I’m a Chandigarh-based doctor and am looking to buy a sedan in the Rs 12 to 15 lakh bracket to replace my Maruti Baleno. I’m looking at a chauffeur driven car that is not very expensive to run or maintain and should fetch me decent resale value five years down the line. I just saw the advertisement of the new Volkswagen Jetta and am tempted to buy it. I’m actually confused between the petrol and diesel variants, since my car won’t run more than 500 km a week, primarily within city limits. Also, given that Volkswagen is new in India, are there any causes for concern over resale value and maintenance support? Kindly suggest.
Dr R Kohli, Chandigarh
The Jetta is a solidly built car, and given Volkswagen’s overall high levels of build quality, it should hold together even a decade down the line. The company is also quickly expanding its after-sales network, so after-sales support shouldn’t be much of a concern either.
Given your kind of running, we suggest you opt for the Jetta diesel that not only feels peppier than the petrol to drive, it’s also more efficient. If you can stretch that budget a bit, opt for the brilliant DSG automatic.
Wait and watch?
I’ve been reading reports on the new Toyota Corolla that is on its way to India. I currently own a 2004 Chevrolet Optra 1.6 petrol, and am looking to replace it with a Corolla. The Toyota dealer I recently approached was willing to give me a good deal on my Optra in exchange for the existing Corolla. Now I’m in a soup, since I can’t decide whether I should hold on till the new Corolla goes on sale and then make the deal or do it right away. Will I stand to lose a lot if I go in for the existing Corolla or will I have to pay a much larger difference for the new Corolla? What is the best deal in your opinion?
Bhavesh Patel, Mumbai
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Unless the dealer is giving you a fantastic deal on the existing Corolla, we suggest you hold on for another month, because by then the new Corolla should be available. It might be priced up to Rs 1 lakh more than the outgoing model, but essentially you will get a car that is more contemporary, better to drive, more comfortable and won’t probably lose as much as the outgoing model if you decide to sell it in a couple of years.
Old is gold
I just read your report on the new Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark and that has thrown me into a quandary. You see, I want to (finally) upgrade from my ageing, but efficient Hero Honda Splendor to an Enfield. I’ve spent more than a normal amount of time checking out the bikes at the Bandra company showroom, but I can’t decide. Money’s not really that much of an issue, but I am torn between the LB500, the Electra and the new Thunderbird. What would be your take on this?
S K Goswami, Mumbai
The LB500 is no longer in production, pending the introduction of a replacement 500, probably fuel-injected, and in that process, more expensive. That leaves the new Twinspark and the Electra.
In our book, the Electra 5S is the most honest, most easy to live with Enfield in the range, especially if you opt for the full-options model with disc brake (a must) and the electric start. Then again, the Twinspark engine is a smoother motor, probably marginally more fuel efficient, and most importantly, it should prove a lot more reliable than the 5S’ older motor. So, if the cruiser styling of the Thunderbird is to your taste, that is definitely the motorcycle to pick of the lot. If not, you can consider the 5S.
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