Oct 23, 2009 12:59 PM
9504 Views
Hi Guys, I would not have written this review if I hv not gone through the tough delimma of selecting the appropriate car in C Segment, I am writing this review from Bangalore which has second highest Road Tax in India Which is Next only to Mumbai which creates a new dimension to making the right choice - I am Migrating from my Existing Santro Xing'2004 model.
*First good Idea would be that u Profile ur self -
Users - Self or Family
Duration - tentatively for how long Intend to use the car, as if u use more than 3 years dont worry about the Re-sale value as all cars have similar depreciation.
Daily Usage - 30 Kms. on weekdays and 70-80 Kms on weekends, Intercity visits once every 2 months, hence Fuel economy is important but not the highest priority.
Time u can Devote to Maintain the Car - Wither u have enough time to go some distance for a service center or Fittings etc.
Other cretiria -
Fuel Economy -
Performance -
Maintainance Cost -
Service Network -
Warranty -
First Considerations - Honda city, Fiat Linea, Ford Fiesta, Tata Safari, i20, SX4, Verna, Aveo, Xylo.!
Second List - Fiat Linea, Ford Fiesta(Limited Edition), Aveo
Since My Usage was less I decided to go for a Petrol Car, good for city Driving, easy to Maintain.!
*Drop List -
Honda City -** Dropped Due to High Cost(almost 2 lakh more than the rest), Maintainace cost, Sevice Network.
Tata Safari -Fit Finish(Quality of Plastic, chrome etc.), Cost, Petrol version has Bad Fuel Economy, not good for city driving.
i 20(Petrol) - Its a Hatchback, Quite Heavy, sameFuel economy as the rest of the C segment cars, high Cost -(ASTA will cost u 6.65 Lakh in bangalore), Long waiting period, and absence of any good Sporty Colour.
SX4 - Poor resale(2 year old SX4 avb for 5.5 Lakh), a New Model is due for Launch shortly, fit Finish(Quality of Plastic) Fixtures, VXI doest have many features and ZXI is very Expensiv almost 8.15 Lakh after all discounts.
Verna(Petrol)- High Cost, Bad Fuel Economy 8-10 kms., XI model is very Basic and XXI is very Expensive will cost u 8.4 Lakh after all Discounts.
Xylo(Diesel) - poor exterior Looks, entry Level Variants are very Baisc, top End Very Expensive almost 9.75 Lakh, high cost of ownership.
*Second list - Fiat linea, Ford Fiesta EXI(Limited Edition), Aveo.!
*Ford Fiesta - On Road 6.73 Lakh bangalore -poor Interior color, no defforger or rear wiper, Black Door handle, No Alloy, No Spoiler, No Leather Seat, No Leather Wrap Sterring wheel, Leather G ear Knob, No Airbag, No Leather Seats, No rear Armrest, 4 Speaker, No Electric ORVM, No Electric Boot, No Central locking wit Remote, No Wood Finish, Panted Door Hnadles no Chrome, No Power Window Lock. and many more its very Basic.
Third List - Fiat linea and Aveo. This was really Tough one
*Fiat Linea - Dynamic Pk(Petrol)
Pros -** Good Looks, Good Finish, Edgy technology.!
Cons - Price, Below Par Engine, Mileage, Fiats reputation(they already dtiched us once, my firend really struggled with the service of Fiat Palio when theypulled out of India, Parterships can end anytime so I dont trust there partnership with TATA,
*The Dynamic Pk will cost u close to 7.90 Lakh on Road which will still have ollowing things
The Body weight of Linea is 1275 Kgs. with a 90 BHP Engine.
The Body Weight of AVEO is 1075 Kgs. with 94 BHP Engne
Missing - spoiler, Alloy, Wood finish, Leather seats, Leather Inserts in Door, Inside chrome Handles, Electric Boot opening, Airbag, No chrome Outside Door handles etc.
Additional Linea Feature Missing in AVEO 1.4 LT- ABS, rear AC Vent, Foldable Key, Driver Info System, Immobiliser, Fire Protection System.
AND THE WINNER - AVEO
Pros - Price, Discounts, Fit, Finish, Interior, Exterior, Cabin Space, fixed 14K cost for 3 years.
Cons - Engine refinement(could have been better), re-sale value
The 1.4 LT is - 6.15 lakh(Ex-Showroom) 7.31 Lakh(on-road) which is almost 59K cheaper than LINEA Dynamic PK. Plus ask for Corporate discount, dealer Discount, freebeeis, good exchange value for ur old car and it would be a fantastic deal. This is a special price which is almost 65K less than earlier price.
I got 2.25 Lakh for my 2004 Santro Xing XG, 10K Corp. 3K Dealer Discount, 5K freebie accesories.
GOOD NEWS -**Now u have a new dealer in bangalore - TRIDENT at Kalyan Nagar the old one Sundram Motors Kasturba Road and Kropex Hosur Road are already there also u have a new service station of GM at Kalyan Nagar and they are opening 4 more service station in next 3 months so service is not a issue and more so they have pick and drop Service.
If ur buying the Car from Sundaram pls ask him for a Re-Quote on insurance he is very Expensive, it is some bumper to bumper over from TATA AIG which is almost 7K more than other insurance companies so his Quote would be 7.38 for a 1.4 LT but if u ask for a different Insurance other than TATA he would reduce it to 7.31.
