New driver, Planning to buy a car for short term

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a car in next 3-4 months. I've following considerations while zeoring on the car:

1. I'm a new driver. So for the initial year or so, a less powerful car will do
2. Daily commute somewhere around 60-65 Kms in Kolkata
3. Lower ownership cost
4. Will surely replace the car in 2-3 years. Will opt for a more powerful car then

I've zeroed in on Tata Indica V2 DLE/DLS for purely economical reason.

Please help me choose a car on above 4 points.

Thanks a lot in advance.

That looks like a nice choice-reliability and poor resale are the only small drawbacks.

Though power is in engine, the control is in our Hand, or rather in our leg. So it is not the issue wether you are driving a powerful car or M-800. If you drive carelessly you can have serious accidnet in M-800. As you are driving in city, your speed is automatically controlled by the Traffic. Thouhg your choice is good, I m against the idea of selling the car in 2-3 years, because it will blow your pocket heavily, specifically Indica V2. If you are confident in driving, and can afford, go for Vista QJD and keep the car for 6-7 years. This is my idea. Your idea is not bad, but very costly.

All the best.

Manish, Welcome to CarWale Forums!

Do NOT go for a used or smallish car, unless you are hopelessly out of budget -

1. I would HATE to sit in a crummy car for a full 2 hours daily for the 60 / 65 km commute. (let me know whether my estimates of Kolkata traffic condition are accurate ). Lack of cruising comfort is one way to start hating your commute and cars in general. Investing in a new car will make the commute a pleasure and would make you look forward to the commute rather than dreading them.

2. A smallish 'economy version' car means that AC will be insufficient/absent - will that be OK for hot, humid weather like Kolkata?

3. A small car will be light, low on safety (particularly if it is something like M800), so beware.

4. Power steering, brake assist will be very helpful in long commutes, otherwise you will be a good model for 'Revital' ads by the end of commute daily! For a novice driver, all these assist features will be very good to use.

5. All smallish budget cars are petrol. You would do well with a Diesel, given your long daily commute.

6. With heavy use, an old car will show its age every now and then, leading to frequent repairs and part replacements.

So the bottom line is, if you have the money, spend it where it will serve you, rather than keeping it in the bank and leading a dogs life. Bhavin's suggestion about Vista Quadrajet is very appropriate here, it is a very good VFM car with a superb, fuel efficient and powerful engine.

I am sincerely sorry if there is indeed a budget constraint, and the above translates to rubbing salt into your wounds. In that case, I would recommend using a charter bus / public transport.

I know I am a bit off-topic, and am expecting rebuttals. Go ahead guys, correct finetune my response...

My bottom line stays the second last para above, and I expect an overall agreement on that.

LOLS....I guess you are all set geared up at the goal post with arms stretched.

Your post #5 inspired me to write something.

Jokes apart,

I agree to points 1 & 2 in general. AC is something very important(unless you drive without AC). I learnt its significance after coming to hyderabad. Alternative way would be to drive(for a long time in your usual route) and see if you are comfortable with it as views and perspectives differ. For me I am more comfortable driving an alto/800 in bumper to bumper traffic. I would rate the 800 best in this(maybe because of its gear ratios).

3. In a place with lots of traffic, safety doesnt matter as the speeds of most cars would be quite low. The only nuisance would be from the bikers, on that aspect a cheap car would be better.

4. Personal choice. Having used a car without power steering I can say that it can be given a pass. In a small car like 800, there isn't much need for the same. Having said so, power steering is a pleasure to have but not mandatory.

5. You can make use of the torque with the diesel car.

6. While buying a second hand car there is always a risk. My friend's 800 that I use in hyderabad has never given me any trouble till now. In the end it is all about luck. On a safer side it is always better to stretch and get a new car if possible (unless you get an old car from a reliable source).

Keeping the money in the bank - I am totally with you on that. I hate keeping money in the bank (maybe because I dont have much)

Bottom line: I would suggest 800(second hand or new), it is a hassle free car. Nice car to drive for a first timer.

PS: Take all my statements in a ligher way. I apologize if I am going too much off-track. Comments/rebuttals are welcome.

---EDIT---

My views applies for a car to be driven solely in city.

Guys Guys Guys,

Did I ever mentioned I plan to buy a old car??? I just want a car with decent mileage 14-15 would do.. dont need those 8-9 lac cars giving 20-23 mileage...

On the replacement part, i agree, replacing in 2-3 years would be expensive..but that was just a thought on my mind.. may be I wss thinking aloud...

budget is not that much of a constraint.. I can strech my budget and buy a Swift VDi.. but I tend to get stuck with good things in life.. I dont want to buy a nice car now and waste a year or so learning nuances of driving on it... So, by the time I'm an expert to vroom at 120 kmph with confidence, the car is already 2 years old and may not deliver that kind of punch.. but since I bought a nice car, I may have to continue with it for say another 3-4 years and then opt for a change..

so all these thoughts are also playing on my mind

Apologies. Second hand cars weren't the main point of discussion it was mostly about small cars.

Do post the no. of ppl who would travel in the car.

I guess you needn't worry too much about buy a good car and keeping it with for long, just because you are a beginner. I would just take you 2-3 months at the max to be a good driver.

The power/punch in the car after 2 years would totally depend on how well you maintain your car.

Looking at your usage Swift diesel or Vista QJD are the best options. They would work out well for you wallet also. Both cars can be held for 4-5 years. Their engines will let you VROOM also.

Yeah... went on a tangent. Sorry for that, Manish. Now that it is clear that there isn't any serious budget constraint, go for a new car, a VFM diesel like Vista Quadrajet.

There is nothing wrong in buying a good car in the first go. I literally hired a driver to bring home my newly-bought-old-car. Let it be parked for a couple of days, as I lacked confidence to drive even on the deserted, wide, beautifully tarred road in my town. Slowly one day took it out, remembering lessons learnt two years ago, and took it up from there. From then on I have logged 20k km on the car, and last October took it for a 1700 km round trip that we completed in three days flat.

It was only when I drove an Omni, that I realized how much my car protected me and helped my newbie car owner avatar. I would have dreaded getting into a 'driving school style' tinpot car, and would have tended to make accidents rather than protect the car because of the mentality a 'trial car' breeds.

Pickup, power and smoothness only depends on maintenance, so don't worry on that count.

@ Manish, As suggested by everyone, Test Drive Vista Quadrajet! Really a very nice diesel car with very good space/comfort.

@ Krishna, nice write-up specially If you have the money, spend it where it will serve you rather than keeping it in the bank