City slickers

WHICH CAR?

Should I opt for the Ford Fiesta 1.4 or the Chevrolet Aveo 1.4? Though it's above my budget, should I try to get the Honda City instead? My usage is around 40 to 80 km in Mumbai and the car will be chauffeur driven.

S K Kedia, Mumbai

Between the three cars, we would recommend the City. It's refined, well-built and fuel efficient. Besides, it will fetch you a better resale value too. However, if you are not that inclined to stretch your budget, you can go for the Fiesta 1.4.

The Aveo looks more special and features neat interiors, but the Fiesta is overall a better car. It offers an excellent ride, the engine and gearbox are well matched and it has a better chassis.

Brand Ambassador

I want to buy a fuel efficient and reasonably priced car. I had almost made up my mind on going for either the Suzuki Wagon R or the Hyundai Santro Xing. But recently I saw the specifications of the Ambassador Avigo at Hindustan Motor's website and am in a bit of confusion now. The Avigo looks good and the Ambassador is known for its comfort. Maybe the new features like power steering and gear position might make driving it also comfortable. But I am sceptical about the service offered by HM dealers, besides HM is not so aggressive in the market. Should I buy it?

Ramkumar R, via email

We wouldn't recommend the Ambassador Avigo. Its architecture is ancient, the Avigo variant is a sad interpretation of the original and the car is well beyond its use-by date. Poor handling, safety issues, fit and finish are just some of the factors that characterise the poor old Amby and its variants. If you want reliable, economical and safe motoring, go for the Wagon R or the Santro.

Average deal

I am planning to buy a new car, and it has to offer good mileage. My budget is not much "� it is not over Rs 3.2 lakh. Which one is better, the Maruti Suzuki Alto or the Tata Indica Xeta?

Supriti Sawant, via email

The Xeta is aggressively priced. For what it's asking, you are getting a more powerful car that is pretty big and spacious too. But if these aspects are not that critical to you and it's mileage above everything else, the Alto is the car to beat.

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