Hatching a plan

WHICH CAR?

There is no question that it is the Fabia which is the car for you, given the parameters you have listed. It may be expensive, but overall the car is very good.

Diesel dzire

I am planning to purchase a new car. Presently I drive an Opel Corsa. My budget is around Rs 6 lakh and my average daily run is 40-50 km. Kindly suggest a capable diesel car. I use my car mainly in the city. I have short-listed the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the Mahindra Renault Logan and the Tata Indigo. Which one is the best of these three? Kindly help me out.

Satyen Varma, via email

You can choose between the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Mahindra Renault Logan. The Logan is spacious, offers very good ride quality and excellent fuel efficiency. The Dzire is more fun to drive and is also better looking. Take your pick between these two, depending on what your specific needs are. If you are chauffeur driven, the Logan is the car for you; if you drive yourself, the Dzire should be fine.

 

Linea thinking

I am planning to upgrade from my Santro and have a budget of Rs 8-10 lakh. I drive about 15 km a day, with an occasional highway trip of about 150 km per month. Ours is a family of four (my spouse and my parents). I am looking for a sedan that is comfortable, easy to handle, with good ride quality and reasonable fuel economy. Also, is it worthwhile to wait for the new Hyundai Elantra or Fiat Linea?

K Ananth, via email

Yes, the new Fiat Linea is worth waiting for, with an expected launch in September. It promises to be good in terms of ride quality, fuel consumption, build quality and, of course, looks. We are not sure when the new Elantra is expected, but most likely it will be next year.

Among the current lot of cars for four people, you can consider the Maruti Suzuki SX4, though it is not comfortable at the rear for three passengers. The SX4, of course, offers brilliant value for money. The other option you have is the Honda City, but we expect it to be replaced late next year. If you can wait, then the Linea makes sense.

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