Car queries: I am 25 and looking to buy my first bike

I am 25 and looking to buy my first bike. Daily commute would be around 30 km, budget Rs55,000-60,000. I am looking at good mileage, suspension and looks. Please advise. I had shortlisted the Honda Shine.    — Nitin Sulke

The Shine will do the job just fine for you. Other bikes to look at are the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS or possibly the Suzuki Slingshot, but really, the Shine is the bike you really need.

 

I have a Toyota Innova for the last 1.5 years. My travel has increased to 75-100 km daily -- 40 to 50 km on highway and 30 to 40-odd km in the city. Though I drive it myself, I feel I don’t need a big car now and need to change to one with a better mileage. I am 6 ft tall and have a budget of Rs10-12 lakh on road. Please advise on a good diesel sedan.                    —Santosh Rai

 

Check out the Nissan Sunny, that seems like a perfect match for your height as it’s great on interior space. Whatever savings you make on the price will go a long way in fueling the car. If you’re looking at something slightly upmarket, then the Volkswagen Vento or the Hyundai Verna will fit the bill nicely.

 

I have an October 2011 Hyundai Verna 1.4 litre VTVT petrol. My daily commute is around 70 km. Please advise if it would be feasible to go in for a CNG kit, and if so, which would be a good one.                    — Srijaikanth

You should definitely look into getting a kit fitted. First off, ask your own Hyundai dealer if he can install a kit, because that is the best option which will keep your warranty intact. Otherwise, wait till you’re out of the warranty period and then look into getting it installed.

 

I want to buy a new bike with high top speed, decent mileage and low maintenance. My daily run is about 25 km. Please suggest from Apache 180R, CBR 250R, Pulsar 220NS and Yamaha R15.   —Chandan Beniwal

If you can swing it, the CBR 250 is the best bike of this bunch with great speed, mileage -- and it’s good on maintenance too. If that is not possible, then the next up will be the Pulsar and finally the R15 and Apache.

 

We are planning to buy a new sedan and my budget isRs9-10 lakh. We have shortlisted the Honda City, Vento and the Hyundai Verna. We are looking for good looks, performance and features. Also, explain the difference
between alloy wheels and normal wheels. —Amit K Panchal

Since you mentioned performance, we’re going to have to recommend the Honda City for you. If you need a diesel car though, check out the Verna. Alloy wheels are there mainly for aesthetic purposes as steel wheels do the job just fine most of the time.

 

My budget isRs15-18 lakh and major requirements
are safety and luxury. Monthly running is 1,100 km. Which car should I buy? And should I go for petrol or diesel?
                        —Karan Shah

There are so many great cars you can buy in that budget range. Starting with the very car you see next to this column, the Chevrolet Cruze. Other great options are the Skoda Yeti, Skoda Laura and even the Renault Fluence. So narrow down your requirements even more and then we will be able to help you a lot better.

 

I want to buy a scooter. My requirements are good mileage, stylish looks and better pick-up. I have shortlisted the Vespa, Access, Swish and the Dio. No budget limit. Please advise.                —Bharat Kumar

Of these, for your parameters, the Swish is the best one of the lot. But if you’re looking for something different, perhaps a little more stylish, then the Vespa is the way to go. Also, get a test ride of the Honda Aviator -- that is a great scooter as well.

 

I am 20 and my height is 6 ft. I want a bike with good looks, performance and decent mileage. My daily usage would be 40-50 km -- both highways and city. I like the Honda Dazzler. What do you suggest?      —Nikhil Agarwal

If you’re okay with the looks of the Honda Dazzler, then there is nothing better than buying it. It’s one of the most reliable bikes out there and comes with a butter smooth engine. Mileage, too, is surprisingly good for a 150cc bike.

 

I want to buy a scooter for me and my wife. I am 5.8 ft, 43 kg and my wife’s 5 ft, 53 kg. We will both use it
separately and together. Kindly advise on the best option.

                  —Manoj Patil

Try something like the TVS Scooty first and if you find that a little underpowered, then the Honda Dio is the next best option. With low seating and light bodies, they will suit your usage very well.

 

I want to buy a gearless scooter. My weight is 100
kg; there are no budget or time constraints. The only criteria are low maintenance and good mileage. Daily travel is 30 km.           —Tushar Parekh

Check out the Suzuki Swish for a nice, nimble scooter that will serve you very well. Other options in that segment are the Honda Aviator and possibly the Vespa if you want something more stylish.

 

I have a Honda Dazzler. I want to know the mileage one can expect in city/ on highway. What’s your view about the bike?        —Rakesh Patel

The Dazzler is a great, reliable and fuel-efficient bike that should offer you years of trouble-free performance, so enjoy your ride.

 

I am interested in buying a second-hand Honda CR-V AT model 2005/2006 which has done 50,000-60,000 km. I currently own a Toyota Corolla H2 2006 model which has run 45,000 km. It’s in a perfect condition and my monthly usage is around 600-700 km. Is it okay to buy the CR-V (which is in a good condition)? If yes, at what price? Can I fit a CNG kit?   —Dinesh Risbud

If the CR-V checks out in good health, then go ahead and plonk for it, but we suggest against the CNG kit as it will dull down a brilliant Honda drive train and make it a slightly sluggish car to drive.

 

I am looking for an SUV. Average daily city run will be 70-80 km. My budget is around Rs13-14 lakh. It should also support long drives of about 300 km once in two months. I had the XUV500 on my mind. Please advise.

                  —Laukik Nagawekar

The XUV works, and another SUV, if you don’t mind a five-seater, is the Renault Duster. The Duster is a little more stable at higher speeds than the XUV, but it is a little lacking in features though. So it comes down to how many seats you’re going to use.

 

A friend of mine suggested I use the Mobil-1 5w/50 grade synthetic oil in my Suzuki Access scooter. I would also like to know whether it can be used in my Swift
diesel and the Toyota Innova as well.                  —M S Khaleel

Err, petrol grade oils shouldn’t be put into diesel car engines as that could lead to a catastrophe. Check your owners’ manual for both the cars and use the appropriate grade of oil.

 

I am 18 and want to buy a bike for going to college, but my dad is telling me to go for the Activa. My daily usage will be around 40 km. I am confused between both. Please sugeest. My budget is up to Rs60,000.                        —Bhavin Somaiya

To be honest, the Activa will suit you just fine, but a bike will be a lot more comfortable and safer over longer distances. Plus, you’ll save on fuel as well. So, try pushing for the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS or something similar and it should serve you well.

 

Currently, I have a Swift VXi 2007 model. It has run 61,000 km and is in a fairly good condition. I am looking at a bigger car, maybe a seven-seater. I took the Innova and the XUV500 out on a test drive and thought the XUV is better value for money, considering its safety features and other gadgets and, of course, mileage. Is that a good choice? Do I have other options? My budget is around Rs13-15 lakh.             —Shreyas S Mahajan

If you need a seven-seater for personal use, then the XUV is a great option. Wait a while before buying though to let them iron out some of the issues they’ve been having with the car. If you want a no-nonsense car though, the Innova is definitely it.

 

Yours is a great column. I am retiring this December and will be purchasing a diesel vehicle before the year ends. I wish to tour the country over the next 2-3 years. My budget is Rs8 lakh. I need a mid-sized SUV with good mileage. Apart from the Duster and the Ecosport, what else is coming?    —Shrey Sinha

For touring the country, we think the Duster is the best option you’ll find. It’s fairly comfortable and has enough off-road capability to take on most things, so that is the one you should be looking at. Good luck on your travels.

 

I am confused between the Renault Duster and the Suzuki Ertiga. Can you please help me? Should I look at other cars too?     —Arvind Singh

Well, they are two completely different types of cars, one is an SUV that seats five while the other is an MPV that can seat seven in a pinch. So depending on your seating requirements, choose one of those.

 

You are doing a fantastic job. I bought an i20 petrol Asta in 2010. The car has performed well and I am satisfied with it. My question is, can I convert its manual transmission to automatic, and then also install a CNG kit? What will be the cost? —Zain Mulla

You can’t do a full automatic conversion as it will be prohibitively expensive, but you can have an auto clutch installed. As for the CNG kit, ask if your dealer will install one. Else, wait till the warranty expires and have it done at an authorised garage.

 

What would be the monthly cost of owning a WagonR (CNG) or a Beat diesel for nearly ten years. Please take into account the one-time cost, running cost and maintenance. (Do not consider the EMI in it.) Usage will be roughly 70 km daily in non-city traffic daily. Self-driven. —Jerry Verghese

Monthly, you’d be looking at roughly spending somewhere in the vicinity of Rs 7,000-9,000 on fuel and miscellaneous costs of the car.

 

Please guide us on nitrogen air. Is it preferable in cities and on highways? Is it cost-effective? Does it last longer on wheels? Is it advisable/recommended? Also, guide us on gel technology for tubeless tyres. How effective is it? What is its cost-effectiveness? Is it suitable for two-wheelers? —Homyar J Mistry-Homz

Nitrogen air is more or less just another way to get more money out of you. The normal composition of air is about 80% nitrogen anyway and the other 20% won’t make much of a difference. Just do regular checks on air pressure and fill it with good old compressed air and you’ll be fine.

 

Thanks a lot for replying to my earlier mail. Actually, I am a bit confused between the FZ’s and the R15’s new versions. I wanted to know which one is better in terms of comfort and mileage? Which one is preferable in city? —Muhammed Samran

For comfort, mileage and city riding, the FZ is definitely the one to go for. The R15 has a sportier stance, so you’re going to get backaches in city riding if you ride for long periods at a stretch.

 

I want a new scooter between the Honda Dio and the Suzuki Swish. I am 5 ft tall. Am looking for good mileage and comfort. —Chander Rupani

The Dio is the one for you, we think. The low seat height, combined with the nimble nature of the Dio, will be very helpful for you when manoeuvring in city traffic. The Swish is good, but you’ll need something that’s more manageable.

 

I am a regular reader of your column. I am a college student. My daily travel is about 50 km. I am planning to buy a second-hand hatchback within Rs 1-1.5 lakh. Should I go in for the Tata Indica or the Santro (CNG-fitted)? I am going to keep the car for about five years and use it daily to commute to college. Also, my dad owns a Bajaj Chetak. It is 15 years old. When I ride it, the rear suspension is causing a problem. It is too stiff. Can I modify the suspension? —Siddhesh Kadam

The Santro should make for a great buy for you. It will be reliable and offer great service as well. As for your Chetak, well, that you’ll have to get checked. You might be able to get slightly softer springs for it to alleviate the problem.

 

We are a family of three and have been owning an Alto LX for the last eight years. It has been driven 20,000 km till date. We are planning to buy a new car in the range of Rs 7-9 lakh. Usage will be around 50 km a week in city and we might go on long trips occasionally. We have shortlisted the Nissan Sunny, Ford Fiesta, Verna Fluidic, Renault Duster (diesel) and the Skoda Rapid. Please also throw some light on the resale value of Alto. — Ashwani Mahajan

Since the usage isn’t much, we suggest you stay with petrol models to save some money now. The Sunny petrol makes for a great buy, so does the Duster. They are both great value-for-money cars that will serve you well for a long time to come.

 

My budget is Rs 4-4.5 lakh. I have shortlisted the WagonR Vxi. But I also want to consider the Ritz Vxi. Is the Ritz worth Rs 1 lakh more compared with the WagonR? Also, can you tell me about Hyundai i10 and the Tata Vista? —Hitesh Shah

If you like the Ritz styling and can afford the extra lakh of money, then the Ritz will make a better buy. It’s a newer platform and offers great safety features as well. On top of that, it’s good fun to drive.

 

You and your team are doing a great job. I am planning to buy my first car and after research, have decided on the Zen Estilo LXi. How is it overall? I don’t see you suggesting it. I am going to use it for the next 8-10 years, basically in city. –Deepak Shah

If you can bump up your budget to get a WagonR, that would work out better for you. We feel that the Estilo is a little underpowered and slightly cramped on the inside as well.

 

You are providing great information! I want to purchase a bike that’s economical, comfortable and gives good mileage. Budget is Rs 50,000. I have shortlisted the Hero Honda CD Dawn and Bajaj Platina. Which one will suit me? What will be their city mileage? —Sumit Mehta

The Hero CD Dawn is a long standing winner in that segment, so you can get that without a second thought as it will serve you reliably for a long time to come.

 

How much should I spend for a second-hand i10 Era 2010 model in a very good condition? Also, which would be a good place to buy a second-hand Santro/WagonR? —Dinesh Kapur

We are a family of four and wish to buy a new car with a budget of Rs 3-6 lakh and have shortlisted the Beat, Figo, Swift and the i10. Usage will mostly be on the weekends, and not more than 50 km. Which one should we prefer in terms of mileage, comfort and low maintenance? —Amogh Kokate

If the Swift falls in your budget, that is definitely the one to go in for. If not, the Beat will do the job just as well. They are both fun-to-drive cars that offer great mileage, comfort and safety.

 

I own a Swift VXi and my daily travel is around 50-60 km in city. I want to upgrade to a diesel automatic. Please recommend a car with good mileage and low maintenance. I am not keen on the Hyundai models.                   —Huzefa Kathawala

Barring Hyundai, there is one other affordable diesel automatic on sale and that is the Mahindra Scorpio. After that, as you move up the scale, there is the Renault Fluence and the Toyota Corolla which are solid performers as well.

 

Many thanks for your tips and techniques. I converted the Toyota Corolla that has been with me for the last five years to CNG at an authorised dealer. It is excellent. I want to purchase a second-hand petrol or diesel car for about Rs 2-3 lakh. I have shortlisted the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna and I want to convert it into LPG because I was going to drive this car in Mangalore daily about 100 km. Over there, we don’t have CNG option. Please advise. —Jayesh Suvarna

If you need the space, then go in for the City, but we suggest getting something like a newer hatchback to serve your needs, like a Chevrolet Beat LPG. It comes with a factory-fitted LPG kit with warranty and stuff, so you’ll have hassle-free performance.

 

I want to buy a new scooter or bike. My budget is around Rs 50,000-55,000. I am confused between the Honda Activa and the Honda Aviator. My priorities are mileage and looks to an extent. Can you suggest me some options? —Nikunj Daga

If mileage is your main concern, then take the Honda Dream Yuga and you won’t be disappointed at all. It is a solid bike that will give you great mileage as well as good performance.