Child's Play

WHICH CAR?

I have a daily run in my car of 25 km. I also go on long drives 4-5 times a year. Kindly suggest a good 3-box petrol sedan for around Rs 5.5-6 lakh, keeping the following factors in mind:
Driving, seating comfort
Fuel economy
Low maintenance
Good service network
I was thinking in terms of the Ford Fiesta 1.4, Chevrolet Aveo 1.4 and Mahindra Renault Logan, although my children don't like the way the Logan looks. I have also heard that it is an old technology from Renault. Please advise!

Sunil Kumar, via email

The Mahindra Renault Logan is an honest sedan that delivers well on Indian roads,thanks to good ride quality and decent economy. The base models of the Aveo and Fiesta are good cars too, with the Fiesta scoring better on the build quality front over the Aveo. We do strongly recommend the Logan 1.4, but if the children riot over its looks, go for the Ford.

Father Figure

I need some help in buying a car. I'm planning to buy one for my father. The car will be driven by a chauffeur and will travel 50 kilometres daily within New Delhi city. The upper limit for the budget would be around 4 to 4.5lakh, and the most important thing is the running cost, which should be as low as possible. The car would seat a maximum of three people at a time. Could you suggest a car based on these constraints?

Sromon Das, New Delhi

There are many cars in the market that fit your need "� the Hyundai Santro and Maruti Suzuki Wagon R are great first cars and both are cheap to run. But we urge you to go for the new Hyundai i10; it looks contemporary, is a breeze to drive and is economical too. Buy a model with airbags and ABS if you can afford it.

Designing Off

I would like some information regarding a car design course. I think you are the right source through which I can fulfill my dream to become a car designer. I'm sending a few designs of cars and bikes which I've done over the last while.

Sunilkumar Pillai, Mumbai

We have to say that your illustrations are very good. They are proportionate and original. Let us also add that an 'ability to draw' is not enough to make a designer. Today, most automotive designs are done on computers and mathematical skills are equally important. We urge you to attempt the NID (National Institute of Design) entrance examination. If you can get through, you will get the right education that will open doors for you anywhere in the world. There are design schools in many parts of the world, but obviously education is expensive in foreign countries. We hope we have directed you in the right way. Believe in yourself and continue designing cars!

Safe As A House

I am a resident of Hyderabad and am looking for a diesel car which will be used in the city as well as extensively on the highway. I am looking at the new Tata Indigo CS and the soon-to-be-launched Fiat Palio Stile 1.3 Multijet, as my budget is around Rs 4.5 lakh and the prime considerations are fuel economy, passenger space, ride quality and highway safety. Does the Tata Indigo CS pass European crash tests and meet other contemporary safety requirements, as compared to the Stile?

Nalin Kumar, Hyderabad

The Indica, from which the Indigo was derived, has been tested for some of the European safety requirements and it seems to meet those, but remember, those tests were done ten years ago and since then the Euro NCAP rules have become stricter. Nevertheless, both are equally safe and fuel efficient, with the Indigo offering more interior space and somewhat better ride quality. At the price at which the Indigo CS is available, it offers terrific value for money. It's a car we definitely recommend.

Any automotive questions?
Ask us at bijoy.y@bsmail.in