I currently own a Maruti 800, and now I intend to purchase a new car. My budget is around Rs 4-5 lakh. My average running of the car is 150 km a week. Which model suits me, taking into consideration my budget? Should I purchase a petrol car, diesel car, CNG car or electric car? I am very particular about fuel efficiency. I have heard that in Maruti models, maintenance is very low compared to other brands. Is this true?
Pooja Chawla,, Mumbai
Looking at your kind of use, a petrol car will do fine. The cost of running for 150 km, in a petrol car per week, vis-a-vis a CNG/LPG model and the extra amount you would spend in buying a car installed with a CNG/LPG kit, doesn’t justify the premium. Since you seem comfortable with Maruti products, we recommend the Ritz for you. It is easy to drive around town, has good driveability even on the highway, and is fuel efficient and comfortable for 4-5 persons. Some may not like the way it looks, but it is a very competent car. Overall, Maruti products tend to be on the cheaper side as far as maintenance is concerned, when compared to their rivals.
Magnum fours
I want to buy a diesel sedan within a budget of Rs 10 lakh. I have driven the following cars: 1. The Suzuki SX4 diesel, the overall feel of which I didn’t like.
2. The Volkswagen Vento TDi, which was a nice car — but I may be posted to smaller towns, so after-sales can become an issue.
3. The Fiat Linea, which was again a nice car, but I felt it had poor ground clearance, and I didn’t like the attitude of the Tata dealer.
4. The Chevrolet Optra Magnum LT, which I liked very much and which I feel makes sense with its recent price drop.
Wg Cdr VK Dubey,, via email
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It seems you are quite keen on the Chevrolet Optra Magnum, and we do agree that it is quite a spacious car with good performance on offer. However, Optra Magnums tend to have the worst depreciation of the four cars you have tried out, and we therefore would recommend that you look at the Vento. It is comfortable, has good performance and is extremely fuel efficient and well built. We also believe that it’s the best diesel sedan under Rs 10 lakh. Even though your job takes you to far flung places, Volkswagen have a well spread out after-sales network. We don’t think it should stop you from considering one.
Class issue
I currently own a 2004 Mahindra Scorpio and want to change my car and get a used Mercedes-Benz for around Rs 10 lakh. My options are between a 1999/2000/2001 E-Class diesel and a 2004/2005/2006 C-Class diesel. Which do you recommend? How much should I put aside for maintenance costs every year? What are some of the deal-breakers that one should look for before buying a used Mercedes?
Rohit Rajput,, New Delhi
Both the C and E-Class are nice cars to choose from. The 1999-2001 model E-Class is the W210 and we would suggest you look at the E220 CDI or the E250 CDI. In case the C-Class is what interests you, we recommend the C220 CDI. As far as maintenance costs are concerned, calculate them to be in the region of Rs 1.2-1.8 per km. For instance, a 50,000 km service on one of these cars at a reputed independent specialist should cost you in the region of Rs 45,000-60,000, depending on the age and state of the car. What you need to be wary of is parts such as the air-con condenser unit, electrical and electronic parts and some other mechanical parts that tend to wear out before time.
Accident repair will be on the higher side than regular brands. Make sure you look out for a clean car, preferably a corporate-maintained one, and do get the carthoroughly verified by a specialist before purchasing it.
Any automotive question? Ask us at srinivas.krishnan@bsmail.in
