Need Help to Select Diesel Hatch

[cherry]

Hi all,

I need your help to choose a diesel Hatchback for my family.
My budget is around 5.5L.

The contenders on the list are:
1. Ford Figo.
2. VW Polo.
3. MS Ritz.
4. Fiat Punto.

Suzuki Swift/New Swift is ruled out as i do not like its looks.
GM Beat is under powered so i am not considering it also.
Nissan and Tata are not the ones i would like to choose from.

My deciding criteria is:
1. comfort (including features the car provide).
2. Ride Quality.
3. Cost.
4. Maintenance cost and Resale value.

Please suggest me the right one as i am confused between all four cars mentioned above.

Thanks a lot in advance :)
Cherry

 

[Surfer]

cherry welcome to TAI - please do a intro here - Introductions

There are many threads about Diesel Hatch - please go through them

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/car-bike-shopper/4682-help-choosing-spacious-hatchback.html

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-indica-vista-test-drive.html?highlight=vista

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-swift-best-diesel-hatch.html?highlight=hatch

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...016-buying-premium-hatch.html?highlight=hatch

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-booked-micra-got-jazzed.html?highlight=micra

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...tch-suit-my-requirements.html?highlight=hatch

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...n-hatch-within-6-5-lakhs.html?highlight=hatch

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...ht-i20-asta-sparkle-blue.html?highlight=hatch

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-versus-rest-competition.html?highlight=swift

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...suzuki-swift-hyundai-i20.html?highlight=swift

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...da-jazz-new-suzuki-swift.html?highlight=swift

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...nda-jazz-x-new-swift-zdi.html?highlight=swift

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...n-figo-swift-polo-diesel.html?highlight=swift

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-diesel-bought-honda-jazz.html?highlight=jazz

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/car-bike-shopper/4957-diesel-hatch-buy.html

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/car-bike-shopper/3350-diesel-hatchback.html

My vote is - Fiat Punto from your list

 

[bharathj85]

My Vote is for Fiat Punto Active variant. I have just bought a Punto Active MJD some 2 weeks back. It is one awesome car with the features compared to other cars in the market at the same price.

 

[Nuvo]

Considering that you have prioritize cost, maintenance cost & feature above other things so Polo can be excluded from the list.

Since handling is not among the priorities, so Ritz is very much in contentions if you are okay with its looks.

I had some issues with under thigh support of Figo's seats, so you should TD all the three vehicles to determine the comfort factor (as it is highly subjective thing).

Punto will face issues in resale value while reports of Figo's niggles are also abound.

Considering all above, Ritz may be the best option for you.

 

[cherry]

Thanks surfer Bharath and nuvo

Since handling is not among the priorities, so Ritz is very much in contentions if you are okay with its looks.

does this means handing of ritz is not good? off course it would be my priority :)

 

[bharathj85]

Ritz LDI doesnt have enough features compared with Punto Active. Handling of Punto is great and is proven to be one of the best. Neither Punto nor Ritz have resale value compared to swift and figo.

Figo is a good car but maintenance is on the higher front compared to Punto and Ritz. Ford's suspension is soft and is not suited for bad roads as door's start to rattle after some time. This is the reason why i opted out of Figo and selected Punto.

Fiat has improved the fit and finish of Punto from June 2011. Suspension and the body of Punto is rock solid.

Only problem i face with it is the ground clearance. Rest otherwise it is a perfect diesel hatch and compared to other cars in the segment Punto has the highest service intervals of 15000kms between each service and Fiat uses Selinia synthetic oil. Figo and swift use normal mineral oil for there service and the interval is 5000 - 10000kms.

Fiat offers extended warranty of 4yrs and unlimited kms. None of the cars in this segment offer the same. Now can find out how the reliability of Punto is.

 

[JazzSelect]

The contenders on the list are:
1. Ford Figo.
2. VW Polo.
3. MS Ritz.
4. Fiat Punto.

My deciding criteria is:
1. comfort (including features the car provide).
2. Ride Quality.
3. Cost.
4. Maintenance cost and Resale value.

Cherry

i would suggest Maruti Ritz VDi as per above criteria. Good resale value and complete peace of mind for MSIL A.S.S. Comfort is also very good.

Note - Among all hatchback's (even some sedan's), Punto has best ride quality.

 

[shubham]

1. Ford Figo.(good vfm car)
2. VW Polo.(expensive spare parts 40 dealer network)
3. MS Ritz.(less boot space and features)
4. Fiat Punto.( good handler cheap plastic , fit and finishing )

 

[Nuvo]

does this means handing of ritz is not good? off course it would be my priority :)

Handling is not the USP of Ritz. Its not sporty at all and one should attack corners in a Ritz in a sedate way. But on positive side, ride quality is good although below the benchmark set by Punto.

 

[bharathj85]

4. Fiat Punto.( good handler cheap plastic , fit and finishing )

I definitely say that Fiat has improved the quality of plastics and fit and finish of the car. My car is way better than Figo and Polo when compared in Fit and Finish and Plastics.

 

[akhilgopalg]

i would say punto/figo .Figo is totally VFM, which satisfies almost all the criteria which u have mentioned. But in terms of handling and ride quality, punto has an edge over others. Polo is not a VFM car. The highline costs nearly 8L onroad, which has even less features compared to figo/punto. Punto lacks space and little bit in fit and finish. Ritz, well you can get VDi(ABS), cheaper than others. But, i dunno about d ride quality. Overall, figo is my suggestion.

 

[JazzSelect]

I definitely say that Fiat has improved the quality of plastics and fit and finish of the car. My car is way better than Figo and Polo when compared in Fit and Finish and Plastics.

Spot on

Looks like FIAT has updated the Punto w.e.f June 2011. the changes are -

* Altered gear knob
* better gear shift
* lighter steering
* revised gear ratios (no more turbo lag)
* better NVH
* better fit & finish of cabin
* better mapping of clutch & gearbox to avoid jerks
* refinement at higher RPMs
* better acceleration (said that 0-100 kmph has improved by 2 secs approx)
* feels tightly screwed & solidly built

Above info is from Raj's Thread -

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...an-horse-bossa-nova-white-pics-pg-5-a-22.html

 

[cherry]

Great replies here!! Thanks a lot for such a detailed and nice response.
It seams we have a lot of Punto fans here :)

Form all your opinions, my search narrows down to:
1. Ford Figo (ZXi/Titanium)
2. Fiat Punto (Active/Dynamic)

Figo(having a higher cc engine) lacks power when compared to Punto.
But on the other hand
Punto lacks in features when compared to Figo.

Difficult choice to make here.
But, i think i need to take a test drive first before moving on.

Do post your replies and suggestions.

Thanks,
Cherry

 

[Surfer]

Form all your opinions, my search narrows down to:
1. Ford Figo (ZXi/Titanium)
2. Fiat Punto (Active/Dynamic)

Hope this will help
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...eart-vs-brain-punto-vs-figo-booked-punto.html

 

[basis]

My Vote is for Fiat Punto Active variant. I have just bought a Punto Active MJD some 2 weeks back. It is one awesome car with the features compared to other cars in the market at the same price.

I 100% agree with this.

No to Maruti and Figo.