city 2008 or optra magnum or cedia

   Hi,
        Im planning to buy a car before the end of this year and am really confused between the new honda city, the optra magnum and the mitsubishi cedia. My daily running would be quiet low since i already own a car.
      Also the delivery of the new city is expected in december so does it make sense buying it in december? is it true that honda always hikes its prices in the start of the year, so will we be expecting a price hike of the new city in jan 2009?. My budget cannot be stretched so advicing me the altis would not make sense.
 
Thanks and regards,
Hira Mulchandani
         

Hi,

Since the monthly usuage would be low, it would be advisable for you to go for a Petrol car. The recommendations as per the best of my knowledge are as mentioned below:

First recommendation would be to go for Honda City. Why? Its for the fact that honda engines are the best in terms of technology and ever lasting life. The looks are appreciably gud, the interiors almost the best in its class, the suspensions arent too bad either, spacious and yes FE the best one could ever get from a car of this size( Atleast this holds gud for the City Zx model). For the New City, it is almost untested in terms of FE. So in case you are bothered for FE, go for the City ZX model else the New one.

Second recommendation would be for Optra Magnum. Magnum(P) isnt too popular cause it doesnot sip petrol rather it drinks petrol. The FE of the petrol version isnt that very great otherwise its a class above the rest. Killer looks, great suspensions, decent and spacious interiors are some of its pros.

The last recommendation would be for Cedia. It does have the looks but the looks are to an extent being spoilt by under sized tyres. The interiors too are a bit outdated, cramped leg room and a slightly heavy steering.

Regards,
Rubal

The new Honda city reviews have come out good. Of the 3 cars mentioned, my vote would be for this. In terms of fuel efficiency and resale value Honda is the best. Most dealers would give you a discount in Jan/Feb if you buy a car mfrd the previous year.

The best time to buy is when you need it. Car prices are unpredicatble and normally Honda dealers dont offer discounts. Although if you are planning to finance it, interest rates are expected to reduce in the coming months

thanks guys, i just checked out the new city today. the only dilemma i have is that optra magnum and the new city come with the same price tag but city is a mid segment car and the magnum is of a higher segment.

Hi Hira,

Well u r rite. Optra is a D-segment luxury sedan and Honda is a C- segment sedan. Honda has put an honest effort in putting the New Honda at par with Magnum in terms of segment categorisation.
If in any case though not recommendable you are open to buying a diesel car then you shouldnot think for once but go for Optra Magnum(D). But since the usuage is on the lower side, the petrol vehicle is more suited. Honda stands way ahead of Optra Magnum(P). City is better in each and every aspect as compared to Optra Magnum(applicable for petrol model only). The new honda is much more powerful than the ZX model, has got that arrow like look which looks stunning, the length too has been increased and that USB compatiable MP3 player is a step in the rite direction. Go for Honda buddy.

Regards,
Rubal

Note: Optra Magnum(P) though comes with handsome discounts which makes it cheaper than the new Honda. Corporate discount as applicable on the petrol model of magnum is a whooping 69000/-)

@ hira,

the new city is the car to go for as per ur requirements, it is newer, fresher & much better than the older city. it is spacious, luxurious & bigger too. honda is too good on technology & reliability. it will give u good mileage too.

 

in petrol new honda city is the best buy as it will give u a good resale also when ull sell it.

 

no doubt that optra is very good & segment above but as rubal said it drinks petrol a lot so very heavy on running costs, if u can afford fuel costs than optra makes the sense of buying.

 

but as the current trend suggests, new honda city is better & the car to buy.

This guy Rubal appears to be a HC Sales Guy

@ Rao, Rubal is genuine HC user. Infact, before buying he researched alot and then picked the City.

This is a fact, when it comes to engine refinement, reliability, mileage, brand image & Resale Value.... Honda beats everyone as far as Petrol engines are concern.

As already mentioned by Rubal, Optra Magnum D is better choice instead of Magnum petrol.

@ Rubal, how are you buddy?

People dont change when you tell them that there is a Better option... They change when they realise that there is No Other Option..

Hira, test drive the Fiat Linea diesel. And then decide. Don't worry about the service as the car is very reliable.

I tried this and I had understeer, I tried that and I had oversteer, at the end of the corner I just ran out of talent!