Swing low...

WHICH CAR?

I am moving from Chennai to Bangalore, and I need to drive from Bangalore to Hosur and back everyday. I am planning to upgrade from my current Opel Corsa Swing to a car in the range of Rs 10-11 lakh. My requirements are...
a) Since I will do most of the driving, I need a good driver's car. A car with an automatic transmission would be great for the bad traffic on Bangalore roads.
b) Since I will do close to 100 km per day, I need a fuel efficient car. I understand that diesel/LPG is better on overall economics.
c) The car also needs to have decent resale value "" my current car (45,000 km, single owner-driver, 5 years) is being valued only at Rs 80,000 today!

A G Giridharan, Chennai

Your next car ought to be the Honda Civic Automatic "" it is perfect for your requirements except for the fact that it does not come equipped to handle LPG or CNG. Yet, for a powerful petrol engine, the Civic is economical to run and Honda badge retains value well in India. You will also find the paddle-shift automatic fun to use once you get out of Bangalore limits.

 

Bright spark

I am regular reader of BSMotoring and I really liked what you wrote about the Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark. And now, I am really keen on buying one. What I would like to know is that you have also stated that Royal Enfield has a big launch coming in November. Is that going to be a 500cc? The only thing stopping me from buying the Twinspark is that it is a 350, and I'd like my machine to be a lot faster and more powerful. If the November launch isn't a 500, do you think buying a Machismo LB500 makes more sense than the Twinspark?

Deepak Tahiliani, via email

We do know that Enfield is trying to set up the fuel-injected 500cc motor they sell on exports for meeting Indian norms and sell it here. Will that be the November launch? We don't know for sure. Between the LB500 and the Twinspark, we'd say the Twinspark will probably prove more reliable and feel crisper. The 500 may be quicker and faster, but it isn't a large difference, really, and in that light, the extra money for the big one is, to our eyes, not worth it. Instead, we say get the Twinspark, opt for the aftermarket exhaust Enfield will offer and then, once the warranty is done, get a filter and jets for more grunt.

...Sweet chariot

I currently have a Wagon R VXI and I want to upgrade to a bigger CNG car. I drive 80-90 km daily in Delhi's traffic and I am willing to spend Rs 5.5 to Rs 6 lakh. I have narrowed my choices down to the Hyundai Accent GLE CNG version, but still I'd like to be loyal to Maruti. Can you suggest an alternative in that range? Comfort and fuel efficiency are my priorities. Do you think I should look for a second-hand Baleno and get a CNG kit fitted, rather than buy a new car?

Bal Govind, via email

While we appreciate your loyalty towards Maruti Suzuki products, unfortunately there are no CNG, LPG versions of the Swift Dzire or for that matter the SX4, in the market today. We do recommend you test drive the Dzire diesel though "" it is economical and very practical. Otherwise the car that you short-listed "" the Accent CNG remains the only option. Accent is a very good all-rounder of a car but one cannot deny the fact that it is getting a bit old for comfort. That said, if your priority is a sedan with CNG option then the Accent fits the bill.

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