First love

WHICH CAR?

I am looking for good family car and am really confused and little afraid as I will be buying it on a loan and this is my first car. I am 23 years old, single, but with a family of four members. My picks are Santro Xing, Indica diesel and maybe the Fiat Petra, my budget being around Rs 5 lakh.

As an Indian, it is really tempting to buy an Indica, but many of my friends have told me not to buy a diesel. Our average weekly mileage will be about 100 km. I have driven the Indica diesel for a year "� it feels very good on the highway is stable too, while the Santro Xing is easier to drive. My mother likes the Indigo but I am not keen on it, while the Santro Xing has less available passenger space. Is it wise to wait for the Getz?

Rakesh Shenoy, Bangalore

You don't really need a diesel car since your mileage is limited. As you know, diesels are difficult to drive, can be noisy and require more maintenance in the long run. The Indica will give you decent fuel efficiency, and the Petra diesel both efficiency and great ride quality, but our advise is this "� buy the Santro Xing.

This is the best 'first 'car available today. As for the Getz, it is a brilliantly packaged car and a good buy if you can afford it. Mind you, it is a bigger car than the normal B segment lot, and that includes the Indica.

Bang for buck

I am planning to buy a new car and am looking at a price range of Rs 5 to 7 lakh. The car will be self driven, doing about 25 km a day and 4 to 5 outstation trips a year (around 200 km per trip). I am looking for a car which requires low maintenance and is fun to drive.

I am down to two cars "� the Baleno and the City, although I am open to other options also. My main question is that this "� is the City worth the extra premium it carries? Which of the two offers better value for money?

Jayant, via email

When it comes to value for money, the Baleno is unbeatable "� it is an older car compared to the City but one that offers the typical Japanese attributes of fuel efficiency, performance and reliability.

The new City, though not very powerful, has excellent ride quality and a great deal of interior space. But since you are looking for a fun to drive car that's also value for money, we have no hesitation in recommending the Baleno to you.

Planning to buy a car or bike?Ask us at
bijoy@business-standard.com