Hey guys! Been following the responses advidly though haven't been able to respond the past few days.
@pavan kadam, arun1100 - wow! you guys are true motor-heads to take time out from work to TD the cars
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enjoyed reading your comparo and thanks much for posting the pics. The Elan really does look good from the inside. Need to see it in flesh.
@ yogeshnaik Mostly agree with your comparo, except that I felt the Manza interiors were superior to Etios rather than cheaper.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kartik Krishnan if there is someone who needs a car to chauffeur their parents around or a family that is more ride comfort oriented, i'd fully support their decision to choose the Vista or the brilliantly packaged Manza. Reason being the excellent comfort, vast boot-space and a ride-quality that's missing in many a higher segment car.
It's similar as someone looking to choose between the Skoda Superb and a Mercedes. Same money, but different perspectives on motoring altogether. |
Couldn't agree more. But what if Skoda had scrimped on even basic conveniences like e-OVRMs or seat height adjust and given really cheap interiors? w.r.t Vista - if only it had a functional boot, might have gone with it - a comfortable 5-seater for the price of a hatch!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RS_DEL If it is the trade off between the Etios FTD and and Manza VFM - this on the face of it is subjective. I would try to find out (a) how many enhancements are possible to bring Etios interior to Manza levels with out impacting warranty and (b) cost of such aftermarket upgrades. |
I alway liked an objective approach! Back of the envelope, guess a 40-50K investment could make the Etios interiors quite rich and liveable. This would include spending on plusher seat covers with extra padding, contouring, under-thigh (esp for rear seats), decent ICE, rear reading lamps, 3M coating, floor/boot mats and faux-wood paneling. I saw a showroom Etios with faux wood on steering wheel and arm-rests - made a HUGE difference to the interiors.
But what can one do about the important things like seat hieght adjust, e-OVRMs and pre-tensioners+load limiters on seatbelts?
Is it possible / practical to retro-fit these into a car? I do wish that Toyota had bothered to provide these in the top-end instead of silly cosmetic changes.
Virtually every second Tata-related thread has some debate about Tata QC and A$$. Recent experience's seem to suggest TML has got the A$$ act together. OTOH, its tough for a ill-treated customer to forget and trust the brand again. I haven't considered A$$ as a criteria for my decision due to recent upward trend in TML reviews + my own sales experience which suggests that Tata dealers probably care much more about a Manza customer than Toyota for an Etios customer.
Wasn't able to do the back-to-back TD of Etios and Manza last weekend due to work commitments + Holi. Hope to do that this weekend.
That said, I am leaning in favour of Etios, reasoning being as follows: Manza will coddle the passengers better than Etios, but as a driver I will probably enjoy the Etios more. Fun-Quotient aside, the Etios felt easier, stabler and more predictable to drive than Manza (despite the EPS factor). Not that Manza isn't a good drive, but
relatively Etios felt more fun and effortless.
Secondly, while I myself don't place store in a brand, most of my family seems to be strongly in favour of Toyota.
IMHO, the Manza is a better buy from pure VFM perspective. If you're going to be chauffeur-driven or are looking at diesel, the Manza is a no-brainer. I'm going to reserve final judgement until I TD the Elan, but seems that Etios, despite its compromises, might just be it.