Diesel demand

I am planning to exchange my Maruti 800, which I have owned for the last 10 years, for a new car. My budget ranges from Rs 6 to 8 lakh. I would prefer buying a diesel car that will give me good mileage, while keeping maintenance costs low as well. Could you please recommend a car?

Dilip R Patel, Ahmedabad

Please go for a diesel car only if you think you will do over 30 to 40 km a day. If not, you will be putting down extra money on a diesel car, which will take a long time to recover if you don’t drive enough. So, assuming you will be driving over 30 km a day and are looking for a diesel car, you can look at the Maruti Suzuki Swift diesel, which is the benchmark car in the category. It is efficient while cost of maintenance and service is not high either. It is easily the best option for you. If you would like a choice, take a look at the Toyota Etios Liva as well.

Heart’s Dzire

I am planning to buy my first car for my family of four. I will drive the car between 600 to 800 kms per month. I also have a fuel allotment of 95 litres a month from my office. I am thoroughly confused by the many options and variants available in the market. I have a budget of Rs 7 to 8 lakh and want to know whether to go for a petrol or diesel car. Should I opt for a sedan or hatchback? I plan on opting for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire VDi. Is this the right decision for me?

Ramachandra G Shettar, Davangere

Your decision to go for the Dzire is right. It is essentially a Swift with a small boot and more pleasant interiors. That means it has all the attributes of the excellent Swift, which is a benchmark car among hatchbacks. The Dzire is good to drive, the interior quality has gone up and it is reliable and fuel efficient as well. You need to go for a car with a boot only if you think boot space is necessary — else a hatchback would do fine. That said, the Dzire should serve you well. Our only recommendation is that you don’t have to go for the diesel version. Considering the kind of distance you will be covering in a month, a petrol is good enough. The petrol Dzire is also fuel efficient, and since most of the costs of fuel are covered for you, we think this is the car you should buy.

With elan

I have a daily commute of 50 km and am looking for a car within a budget Rs 14 to 17 lakh. I would like the car to be fun to drive and low on maintenance costs too. Since I will be driving the car myself, I would prefer an automatic transmission. I am considering the Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze. Also, should I opt for a petrol or diesel car?

Manoj Peshavaria, Jamnagar

The Chevrolet Cruze is a good car that gives you excellent value for money. It is a nice car to drive and the cost of maintenance is reasonable as well. The Jetta is also an excellent car to drive — but it may be over your budget and it is not exactly packed with features. The other option is the Elantra, which is a competent car across all aspects. It is specced very well and it is comfortable to drive as well. So you can choose between the Elantra and the Cruze — go for a test-drive, see what deal you get from both dealers and decide accordingly. If you do decide to go for the Elantra, then the petrol automatic should do fine for a commute of around 30 kms a day. If you do more than that, then go for the diesel.

Any automotive question? Ask us at srinivas.krishnan@bsmail.in