Resolved New Car Purchase for Mumbai City

Hello Konar Sahab,

Greetings !!

As important considerations are
> avoiding claustrophobic (so avoiding cars with black interiors)'
> Rear seat space (so legroom is an important criteria - avoiding cars like Venue, Sonet, Verna)

Let me tell you basis requirements about Honda City CVT
> You will love in refinement and smooth power delivery.
But, this CVT Transmission is ideal when you go on with relaxed foot. Somehow theres no enthusiastic feel as such as no sudden power burst and CVT makes it relative slower too. For mileage lovers - if they choose in eco mode will further impact in performance and takes away the experience of driving City.

> Honda City AC Performance is average. Its not as effective as otherwise you feel in chiller as Ford Ecosport

> Back Seat Support in terms of recline angle, legroom space is fair impressive, but if you ask me for headroom space in rear - somehow thats limited and by God grace when kids will turn out to be smart handsome 6 feet hunks they wont be as comfortable on rear unless they come on to driver seat.

So i wont recommend Honda City

Coming to Maruti Suzuki Car Range Brezza, S Cross Automatic
Although an excellent choice basis 1.5 Litre engine with good in city driveability but
> Quiet average plastic quality in Brezza is a big downside
> Rear Seat recline angle is relative upright
> Yester year feel of interiors - steering wheel - button - dash. Car feels outdated in present times

S Cross Zeta Automatic although yes makes up to most of the factors including
> Space Front
> 2 stage recline angle on rear seat
> Interiors feels lot better
> Despite of 4 speed Automatic Transmission - no lag / no jerks for day to day city drive. Very well tuned for day to day usage

and is definite a no-nonsense car with loaded with all essential modern day styling, convenience, infotainment feature.
Although car comes with black interiors - but with good all round space in headroom, legroom, larger window lines - car dont feel claustrophobic in any sense. AC Performance will rate it satisfactory. Yes Suspension is relative stiff, but manageable. But the only big miss with the car is
> Lack of advanced safety - no ESP in a car which cost in 13 Lakh+ On road
> No Side Airbags, No Curtain Airbags
> Somehow the fact that S cross based on heartect chassis platform and lack of safety rating availability of S cross along with fact this heartect platform cars including ertiga scored 3 star - there are some apprehensions on how well Indian S Cross will perform.

Ford Ecosport Automatic
This is a Car which can tick all boxes provided
> You dont care much for Fuel efficiency in a world with petrol prices over Rs 100 a Litre
> Ready to use in your Mobile phone with a separate holder for live navigation

Rest be assured - Ford Ecosport Automatic has everything you will love in
> Powerful Chiller AC (despite of fact that car has no rear ac vents). Will love in Aircon
> Impressive build quality with all active & passive safety - 6 Airbags, ESP
> Steering is pretty commanding and whenever will take car on open roads - will love handling dynamics
> Reasonable satisfactory performance in day to day city drive in 6 speed Torque converter - no power lag as such
> Pretty impressive headroom space, recline angle on rear seat is quiet impressive (although yes legroom space is relative restricted but still manageable basis condition as mentioned in case)
> Despite of concerns lying with Ford on future. Be assured that Ford after sales will continue to provide in support (even in worst case scenario) for all regular servicing

Will choose Ford Ecosport Automatic over rest as mentioned in choice

Better than Ecosport and Recommended Buy
But better than Ecosport to view and a car which just meets all usage needs is Volkswagen Vento TSi Automatic with strong reasons
Dont go by exshowroom as 12.49 Lakh - there are good dealer end offers and can save in more than a Lakh
> Will experience very best of Performance in 1 Litre TSI Petrol Engine. Automatic Transmission masks in turbo lag and theres no dearth of power in day to day city use
> Handling, Build Quality is immaculate
> Powerful AC - will love it lot better air con performance against Honda
> Rear Seat although not as kind of legroom as in Honda but better than Ecosport
> Although car has dual front airbags but with ESP, Traction Control
> Impressive steering dynamics
> VW India offering 4 yr Warranty as standard with 4 yr RSA. Be assured they are localizing spares so as to reduce in cost of ownership and opting in 5 Year (4+1 year) Service value pack will cost you Rs 40,000 (and include some common wear & tear items too)

Now - one concern is that Vento as a model will likely be discontinued in near future and be replaced with a new sedan
But - most of the spares and even engine in slight modified form will be taken forward in upcoming sedan. I dont foresee any concerns.

Basis requirements as stated
> Vento Automatic would just be best buy
> followed next in Ford Ecosport AT

Hope should help !!

Hello Gaganji,

Thanks for the quick support and detailed analysis and suggestion. Paisa vasool advice. :-)

I forgot to mention that since we car pool, I drive my colleagues VW Polo MT on alternate days and needless to say I enjoy the drive. Your recommendation of Vento TSI AT is well appreciated. The reason I kept it out was because I worried about back seat space since I have only driven Vento and not experienced its back seat comfort. But based on your confidence I will put this in the list and priority changes to Vento AT, EcoSport AT, City CVT.

Please advice is there any time horizon for the Vento upgrade or new VW sedan, if it is within 2021 or early 2022 then I may wait. Or else will have to move the next steps of taking test drives and moving ahead since as you explain in many videos inflation in cars and taxes etc are moving upwards and delaying does not make sense.

Thanks for your valuable support.

Regards,

Sai

Hi Konar Sahab,

Actually there were plans to launch in this new sedan by 2021 end, but to due to Pandemic - OEM plans are disrupted across board
First they will launch in VW Taigun expected in next 2 months or so and then in Sedan Version cars as replacement of rapid and vento

As of now - no official launch date deadlines, but expecting to come by March'22 - May'22 as indicative timelines

For rear seat space - as referred its not like Honda city with so much space so as to dance with like
But still for 2 members on rear seat - space would be decent enough to sit comfortably. Let me see if posted a video on same
Yes pls refer from 6 Minute 8 Seconds


Should give you a hint on space and seating comfort out there.

Namaste Gangaji,

Thanks for the information and video. I checked this and have better understanding of the back seat benefits and constraints. Have lined up test drives for Vento, Rapid and Ecosport. Since I am 6 ft , I will check myself in both driving and back seat space to ensure kids get their best memories of long drives when we look back after decades.

Was also wondering whether City MT can be considered if the CVT is the issue. However, remembering the daily pain of Mumbai traffic my Left Calf and Knees are pleading for an Automatic so have to keep the attraction of luxurious feel aside for drive and ride comforts.

Based on best deal will finalize and inform you our decision.

Thanks for your valuable advice.

Have a nice day.

Hi

Well if theres medical issue - best to avoid Manual Transmission

Best regds

Hello Gaganji,

First - No, there are no medical issues , just the question of comfort in traffic ..

Based on your recommendation have taken test rides of Vento AT, Rapid AT, CITY CVT and EcoSport AT. Mostly from driving perspective

Now have to check the family opinion by taking them to the showrooms and experiencing the cabin spaces. Finally will come to the commercials.

Do you have any suggestions on getting reasonable pricing by discussing with multiple dealers of any brand or does company ensures uniform pricing so there is no point in involving multiple dealers of same brand.

Have a nice day

Hi,

Suggest to shortlist model first as thats more important
Once model finalized - pls share deal quote with us - will analyze and let know if can save better on same

Hope should help !!

Namaste Gaganji,

Thanks for the guidance after various Test Drives and internal space and ambience inspections by family members, we all agreed on going for Honda City VX CVT. We found it real Value for Money with reliable and proven Engine Technology, along with safety , luxury and most modern both in looks and features . The better fuel efficiency also added to the likable points. Since, we used our previous car for 9 yrs and intend to hold this one for long term as well we wanted to have it future ready.

In Test Drive, I found the Rapid and Vento quite interesting but since we already drive around in a 5 yr old Polo we found both the vehicles too expensive as compared to the competition when we put the features in perspective. Also the constant apprehension of expensive parts and lack of multiple service centers.

EcoSport was turned down quite early especially because it did not fit the lifestyle demand (sober, executive and city centered) and the Fuel Efficiency seemed really worrisome. It is indeed built for the free highways and wilderness.

Once again thanks for your opinions and guidance which helped us to go step-wise an make a calculated decision. I thought of sharing my experiences with you.

Have a nice day !!

Best Regards,

Sai

Hi Sai,

Great . All the Best
We welcome you to join in Honda City Community Group
Pls send whatsapp hi on 85957 93939