Low & cheap to maintain – I want to get from home to office to home in a fuss-free and reliable manner.
BHPian iamitp recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Hello BHPians,
I need to replace my ageing and troublesome 2008 Honda City CVT, which I use as a beater car for the 5 km commute from home to office. My office is at one of the Govt. of India buildings in Central Secretariat – full of monkeys and short on parking. Cars are parked in neutral and pushed around to fit. That’s why I don’t get my Creta 2020 to work.
My requirements are as follows:
- Small dimensions – so it is easier to fit in my workplace’s cramped parking space.
- Should comfortably seat me in the driving seat – I am 185 CM and 120 KGs, with a lower back issue. Backseat space and boot space is not a concern.
- Automatic – preferably not AMT.
- 2nd hand, DL registered.
- Low & cheap to maintain – I want to get from home to office to home in a fuss-free and reliable manner.
- Would be nice to have Android Auto & auto folding mirrors.
We’ll be selling off the 2008 Honda City, and I don’t mind putting some more money for the right car. However, I’d like it to be as cheap as possible, while meeting the above criteria.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Here’s what BHPian Ferruccio had to say on the matter:
I am 179 Cms, 98 kgs, use a Nano XTA as my beater car. Its an AMT, the 2 cyl engine is jerky in power delivery and the vacuum servo is so small that it runs out of breath in frequent braking and the AMT is infuriatingly slow when you are reversing. Other than that it is a dream car for the purpose you stated.
Frugal to a fault, gives 14 kmpl even when I try to outrun Lambos and Porsches (one can on bumpy Mumbai roads, the driver’s expressions are priceless), almost a 2 wheeler cost to maintain and the cops will take “I am sorry, I am a new driver” for an answer for most traffic infractions. The AC even at fan speed 1 leaves my nose frozen most of the time.
Bought it for the Missus and 2 daughters to learn to drive, but I’m in love with Jerry (lovingly named by my younger daughter after Jerry the mouse in Tom & Jerry). Kids smile and wave, people on 2 wheelers still turn around and stare, fuel pump attendants invariably tell their newbie colleague to refuel my car and security people never ask me to open the boot, even though my Nano has an openable boot!
If you don’t mind the image of a struggler that comes with owning a Nano, buy a second hand Nano AMT just for a lark. Me thinks you shall end up keeping her.
Here’s what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:
You will have to make do with an AMT. A proper automatic will not lock unless it is in Park. And if the car is in P, it can’t be pushed around.
You can either make do with any manual, or get a basic AMT if you intend to leave your car in neutral for the parking people to push. Hard choice.
My suggestion will be to sell off the ageing Honda and stretch to a Tigor EV. Between the City’s resale and the benefits available to private buyers, especially government employees, it should be workable. Tata EVs don’t have a proper Park mode. They switch off in neutral and can be pushed around a bit if needed.
Here’s what BHPian AkMar had to say on the matter:
Brio, Ignis, pre NIOS Grand i10 are the options off the top of my head.
Ignis is an AMT.
Brio AT may be difficult to find due to poor sales.
Grand i10 AT is a torque convertor AT, had sold in good numbers so should be easier to find. It has decent amount of space, good engine, good quality interiors – overall a competent package. Since your office commute is 5 km, the lower FE should not be of much concern. As far as I remember, the 2018 facelift had introduced Android Auto as well.
Not considering Baleno due to size, Polo GT TSI due to reliability issues. If you can find any 2nd hand Polo 1.0 AT which has the torque converter, you can consider it.
Here’s what BHPian Sarath_ had to say on the matter:
As a 2009 Honda City owner, I ridiculed all other cars especially hatchbacks and then I once had the opportunity to try out the Jazz. I couldn’t wrap my head around the sense of space and adequate power at tap in this so call hatch. But a new one is prohibitively expensive and I would suggest going for a used one as I did.
It will be one of the best decisions. I’m 187cm myself and a lot of cars hate me and refuse to seat me comfortable, more so when there are people to accommodate. So I understand your predicament.
Also I would suggest you get a lumbar support that you can place in the car or office chair as per your convenience and not depend on the seat to be inherently good for the lumbar pain.
Keyword: Need buying advice: Small used beater car for a large man