[TDIRaghav]

Originally Posted by 07CR

The Ecosport Conundrum- I intend to speak with the current owner of my previous 2018 Ecosport S and offer him a deal he can't refuse. I assume I would need to shell out around 6.5-7L and get that car back!

2018 ecosport that too 3rd owner is not worth more than 5 lacs as multiple 1st owner options are available at around 7 lacs or less. For your needs, especially considering that you have a toddler, just get a safe city car. Do not limit your search to manufacturers who have left the market or are on the brink of leaving. There are multiple cars available within your budget that are 1st owner, less driven and relatively newer.

[heydj]

I would hold on to purchase of any of the options as resale of same when you switch to EV will be bad. Its like saying 7L spent for 2 years. Question is why do that as thats like 29K per month.

Instead why not just get a new car as resale of same after few years will be higher, even if running is less.

I suspect answer to your question is desire to get back ecosport or remorse over selling same and this is the route to get back that machine. Or maybe you will show this thread at home to get everyone alligned on green lighting the purchase. Thats also fine as all of us do crazy stuff for things we love I know all the stuff i did to convince everyone to let me get thar lols.

[Sensible_Speed]

Do NOT buy the Fiesta. Parts are getting harder to source for that model. The space is extremely tight inside.

Ecosport from 2014 is slightly better, but with your low running and the current rate of depreciation on these models, a Figo or Freestyle is your best bet. You can find a few Freestyle diesels at 7 lakhs that look very enticing. The Ford 1.5 diesel is an absolute monster and a joy to drive at all times. It also feels roomier than the Fiesta.

[Tekina19]

I will suggest to look for some good and clean Honda City. In your budget, you will get one manufactured between 2017-2019 easily. Look for single owned with less running on the odometer. I am sure you will find many good options. City is wonderful & very reliable car with good efficiency. Service is not a issue at all and you will also get reasonable price after 2-3 years. City will give you more peace of mind which may not be the case with other resale cars. If I am in your position, I will go for Honda City for sure.

One more wild card entry would be new Maruti Ignis. You can get brand new Maruti Ignis Zeta version in and around your budget. Its a funky little car which will give you smiles every time you drive it in city. On highways also its a good performer. Being new, you just have to fill petrol and roam around without any worry. BTW I myself own a Ignis and I am very happy with it. Just a random thought.

[umohan98]

With a baby, I'd say you need to see what of these cars are able to comfortably fit a rear facing child seat. And you should consider an automatic, given the worsening traffic in Pune. That drops the S-Cross and the Duster too.

All the best!

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by 07CR

I plan to buy it as a stop gap measure until I shift to EVs sometime in 2027 or 2028 (probably BE6).
...

Please give your valuable inputs.

Let me suggest a different option:

Let's assume 3 years of usage. You can lease a car from Orix / Maruti Suzuki subscription for same budget (7 lakh) which works around 20k per month.

When I got my Ignis in 2023 end, I planned to get it leased, but they had a cap on the annual km (max 10-20k per year IIRC). Hence I decided to purchase the car.

For Ignis, a 3 year lease was working out about 15k per month all inclusive - you just need to fill petrol and take care of the fastag. All other expenses would be taken care by the leasing company. You will get a white plate car in your name which you return at the end of tenure or pay residual amount and retain the car.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by umohan98

With a baby, I'd say you need to see what of these cars are able to comfortably fit a rear facing child seat. And you should consider an automatic, given the worsening traffic in Pune. That drops the S-Cross and the Duster too.

I do have a car seat and it fits in the Fiesta too, if I am not wrong. I am fine driving manuals since the region that I live in has minimal traffic, and my daily drive too for the next 2-3 years is going to be minimal in the city.

Originally Posted by Tekina19

I will suggest to look for some good and clean Honda City. In your budget, you will get one manufactured between 2017-2019 easily. Look for single owned with less running on the odometer. I am sure you will find many good options. City is wonderful & very reliable car with good efficiency. Service is not a issue at all and you will also get reasonable price after 2-3 years. City will give you more peace of mind which may not be the case with other resale cars. If I am in your position, I will go for Honda City for sure.

One more wild card entry would be new Maruti Ignis. You can get brand new Maruti Ignis Zeta version in and around your budget. Its a funky little car which will give you smiles every time you drive it in city. On highways also its a good performer. Being new, you just have to fill petrol and roam around without any worry. BTW I myself own a Ignis and I am very happy with it. Just a random thought.

City is too low slung and I am sure to face GC issues. The NVH too is quite poor and hence not considered.

No offence, but except the S Cross, I don't like any Maruti car (even my dad's Fronx).

Originally Posted by heydj

I would hold on to purchase of any of the options as resale of same when you switch to EV will be bad. Its like saying 7L spent for 2 years. Question is why do that as thats like 29K per month.

Originally Posted by TDIRaghav

2018 ecosport that too 3rd owner is not worth more than 5 lacs as multiple 1st owner options are available at around 7 lacs or less. For your needs, especially considering that you have a toddler, just get a safe city car. Do not limit your search to manufacturers who have left the market or are on the brink of leaving. There are multiple cars available within your budget that are 1st owner, less driven and relatively newer.

Originally Posted by blackwasp

Let me suggest a different option:

Let's assume 3 years of usage. You can lease a car from Orix / Maruti Suzuki subscription for same budget (7 lakh) which works around 20k per month.

Actually, I have a home loan going on, and whatever amount I save will be directly invested in the home loan lowering the interest amount as well as the tenure. Hence, I find the Fiesta at 3-3.25L (after negotiation) a great deal as I can still keep 1.5L aside for maintenance and yet do the rest of 2-2.5L as pre payment for my home loan.

I did check Orix, but a car that can offer the level of fun and comfort of fiesta on Orix would cost me even north of 7L. Also as I said earlier, the more I save now (by going for a 3-3.25L car), the same would be used for pre payment of home loan, which even saves me interest amount.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by 07CR

Accords and Camry's are excellent luxo barges for long term use. I intend to get this current car only for a short term of about 2.5 years at max, post which I would be switching to a brand new EV/Hybrid vehicle of around 27+L. Additionally the Accord/Camry are too large in size. For a family of 3, 2 adults and a toddler, I don't need that much space, not to mention the additional difficulty of managing that large car in traffic.

Remember I want to own this car only for a max period of 2.5 years.

They’re midsize family cars, S/7 series I’ll agree are luxury but not a basic Camry. Very easy to drive in traffic, you’ll have zero issues. Camry in fact is very relaxing in bumper to bumper traffic owing to low NVH and sound deadening not found in small cars. Adequate power for closing gaps quickly as well.

At 27L you won’t get any decent EV, and it’ll feel like a downgrade after these two above. If you get a Camry, I doubt you’ll sell in just 2.5 years but even if you do, you’ll get excellent resale value. Fiesta is quite underpowered at just 120hp, if I recall it took 11 secs to 100, vs 8.5 for Camry. Just test drive both back to back you’ll feel the difference the minute you floor them.

Safety is better as well to compared to small, light cars like Ecosport, Fiesta. NCAP ratings only hold against their own weight class and with everyone else driving 2 ton SUV’s around, the heavier and larger your car, the safer it is.

If you still want it, get the Fiesta. Do check thoroughly with any used car though.

[IshaanIan]

Although the S-Cross is probably the most sensible choice, considering you seem to be open to the Fiesta (which I love except for the lack of a potent petrol motor), will you not be able to find an Abarth Punto/Urban Cross/Avventura? Back in 2017 I found the Abarth Punto to be excellent in terms of gear ratios, clutch progression, suspension and with the increased ride height, ingress/egress was surprisingly good as well. No experience regarding service and I’m sure the Puntos command a premium so perhaps search for an Urban Cross or something like that maybe?

[narayans80]

If your usage is as you say (< 500 km/month), they you should be able to live with a Corolla. But do remember, it also has low GC issues which can be managed by careful driving. A petrol-manual would come by cheap, in 2017 I was seeing 2009-10 manuals at 3.xx L.

Part cost is expensive, so I would consider only if your monthly usage is less as you mention. Otherwise you are going to see accelerated wear and tear and each visit will cost a bomb.

S-Cross is an easy car to live with. I've had one with 2 kids in tow and has done multiple cross country trips.

Originally Posted by 07CR

Additionally the Accord/Camry are too large in size...the additional difficulty of managing that large car in traffic.

If its an automatic, you'll be surprised how easy it is to drive I've taken my Corolla to gully roads, which I didn't dare take my MT S-Cross or even 1st gen i10.

Only thing I would again reiterate is the part cost. If you are prepared for it, like you are for the Fiesta, you may take the plunge.

[07CR]

Thank you all for your opinions. I plan to checkout the car on this weekend. Unfortunately like most have opined, the car maybe old, but I know what I am getting into. If the car is in great condition, this will be my steed for next 2.5 years and hopefully with the minimal running I have to do, should not bother me much. This will also help me prepay the home loan amt, thereby reducing its interest and tenure (deploying rest of the budget for home loan).

This may turn a heart over head decision, and hopefully turns out good.

Next steps-

Will checkout the Fiesta this weekend.
If my check turns out good, then I will get this checked by 4wheelsanalysis, a startup in Pune, who performs checks on used cars. Will also check with Talera ford for the service history. If all is good, only then will get it home.

Will keep this post updated.

Thanks again for all the opinions!

[bijims]

Originally Posted by 07CR

Will checkout the Fiesta this weekend.
If my check turns out good, then I will get this checked by 4wheelsanalysis, a startup in Pune, who performs checks on used cars. Will also check with Talera ford for the service history. If all is good, only then will get it home.

Will keep this post updated.

Thanks again for all the opinions!

it Is good that you have clear thought over your needs and requirements, if the Fiesta is in good condition, it would be a great decision financially and be a good car too, hopefully everything goes well.

[anjan_c2007]

The voting stands at 44 for any other car. - viz. the last option:- 2014 Corolla facelift and later, S Cross, Figo (2014+), Aspire, Freestyle, Duster 85 PS, 27 for the second option viz the Ecosport and just 2 for the first option viz the Fiesta as of now.

But despite the lower but not the lowest voting, I would suggest you to go for the Ecosport of yours as the nth owner. But please get it thoroughly checked up by your trusted workshop to your satisfaction before buying and then close the deal with its present owner.

The Ecosport has lots and lots of owners who are its fans and simply love it. Despite the fact that Ford ditched India, they stick to their Ecsport simply out of love for the machine. You'll find proof in the used car market where most other Ford models are available at lower bargains, but not the Ecosport. And so long as these run, spares should be less of an issue at least for the next 4 years, till when you propose to keep the car.

[Sk8r]

If you were in Chennai I would have sold you my 67000 run 2018, Freestyle TDCi for 4.5 lakhs

[Livnletcarsliv]

Reliability and service support (including spares) are written all over your situation.

1. Your ford love
I appreciate your Ford love. But it's now your ex. You must move on in life with other brands.
In your situation (being a 1 car garage with an infant), I would never choose a brand that no longer exists. The parts support for Global Fiesta is not as it used to be, and Eco-Sport is too long in the tooth now. Unless there is a comeback of Ford (which is not official yet), no Ford at all.

2. Your use case
If you use it only about 500kms a month, you DON'T need a diesel at all. You only need a Petrol/EV. Buying a diesel will only increase your weight on your wallet.

3. Options
Since you are going to use the car for at least the next 3 years at least, and based on your use case you must prioritise reliability, ASS support, good performance, good driving dynamics (if not the best).
a. New car - Petrol Manual - Spend a couple of lakhs for Punch, Tiago, Magnite, Kiger, Dzire - meets all your requirements + better resale when you replace.
b. Used car - Petrol Manual - S-Cross, Brezza, Magnite, Punch, Kushaq (1.0), Altroz (iTurbo), Jazz, Amaze, Polo, etc.

In terms of driving dynamics, SCross, Magnite, Kushaq, Altroz, are good enough. Except for Kushaq/Polo, others may not be as good as an Eco-sport, but not far off either. It's not a head over heart choice, nor is it a pure heart only choice and regret later.