still figuring out how to incorporate that.

An image below to sum up this update

[rishi.roger]

Congratulations! Seems to me a very wise decision.
Ecosports used to rule the CSUV segment sadly can't find a new one anymore.
How much did it cost you, btw ?

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by rishi.roger

Congratulations! Seems to me a very wise decision.
Ecosports used to rule the CSUV segment sadly can't find a new one anymore.
How much did it cost you, btw ?

Hi Rishi, I've DM'ed you.

[RaviGowda]

Congratulations! Even I feel it’s a wise decision considering the recent price hikes. Even small hatchbacks have become so expensive nowadays and it absolutely makes sense to go for pre owned. Happy Miles!

[chaksjr]

The 10,000 kilometers update

When I first stepped into this car, the odometer was at 63258kms. It was a rainy August morning in Delhi, as evident from the image.



Fast forward a shade over 4 months of owning this car, I have covered 10,000 kilometers with it. This has included a few long trips, the longest being driving the car down from Delhi to Hosur.



Currently I have only changed the cabin AC filter, that too DIY at home. Its time now to change the oil, the oil filter and the engine air filter.
The front left suspension has started to make a slight rattle (assuming its a worn out rubber bush), need to get that checked at some point.
Other than that car has been a pleasure to use. Some images and stats given below

P.S - I started maintaining fuel data on Fuelio after coming down to Hosur, hence the less distance.

At 5K Car Care, getting a cleanup



Driving through Pench Valley Reserve during the Delhi to Hosur drive



Tea stop during an early morning drive around Hosur with dad



Parked at the hotel in Narsinghpur for halt one during the Delhi to Hosur drive



Parked at the Pykara Lake parking during an Ooty trip in September



During a sunny morning at home



FUELIO STATISTICS















That's all for today folks!

[chaksjr]

The next 10,000 kilometers!

This has taken almost 8 months compared to only 4 taken for the 1st 10,000.
But considering outstation travel, a personal loss (which kept me in side my house for 3 weeks), and then mostly spending the weekend at home instead of going out, its still a lot of driving.

The following has been done in this time -
1. Rear shock absorbers changed
2. 2 tires changed - did not go for a better tire, stuck to Goodyear Assurance
3. Front suspension link rods changed (front struts, tie rods, and end joints pending to be done)
4. Wheel alignment & balancing done a couple of times

A few images summing up the total journey with the car till date, 20k kilometers covered in a shade under 11 months of ownership.

[chaksjr]

I sold the Ecosport to Cars24 the past weekend, after driving with for just over 28k kms in the 19 months that I owned it. The depreciation hit was massive but I had to, moving back to Delhi meant that owning a BS4 diesel was not a peaceful affair, particularly in winters.
I will terribly miss the fuel economy, considering I am moving to a turbo petrol (delivery within this month )

The solid feel of this Ford will be hard to bring back. It was just so easy to live with. Never caused an iota of trouble, just kept rumbling along. My mom and many of my friends loved this car.





The Ecosport brought with such a sense of safety and reliability. I have truly come to appreciate what Ford made post owning this car, as I had limited experience with any Ford vehicle prior to this.

Looking forward to update this thread soon once my new ride is here

[chaksjr]

My Ecosport was munching away kilometers on Southern highways, taking me to work, to weekend outings & to places around the Southern states.

Come mid 2023, personal & professional reasons prompted me to try and move back to the NCR. A couple of months of searching and finalizing the deal, I was all set to move back to NCR at the end of August. Goods & car shipped off, me & mom landed in Delhi, borrowing an old Rapid from a friend until my car showed up.

Couple of months down the line, settling into work, comes GRAP a knocking! Banned are BS4 diesels, which puts my Ecosport into confinement at my apartments' basement parking. Irritated and pissed at having to play Russian roulette with taxi apps each day, I decide to sell of my car and get quotes from Cars24 & Spinny.

Spinny is ridiculously low without room for negotiation. Cars24 offers a decent deal but I turn it down due to want of slightly more, plus GRAP is retracted and I am content at being allowed to drive my car again. GRAP comes and goes throughout the winter but I wade through it, resisting the urge to sell my car.

During the end of February, I sit down with a colleague to try and completely understand the corporate car lease equation. Once I do, I realize that owning a new car would be beneficial, not to mention that I can buy a petrol and get over this headache of temporary bans.

I stroll on over to Kia, Hyundai & Tata showrooms the following weekend. I test drove the following, with an initial budget of <10L ex-showroom.

1. Kia Sonet 1.2 - while the interiors are certainly wow, the engine performance was rather underwhelming. Coming from a decently strong diesel, I could not get myself to accept this engine.
2. Tata Punch - performance surprisingly felt stronger than the Kia, but I wasn't too impressed otherwise, primarily due to the dealership's take it or leave it attitude. I actually wanted to drive the Altroz i-turbo but was clearly told that none can be made available for a TD.
3. Hyundai Exter 1.2 AMT - drove it just for the sake of being offered one, had absolutely no plans to buy an AMT. Moreover, do not really like the Exter's exterior's.

I requested the Hyundai dealer (Himgiri, Sec 53, GGN) for an i20 NLine TD, was informed that it can be booked for office/home but none available at the dealership. Nevermind, asked them to bring one to the office that Monday. Though I really wanted to TD the manual, Hyundai only had the DCT to offer.
The car came, took it for a spin along with a colleague (who owns a Seltos IVT). I instantly liked the surge and the briskness the car offered, and I quickly reminded myself that the manual would feel even better. I was sold. Colleague remarked that it felt faster than their Seltos too.

Booked an i20 Nline N8 DT MT a couple of days later with the same dealership. Verbal communication was 4-6 weeks for delivery. I made a personal booking even though the car would actually be a corporate buy. This was the 1st of March. Some internal methodology within the dealership meant that my actual request to the factory was not placed until a PO was issued to the dealer 2 weeks later on the 14th of March. This meant I had already lost 2 weeks from the initial commitment. Come end of March, no sign of being allotted a vehicle, despite continuously following up with the dealership. They remarked that they had not received an allocation during March and were hopeful of being allotted one in the 1st week of April.

In the meantime, my Ecosport is sold to Cars24 on the last day of the FY for 3.5L. I then borrow an i20 Elite from a friend until the new car arrives.

1st week of April comes and goes, silence from the dealership. I escalate to Hyundai, and the dealership GM steps in to calm me down. She tells me that she will personally follow up for an allotment ASAP from Hyundai & would update me daily on the same. Initially I am told that a car will be allotted and dispatched between 15th & 17th April, which doesn't happen. On April 19th, I write an email to a Hyundai CRM explaining this situation and that if not allotted a vehicle soon, I will be taking my business to another brand.

While I don't receive any reply to my email, the dealership GM messages me that a vehicle will positively be allotted to me between 22nd & 24th April.
I inculcate some patience though my hopes weren't high. Thankfully, on 23rd April, the GM calls & informs me that a car has been allotted and was dispatched the day before, she shares the VIN as well. Relieved, the excitement slowly starts to build up. On 27th evening, I am informed that the car has arrived at the dealership, and is available for inspection.

My mom and I drove down to the dealership the next day and inspected the car. All was well except a minor scratch on the front left corner of the skirting. I requested the SA to get it buffed out before delivery (they couldn't completely but nevermind, didn't want to hold back on the car just for that).
Gave go ahead for invoicing and delivery was planned for the 1st of May.

Post lunch on the 1st, I headed out of office to the dealership, while mom took a cab from home to the dealership as well. Documentation, delivery, demo took about an hour & we were out of the showroom around 1530hrs.

Basic accessories were offered free of cost during PO confirmation, the same were fitted on the car (mud flaps, floor mats, god statue & perfume). Made them add door window visors and door edge guards, paid for them just before delivery.

Got 5L free fuel and then tanked the car up. Named him Blue Boy in my head. Headed straight to the Kamakshi temple for the pooja.

Coming to the driving experience (thanks for reading till here ), the manual gearbox is GREAT. The shifts are short, they're precise, the gears seem well gated and I haven't missed a shift yet. Turbo lag is well contained (much better than the DCT), and while driving sedately during my office commute, I seem to be able to extract 14.5-15kmpl. Android auto is working well, the AC fan is quick even on the lowest setting.
The exhaust note is deep & throaty, take it upto 2.5k-3k RPM and it sounds very decent. Haven't pushed the car much, easing into it and letting the engine settle down for the first few hundred kms.
While the seats and suspension is certainly not as soft as the regular i20, coming from an Ecosport (which itself had quite the stiff ride), I am perfectly ok with how this car is dealing with speed breakers and calmers.

Attaching some pictures below my Blue Boy











Hoping to keep this thread updated as the car munches kilometers and plants many smiles on my face.