•19h

Subject: Seeking the Ultimate "Forever" Car for a Purist Garage Dear Autocar Team, I am a hardcore automotive purist looking to make a very special milestone purchase. I want to buy a car solely for the absolute joy of driving - a mechanical machine that will put a smile on my face decades from now. My goal is to find a definitive enthusiast car that possesses the reliability, emotional character, and timelessness to be a lifelong companion in my garage. I want to buy this car brand new and never sell it; it will stand as a symbol of my hard work and achievements so far. To give you a picture of my current garage, my daily drivers are a Mahindra BE6 and a Toyota Innova Hycross. My absolute maximum budget is Rs. 3 Crores. The shortlists currently on my radar are the BMW M2 manual, the Land Rover Defender 90, and the base Porsche 911 Carrera. I am also entirely willing to wait until 2027 if there is an upcoming launch that stands out as an absolute keeper with future-classic potential. Given these choices, which route would you recommend for a true "forever" car? Looking forward to your expert guidance and recommendation. Best regards, Brijesh Devareddy Chennai

•19m

Go for the Porsche 911 Carrera, because nothing else on your list blends pure driving feel with decades-long heritage and timelessness the way a 911 does. It is the rare sports car you can enjoy driving hard, keep stock, and still use as a daily driver. The flat-six, the steering, and that rear-engined balance make even a slow drive feel special, and it will still look and feel “right” when everything else has dated. It fits within Rs 3 crores, leaving room for a few choice options. Plus, Porsche will support this iconic sports car well beyond this generation's life cycle.

The M2 manual does sound like more bang for your buck, but it won’t age into a forever icon the way a 911 will, and though the manual is involving, in the long run, it's more trouble than it's worth. The Defender 90 is lovable, but it is a heavy off-road toy, not the car you’ll reach for when you want that last 5 percent of driver joy. If you can fit it into your forever-car budget alongside the 911, there's nothing like it.

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More questions on similar cars

•23h

I own a 2017 Honda City Petrol VX CVT. Is it E20 compliant or compatible with higher ethanol blends? Also, what would be a good upgrade now, considering this is likely to be my last car purchase?

•1h

A 2017 Honda City Petrol CVT is E10 compliant, but it is not E20 compliant. That said, we wouldn't be overly concerned. Even if India gradually moves towards higher ethanol blends, the transition will take time, and there is currently no official roadmap for E25 or E30 fuels. Occasional use of higher ethanol blends is unlikely to cause immediate problems, though some fuel-system components may wear a little faster over a very long period.If this is likely to be your last new car purchase, we'd recommend choosing something that is comfortable, reliable and easy to own over the long term. If your budget allows, the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid would be our top recommendation. It offers outstanding comfort, excellent fuel efficiency, Toyota's proven reliability and should remain a dependable family car for well over a decade.If you're looking for something smaller, the Kia Seltos Petrol IVT is another excellent option. It combines a refined petrol engine, smooth automatic gearbox, a premium cabin and a strong ownership experience, making it one of the best all-round SUVs in its class.

Toyota Innova HyCross

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•21h

Which is the better EV overall between the Tata Curvv EV 55kWh Accomplished X and the Tata Harrier EV 65 Adventure S? The price difference is around Rs. 6 lakh. I currently own a Tata Tiago, drive around 1,000km a month in the city, and now want to upgrade. Please suggest which is the better overall product with better fit and finish.

•2h

Since you already have a Tata Tiago and your monthly running is only around 1,000km, there isn't an urgent need to upgrade immediately. The Tata Sierra EV is expected to launch within the next month and is likely to share its battery pack and powertrain with the Harrier EV. That means you could get very similar performance and range in a different package, giving you one more strong option to evaluate before making your purchase.Between the two cars you've shortlisted, the Harrier EV is undoubtedly the more premium product. It offers a more spacious cabin, better ride comfort and a more upmarket feel. However, whether it is worth spending an additional Rs 6 lakh over the Curvv EV 55 Accomplished X depends on how much you value the extra space and premium experience. From a pure value-for-money perspective, the Curvv EV makes a strong case.

Hi Team, I have a Ford Fiesta Diesel and am planning to exchange it for a VinFast EV. Would you recommend going ahead with this option? My monthly usage is around 1,000 km.

•20h

Go for the VinFast VF6 if you can install a home charger - at 1,000 km a month, you’ll save a lot over diesel, and your daily runs will be quieter and smoother. That usage suits an EV well, because one or two top-ups a week will cover you, and you’ll sidestep the diesel emission filter and clutch hassles that crop up in traffic as a Fiesta ages.The VF6 is the sensible pick here because it is compact enough for city parking but still feels modern and comfortable, and running costs will be far lower than your diesel. The larger VF7 only makes sense if you truly need more space or do frequent long highway days.A point to consider is that VinFast’s dealer in India is still growing, so make sure you have a dealer close by. As an option, you can consider the Hyundai Creta EV, which is a very sorted electric car and backed by a wide dealer network.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•5d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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•1w

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•3d

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

•6d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

•4d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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