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Virtual Mechanic

Car and bike questions? We have the answers


I use a Maruti 800 deluxe and Maruti Alto and want to buy another small car. I have short-listed the Chevrolet Spark, Wagon-R and Zen Estilo. I like the Spark. A new entrant, I am not sure how well it performs. My wife will use this car and she drives less than 40km per day. I want a car that will offer maximum comfort, driving pleasure and good performance.

Surender Pasupuleti

The Spark is a very good car for city use; the seats are a bit firm though. Alternatively, the new i-10 is a good choice as well. It is comfortable, spacious and relatively peppy and fuel efficient as well.

I want to buy a SUV for less than Rs 12 lakh and am not interested in the Getaway. I also want to buy a luxury car costing between Rs. 15-30 lakh. My priorities are ground clearance, fuel economy and excellent after-sales service. I want to know the best SUV and luxury vehicle I can get for my budget. I do not mind extending my budget by Rs 10 lakh for the luxury car.

Prashanth

At 12 lakhs, you don’t have much choice other than the Scorpio or the Safari. Both have undergone an engine upgrade. If you want space, it’s the Safari but the quality isn’t that great. If you want to drive in the city, then the Scorpio’s compact dimension make it a better bet. But if we had to choose, it would be the Scorpio 2.2. Ideal car to buy in the Rs. 15 lakh-30 lakh price range is the Passat. But if you want ground clearance, then an SUV would be a good idea. The CR-V makes a good case for itself; it’s got the ground clearance and drives like a car.

I want to buy a small car and my budget is Rs 4 lakh-5 lakh. I am looking for fuel efficiency and as my father will also drive the car, the visibility from the driver’s seat should be good. I have short-listed the Chevrolet Spark, Zen Estilo and Wagon-R Duo. I like the Wagon R as it can be run on LPG as well. What is your opinion?

Shyam

From the cars short-listed, it has to be the Spark. But do give the new i-10 a look, it is spacious and suits your requirements. Yes, the Wagon-R is the only one which offers a factory fitted LPG system, but you can also have one fitted on whichever car you buy.

I want to purchase an SUV with an automatic gearbox. What are my choices? I also own a 2005 Honda City (Automatic) and want to sell it. How much should I expect for it?

C Chandy

Your choices are the CR-V which would be the cheapest to buy, and then, as you go up on the price range, you could get a Land cruiser Prado, XC-90, X5 and the M-Class. The Honda City should fetch you about Rs 6-6.3 lakh in Mumbai, depending on the condition.

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