The Automobile Thread

[KunjanPSD]

2 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

Errr have you seen the spike in premium segment sales ? Taxation doesn't seem to deter people from buying cars. 

I am salaried, deters me.

[Bird Bird Bird]

3 minutes ago, KunjanPSD said:

I am salaried, deters me.

 

Doesn't deter the government or most car buyers it seems. I see a lot of whining on this on tbhp and same people keep on buying new cars. 

Atrocious taxation but it is what it is. Just accept that we work for the government. Can't do much. 

[Bird Bird Bird]

19 hours ago, KunjanPSD said:

I am salaried, deters me.

 

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/luxury-car-market-in-india-poised-for-record-year-salaried-luxury-consumers-and-new-offerings-drive-demand-11689099690658.html

 

Best year ever for luxury carmakers, even better than pre Covid. 

[b!T]

20 hours ago, KunjanPSD said:

Govt. just doesn't like public using their hard earned money without paying further tax.

It's seriously hilarious how much of a car's price tag is coming from the tax component.

Why would any new car manufacturer enter India when their offerings will be priced out of range?

They will have to re-engineer and cut down on their offerings or compete in a completely different league.

This killed Polo and will kill many other varinats, Indians will only get strip down versions of the international counterparts.

 

I always knew they f**k us with these taxes but it became ever more clear last month. Bought Skoda Kushaq last month and paid 17.4 on road. Was irritated to see that the actual car price is 10.3 or something and rest are different taxes. 

 

But even with this, even Skoda sells decent amount of cars. Nothing like Maruti, Hyundai, Honda etc though.

Edited July 14, 2023 by b!T

[KunjanPSD]

1 hour ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/luxury-car-market-in-india-poised-for-record-year-salaried-luxury-consumers-and-new-offerings-drive-demand-11689099690658.html

 

Best year ever for luxury carmakers, even better than pre Covid. 

I wonder what component of these sales came from the salaried folk and not from the business guys.

My friend who is running a family biz, has bought a 5 series and A6 over last 2 years in the name of the company and expensed them.

Good for the car makers.

[Bird Bird Bird]

55 minutes ago, KunjanPSD said:

I wonder what component of these sales came from the salaried folk and not from the business guys.

My friend who is running a family biz, has bought a 5 series and A6 over last 2 years in the name of the company and expensed them.

Good for the car makers.

 

I'm guessing most will be biz guys. I was surprised to see the insane number of luxury cars in Tamil Nadu. It is bonkers that most unknown industrialists in and around Coimbatore have 3-5 luxury cars at the minimum. 

Saw tons of them at Coonoor too. 

@Madmage can attest. Those areas are major industrial hubs specialising in niche segments. 

[KunjanPSD]

Which car to get to replace a dying Polo?

Would have loved to just get a new one but VW killed it.

There are parking constraints and my mom doesn't want a compact SUV or anything. She hasn't liked the few cars she tried, nothing compares to Polo.

Any suggestions?

[harsh1387]

1 hour ago, KunjanPSD said:

Which car to get to replace a dying Polo?

Would have loved to just get a new one but VW killed it.

There are parking constraints and my mom doesn't want a compact SUV or anything. She hasn't liked the few cars she tried, nothing compares to Polo.

Any suggestions?

Altroz as it's for your mom. 

Engine will be good enough.

All features. 

5 star safety. 

Looks great. 

A.s.s can be a pain but manageable. 

 

Other than this I don't see any worthy hatchback. 

Edited December 9, 2023 by harsh1387

[playstationdude]

Any recommendations for a car upto 17L? Looking for manual petrol. Was looking at Seltos, Thar, Astor and Elevate, but other recommendations welcome, including sedans.

[Nathan.Drake]

7 minutes ago, playstationdude said:

Any recommendations for a car upto 17L? Looking for manual petrol. Was looking at Seltos, Thar, Astor and Elevate, but other recommendations welcome, including sedans.

Grand Vitara/Hyryder - Zeta variant will cost 16L and is almost same as top end minus the panoramic sunroof

Also how come That ended up being in that category? 🤔

unpopular opinion : if you are considering thar, check out jimny going for massive discount right now. 

 

 

[b!T]

56 minutes ago, playstationdude said:

Any recommendations for a car upto 17L? Looking for manual petrol. Was looking at Seltos, Thar, Astor and Elevate, but other recommendations welcome, including sedans.

 

Do you do offroading? If not 4x4 thar is not worth it and RWD petrol doesn't have manual.

Seltos is a good car and I believe Kia A.S.S is smooth enough. I personally do not like the big a*s grill on elevate but the car is a pleasure to drive. My 65 year old uncle got one and he says it's easier to drive than a scooty  haven't driven astor so no comments on that.

 

I personally drive a Kushaq and if you can deal with VW shenanigans, try it out. The 1.5L variant is just bliss.

 

I test drove hyryder and I don't have any problems with mechanicals, I felt interiors are a bit cheap. Maybe maruthi influence.

Edited December 22, 2023 by b!T

[b!T]

On 12/9/2023 at 10:06 PM, KunjanPSD said:

Which car to get to replace a dying Polo?

Would have loved to just get a new one but VW killed it.

There are parking constraints and my mom doesn't want a compact SUV or anything. She hasn't liked the few cars she tried, nothing compares to Polo.

Any suggestions?

 

No hatchback will ever compare to Polo in India. Your options are Altroz and maybe i20 Nline.

[Sach4life]

If looking for a sedan, slavia is also a lovely option.

[Bird Bird Bird]

1 hour ago, playstationdude said:

Any recommendations for a car upto 17L? Looking for manual petrol. Was looking at Seltos, Thar, Astor and Elevate, but other recommendations welcome, including sedans.

 

Thar exudes that rich assholiness attitude, epitome of "Tu jaanta nahi mera baap....". Definitely get it if you're in Delhi, because there aren't enough Thars or assholes on the road. 

 

/s

Edited December 22, 2023 by Bird Bird Bird

[blitzkreiig]

Just because a certain type of people like to drive the Thar that doesn't mean it can't appeal to others. 

Most chhapris will be on a Duke; most milkmen will be on a Bullet....That doesn't stop them from being some of the best rides amongst the ones available to us.

[AtheK]

Only problem with Thar is, it's a two seater, the back seats are a torture. In addition to that though the engine is a peach, air noise increases as speeds build up. Thar as a primary car means you will need to do some adjustments in your daily driving ways otherwise it is a good car.

 

From the list you mentioned I like Seltos the most on paper, do take a test drive.

[Bird Bird Bird]

1 hour ago, blitzkreiig said:

Just because a certain type of people like to drive the Thar that doesn't mean it can't appeal to others. 

Most chhapris will be on a Duke; most milkmen will be on a Bullet....That doesn't stop them from being some of the best rides amongst the ones available to us.

 

Delhi NCR Thar folks are a special breed. 

[playstationdude]

3 hours ago, Nathan.Drake said:

Grand Vitara/Hyryder - Zeta variant will cost 16L and is almost same as top end minus the panoramic sunroof

Also how come That ended up being in that category? 🤔

unpopular opinion : if you are considering thar, check out jimny going for massive discount right now. 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, b!T said:

 

Do you do offroading? If not 4x4 thar is not worth it and RWD petrol doesn't have manual.

Seltos is a good car and I believe Kia A.S.S is smooth enough. I personally do not like the big a*s grill on elevate but the car is a pleasure to drive. My 65 year old uncle got one and he says it's easier to drive than a scooty  haven't driven astor so no comments on that.

 

I personally drive a Kushaq and if you can deal with VW shenanigans, try it out. The 1.5L variant is just bliss.

 

I test drove hyryder and I don't have any problems with mechanicals, I felt interiors are a bit cheap. Maybe maruthi influence.

 

1 hour ago, Sach4life said:

If looking for a sedan, slavia is also a lovely option.

 

1 hour ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

Thar exudes that rich assholiness attitude, epitome of "Tu jaanta nahi mera baap....". Definitely get it if you're in Delhi, because there aren't enough Thars or assholes on the road. 

 

/s

 

42 minutes ago, AtheK said:

Only problem with Thar is, it's a two seater, the back seats are a torture. In addition to that though the engine is a peach, air noise increases as speeds build up. Thar as a primary car means you will need to do some adjustments in your daily driving ways otherwise it is a good car.

 

From the list you mentioned I like Seltos the most on paper, do take a test drive.

Thanks guys, i think Seltos seems to be a good option. Ill check Kushaq and slavia too.

16 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

Delhi NCR Thar folks are a special breed. 

Purpose was to scare people while driving

Btw ive relocated to Noida, near your place actually 

[abhi90]

9 minutes ago, playstationdude said:

 

 

 

 

Thanks guys, i think Seltos seems to be a good option. Ill check Kushaq and slavia too.

Purpose was to scare people while driving

Btw ive relocated to Noida, near your place actually 

[Bird Bird Bird]

9 minutes ago, playstationdude said:

Purpose was to scare people while driving

I encounter 1-2 special breed of Thar drivers every day while picking up daughter from school, generally near the roads meeting Noida-GN expressway (near Sec 128). Nearly all the drivers look like a cross between Kunal Shah and RK’s looks from Animal and drive like absolute madmen with zero regards to anyone around them. 
Biggest pieces of sh*t psycho drivers on road.