Mumbai

•3d

Hi team, I live in Pune and am planning to buy a Harley-Davidson X440T from the HD 2 Rivers dealership. However, they are not allowing me to conduct a PDI of the vehicle, saying that it is not permitted by the company. They want me to make the full payment and register the motorcycle in my name first, after which they will deliver it within 10 days of payment. Can you tell me whether a company can legally deny a customer a PDI? If not, what can I do in this situation? I want to be completely sure about the product I am getting, as PDI is an important part of the vehicle-buying process nowadays. Please suggest what I should do.

•3m

You are absolutely right to insist on a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) and to be cautious about the process. A PDI is a standard part of the vehicle delivery process and is meant to ensure that the vehicle you are receiving is in perfect condition before registration and final delivery. There is no company policy from Harley-Davidson that prohibits a customer from inspecting their vehicle before registration. This is more likely a dealership-level practice, possibly to streamline their own processes.

Our advice would be to push back firmly. Ask the dealership to show you the specific written policy from Harley-Davidson India that prohibits customer PDI before registration. If they cannot produce one, escalate the matter to Harley-Davidson India customer care and explain the situation clearly. You can also request that the dealership allow you to inspect the vehicle in their yard or PDI area before registration, even if it is not a full formal PDI. If the dealership remains uncooperative, it is worth considering another dealership in Pune, as this is not standard industry practice.

Ultimately, you are the customer, and you have every right to be completely satisfied with the product you are buying. Do not let the dealership pressure you into skipping a basic ownership safeguard.

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•3d

I recently learned how to drive and am planning to buy a car that I intend to keep for the next 9-10 years. My budget is Rs. 15-18 lakh on-road. I prefer a petrol car because my daily running is around 35 km, along with weekend trips with my family. My family members already own a Tata Nexon, so I would prefer something different rather than buying another Nexon. Please suggest the best petrol cars within my budget, keeping in mind: Long-term reliability and maintenance, comfortable family use and weekend highway trips, good fuel efficiency, automatic transmission, if possible, and safety and ease of driving for a new driver Features that will remain useful over the next 9-10 years I am particularly confused about whether I should prioritize a 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Is it actually worth choosing a car/variant specifically for the 360-degree camera, or can I manage with a normal rear camera and parking sensors? I would appreciate a practical recommendation.

•7h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT. It is the most sensible long-term choice for your requirements. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, reliable, and easy to live with, and the CVT automatic is one of the most seamless and stress-free transmissions for city driving. This Honda car is also well suited to weekend highway trips, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin that works well for family use. Honda’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs makes it a strong 9-10 year ownership proposition, and the car is easy to drive with good visibility and light controls, which is important for a new driver.On the 360-degree camera question: it is a useful feature, but it is not essential. A good rear camera and parking sensors are more than adequate for everyday parking and manoeuvring, especially as you build confidence. It is not worth compromising on the overall car choice just to get a 360-degree camera.If you want something a bit more feature-rich, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good alternative. This Mahindra car offers more equipment and a more premium feel, but the Honda Elevate remains the more sensible long-term ownership choice.

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•2d

Hi, I am currently using a 2021 Maruti S-Presso manual and am planning to upgrade to a new car. I am looking for a sub-4-metre SUV with an AMT. My budget is Rs 10-12 lakh. My annual usage is around 6,000 km, with 60% highway driving and 40% driving in Chennai city. I also plan to take one or two solo trips each year. Please suggest a good car with low maintenance, good mileage, and strong safety.

•4h

Given your usage of around 6,000 km a year with a 60% highway bias, consider the Skoda Kylaq or Mahindra XUV 3XO, both of which are available with powerful turbo-petrol engines and smooth 6-speed torque converters (automatic). Both these cars are excellent highway cruisers too, and if you maintain steady speeds, they will return respectable fuel efficiency too.Alternatively, you could consider the Kia Sonet HTK (O) DCT too. It is a very polished offering, and compared to the Mahindra and Skoda, it will be a bit more efficient too.

Hi Team, I have a Kiger Turbo CVT RXZ, the top model, which I bought in 2023. I’m now planning to move to a 7-seater by next year. My usage is quite low, around 100 km per week. However, I also take long family trips of around 600-800 km one way once every quarter. Which car should I consider waiting for, given that my priorities are long-distance comfort and decent fuel economy? I also wanted to know whether I should sell my Kiger or keep it as a secondary car for temporary or short-distance use. Or would it make more sense to sell the Kiger and buy a new 7-seater? Please suggest. Thanks!

•8h

With your usage pattern of around 100 km a week and quarterly long trips of 600-800 km one way, a petrol 7-seater is the right direction. The Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 turbo petrol automatic is the best fit for your needs. This Kia car offers a comfortable ride, strong performance and a spacious cabin, making it well suited for long family trips. The petrol engine is also a better fit for your running than diesel, given your relatively low annual mileage.On the Renault Kiger, it makes sense to sell it and put the money towards the new 7-seater. Keeping two cars for your usage pattern is not financially efficient, and this Renault car is still relatively new, so you will get a better resale value now than if you wait another year or two. The Carens Clavis is also relatively compact and can comfortably handle both your city and highway needs, so there is no strong case for keeping the Kiger as a secondary car.Go for the Carens Clavis petrol now and sell the Kiger. It is the most sensible and hassle-free solution for your usage.

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•4d

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•4d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•4d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•6d

We are planning to upgrade from a Hyundai i10 to an automatic petrol compact SUV under Rs 14 lakh. We have shortlisted the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT and Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT. We liked the Venue, but we are not sure about the maintenance cost of its DCT gearbox.

•4d

Yes, dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are more complex and can be expensive to repair if something goes wrong. That said, the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT is quite well-sorted. However, do keep in mind that if you drive a lot in stop-start traffic, it might not feel as smooth as a torque converter.The Skoda Kylaq AT uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is far better suited to Indian conditions. It is smoother, and the Kylaq is more engaging to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-balanced chassis. Overall, the Skoda car seems to be the safer and more sensible choice for you.

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