Capping it

WHICH CAR?

I like the looks of the Chevrolet Captiva — is it a good buy? My friends say that it does not have four-wheel drive and hence is not a good buy. Is this true? Shall I buy the Honda CR-V instead?

Nalin Mehta, via e-mail

The Chevrolet Captiva is a well thought-out SUV that looks good and drives well. The diesel engine is a thoroughbred, and is refined and economical too. We recommend a buy. As for all-wheel drive, it does not really matter unless you really want to go off-roading on a regular basis. You will be surprised how well the Captiva can handle rough terrain and bad weather. It may not cross a deep river — but do you want to do that in your suave SUV?

Second that

I want to buy a good quality second-hand car. My budget is Rs 8 lakh and I expect the car to be economical. It will be chauffeur driven. What car would you suggest? What are the things that I should check before buying a second-hand car?

Ram V, via e-mail

Rs 8 lakh should get you a low-mileage Skoda Octavia Diesel. Skodas are well built and the diesel is very economical too. You can also find slightly older Honda Accords if you want to get something even better — but then you won’t get the economy of a diesel. When buying used, make sure that you don’t end up with a stolen car — so check the paperwork thoroughly. Also check the car for accident damage (shoddy repair is a clear sign to walk away). Do check the service records and pay slightly premium money for a car with a complete service history. Choose lower mileage over a more recent model and do test drive the car and get it inspected by an expert before you put your money down. Buying a known car (from your friend-circle, for example) is a better bet than narrowing down on cars in used car showrooms.

Stun gun

How do you rate the CBF Stunner from Honda? I want an economical and safe motorcycle and I like the way it looks — especially in yellow and black.

Sridhar Nathan, Coimbatore

The Stunner was developed on the Shine platform and is an excellent motorcycle to put your money on. Great dynamics and tubeless tyres — lighter, grippier and safer — means it will be safe as well. Just like the Shine, it should prove reliable as well as economical.

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