Car queries: I want to buy a bike to go to college

DNA answers readers' queries about their rides

 

I am looking at buying a low-budget car for myself. It will be our second car. Which would be a better option between the Tata Nano and the Hyundai Eon? Please suggest.           — Dinesh Kapur

 

It depends on what kind of usage you’re looking for. The Nano is a great car if you intend to take it into tight spaces where parking is a bit of a problem, but be reminded though that the car doesn’t have power steering. It’s okay if you don’t mind a little bit of effort, but in those times, the Eon’s EPS feels like heaven.

 

I own a Swift VXi and my daily travel is around
50-60 km within city. I want to upgrade to a diesel automatic. Please advise. I am not keen on Hyundai cars.
                        — Huzefa Kathawala

You should definitely drive diesel. Your choices are the Skoda Rapid, Hyundai Verna (yes, it’s a good car) and the Mahindra Scorpio. If your budget can be stretched, then the Toyota Corolla and the Chevrolet Cruze could be great deals too.

 

I want to buy a new scooter or a bike and my budget is around Rs50,000-55,000. Priorities are mileage and looks to an extent. Also, I am confused between Honda Activa and Honda Aviator.     —Nikunj Daga

We suggest you go for the Activa because it’s a lot better on the mileage front. The Aviator is a more powerful scooter though, so if you’re going to be riding with two people on board or if your riding involves a lot of flyovers or hills, then it makes more sense as it will be more comfortable to use.

 

We are a first-time buyer and wish to purchase a petrol hatchback. Our driving would be mostly during weekends in the city and out of it once in 2-3 months. We are looking for a low maintenance car that would be easy to drive in the city, considering me and my spouse have learnt driving just recently and should be safe and comfortable out of city. In our budget, we have shortlisted Wagon R, Santro and i10. Please advise.           — Pushpa Iyer

The i10 should be a great bet for you guys, the controls are very light and easy, so you won’t be troubled too much by it and the visibility outside is good enough to make you comfortable behind the wheel. And for those times when you venture out of the city, the car has enough power to make that ride safe and comfortable, too. Check if Hyundai is offering some schemes on the automatic version.

 

First of all, I would like to thank you for the so very useful tips. I am 21 and planning to buy a hatchback for everyday use. My budget is Rs5 lakh and mileage and low maintainence are my priorities. Everyday usage would be 20-25 kms. I am planning to buy it in the next month or so. What would be your suggestion? No Tata please.

— Ganesh Mate

Check out the Chevrolet Beat. It comes with all sorts of fuel variants, so if you see your usage going up, you can opt for diesel or CNG or LPG. The car is a nicely designed modern hatchback that won’t disappoint you.

 

First up, thanks and congrats for a great job. I am planning to buy my first car in October-November this year. My daily drive will be around 10-15 km and around 200 km monthly on highways. My preferences are driving comfort, safety, space and maintenance. I found the Honda Jazz Base model best-suited to my need and budget. Is my choice is correct? Is there any solid reason to go for the high-end variants of Jazz? Or any other car you like to suggest?
— Adarsh K S

For short runs and with space as a main requirement, you’ve arrived at the correct option. The Jazz will be a great option for you to buy. Other than for the safety features, there’s really no reason to opt for the top-end variant, you can get everything else fitted in the aftermarket for a lower price.

 

We are planning to buy an SUV ranging around Rs8-10 lakh. But we are confused between the Xylo and XUV 500.Please advise.   – Sunil Nikam

Well, depends on what you want out of it. If it’s just about driving around 7-8 people in comfort, the Xylo should be your choice. If you want a bit more driveability, go for the XUV. But if it’s for 5 people most of the time, then take a look at the Renault Duster too, apart from the XUV. It might not be as filled with features as the XUV, but it does pack quite a punch.

 

Hats off to your column which is providing us useful and beneficial information about various vehicles. I need to buy a bike and I am a bit confused between the new Honda dream Yuga and The Honda CB Shine. Which one should I go for and why? Please advise.
— Akash S Kulkarni

Well, looks wise, they’re pretty much the same, but the Dream Yuga is a 110cc bike whereas the Shine is 125cc, so if you do more long distance riding and would appreciate the extra power, then the Shine is for you. If it’s only inner city riding, then you won’t need the extra power and the added mileage benefit makes sense, you can go for the Dream Yuga.

 

Is it nice to buy an old used Toyota Fortuner or a new one?
— Sarvesh Mundke

Well, they’re solid cars, so if you get a good deal on an old one, there’s no reason not to pick it up. On the other hand, if you’re willing to wait for the new one and have the budget, there’s nothing wrong in picking up a new one either.

 

I am using a 2006 Swift VXi for my daily drive of 25 km which I plan to give to my son. I want to upgrade to Ertiga VXi and also to get an LPG fitted for the Swift as his daily use will be 40 km. Please advise.     — V A Rodrigues

 

The Ertiga is definitely a great option for a family car. It’s spacious and fuel-efficient, so you don’t need to worry too much about that. As for the Swift, since you plan on keeping it for a while, fitting an LPG kit on it makes a lot of sense for the kind of driving he intends to do.

 

I am an 18-year-old. My height is 5.5 feet. Yamaha FZ S is the one I am planning to buy, but due to my short height I am worried it would be difficult for me to handle. Please advise.             — Kishan Vaghasia

 

Well, get a test ride first. Honestly, the bike won’t be too much to handle for you, but if you do find the seat to be too high, then you can have a seat with less cushioning fitted in to accommodate you better.

 

Your suggestions are excellent. Help me select from the Hyundai Eon and the Maruti Alto. I want greater mileage, less maintenance and good space. Or any other car you can advise.               — Dhruv

We will say go for the Eon. The engine may not be as refined as the Alto’s, but it still returns great mileage and can comfortably take on the highways.

 

I want to buy a bike with a budget of Rs55,000. My daily run would be 40 km. Kindly advise.

                  —Mitesh Makwana

Take a look at bikes the Yamaha SZ-R, Honda Shine and the new Bajaj Discover 125. They’re all more or less in that same price range, are quite reliable and fuel efficient. The Yamaha is the more powerful one, so if you’re looking for thrill, that’s the one to buy.

 

I am confused between the Alto 800 LXi, Alto K10 & Chevy Spark. Which one’s better in terms of comfort and mileage?           — Hemant Sharad

In terms of fuel consumption, the Alto 800 and Spark are great, but for comfort and performance you need to look at the Alto K10. The K10 offers good performance while still maintaining great fuel efficiency. it’s a gem of an engine too, so you’ll love driving that around.

 

I am 25 years old and need a bike having good look and mileage under Rs65,000-75,000. I have shortlised the Hero Impulse, Pulsar, etc. Please advise.                — Kishore Kandari

The Impulse is the bike to be seen on these days, apart from the new Pulsar, so that would be a great buy. But on a side note, if you’re going to be riding only on the road, then we suggest you change the tyres to more street-oriented ones as soon as possible to avoid some hairy moments.

 

I am planning to buy the Pulsar 180. Daily usage is 20-30 km. How is the bike?                       — Rohan Rane

The Bajaj Pulsar 180 is capable of city mileage of around 35 and highway mileage of around 50, but that is if ridden sensibly. These figures can go up or down depending on your riding style.

 

You are doing a fantastic job by addressing reader queries. I have a September 2010 Bajaj Avenger 220 DTSi. The company has recommended SAE 20W50 as the engine oil. Can I use Motul 15W50 instead as I am finding it difficult to get it in my area?                         — Sunil Bhor

Using car oils in a bike is not really advisable as they may mess with your clutch and gearbox. So, yes, it’s better to use a slightly different grade of bike oil rather than the car spec oils

 

I am 20 and 6.2 feet tall. I want a bike with good mileage, comfort and performance. My daily usage would be 50 km in the city. I have shortlisted the Suzuki GS150R, Hero Honda Hunk and Honda Dazzler. Please advise.       — Sushant Bharati

The GS is an often overlooked bike that is a solid performer. For your highway stints, the extra gear also helps immensely. Otherwise, the others are great options too, you can’t really go wrong here.

 

I want to buy a bike to go to college. I am 5.10 feet, 95kg. Daily usage will be around 75 km on highway. My budget is up to Rs 150,000. I want a comfortable ride, good looks and decent mileage. Am looking at Royal Enfield Classic 350. Please advise.                        — Vikas V Jadhav

The Classic 350 is a great option, and at the other end of the spectrum, the CBR 250R is also another terrific option, but they are different kinds of bikes. Both are comfortable.

 

I am looking to buy a new car and my budget is Rs 7.5 lakh. I have considered Swift DZire. Are there other options?               — Shreyas Sarvaiya

Check out the Ford Classic, the Skoda Rapid and the Nissan Sunny too. They are also great options.

 

I’m planning to buy a car and my priorities are good performance and low maintenance. I have shortlisted the Honda City and Hyundai Verna Fluidic (petrol) from among sedans and Swift diesel and Hyundai i20 among hatchbacks. Please advise.                        — Vedant

If performance is the key criteria, then the Swift diesel comes out on top followed by the Honda City. The others are good cars, but don’t match up in terms of handling.

 

I am planning to buy a car for my family of 5. Budget is Rs 5-8 lakh. My favourites are Honda Jazz, Renault Duster and Nissan Sunny. I also open to options from Skoda. First preference is mileage, then looks, performance, maintenance, space, luxury. Looking forward to your suggestions.     — Vikrant Bhalodia

The Duster and the Sunny are your best options. Go for any, you won’t be disappointed.

 

I want to purchase bike and budget is around Rs 90,000. Monthly run is 500 km. My requirements are ride comfort in city, low maintenance, value for money. I have shortlisted the Karisma R, Yamaha FZ and Honda Unicorn. My preference is Karizma. I use a Pulsar 150-2002 model now.       — Nilesh Torave.

If you can stretch your budget a little, the new Pulsar 200 NS will be within reach and that’s a bomb of a bike. If you can’t, then go for the Karizma.

 

I want to buy second-hand Bullet which could be 10 to 12 years old. How much should I pay? And where Can I get this?         — Shirish Dixit

Bullets are generally overpriced, so be patient and you will get a bike in the Rs 40-50,000 range. Steer clear of the scammers.

 

I want to buy a sports bike. My budget is Rs 10-15 lakhs and I have shortlisted the Suzuki GSX R-600, Yamaha R-1 and Kawasaki Ninja. I like Suzuki the most. Please advise.      — Rohit Sawant

Well, 600s aren’t officially available in India, but it will be a great mix of performance and handling for you. If you can get your hands on it, spares and such will not be too difficult to find. Try test riding a Ninja 650 and see if you like it – it’s far better supported here than the others.

 

I am planning to buy a 1.2 litre petrol hatchback with a budget of Rs 5 to 5.5 lakh. Usage would be 500 km per month. Looking for good handling, mileage and low maintenance. I plan to keep the car for 5 to 7 years and accommodate 5. Please advise.              — Amey Utekar

The Hyundai i10 should be your first choice, followed by the Chevrolet Beat and, if budget can be stretched, the Swift.

 

We are a family of three and planning to buy a hatch. Daily usage will be 50 km. Looking for a luxurious and spacious vehicle in a budget of Rs 7-7.5 lakh. Please advise.          — Nihal Dayanand Todkar.

Go for the Swift diesel. It will be a great first car.

 

Which one is the best engine within the i10 variants: VTVT, VTT or IRDe?         — Sumit Chhatlani

The VTVT; the 1.2-litre engine is more powerful and fuel efficient.

 

I used to be an avid reader when I was staying in Navi Mumbai. Now I stay in Kerala. I am planning to buy a sedan for Rs 6.5-7 lakh (on road). Usage would be 20-25 km a day and occasional long distance drive of 150-200 km. I liked the Toyota Etios. Waiting for your opinion.          — P R Krishnadas

The Etios is a great buy, but the interiors aren’t up to Toyota quality. Other choices are Nissan Sunny and Ford Classic, both of which are value for money.

 

Need your suggestion about buying my first car. Daily usage will be 40 km within city. Should I go for diesel or CNG? Also, is there a multi-fuel option available (CNG + petrol or CNG + diesel)? Are there any issues with a multi-fuel car? Kindly advise.                        — Dharmesh Gangani

CNG + petrol options are available factory-fitted in Wagon R and Chevrolet Beat. They come with full warranty and will suit your needs.

 

Please suggest a value-for-money scooterette for my wife, with good mileage and maneuverability and decent looks. Her daily use would be around 15 km.     — S Rajesh Kumar

The TVS Scooty is a great for women. Else, the Honda Dio. It’s more powerful and a lot easier to manage. Just make sure to test ride both before buying. And helmets on, always.

 

I have noticed that whenever you recommend sedans in the Rs 8-10 lakh range, the Ford Fiesta rarely figures in the list. I have been using Fiesta diesel SXi for the last 4 years and can absolutely swear by it. Any particular reason why it does not figure in your recommendation list?    —Dr Atul Joshi

The old Fiesta, now called the ‘Classic’ was and still is a great buy. In fact, you can see in this very column that we have recommended it numerous times. We even reviewed it with the Skoda Rapid a couple of issues back. It’s the new Fiesta that we don’t recommend too much because it’s pricey and doesn’t offer too much over the competition.

 

Please let me know your opinion between the Wagon R and i10, with with CNG variant.          — Ramanathan Sundaramurthy

The Wagon R has better ease of entry and exit and space and visibility, while the i10 is better in terms of engine and performance.

 

I am confused between Honda Brio and Hyundai i10. Daily use is 100 km including highway and city. Please advise, also on their mileage.       — Vinod Goyal

Why do you want a petrol car if your usage is 100 km daily? Go for the diesel Swift or Skoda Fabia. If its about the joy of petrol ride, then the Brio offers more fun and handles a tad better than the i10. The i10 is a great no-nonsense type of car that will be trouble free but if you are a driving enthusiast, you’ll like the Brio more.

 

I am looking for a cheapest hatchback with automatic transmission, AC and good mileage. Daily use is 15 km. Kindly advise. —Nitin Korlekar

The Maruti A-Star is the cheapest followed by the Hyundai i10. The A-Star feels a little weak, but the i10 handles it quite well, so test drive before deciding.

 

Thanks for the previous suggestions. My friend wants to decide between the Honda Dio and Hero Maestro. He is healthy person, 5.7 ft tall. He wants a comfortable scooter. Please suggest.     — Chander Rupani

The Dio and Maestro are basically the same, so whichever appeals better would be the one to buy. Also look at the 125cc scooters like the Aviator too -- they offer better performance.

 

We face lot of problems in our car due to rats, specifically during monsoon. They damage the engine wiring, sometimes they enter inside and damage seats also. How do I solve this issue?    — Sagar Vilas Mestri

The permanent solution would be to keep your car in a clean and dry place and block any entry points car. Sprinkle rat poison strategically around and inside the car so as to keep them away.

 

I want to buy a bike to go to college. I am 5.10 feet, 95kg. Daily usage will be around 75 km on highway. My budget is up to Rs150,000. I want a comfortable ride, good looks and decent mileage. Am looking at Royal Enfield Classic 350. Please advise.                        — Vikas V Jadhav

The Classic 350 is a great option, and at the other end of the spectrum, the CBR 250R is also another terrific option, but they are different kinds of bikes. Both are comfortable.

 

I am looking to buy a new car and my budget is Rs7.5 lakh. I have considered Swift DZire. Are there other options?                 — Shreyas Sarvaiya

Check out the Ford Classic, the Skoda Rapid and the Nissan Sunny too. They are also great options.

 

I’m planning to buy a car and my priorities are good performance and low maintenance. I have shortlisted the Honda City and Hyundai Verna Fluidic (petrol) from among sedans and Swift diesel and Hyundai i20 among hatchbacks. Please advise.                        — Vedant

If performance is the key criteria, then the Swift diesel comes out on top followed by the Honda City. The others are good cars, but don’t match up in terms of handling.

 

I am planning to buy a car for my family of 5. Budget is Rs5-8 lakh. My favourites are Honda Jazz, Renault Duster and Nissan Sunny. I also open to options from Skoda. First preference is mileage, then looks, performance, maintenance, space, luxury. Looking forward to your suggestions.                — Vikrant Bhalodia

The Duster and the Sunny are your best options. Go for any, you won’t be disappointed.

 

I want to purchase bike and budget is around Rs90,000. Monthly run is 500 km. My requirements are ride comfort in city, low maintenance, value for money. I have shortlisted the Karisma R, Yamaha FZ and Honda Unicorn. My preference is Karizma. I use a Pulsar 150-2002 model now.       — Nilesh Torave.

If you can stretch your budget a little, the new Pulsar 200 NS will be within reach and that’s a bomb of a bike. If you can’t, then go for the Karizma.

 

I want to buy second-hand Bullet which could be 10 to 12 years old. How much should I pay? And where Can I get this?         — Shirish Dixit

Bullets are generally overpriced, so be patient and you will get a bike in the Rs40-50,000 range. Steer clear of the scammers.

 

I want to buy a sports bike. My budget is Rs10-15 lakhs and I have shortlisted the Suzuki GSX R-600, Yamaha R-1 and Kawasaki Ninja. I like Suzuki the most. Please advise.         — Rohit Sawant

Well, 600s aren’t officially available in India, but it will be a great mix of performance and handling for you. If you can get your hands on it, spares and such will not be too difficult to find. Try test riding a Ninja 650 and see if you like it – it’s far better supported here than the others.

 

I am planning to buy a 1.2 litre petrol hatchback with a budget of Rs5 to 5.5 lakh. Usage would be 500 km per month. Looking for good handling, mileage and low maintenance. I plan to keep the car for 5 to 7 years and accommodate 5. Please advise.                        — Amey Utekar

The Hyundai i10 should be your first choice, followed by the Chevrolet Beat and, if budget can be stretched, the Swift.

 

We are a family of three and planning to buy a hatch. Daily usage will be 50 km. Looking for a luxurious and spacious vehicle in a budget of Rs7-7.5 lakh. Please advise.            — Nihal Dayanand Todkar.

Go for the Swift diesel. It will be a great first car.

 

Which one is the best engine within the i10 variants: VTVT, VTT or IRDe?         — Sumit Chhatlani

The VTVT; the 1.2-litre engine is more powerful and fuel efficient.

 

I used to be an avid reader when I was staying in Navi Mumbai. Now I stay in Kerala. I am planning to buy a sedan for Rs6.5-7 lakh (on road). Usage would be 20-25 km a day and occasional long distance drive of 150-200 km. I liked the Toyota Etios. Waiting for your opinion.          — P R Krishnadas

The Etios is a great buy, but the interiors aren’t up to Toyota quality. Other choices are Nissan Sunny and Ford Classic, both of which are value for money.

 

Need your suggestion about buying my first car. Daily usage will be 40 km within city. Should I go for diesel or CNG? Also, is there a multi-fuel option available (CNG + petrol or CNG + diesel)? Are there any issues with a multi-fuel car? Kindly advise.                        — Dharmesh Gangani

CNG + petrol options are available factory-fitted in Wagon R and Chevrolet Beat. They come with full warranty and will suit your needs.

 

Please suggest a value-for-money scooterette for my wife, with good mileage and maneuverability and decent looks. Her daily use would be around 15 km.     — S Rajesh Kumar

The TVS Scooty is a great for women. Else, the Honda Dio. It’s more powerful and a lot easier to manage. Just make sure to test ride both before buying. And helmets on, always.

 

I have noticed that whenever you recommend sedans in the Rs8-10 lakh range, the Ford Fiesta rarely figures in the list. I have been using Fiesta diesel SXi for the last 4 years and can absolutely swear by it. Any particular reason why it does not figure in your recommendation list?    —Dr Atul Joshi

The old Fiesta, now called the ‘Classic’ was and still is a great buy. In fact, you
can see in this very column that we have recommended it numerous times. We even reviewed it with the Skoda Rapid a couple of issues back. It’s the new Fiesta that we don’t recommend too much because it’s pricey and doesn’t offer too much over the competition.

 

Please let me know your opinion between the Wagon R and i10, with with CNG variant.          — Ramanathan Sundaramurthy

The Wagon R has better ease of entry and exit and space and visibility, while the i10 is better in terms of engine and performance.

 

I am confused between Honda Brio and Hyundai i10. Daily use is 100 km including highway and city. Please advise, also on their mileage.       — Vinod Goyal

Why do you want a petrol car if your usage is 100 km daily? Go for the diesel Swift or Skoda Fabia. If its about the joy of petrol ride, then the Brio offers more fun and handles a tad better than the i10. The i10 is a great no-nonsense type of car that will be trouble free but if you are a driving enthusiast, you’ll like the Brio more.

 

I am looking for a cheapest hatchback with automatic transmission, AC and good mileage. Daily use is 15 km. Kindly advise. —Nitin Korlekar

The Maruti A-Star is the cheapest followed by the Hyundai i10. The A-Star feels a little weak, but the i10 handles it quite well, so test drive before deciding.

 

Thanks for the previous suggestions. My friend wants to decide between the Honda Dio and Hero Maestro. He is healthy person, 5.7 ft tall. He wants a comfortable scooter. Please suggest.     — Chander Rupani

The Dio and Maestro are basically the same, so whichever appeals better would be the one to buy. Also look at the 125cc scooters like the Aviator too -- they offer better performance.

 

We face a lot of problems in our car due to rats, specifically during monsoon. They damage the engine wiring, sometimes they enter inside and damage seats also. How do I solve this issue? — Sagar Vilas Mestri

The permanent solution would be to keep your car
in a clean and dry place and block any entry points car. Sprinkle rat poison strategically around and inside the car so as to keep them away.