I use a Ford Ikon 1.6 and a Chevrolet Spark. I wish to have an additional car in the 1.6-litre engine segment. I am not opting for the Ford Fiesta diesel, as it would be a virtual repetition as far as the looks of the car are concerned. The new car will be used for driving around 2,000 km a month in and around Vadodara. I have shortlisted the Honda City and the Chevrolet Optra Magnum. I like the City’s looks; how does the automatic compare vis-a-vis the standard manual? And how does it weigh against the Optra in terms of ride quality and economy? I am open to suggestions from you on other cars in the Rs 8 to 11 lakh bracket. I expect boot space similar to that of the Ikon and fuel consumption at over 13 kilometres to the litre. What do you recommend for me?
Gautam Kothari, Vadodara
Between the City and the Optra, we recommend the Honda. It is good looking, contemporary and is brilliant to drive as well. The City offers a decent — though firm — ride compared to the Chevy and is definitely more fuel efficient than the petrol version of the Optra. Yes, it offers good boot space and will return 13 kpl on an average. As regards the automatic versus the manual, the City automatic is a great tool for the urban commute and is perky on the highways as well. There is a drop in fuel consumption, but it is marginal — the extra that you would pay for the automatic is still worth it. Even compared to other cars in the Rs 8 to 11 lakh bracket like the Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki SX4 manual/automatic, the City is overall a better automobile.
Challenging
I am a handicapped person, with my right leg afflicted by polio in my childhood. I have a 1991 model Maruti 800 with an automatic transmission. I would like to buy a new car with a price tag of around Rs 3 lakh. As automatic transmission cars are available at a minimum of around Rs 4.50 lakh, I prefer going for a manual transmission car and getting it converted into a semi-automatic or an automatic transmission without losing the warranty. Can you please help me by giving me an idea where I can get this conversion done and the approximate cost for doing something like this?
T V S K Prasad, New Delhi
For converting a manual car into an automatic or semi-automatic for use by physically challenged people, there’s an outfit in Mumbai who can get it done for you. It’s a company called Ferro Equip, who have been doing vehicle customisations like these for over 30 years and have converted over 1,000 automobiles so far for use by the physically challenged. All the information that you require is available on their detailed website, www.handicappedpeople.com, including the contact details and the modifications that they have done on various vehicles. They offer other relevant products and services across the country as well. So do check out their website and get in touch with them on the coordinates they have provided therein.
Style statements
I am looking for a hatchback within a budget of Rs 6 lakh. I have tried out various options and have almost decided between the Hyundai i20 Magna and the Fiat Punto Emotion 1.4... but I am still confused. My driving will be not more than 500-600 km a month and the parameters that are important for me are style, comfort, space and mileage. Please help me choose between these two — it will be my first car.
Hiranmay Mallick, Bangalore
The Punto is a very good looking car — the most handsome hatchback on our roads today. It is comfortable too, as it offers an exemplary ride quality. But you have other expectations from your first car, like space and mileage — in these parameters, the i20 scores over the Fiat. It is more spacious for the rear passengers while the engine is pretty frugal too. Also, though it may not look as good as the Punto, it is not a bad looking car at all; it is quite well-designed. The ride quality may also not be as good as the Punto’s, but it meets expectations in terms of comfort. The Hyundai is the better car overall, and that’s what we recommend to you — hope that sorts out your confusion!
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