[airguitar]

My 2016 DSL SXO Creta has done about 95000 kms. There are no maintenance hassels, no issues with power/pickup and it continues to be a superb drivable car that it has always been. Many folks (unless they know the generations of Creta) think it's a new car. There are a couple of bumper scratches and a small ding on the bumper door caused by a idiotic rear-ender. The clutch was replaced once recently (90000 kms) and absolutely no other niggles.

There seems no merit in trying to replace the car now other than an itch to buy a new one ( did someone say life is too short for a single car for too long? ). I have the Mahindra Thar 2020 as my other ride in the garage.

I also have had this long term goal of owning a luxury brand ( BMW/Merc/Audi ), one of those boxes to be ticked in life as a "success parameter". As I plan my finances ( how many years do I need to work, how much savings to have etc ), it looks like it's a good idea to get this ambition out of the way right now while I'm still in my 40s as opposed to close to the 50s : so you know your liabilities earlier. Yes, the car is a liability as far as financial planning goes to me. The X1 would have been an ideal fit but with the recent 3-cyl models and dramatic price increase, it hardly is value for that kind of money.


Requirements

• ICE car only, with acceptable FE ( 14-15 + at the minimum ) and reasonable power ( around the 150 horses mark ); won't touch EVs with a bargepole
• Excellent seating comfort for drivers (=me) and passengers, commanding views and ride quality required.
• Good Ground clearance and reasonably ok turning radius to deal with broken roads and city byroads.
• Petrol / Diesel isn't a strong factor; though slight preference for Diesel given that the car is expected to do a lot of city runs as well as highway runs
• I favor MT; but since I expect to have my MT Thar as well, open to considering either.
• Don't intend buying my next car for 15 years at the least, so reliability and service network important
• 5 star safety rated, solid frame.
• Ok looking at a wide budget spectrum (25 to 75), as long as the car is worth the money being paid. Don't want to have an elephant in the stable.

Questions:

1. Should I even sell the Creta given it's good condition?
2. Are the luxury brands worth it ( not affordability, but more the post purchase years - would I feel it would be worth every penny or would it be a disappointment in life if I don't end up buying ) ?
3. What car do you suggest?

[07CR]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Questions:

1. Should I even sell the Creta given it's good condition?

1. I won't, if I am happy with my car. I am 28. My dad has generally replaced the cars quite earlier before it's sell by date. (M800 9 years, Chevy Aveo UVA 5 years, Honda Amaze 7 years). But now I feel like if you are happy with your car choices (read satisfied at the time of purchase), then you can surely enjoy the car for longer durations. With respect to Chevy UVA and Amaze, we had to make huge compromises while buying (UVA-Uninspiring engine and drive, Amaze-Horrible NVH), and hence I justify early replacement. Currently we have a Ecosport S TDCI (5 years old) and Kia Sonet HTX iMT (1.75 years old), both cars we are very happy with and did not feel like compromises while purchasing. We intend to keep these atleast for 10 years.
   
   

   Originally Posted by airguitar

   Are the luxury brands worth it ( not affordability, but more the post purchase years - would I feel it would be worth every penny or would it be a disappointment in life if I don't end up buying ) ?

   Frankly speaking, these are the cars you don't need, but the cars that you want. But isn't life about fulfilling the wants as and when one progresses in life? My suggestion would be if you are smitten by the badges and want to achieve that perceived leap, do get yourself a Merc,Audi,BMW,Lexus.
   
   

   Originally Posted by airguitar

   What car do you suggest?

In luxury barges, I am smitten by a Lexus ES 300 H. This car also satisfies everything in your requirements list. Next could be a 3 series. An A4 can also be a great option (though you would need to sacrifice a bit on reliability part).

For poorer man's purchases a Tucson, XUV700,Toyota Camry could be other credible choices. Note- These suggestions are considering your requirement set.

Happy shopping!

[narayans80]

1. It is single owned. It is a BS4 diesel, so no fuel quality shenanigans' like its BS6.x counterparts. You have not mentioned any significant additional seating requirement, so why bother replacing? There is no better antidote than new car prices for new car itch

3. Innova Hycross would be the best bet in terms of low risk, long term, FE happy, less of emission uncertainties sort of choice. It is also on the starting range of your spectrum.

[Bibendum90949]

It's a nice quandary to be in. YOLO, and make your moves faster. You clearly have set your eyes on the big 3.

Since ground clearance, high seating position etc are your preferences(Thar effect there), I guess you've the SUVs from the German stable in your mind. X1, as you rightly said, is out of the list. One has to merely look at the engine options and their abysmal power figures to rule them out. That makes you to contemplate X3, Merc GLC etc. The general consensus in the forum is on BMW when it comes to reliability and long term ownership. You may check them out with multiple test drives.

If I were you, I would go the pre owned route and hunt for a well kept X3 with at least 2-3 years warranty intact. It's not clear if you're open to the pre owned.

Regarding Creta, you can retain it as a beater since it's in great condition and is known to be a reliable car. It would add more value with it's utility if you end up with an expensive German. You can look to let it go for other practical reasons such as parking constraints, extremely low usage, finances etc.

Good luck.

cheers,
bibendum.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by airguitar

My 2016 DSL SXO Creta has done about 95000 kms. There are no maintenance hassels, no issues with power/pickup and it continues to be a superb drivable car that it has always been. Many folks (unless they know the generations of Creta) think it's a new car.

- Your Creta is clearly in top shape . As a product, it is also competent by current standards (refinement, power etc.).

- You have a 3-year old Thar for fun.

- Retain your Creta. Please read my old yet timeless article (ARTICLE: YOUR 5 year old car : Keep, Upgrade or Swap?) on this dilemma.

- Invest the money you want to put in a car today, make it grow and buy something better in the future.

- Another benefit is, your Creta at the 7-year mark is well-depreciated and you will lose less of its value over the coming years. So, it's a double benefit (opportunity cost of your new car money as well as slower depreciation of your current ride).

- To spice things up, spend a little money and modify your Thar . That will take care of the petrolhead in you itching for an upgrade. I am currently working on my Thar modifications thread - you can refer to it for ideas. I have no hesitation in saying that the modified Thar gives me as much laughter & fun as many 1-crore rupee SUVs I've driven. When we're going out for dinners & parties, my family wants to take the Thar instead of the 530d M-Sport!!

- Come back in 3 years and we'll help you choose a truly fast, enthusiastic car, whether sedan or SUV. Because you are in Bangalore and due to your frequent highway runs, I am more inclined toward a fast crossover for you (not a sedan like the C300d, M340i or 530d). If you are open to pre-owned, I am seeing some truly special f-a-s-t crossovers like Macan Turbos & 6-cylinder X5s at the upper end of your budget. In new, the options will only expand in the coming 3 years.

Wait a bit today, and buy a better car tomorrow - related article (How a more expensive car can work out cheaper (if you hold onto it for longer)).

[vellatechie]

If you're happy with Creta and Hyundai and want to step-up, TUSCON is your best bet.

Tucson will give you the same Hyundai experience but better in every possible way compared to your cret. The fact that it look delicious and premium from every angle makes it even better.

[one-77]

We’re exactly in the same boat as you. Have a 2017 diesel Creta as our primary car, and at 6 years/ ~57 k kms we are feeling an itch to upgrade. The Creta is in top shape mechanically and visually (I still love it’s classic proportions and clean lines, and keep my cars scratch-free), and has an upgraded head unit that supports Car Play, so there isn’t any NEED to upgrade; the only area where it presumably falls short is safety. However we feel the WANT for something a little nicer and possibly with a premium badge, though it doesn’t make much financial sense. We’ll be retaining the Creta, however, and relegating the city runabouts to it.

Have test driven the Tucson, GLA 200d, Q3 sport back, and X1 18d. Each of these is a good car on its own, and it really boils down to personal requirements and preferences. For context, we are a family of three, with a 1 year old baby. This car will do less than a thousand kms a month.

The Tuscon has everything one will need in a car - international model, adequate power, AWD, features, space, good safety tech, etc. You’ll be spending over 15 lac more for the Germans mostly for the badge, and some engineering finesse, while losing some features/ power in the process. But sometimes the “intangibles” matter, don’t they?

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Questions:

1. Should I even sell the Creta given it's good condition?
2. Are the luxury brands worth it ( not affordability, but more the post purchase years - would I feel it would be worth every penny or would it be a disappointment in life if I don't end up buying ) ?
3. What car do you suggest?

I would suggest that you retain your Creta for at least another five years, if not more. The odo would touch 150 K kms by then if your usage remains consistent, going by the present 95 K kms it has done till now.

There is need for such Creta class, less pricey car/SUV in your garage with your Thar. The Thar has its own limitations for family usage. With those luxury brands you have on your mind, it's not possible to go to every godforsaken and crowded part of your city where Tata Aces, two wheelers, handcarts, bicycles (bicycles are too less seen these days) etc dominate the traffic scene.

Had you been a resident of Delhi/NCR it would have been the proper time to bid goodbye to the Creta as it would be soon reaching its "end of life".

[abtyagi]

Hyundai Tuscon. My co-brother upgraded from a 2015 Creta 1.6 crdi engine SXo with almost 3,00,000 kms on the odo to Tuscon, I don’t think there is any better car than that under 50 Lakh. Drives very well, awd, really good diesel engine, super comfortable, and loads of tech.

[drhoneycake]

Originally Posted by abtyagi

Hyundai Tuscon. My co-brother upgraded from a 2015 Creta 1.6 crdi engine SXo with almost 3,00,000 kms on the odo to Tuscon, I don’t think there is any better car than that under 50 Lakh. Drives very well, awd, really good diesel engine, super comfortable, and loads of tech.

I concur with this.

I did the same. I had a 2014 Verna with 3,50,000 kms on the odo. Upgraded to a Tucson. 1.6CRDI Manual to a 2.0CRDI + 8AT. Stays within the Hyundai family, phenomenal diesel motor with a terrific 8speed AT, super comfortable and can munch miles all day long. I’ve had my car for a year and it has done 40,000 kms already.

[svsantosh]

If I had a choice I would do this.

1) EGR Delete, Decat + Piggy back tune, get some 25-30 bhp more (Said numerous times in my older posts)

2) Try some Italian Leather, even if it has nice seats do upgrade them to fresh upholstery. And Please take out the OEM carpet & steam clean and refit them in the process. 7 years of good maintenance too will mean some fine dust settled on the floor. You will be surprised to see the amount of dust behind the dash board! But i am not going to recommend to remove and clean it.

3) Overhaul the HVAC unit, 3M Foamy spray into the vents helps, but to get a new car smell you have to go deeper. The evap unit will be dusty and would like a nice flush. 3M offers a special service where they use a borescope camera to show the condition of Evap and then they insert a small water hose to wash the HVAC unit and show the condition after cleaning it. Make sure you clean the blower fan (remove and see for yourself) and also get a new cabin filter.

4) Change the shocks, at 1Lac kms on indian roads they are no longer showroom condition. If you think there is zero change from day1 then leave them as is.

5) Audio? Not sure what is the current set up, but think of a nice touch screen andriod/apple with some new speakers.

6) Also try to get some superb quality tyres (Michelin/Pirelli only), they make a world of difference in sitting inside.

Not to forget flush & change all the fluids/filters (Engine, GB, Brake, coolant, AC). All this should cost less than 1.5-2Lacs and the car will happily drive you around for the next 7-8years (till RC is valid).

As such the diesel car concept will be removed by the time your car does 15 years, might as well enjoy the turbo power of a diesel.

[airguitar]

Thanks all.

1. Tucson : While an excellent choice, it's GNCAP is 3* and further, I don't want another Hyundai (want to experience different brands)

2. Not open to used cars.

3. XC60/Q5/X3 are in the same price vicinity (and within touching distance of the Discovery Sport), but clearly over-budget for me. At the same time the entry level offerings from these manufacturers don't tick all my boxes.

I'll stay put for now but watch closely for any other option then?

[07CR]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Thanks all.

1. Tucson : While an excellent choice, it's GNCAP is 3* and further, I don't want another Hyundai (want to experience different brands)

Correction. Tucson received 3 * in Latin NCAP (not the GNCAP), which are one of the most stringent around. I believe many cars receiving 5 * in GNCAP won't fare that well in Lating NCAP.

[GoBabyGo]

Hi airguitar - We earn to enjoy our life so let's keep it simple

1. Around 50 lacs onroad
If you are okay with sedan then Toyota Camry (waiting period 3-5 months)
If not then Toyota Hycross Hybrid ZX(O) (waiting period 6 to 8 months, booking closed)

2. Above 50 lacs onroad

If you are okay with sedan then BMW 320Ld M Sport (slightly above 75 lacs) or
Mercedes C220d (slightly above 75 lacs)

I have not driven any SUV above 50 lacs and don't see any good one within 75 lacs so can't say anything about SUV.

Any German Car / SUV BMW or Mercedes or Audi etc. are expensive to maintain but are
reasonably reliable (not as bulletproof as Toyota).

I normally suggest people who earn well to invest & save but ensure that you also enjoy your age, specially young age.

[naveen.raju]

Keep the Creta!

I drive the first gen Creta SXO Diesel (2015) and I absolutely love it (it's the engine that I love the most). I admit that it hasn't been a smooth journey with few issues/niggles coming up at times and the "hit or miss" dealer experience.

Have driven few new cars from the segment and I never felt the need to upgrade. Get a good detailing, suspension/brake upgrade and maybe a remap (not really required) and you are all set.

As Santhosh mentioned, get the AC unit cleaned. I was a bit skeptical on this but got it done last year. 6 years of driving and I could feel the difference.