[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by kgkaran

Currently own: Skoda Laura - Ambiente 2.0 Diesel MT
Monthly running: 1500 km
Looking for: Similar segment diesel car, but non-negotiable requirement is an Auto transmission
Test driven: Elantra, Jetta, Octavia
Budget 17-18 lakh (OTR) - no chance of extending this.

Since the budget is non-negotiable, you don't have much options there; the Elantra maybe the only fit. I believe even the Octavia Ambition TDI DSG should be around 19 lakhs+.

In my opinion, the ideal upgrade from your Laura will be the Jetta Highline AT, but that will be in the range of 21-22 lakhs on-road.

[kgkaran]

Wouldn't the Jetta be getting an upgrade later this year? I read somewhere that it mght...

[SumitBahl]

Originally Posted by iliketurtles

The base Altis definitely loses out on a lot of equipment vis-a-vis the City top-end. Here's a leaked list of equipment for each variant of the Altis.

You say the Altis is roomier than the City, but really is it that much roomier? I'm not sure it is, and the new City offers plenty of space as it is. I'd go with the City unless you stretch your budget and go for mid-range Altis. I don't see why you should do that though. Stick with the City, that's my advice.

You are right, new city has lots of space. Altis is wider, it can accommodate three adults at rear while its a tight squeeze in city.
City is definitely more VFM.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by kgkaran

Wouldn't the Jetta be getting an upgrade later this year? I read somewhere that it mght...

Even if it does, I doubt if the price bracket would come down below 20 for the Highline AT. Hence I was suggesting to check that aspect out before deciding upon.

[vroom77]

Originally Posted by iliketurtles

Congrats vroom77, may the miles ahead of you be filled with smiles aplenty. Like deetjohn said, please check out the VIN and do a thorough PDI as well.

Has taken a note of the VIN and as explained by the sales guy its a Dec 2013 make. PDI went fine and the car is yet to go for wash and clean up. Only issue I found was the panel gaps which when compared with the the test drive vehicle was on the higher side. They have promised to correct it. A small scratch on the headlamp a hair line one. Tomorrow afternoon is the hand over

[anachronix]

Am in the market (again!!), but for a diesel sedan and I can spend up to 15L.

Being a sucker for safety kits and a good car with driving dynamics, I could only short list 2 cars. One being the 2014 Fiesta that is coming soon and the VW Jetta CL.

The Fiesta is more of a known devil to me in terms of after sales support and I have been living with Ford cars for the past 10 years. The leaked brochure also reveals that the 2014 car is going to be kitted more than the previous generation. I love the way it looks too, a cheaper Aston looking car that I could buy

But it has got its own negatives, the last time I checked out the Fiesta the rear seat space was very uncomfortable and the rear seat ergonomics were a complete disaster. I don't know if Ford is doing something to fix that. To put it simply, I dont know if its worth waiting for another month or two...

The Jetta, has everything going for it except for the price. The OTR prices are hitting close to 20L for the CL MT TDi in Chennai. Its got everything I need from power, dynamics, space and safety kits. Its way over my 15L budget too, but I am ok to make that push if its worth it.

There are 2 things that are concerning me about the Jetta, the after sales support and the maintenance cost that is involved for a D segment saloon especially a VW. I dont know how the Jetta is in terms of maintenance and how its going to be affordable for any unscheduled service that I need to take it.

Please help me decide between the Fiesta and the Jetta. I am a salaried professional and I am particularly worried about how the Jetta will sit on my pocket on the long run. Need your suggestions, BHPians.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by anachronix

Please help me decide between the Fiesta and the Jetta. I am a salaried professional and I am particularly worried about how the Jetta will sit on my pocket on the long run. Need your suggestions, BHPians.

You are comparing across segments. I see you are OK to pay for Jetta. Is the budget by stretch or by your comfort levels? My simple logic is if you are stretching your budget to buy a car and if the stretch pinches you, so will the maintenance (The only exception being Toyota?)

As regards to Fiesta, many were unhappy with the swooping rear and the cramped space. If you want it for the front seat alone, then no questions asked. (I dont need to tell anything to you regarding Ford!)

Also I dont know when is the new one supposed to come? Hope they work on the rear space. Then I think its worth a look.

[deetjohn]

Originally Posted by anachronix

Am in the market (again!!), but for a diesel sedan and I can spend up to 15L.

I love the new Fiesta. And I think Ford is going to price it well this time. But I really don't want to recommend you one as this will be your 3rd Fiesta. And that Diesel engine is just about average and the car is a little small for your liking. I have a feeling you'll be back in the market in no time.

But get the Jetta only if you can afford to buy a 25 lakhs car right now. What I mean is please don't stretch too much or break the bank to buy it. And keep an expectation to lose approx. 8 lakhs on resale in the next 5~6 years.

So, these are clearly 2 extremes. Why don't you wait a bit and check out the Ciaz too? It could come with that explosive 1.6 MJD! But driving dynamics is a big unknown. If they can emulate the Kizashi, then nothing like it. But, it looks sometime away.

And what about the new Octy. How much is it coming too? How is the Skoda service at Chennai?

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by anachronix

Am in the market (again!!), but for a diesel sedan and I can spend up to 15L.

Being a sucker for safety kits and a good car with driving dynamics, I could only short list 2 cars. One being the 2014 Fiesta that is coming soon and the VW Jetta CL.

The Jetta should be the choice considering the space, safety and comfort it offers. But the CL variant costs almost 75% more than the Fiesta. If you can stretch the budget as mentioned, then it’s a great choice IMO.

But since you are a Ford man, I would say wait and see how well the facelifted Fiesta is packaged. If they have improved on the backseat, retained the same steering setup, and added on safety features like ESP (quite unlikely), it would be a great choice in its segment. If all of these fall in place, you maybe saving around 8-9 lakhs upfront

[iliketurtles]

Originally Posted by anachronix

Am in the market (again!!), but for a diesel sedan and I can spend up to 15L.

Please help me decide between the Fiesta and the Jetta. I am a salaried professional and I am particularly worried about how the Jetta will sit on my pocket on the long run. Need your suggestions, BHPians.

Hiya!

Strange that you're picking out 2 cars that are in such different classes! I remember from my brief test drive of the Fiesta that it had lovely dynamics, but the engine was so underpowered, which was a shame (this was the petrol that I drove though). I like the Fiesta (and I imagine you do too!), but if you can afford the Jetta, it's the car to go for. It's leagues ahead of the Fiesta in so many ways. In terms of power, handling, build quality, space, comfort, looks (oh, so subjective though), safety, the Jetta scores on every front.

Yes, the Fiesta's rear leaves a lot to be desired, but enough has been said on it. Wait for the new one and see how it is, although I suspect not much will have been done to address it, if that.

As for approx service costs of the Jetta, I was told it'll cost me about Rs. 13,000 for the 1st service (1 year intervals) which I feel is quite alright for a car of this class. If you compare it's service costs to a Toyota you might balk at the price, but more important than the service cost is the quality of dealership service levels. Check how it is in your area if you go with the Jetta just to calm your concerns. VW service levels have improved considerably of late and it's only the timeline when it comes to delivering parts that is an issue.

Since the facelifted Fiesta is some time away (not much though), might I suggest you wait for the Vento Diesel DSG that is coming along as well? It should suit your requirements quite well too.

P.S: I too am a salaried professional and stretched my budget for the Jetta by some lakhs. Am I happy with my ownership experience thus far? Nope. I'm loving it I'd strongly recommend the Jetta, but please go for it only after researching it fully. For what it's worth, I am not frightened about the VW service experience, although I feel the Extended Warranty is a must.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by anachronix

Am in the market (again!!), but for a diesel sedan and I can spend up to 15L.

Being a sucker for safety kits and a good car with driving dynamics, I could only short list 2 cars. One being the 2014 Fiesta that is coming soon and the VW Jetta CL.

The Fiesta is more of a known devil to me in terms of after sales support and I have been living with Ford cars for the past 10 years. The leaked brochure also reveals that the 2014 car is going to be kitted more than the previous generation. I love the way it looks too, a cheaper Aston looking car that I could buy

The Jetta, has everything going for it except for the price. The OTR prices are hitting close to 20L for the CL MT TDi in Chennai. Its got everything I need from power, dynamics, space and safety kits. Its way over my 15L budget too, but I am ok to make that push if its worth it.

Please help me decide between the Fiesta and the Jetta. I am a salaried professional and I am particularly worried about how the Jetta will sit on my pocket on the long run. Need your suggestions, BHPians.

I would recommend the Fiesta. I don't think Ford will make any drastic changes to the rear seat but apart from that, the car is extremely safe, rides and handles beautifully, has also got a very well calibrated eps unit so you can enjoy its benefits in the city, is exclusive, and as you said, the car and company is familiar territory for you. The car also fits snugly in your budget so you will have plenty of money to play with. A remap would easily be possible.

The way I see it, the only reason you are willing to spend close to 8 lakhs extra for the Jetta, is the Ford's poor rear bench. Simply ask yourself if that is worth it. The Jetta is a brilliant car, but it being a D1 segment Volkswagen, owning it will be a bit of a pain (no clue how VW ASS is like in Madras you will have to do your own research). Having already mastered dealing with Ford, learning the ropes with VW is not something you want to do after shelling out all that extra cash. Also, most of the people I have seen who stretch their budget leaps and bounds to own a D1/D2/Entry-level-luxury segment car over a C2 segment sedan or compact SUV, are taken aback by the costs of owning one. Apart from cars like the Fluence, Corolla, Elantra, the rest of these cars are not well suited to Indian conditions and end up needing a lot of care and parts to be replaced. Most cars above the C2 segment are also either CBUs or CKDs so the cost of parts to someone who is not used to it, comes as an unprecedented shock. Taking all these parameters into consideration, if you still feel that buying a Jetta will not be a huge stretch for you, then go for it.

Cheers and keep us posted!

[anachronix]

Thanks guys! You got me thinking a bit more on my decision.

I am stretching a little, but not much. 15L budget was the most comfortable point for me to spend on a car.

Originally Posted by ampere

You are comparing across segments. I see you are OK to pay for Jetta. Is the budget by stretch or by your comfort levels? My simple logic is if you are stretching your budget to buy a car and if the stretch pinches you, so will the maintenance (The only exception being Toyota?)

That's exactly my concern, I want a car that will keep me engaged for at least 5 years from now. The Fiesta is good, but my family is starting to grow and so is my need for space in the car.

Originally Posted by deetjohn

I love the new Fiesta. And I think Ford is going to price it well this time. But I really don't want to recommend you one as this will be your 3rd Fiesta. And that Diesel engine is just about average and the car is a little small for your liking. I have a feeling you'll be back in the market in no time.

Now you are getting me a little scared dude!

But get the Jetta only if you can afford to buy a 25 lakhs car right now. What I mean is please don't stretch too much or break the bank to buy it. And keep an expectation to lose approx. 8 lakhs on resale in the next 5~6 years.

Thats still an unknown and I dont know if I could afford to wait that long. The beige overdose in the New Octy is keeping me away and the service is not really a problem for me, at least in Chennai.

So, these are clearly 2 extremes. Why don't you wait a bit and check out the Ciaz too? It could come with that explosive 1.6 MJD! But driving dynamics is a big unknown. If they can emulate the Kizashi, then nothing like it. But, it looks sometime away.

And what about the new Octy. How much is it coming too? How is the Skoda service at Chennai?

There are 3 different dealers and service centers in Chennai, most of them at close proximity for me. I need to do a bit of homework and find out the general feedback about these service centers.

Originally Posted by iliketurtles

As for approx service costs of the Jetta, I was told it'll cost me about Rs. 13,000 for the 1st service (1 year intervals) which I feel is quite alright for a car of this class. If you compare it's service costs to a Toyota you might balk at the price, but more important than the service cost is the quality of dealership service levels. Check how it is in your area if you go with the Jetta just to calm your concerns. VW service levels have improved considerably of late and it's only the timeline when it comes to delivering parts that is an issue.

The 1.5 DSG?! I think that will need sometime and I didnt really like the way the Vento/Polo drives though.

Since the facelifted Fiesta is some time away (not much though), might I suggest you wait for the Vento Diesel DSG that is coming along as well? It should suit your requirements quite well too.

Thanks dude! I am not getting the car out without extended warranty if I am getting the car. BTW, your car looks lovely in that black shade!

P.S: I too am a salaried professional and stretched my budget for the Jetta by some lakhs. Am I happy with my ownership experience thus far? Nope. I'm loving it I'd strongly recommend the Jetta, but please go for it only after researching it fully. For what it's worth, I am not frightened about the VW service experience, although I feel the Extended Warranty is a must.

I think I should have mentioned this earlier. The list of cars that I have/had!

Ikon -> Fiesta -> -> Figo -> Fiesta

The Figo is still with me and its got an RD Box/S Spec wheels too. No complaints with the car! But if you see, all of them are Fiestas. The Figo included which is a MK6 Fiesta that was rebadged for India!

I have a decent budget for a car this time and I am thinking if I should buy another Fiesta for my garage. I know it sounds stupid, but I really thinking if its worth taking the jump to the next segment.

Absolutely Ishaan, I think I will have to wait until I checkout the Fiesta in person.

[quote=IshaanIan;3446815]The car also fits snugly in your budget so you will have plenty of money to play with. A remap would easily be possible.

The poor rear bench is a concern as we do travel out of city with my family quite often. The Figo is doing the duty now and the trips are becoming a little uncomfortable. I think I can expect the same in the Fiesta too! I will find out about the VW service in Chennai.

The way I see it, the only reason you are willing to spend close to 8 lakhs extra for the Jetta, is the Ford's poor rear bench. Simply ask yourself if that is worth it. The Jetta is a brilliant car, but it being a D1 segment Volkswagen, owning it will be a bit of a pain (no clue how VW ASS is like in Madras you will have to do your own research). Having already mastered dealing with Ford, learning the ropes with VW is not something you want to do after shelling out all that extra cash.

That is something I need to be mentally prepared for while going for a D1 saloon.

Also, most of the people I have seen who stretch their budget leaps and bounds to own a D1/D2/Entry-level-luxury segment car over a C2 segment sedan or compact SUV, are taken aback by the costs of owning one. Apart from cars like the Fluence, Corolla, Elantra, the rest of these cars are not well suited to Indian conditions and end up needing a lot of care and parts to be replaced. Most cars above the C2 segment are also either CBUs or CKDs so the cost of parts to someone who is not used to it, comes as an unprecedented shock. Taking all these parameters into consideration, if you still feel that buying a Jetta will not be a huge stretch for you, then go for it.

Cheers and keep us posted!

Yes, the EPS setup should stay the same as it was in the previous gen. I really hope I could save that money if the rear seats are improved even a little.

Originally Posted by vb-san

But since you are a Ford man, I would say wait and see how well the facelifted Fiesta is packaged. If they have improved on the backseat, retained the same steering setup, and added on safety features like ESP (quite unlikely), it would be a great choice in its segment. If all of these fall in place, you maybe saving around 8-9 lakhs upfront

[iliketurtles]

Originally Posted by anachronix

The 1.5 DSG?! I think that will need sometime and I didnt really like the way the Vento/Polo drives though.

It's some months away, yes. The petrols in either variety are quite nice, but they've not quite got that same feel-good factor in the diesel, although it is quite tuneable (Kryptonite's Rapid a case in point).

Originally Posted by anachronix

Thanks dude! I am not getting the car out without extended warranty if I am getting the car. BTW, your car looks lovely in that black shade!

She really is a looker! I happened to get a dekko at the older silver (now discontinued) and it is quite the looker in the flesh.

Originally Posted by anachronix

I have a decent budget for a car this time and I am thinking if I should buy another Fiesta for my garage. I know it sounds stupid, but I really thinking if its worth taking the jump to the next segment.

If they had the current Fiesta with that older 1.6S engine, it would be fantastic. But I really feel you should move up the ladder to the next segment. If you do go for the Jetta/Octavia you'll find it's more spacious, drives better, is built better, has more toys and just makes you feel happier on the whole. You can't put a price on that.

Your hunt for a car mirrors mine in quite some ways. I too began with a budget of Rs. 15 lakhs and stretched it to Rs. 20 lakhs because none of the cars at the lower price point were fun to drive and built as well as I wanted, not to mention the slightly less space. But this one line of yours where you expressed fear at being back in the market rung most true for me. I too wanted a car I could own happily for 4-5 years at least without changing over and that's why thoughts of the Altis, Elantra et al went out the window and the Jetta won, because it's just so well rounded and does so many things so well.

Good luck with your decision, keep us posted.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by anachronix

That's exactly my concern, I want a car that will keep me engaged for at least 5 years from now. The Fiesta is good, but my family is starting to grow and so is my need for space in the car.

How about Honda? City would be good. but I think it has a beige overdose. But you get some good piece of mind.
Also, is sedan an absolute must? Else, you might want to look at the Jazz/Mobilio?

[Crazy_Bean]

To me a car needs to exude classiness no matter what segment. I own a prev. gen. Fiesta and easily say that the current gen is very very bad looking car. (No offence to any owner) but looked straight from the back, Its just ugly.
Though ford ownership experience is decent and its a mechanically brilliant car, there are better options.
Lesson learnt for me is to go with a tried and tested car that is successful in the Indian market. Ownership experience becomes so much better that way.

A funny metric to decide that is the Number of pages of discussion on the Team Bhp car reviews. More the pages, more successful the car is ought to be.