Which car? Maruti A-star, Tata vista Saffire Aura, Tata vista Aqua TDI

Actually, Vista Quardrajet is said to be 'completely new' - not TDi. 

TDi is said to be 'new' for everything except the engine/performance.

Hi guys

What can be done to get power windows for the rear. Since the TDi has just the Aqua model which doesnt have power windows in the rear.

I thought that I would be able to get these negotaited when I book the car. however, to my dismay the sales guy tells me that they wont be able to put the power windows for another 2-3 months. The price he quoted for power windows is 7k

Is this correct that they wont be able to get me power windows? or he is just talking to me knowing my limited knowledge?

Power windows may not the really important thing - but I guess the site of those "chakris" to roll up the windows is depressing.

I almost feel like going for the Vista Saffire Aura - not just for the power windows, but also the CD player.

One more thing, in the vicinity of my area - I have just 1 tata dealer whereas I have almost 4 maruti dealers? So would it be a wise decision to go for a Tata car?

i would like to repeat one of my initial queries:

Given an option between Maruti A-star and Vista Saffire Aura which would be a better car?

I beileve the A-star might give a better mileage,and Vista will give me lots of space and a Fiat engine (is this a good one?). Other places I have read the Vista petrol is "under-powered" and A-star has 3 cylinders << both stuff I actually dont understand much. Will these effect me if I am very safe driver (not much driving knowledge) and would always driver under 75 km/hr?

Please do give me your opionions

PS: just wanted to add - I am really very thankful to you guys for taking out time to share your knowledge with others here in this forum.

actully ur choice of Vista TDi is more dieal than the Saffire!!

Power windows getting from dealer for free is not that easy!! yeh his quote of around 7k rs is right , but i wonder why he told he cant fit now and after 2  - 3 months??

good CD mp3 player with speakers can be put aftermarket from 8krs onwards!! so u got a wide range of selection

A star doesnot offer the space , comfort of that of Vista!! A star is a petrol one and if your usage is around 800 - 900 kms a month then no issues  in going for A star since milage is also pretty good!!

The VIsta TDi engine is not of fiats whereas Quadrajet engine is of Fiats!!

Vista TDi DIESEL would give around 13 kmpl in city and 16 - 17 in highways!!

A star would give around 14 - 15 in city and 17 - 19 in highways!! ( PETROL)

so i feel you shud go ahead with VIsta either TDi or Quadrajet!!

Cheers!!!

The motor on which the Power Windows work are very sensitive - it's always advisable to go for Company fitted.  The dealer may not be having the kit for the present - do not get it fitted from outside, as the performance would not be upto the mark.

Vista Safire (Petrol) has the Fiat engine - good on performance & has plenty of space/comfort.  Mileage would be 11/13 in city & 15/17 on highway.  It's a big/heavy car - better road-grip & ride quality - but it, however, cannot be termed as under-powered. 

A-Star is a small car & is not comparable with the likes of Vista - even technologically (engine etc.).  It would give mileage of 15/16 in city & 19/20 on highway.

Regarding the diesel cars, we have discussed before (previous page) about the difference between Vista QJD & TDi.  QJD & TDi both would give almost same mileage - 16/17 in city & 20/21 on highway (depending upon the driving conditions & style).

There is no problem in going for a Tata car - even if you do not have a dealer locally, as such.  In your case, you have one locally - having 4 Maruti dealers should not be the only criterion for going for a Maruti car.

thank you pankaj, sri.

ok, so I will kick out A-star.

Now coming to Saffire (Aura) and TDi(Aqua) versions the price difference here in mumbai would be 421753/- and 428245/-

Assuming that I will need to get the power windows and the cd player for the TDi at the latter date it will add up roughly another 20k, so the TDi would cost me 448000/-

i also computed the running cost based on an excel provided in another thread (binoy says its not the correct way to compute, but i thought it gives a rough idea). the running cost of the both cars comes about to be the same.

So keeping this in mind, TDi or Saffire?

Running cost wont be the same man!!!

Saffires milage is 11 - 12 in city and 15 - 16 in highways!!

TDi - 13 in city and 16 - 17 respectively!!!

Safire is a petrol version , TDI - diesel!!!

So runniong cost with diesel will owrk out much cheaper since the Price of diesel is around aprox 15 - 16rs cheaper per liter than that of petrol!!!!

Cheers!!

The following is based on the computation I mentioned above:

assuming a monthly running of 1000KM

Petrol per litre: 49

Diesel per litre: 37

Per month cost (petrol): 4083

Per month cost (Diesel): 2896

1 year TCO (petrol): 470414

1 year TCO (Diesell): 484514 (I have added 23k for the rear power window, CD player, other not so relevant aura features like buzzers and stuff)

3 year TCO (petrol): 568414

3 year TCO (Diesell): 552462

The Difference is about 16K over a running of 36,000 KM, so I said that the running just comes about to the same.

Having said that, I know that deciding a car based on FE is not correct. I rather go for an alto then

But I guess i am slightly bending towards the saffire because of the following reasons:

1. Top end model (aura) with all the "features" alreadyin the car - gives a "feel good factor" when the car is delivered

2. Fiat engine though a lower end

3. Running cost almost the same or maybe marginally more, but then a petrol car would be more smoother (i hope)

Let’s take the difference in the cost of the car as 30K (including CD Player etc.).  Now the running-cost (1000 kms p.m.) in case of Petrol would approx. amount to Rs.53500 p.a. (mileage 11).  The same for diesel would work out to 27500 p.a (mileage 16).  A saving of Rs.78000 in 3 years (referred by you).

Even if you deduct therefrom the additional 10% of total maintenance cost etc. (say 5000) & the 30000 extra paid with interest thereon (total 40000), diesel would be cheaper.  Please also note that the diesel car would fetch you higher resale value (say 15/20K in this case). The benefit would increase if you keep the car more – avg. ownership is 5/6 years.

All said & done, Vista TDi is a better car than Vista Safire (also very good).  Diesel cars are very refined these days & are virtually as smooth as petrol ones.

Hi Pankaj, My calculation was based on 13 KMPL for TDi and 12 KMPL for Saffire as in Sri's post. I guess you have taken city mileage for saffire and Highway mileage for TDi.But I understand your point that TDi's running cost would be comparitively cheaper and engine more would be more powerful than Safire.

Yesterday, I wanted to book my car and so I called the dealer. I was told none of the 2008 models are in stock :O and when I asked them when would I get a 2009 model, she mentions that she cannot commit. When I asked her maybe an approx. number of days, then she even refused to say that.Then when I said, there is no point in booking the car now, and I shall wait for another week or so, so she said that the 2009 rates would come out by Monday and the Vista is going to get costly so its best to book it right-away. is that true that Tata motors plan to increase the cost of vechile in these times of recession?

I have taken city mileage for both the cars (as mentioned in post #24)...

• Safire: 11/13 in city & 15/17 on highway.
• TDi: 16/17 in city & 20/21 on highway. 

2009 models (all cars) come only by Jan-end/Feb-beginning.  The prices of all cars are expected to rise marginally.