Best Hatchback For Long-Term Use?

[il_commendatore]

Nevin,its been almost 1 and 1/2 months since the deal for the Indigo was done and i couldn't wait any longer to get behind the wheels again

I guess you are saying bad decision w.r.t to the timing of the purchase.Well,it did not have much bearing on the Indigo sale for us.The car's manufacture date was somewhere around Oct-Nov 2004 and we got the car registered for Jan 2005.But while selling it,the manufacture date was considered and NOT the registration date.So if i were to book an i20 say around January it would still have a 2010 manufacture.So no use waiting that long.

The only reason i waited a bit longer was with the hope that either the Etios (Hatch),Vista90 or the new Swift would be launched by December.As you can see,only the Vista90 was launched but with a dismal pricing.

This car would have minimal running when compared to the Linea which has almost done a running of close to 25k in a year.

Cooldhaya,when did your friend book the i20 ? If it was before Diwali then its quite possible.Modi claimed to have sold close to 200 i20's and i10's in this Diwali week.So they did not have any variant of the i20 left with them.So i had no option but to wait.Here,Modi is the supreme when it comes to Hyundai.So no question of even inquiring with anyone else.

The reason i went with white was

1) 2 of my friends own i20's both White (Asta and the other Asta (0) ) so we plan on having a convoy someday

2) I came to know from them that the i20's A/C has cooling issues.So its a sensible thing to go for the White.

 

[cooldhaya]

Yes my friend got it in September first week. And the AC cooling issue has been rectified in the BSIV model , so no worries for you!


But still the AC effect is not so good thanks mainly due to the large windscreens! The sun will be directly on your thighs and so the AC wont be very effective in noon time! Get a sunfilm installed on your windscreen , that should solve the cooling issue!


But still the cooling issue is not very bad , me and my friend have never complained that its too bad , can be adjusted!

 

[shailinder]

I test drove Fabia (D) yesterday and Punto (D) on Saturday with my family or I would say 5 people on board. I must say, pulling power of Fabia was better than Punto. My wife did not like the sitting posture of Punto and i did not like Streering rod touching my left leg while pressing clutch and turning either side. Fabia's fit and finish was way above the Punto but from outside Punto was impressive.

I am in dilemma but probably be buying Fabia in Jan'11. People who bought this year are requested to share their ownership experience with others.

Thanks

 

[350Z]

It is true that Punto looks a stunner, but the bold and elegant design of Fabia should not disappoint you, either. Follow this link to get a brief idea about ownership of Skoda Fabia: http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...91-fabia-1-4l-petrol-26k-kilometers-done.html

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[RSM]

shailinder, I am not sure about the seating posture of Punto. The front seats are quite comfortable.
However if you didn't find it comfortable, no point in thinking about Punto.

Regarding pulling power, yes the 1st and 2nd gear of Punto is short, it takes a while to adjust with it.
And the difference of 3-pot (Fabia) engine and MJD, you will notice only once you cross 80KMPH.

Finally, buy what you like in TD, everybody has different taste and requirement.

 

[cooldhaya]

Hey did you adjust the steering wheel to your height accordingly in Punto during TD? If its uncomfortable even after adjusting then Fabia is the car for you. I found Fabia really spacious and me even being tall found a comfortable seating position easily! The rear seats are also pretty spacious and the boot is also decent enough. The interiors are a class above with amazing fit and finish quality , the A.S.S is the only concern.

 

[shailinder]

Hey did you adjust the steering wheel to your height accordingly in Punto during TD? If its uncomfortable even after adjusting then Fabia is the car for you. I found Fabia really spacious and me even being tall found a comfortable seating position easily! The rear seats are also pretty spacious and the boot is also decent enough. The interiors are a class above with amazing fit and finish quality , the A.S.S is the only concern.

Yes, I did change the height of steering although both the positions were ok but I like the lower most or was more comfortable with lower most position. Most annoying part from driver prospective was steering rod touching feet while turning. I wonder why such a flaw is there (according to me it is a flaw :-) ). As far as interiors were concerned they were ok but dull. If i compare with Fabia-Ambientie than Fabia is more spacious probably because of beige interiors or otherwise also.

It is true that Punto looks a stunner, but the bold and elegant design of Fabia should not disappoint you, either. Follow this link to get a brief idea about ownership of Skoda Fabia: http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...91-fabia-1-4l-petrol-26k-kilometers-done.html

Drive Safe,
350Z

Thanks 350Z. I checked and found that Aditya has deep feelings for his Fabia. Would like to ask few things, once i freeze on Fabia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest of the people using Fabia are requested to share their present problems, issues or feedback keeping A.F.S.S support of Skoda in mind. Recent = last 2-3 weeks.

Thanks

 

[shailinder]

shailinder, I am not sure about the seating posture of Punto. The front seats are quite comfortable.
However if you didn't find it comfortable, no point in thinking about Punto.

Regarding pulling power, yes the 1st and 2nd gear of Punto is short, it takes a while to adjust with it.
And the difference of 3-pot (Fabia) engine and MJD, you will notice only once you cross 80KMPH.

Finally, buy what you like in TD, everybody has different taste and requirement.

RSM,

I know your feelings about Punto and i appriciate that. It was not me who found seats uncomfortable but my wife . Moreover, leg room at rear is not as generous as Fabia.

As far as pulling or difference of MJD vs TDI is concerned then I am from Delhi and primarilly would be driving my car in bumper to bumper or frequent start to stop traffic of Delhi. Seldom find an opportinutiy to go pass 90kms per/hr . Punto might be more stable because of great steering feel and stability at high speeds (EPS with Hydraulic steering) and Fabia has EPS which makes it even lighter at top speeds. Again Punto might boost confidence on high speed but Fabia, I am not sure. My current Estilo has EPS and I went on couple of outings in last three years (Jaipur and Agra trips). I drove it around 110-120kms per/hr and found steering extremely light beyond 100kms speed.

So in nut shell, long trips would be there but not too much and high speed driving is limited but would be there.

 

[RSM]

As I said, buy what you and your wife like.
Fabia is a nice car and even I like that car.

Since your choice is diesel that is the reason I said about engines. If you think it serves your purpose, sure go ahead.

Fabia will be nice handler too on high speed, only thing is refinement of 3-pot engine can't be match with 4-pots modern engines.

 

[shailinder]

Just for your information. While test driving Punto and Fabia.

Engine noise in Punto's cabin was more than Fabia. Probable possibility could be that Punto’s total run was around 14K kms and Fabia around 9K kms and we all know how well test drive vehicles are being abused during test driving.

Moreover, I would really like to know what we all understand by refinement.

Noise - I already answered.
Average - 17-18 in city and 20+ on highways (both claims, again matter of driving habits and road conditions.
Cabin Space - More in Fabia than Punto.

 

[jayadev]

do not buy rather own a car but not to sell it.

1.go to the showroom sit in the car (try to communicate with it) see how much you can love it or hate it for sound, aesthetics and driving positions.

2.drive it and see how comfortable you are with the paddles,steering, seats.

3.start the ac (without this it is impossible) see how much does it chills and in how much time. well and good if you feel chilling within 10minutes without air blown in your face/body.
if you exclude ac remaining things aka creature comforts are just marketing gimmicks they don't really help so much in long run.

4. do not just follow the crowd or anybodies advice. listen to your intelligence. as views and opinions are highly subjective.

5.a.s.s mostly depend upon the dealer /service centre.
a.s.s may not be always brand dependant. so have a thorough knowledge of dealer's history.

6.again do not fall pray to those marketing gimmicks like,bhp,mileage,0-100dash and other freebies.
a good old 37bhp maruthi 800 is still a great drive for day to day city commutation.
mileage shown in manufacturer specs are in ideal conditions which are highly variable.
same with bhp, sometimes a 60 bhp car can be more desirable and driveable than a 100bhp one considering gear ratios,engine refinements,weight ..et al.

just some essential reminders.

considering requirements for petrol variants

1.swift/ritz
2.fabia
3.i20
4.ford
punto petrol no no from me as the car is too heavy making it an efficient petrol burner and a heavy petrol car means you are bound to miss all the fun .

happy driving.

 

[cooldhaya]

@ Shailinder I agree with you! Me and my friend TD the Fabia 1.6L yesterday. The cabin is really spacious and the AC is good. The interiors quality is top notch , its easier to find a comfortable driving position! The car is so solidly built that you require some effort to close the boot and doors! The cabin as you said even though a 3 cylinder engine its really silent! A Polo is more noisier than Fabia! The pick-up was good , suspension was great! No thuds or rattles anywhere from the car. If you have a good Skoda dealer in your area then you can very well go ahead with the Fabia! Its such a great to drive! But spares maybe costlier than Punto and Skoda has a bad reputation in A.S.S.

 

[amiti]

As mentioned is my earlier posts, Fabia 1.6 is a good car and really looks tempting, however we all know about skoda A.S.S. If you can wait, wait till Jan 11. I have a feeling that Fiat might launch tjet Punto or they may brand it as punto sports.

I had enquired with Fiat, one person said we are already getting calls regarding punto tjet. But he kept his mum when I asked about the launch date.

Anyways, which every car one buy's, see to it it has ABS and airbags. These are a must nowadays

 

[shailinder]

Anyways, which every car one buy's, see to it it has ABS and airbags. These are a must nowadays

Amiti,

If ABS and airbags are essential then I think FIGO Titanium makes sense because Fabia Ambiente does not have ABS and Punto E does not have Airbags. That is the reason Polo comfortline is out from the list.

My budget is around 6 lakhs (+/- 15k).

 

[yahabhiyah]

go for swift..its an awesome car..