The budget for the replacement car would be Rs 10-12L for a used model and Rs 18-20L for a brand-new vehicle.
BHPian car_guy1998 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Hello BHP’ians,
We own a 2014 Honda City iDTEC VMT at home, which was purchased “preowned” in 2017 when the odometer was at 35k Kms and has now run nearly 1.7L Kms (1.68L Kms to be precise). In effect, we did 1.33L Kms in 6 years of ownership, and the car is still in good condition, except it needs timing kit replacement, which I’ll be getting during the next service. I recently restored it by getting the whole car repainted and replacing the engine mount and gearbox mount in December 2022. In March 2023, I replaced the tyres. The car has done 23k Km since December 2022 and 12k Km since March 2023.
A year and 33k Km ago, we got the whole suspension overhauled. In 2022, we spent around ₹2L on getting the car refurbished/restored at ASC itself. Since we had sold off our other car (an Innova) more than a year ago, we decided to get this car restored, assuming that we’d be keeping it for another 1-2 years.
We usually sell off our cars within five years or before that, but this is the only car which has been with us for more than five years and selling off this car never come into my parent’s minds yet, even after almost six years of ownership.
To let go of this car, firstly, I need to convince my mom, who is a daily user of this car and drives herself to her office on a daily basis. Whenever I bring up the topic of selling off this car, she tells me to keep my mouth shut as she hates the thought of selling things, and according to her, spending on a new car is just a waste of money. She couldn’t find any reason to let go of this car yet except for needing an AT. But, someday, we should let go of some things for something new. To date, the experience with our Honda City is to fill it, shut it, and forget it.
The reasons I want to let go of this car are:
- Need for AT is increasing daily as my mom suffers from leg issues (her daily commute is 20 km a day, and she has only driven MT cars during her more than two decades of driving). Our City Diesel’s hard clutch is making it feel cumbersome to drive in city traffic, which resulted in us looking for AT this time. The car will usually be driven within city limits, with occasional highway drives once in a blue moon. Our chauffeur, my dad, and I’ll drive this car apart from her.
- Since the car will be turning ten next year, we might be seeing unforeseen or unexpected expenses on this car though the car is running well and the next expense I’d be seeing now is timing kit replacement, which is due at the next service and maybe the car might be requiring 3rd set of the clutch since the 2nd set of clutch has run nearly a lakh Kms (changed during 70k Kms service in 2019).
- In the near future, the car might also see less running, and Petrol would be a preferred option, which is also mom’s choice, as there is not much of a price difference between Diesel and Petrol now though we are still okay with getting a Diesel and, if we get a Diesel car now, this would be the last opportunity for us to enjoy the Diesel torque before it goes extinct and also, gives good FE when compared to Petrol, which is an added advantage.
The budget for City’s replacement would be ₹10-12L if used, and if new, ₹18-20L is the budget, and we don’t want to go beyond that. We are ok with getting any version (sedan or C-SUV).
Any replacement car should be equal or similar to our City regarding rear seat space and comfort as we are spoilt with the comfort and space it offers. The FE of our City Diesel has spoilt us (it gives no less than 18 Kmpl in city traffic, even though the car has run nearly 1.7L Kms on the odo) but, since the car will be driven 20 Kms a day, FE will not be much of an issue and anything above 9-11 Kmpl in city traffic will be fine.
Which car can replace our City Diesel?
But, the purchase will take some time since we have to get a primary car for my Dad first (City is the only car at home for now after we sold off our old Innova more than a year ago and had a VW Taigun 1L TSI MT for a brief period, which we returned as nobody liked this car and, we found we could manage with one car).
Here’s what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:
The Gen4 diesel City, for its lack of refinement and underhand cost cutting, is still a terrific urban commuter. Superbly reliable, cheap to run, light controls and good ride at low speeds, it has its merits.
Incidentally, your car is the same model as mine, is of the same vintage, and has done about the distance too!
It is obvious that your car needs a new clutch. That will make it a lot nicer to drive. But then, the 33000km old suspension will start losing its edge soon.
As for alternatives for a new car, there are only two like-for-like replacements – the City hybrid and the Hyryder/Grand Vitara hybrid. No petrol car can match the running costs of the iDTEC, and diesel cars no longer exist in this segment. From personal experience, once you are used to 18kmpl, 10-12kmpl becomes painful. All hybrids are automatic by default and are currently having zero road tax in many states.
If you are OK to forego the fuel efficiency, then simply go for the current Gen5 City in its CVT guise. Alternative option is Verna 1.5 IVT.
Here’s what BHPian 07CR had to say about the matter:
You talked a lot about how the City was primarily used by your mom, but by the last paragraph, I got a little confused. Next car that you would buy would be for your mom or dad, or the same car would be used by both?
In case the use case and requirements remain the same which were for your mom, then I would suggest the following-
Used
- Amaze diesel CVT seems a great deal. You would find a 2-year-old at around 9-10L.
- Amaze Petrol CVT
Brand new
- Sonet DCT/Diesel AT
- Updated Seltos
- Verna IVT
- City V CVT
Here’s what BHPian Clown Prince had to say about the matter:
It truly is a pinched situation. We got so many cars in range but no car that can be considered a good upgrade. As others suggested I will also say your best options are hybrids.
Go for either city hybrid or Hyryder hybrid. Updated Seltos also is a good option. BS6 Diesels are prone to DPF issues, so my recommendation would be to stick with hybrids.
Here’s what BHPian shyampsunder had to say about the matter:
Apart from the usual comments about EVs, from a comfort POV, one-pedal driving in cities is a boon. Brakes are used only as an exception.
I have been driving the ZS EV extensively in Bangalore traffic and one-pedal driving with auto hold is a godsend in very slow-moving traffic.
If going with EV, just ensure you at least have the capability of adding 15A plug point in the office or home.
Ultimately, since it is your mom driving, give the highest preference for her driving experience and comfort. Costs come later in my opinion.
Keyword: Why I want to sell our well-kept City iDTEC: Worthy upgrade options