Buying First New Car (Hatchback) Under Rs.7 Lakhs

[roseline]

Hello all TAIns,

I am going for my first car. Lets start with my requirements :
My Budget: 6.5 to 7.0 L
My Location: PCMC (Pune)
Top 5 Priorities: Jazz, I20, Swift.
Monthly Running: 750 Kms
For Which Purpose: Daily usage + Family trip
Max. Seating Capacity: Max. 5 including driver
Priority of Fuel Type: Petrol
Body Type: Hatchback

I had shortlisted Jazz, I20 and swift. But due to longer waiting periods, Jazz and swift are ruled out . Now I have only one option left. So I too look for I20 Asta (p). I have got tempting offer from dealer for I20 Asta. As Hyundai is going to increase prices by 2% (May be higher % considering the way Rupee is depreciating) from Jan 2012, cost will increase nearby about Rs. 15000 for Asta. Now I seek your advice whether to go with this offer or wait for facelift version.

I am happy with the looks, design and features of current I20 Asta model. (I will open another thread for my ownership review with the whole story) Considering current hefty discount of 50K + considering price rise of 15K from Jan 2012 + additional amount for facelift version, say 20K, the same Asta will cost me around 85K more than this offer. No doubt, facelift version will have some new features / design modifications, but will it worth to wait and spend around 85K for it?

Request you all TAIns to share your views.

 

[novice29]

Re: Planning on buying i20 - Need Advice

Hello all TAIns,

But due to longer waiting periods, Jazz and swift are ruled out .

Sorry if this is Off-topic!
Is that true about the Swift (P)? Because in Kerala, Swift (P) is readily available (in worst case, with a maximum waiting of 10-15 days). The delay is only with the DDiS here. I am not sure about the situation there in Pune.

Considering current hefty discount of 50K + considering price rise of 15K from Jan 2012 + additional amount for facelift version, say 20K, the same Asta will cost me around 85K more than this offer.

Just wanted to confuse you further
You can subtract the below 2 items from the 85K difference you calculated.
1) The model value (i.e. the new one will be 2012 make and the one you are talking about is going to be 2011) if you are considering the resale value also in your calculations.
2) The cost of features/additions that are coming with the new model (if you are concerned with these)

 

[roseline]

Re: Planning on buying i20 - Need Advice

@Novice29,

Swift is on 3rd priority after I20, hence ruled out. (Sorry for that, but thought might be understood by reader as it comes in 3rd priority after i20).

1. Since planning to have car for longer time frame, least bother about resale value.
2. As mentioned in my post, I am happy with the looks, design and features of current I20 Asta model.

Best regards,
Roseline

 

[truecitylover]

I-20 has few minor niggles like rattling and squeaking in general. It would be worth to shell out extra 85K if the features are really worth it.
If you are ready to wait, Jazz will be a good bet in a longer run. Remember it's Honda and you already bear a premium tag!

 

[cooldhaya]

I think your heart is set on the i20 , i can sense it from your posts!


Go for i20 if you really like it. The steering rattle many people say but my friend has an i20 Asta for 1.5 years now , 15k KMS , but he din face the steering rattle or any squeak. The only thing i don't like is the AC is not very powerful enough in i20! But apart from that my friends car is going great , no issues faced so far.

 

[Surfer]

OT Just check out Fiesta classic 1.6, might be you can get that at 7L

 

[dk86612]

hello roseline,

i'm in the exact same fix as you! although there isn't any confirmed news on the launch of the facelifted i20 yet we all believe and hope its round the corner. so my decision is to wait for the new one. just saying!

:)

 

[madaneeraj]

Well a car not only depict what kind of a person you are but could also be a medium to express! I beleive car is not a status symbol or a medium to take you from A to B, that's the very reason you are at TAI. Let us compare the vehicles on the features-


Fabia is the biggest and most confortable, Jazz could be the most spacious, Swift is the most powerful and cheapest, I20 best in looks and 5 star safety with 6 airbags.

On flip side Jazz is the costliest, Fabia is the slowest, I20 is least in terms of handling, Swift is the smallest.
To summarize and what exactly above figures means, in terms of rankings (1 being the best)


and graphically-



No car is perfect, so choose as per your requirement. I20 is kind of Jack of all trades and Jazz has best of most things. On the other hand Swift and Fabia are kind of specialist. One in power, other in size and comfort.

 

[Nuvo]

@ Roseline,

If your mind has already picked i20 than plz ignore this post. I don't want you to be confused :)

Since your usage is not very high so a little FE difference here & there should not cost you much. So why not u pick the post powerful hatchback (and one of the most comfortable as well) out there i.e. Fabia 1.6. They are offering some good discount at 1.6 model. Moreover, Skoda has added much needed features missing in Fabia i.e. rear defogger & wiper.

Along with Jazz, IMHO Fabia is another all rounder. It offers good ride comfort, good handling & steering manners, Spacious interiors. Negatives being susceptible after sale support & slightly dated looks. So if you are ok with above two negatives than Fabia 1.6 would be a nice choice.

 

[madaneeraj]

@ Nuvo, I would not recommend Fabia 1.6 for performance, as it's not something associated with Fabia's DNA. Below 3000 RPM, on which the driving in Pune is done it would be a slouch. Also NVH level is more in comparison to Fabia 1.2. I am not saying noise levels are controlled in 1.2 either. It has got 104 BHP and 153 NM of Torque but somehow it's limited to paper as engine is tuned for higher RPMs to extract better fuel economy. I found Skoda very confused as far as positioning of this car is cocerned. It is the same stock car with bigger engine, even the suspension has not been tweaked for performance.

If performance is on the mind go for Jazz, and if performance is only thing then Swift is the best of the lot. I20 I would again say is Jack of all trades. It does everything just right but masters in none. Jazz on the other hand score above par in almost all aspects except price (which too is not much a constraint after recent price cuts). One thing though, there is huge waiting for Jazz. Reason are Thai floods and supply constraints from Japan. It has become kind of bottleneck . Company delivered only 250 Jazz in November but I believe there is a booking of around 4000. Also as City facelift is coming and Brio also commanding respect, be sure if you can wait until March for this beauty.

So if there is an urgency, go for I20. It has everything you have asked for, also A/C would not be much of a problem as Pune does not have extreme summers. It will do just fine. Drive carefully over bumps and imperfect roads and rattles could be avoided for long. Also A.S.S won't be an issue as there are competent dealers around, also it would be cheaper to maintain than both Fabia and Jazz.

Regards,
Maddy

 

[Nuvo]

@ Nuvo, I would not recommend Fabia 1.6 for performance, as it's not something associated with Fabia's DNA. Below 2000 RPM, on which the driving in Pune is done it would be a slouch.
If performance is on the mind go for Jazz

On performance front Fabia 1.6 is better than Jazz, period. Jazz has weaker bottom end, more body roll, less involving steering than Fabia. And ride quality is also worse than Fabia.

 

[madaneeraj]

Actually debateable, Both the cars give identical figures for 0-100 in and around 12 seconds. Fabia is much faster between 40-100 pertaining to more BHP and Torque, but due to it's weight is quiet a laggard at low speed and RPM.
Ivtec engine of Jazz has low mid range, but good high end and acceptable low range. Steering for Fabia and also handling is better than Jazz with more feedback, but Jazz does not handle bad either. Although due to suspension problem in all Honda, ride at uneven surfaces tend to bupy for rear passengers at high to average speeds, but under acceptable limits.

Regards,
Maddy

 

[roseline]

Hello all TAIns,

Good to know all your opinions and thank all of you for your valuable suggestions.

@Surfer
Thanks for sedan suggestion, but not possible in my case since there is issue of parking in my society premises.

@madaneeraj
Appreciate your efforts for comparison. It’s very good comparison and would be helpful for other members. Agreed that you cannot get the best in one single car. But when it is head to heart(s) situation, you could guess the result.

Anyway I am close to finalize the deal with I20 Asta(P).

I too have a thought of waiting till facelift launched, but got irresistible deal with current I20. Since we have planned to keep this for long term, we are not bothered about car mfg. year.

We have planned to register the car in first week of Jan 2012.