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Car and bike questions? We have the answers
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I am planning to buy a saloon and my budget is Rs 6.5 lakh. I drive around 75km daily in city traffic and occasionally make a few outstation trips. The car needs to have a good driver’s seat with ample head and legroom. It should be able to seat three passengers comfortably in the rear, good legroom and offer a decent mileage. I have considered the Hyundai Verna Xi, Maruti SX4 VXi, Tata Indigo DiCOR, Ford Fusion Plus and the Mahindra Renault top-end model. Please help me choose the best or suggest any other car that suits my requirements.
Biji Joseph
Since you drive 75km daily, a diesel car is a better choice as it would offer a huge cost benefit over a petrol car. For your requirement of a good driver’s seat and space for three passengers at the rear, you need a very spacious car. The Logan is a good choice. Go for the diesel version as it is one of the most practical cars in the market. If you want a more exciting car, then go for the Maruti SX4, but be prepared for huge fuel bills.
I had purchased a Chevrolet Optra Royale last year. The fuel efficiency with the air-conditioner on is 8kpl (in the city) and 17kpl (highway). I want to know the reason for the huge difference in the figures. Can the efficiency in the city be improved? Why is the resale value of this car poor?
Abhik Coomer
Eight kpl in the city is a typical figure for the Optra, especially as the average speed in cities has dropped with increasing traffic. Try increasing tyre pressures by around 2psi. This would give you a marginal improvement in efficiency, but the ride comfort would become a bit harsh.
The best way to improve efficiency is to consciously adopt a careful driving style, which means gingerly pressing the accelerator! Don’t lug the engine and don’t rev it too much. You will be amazed at the results you will get. The highway figure you have achieved is quite impressive. As demand for new Optras is poor, resale values are poorer.
I am 23 and keen on buying a 150cc bike which has good looks, performance and ride quality. Can you advise me? I am using a Bajaj CT100 and happy with it. I do not mind waiting for any new bike being launched soon.
Santosh Meher
Comparison tests have found the Hero Honda Hunk to be India’s best all-round 150cc model motorcycle today. The Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTS-i offers the most features, good specifications and comfortable ride quality. The Honda Unicorn offers unmatched refinement and the smoothest engine performance, while the TVS RTR 160 is a sporty bike with the quickest performance in the segment. Choose the one depending on your requirements.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Pondicherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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