Test driving cars
Choices to buy a car in India are many now. Compared to 2002, 2008 has many more cars in a whole range of prices and classes.
I have been trying to test drive as many cars as possible to get a feel of the current auto market here. One conclusion is, we have some great brands with full comfort facilities - but with a price to pay.
Hyundai cars are smoother compared to Maruti Suzuki when it comes to changing gears. Local brands like Tata and Mahindra have good steady cars with lower price tags. One needs to consider them if they are not too much in to resale value.
1) Hyundai i10 Kappa Sportz 1.2 AT - A very smooth and comfortable small car to drive. Did a test drive on this last week and found that it is suits me the most. Legspace is very good, headroom is good too (being Hyundai). Autotransmission makes it very much suitable for city drive. We have to keep the fuel efficiency aside when driving in city ( 10 Kms/lt). 1197 cc engine with 80 hp is sufficient to give fast pickup. One point to consider - it is in the small car segment - suitable for max 4 people.
2) Maruti Baleno 2000 - This comes in mid to big car segment. I test drove this to see how the engine feels and to feel the gears. This car has good road grip and also very good leg room. The engine is smooth. The same engine has been put to the new SX4. So, if we need to go for a new Baleno, SX4 is the car to pick. Price tag for SX 4 : 7-9 lakhs.
3) Hyundai 2006 Getz 1.3 GLX - Very very smooth car and great road grip. It is a small car, plus heavy too. Hence mileage is 10-11 Kms/ltr. The engine has great pulling power. Space inside is good for 4 big adults. Gear switching is piece of cake compared to Maruti Alto 2006. Price for a 2006 model is around 3.7 lakhs. Brand new one is around 5.6 lakhs.
I have been trying to test drive as many cars as possible to get a feel of the current auto market here. One conclusion is, we have some great brands with full comfort facilities - but with a price to pay.
Hyundai cars are smoother compared to Maruti Suzuki when it comes to changing gears. Local brands like Tata and Mahindra have good steady cars with lower price tags. One needs to consider them if they are not too much in to resale value.
1) Hyundai i10 Kappa Sportz 1.2 AT - A very smooth and comfortable small car to drive. Did a test drive on this last week and found that it is suits me the most. Legspace is very good, headroom is good too (being Hyundai). Autotransmission makes it very much suitable for city drive. We have to keep the fuel efficiency aside when driving in city ( 10 Kms/lt). 1197 cc engine with 80 hp is sufficient to give fast pickup. One point to consider - it is in the small car segment - suitable for max 4 people.
2) Maruti Baleno 2000 - This comes in mid to big car segment. I test drove this to see how the engine feels and to feel the gears. This car has good road grip and also very good leg room. The engine is smooth. The same engine has been put to the new SX4. So, if we need to go for a new Baleno, SX4 is the car to pick. Price tag for SX 4 : 7-9 lakhs.
3) Hyundai 2006 Getz 1.3 GLX - Very very smooth car and great road grip. It is a small car, plus heavy too. Hence mileage is 10-11 Kms/ltr. The engine has great pulling power. Space inside is good for 4 big adults. Gear switching is piece of cake compared to Maruti Alto 2006. Price for a 2006 model is around 3.7 lakhs. Brand new one is around 5.6 lakhs.
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