Delhi

Latest questions answered by experts

Hari Krishna T

I am currently riding a 2022 TVS Ronin RS200, but I am not happy with it because, being a faired bike, it has a lot of issues every 1-2 months on Bangalore roads. I am thinking of switching to a naked bike like the Duke 250 or 250 Adventure. What are the best alternatives available in the 200/250/300 cc segment for daily city commuting and occasional 150-200 km out-of-city touring? Please suggest strong and punchy options that are currently in the market.

Autocar India

•15m

The KTM 250 Duke you have shortlisted will be a good option to step up to, and with its less bodywork than your RS200, you'll likely not run into the same issue again. The quarter-litre Duke is also an entertaining and punchy machine that feels at home both inside the city and out on the highway. In a similiar vein, you could also consider the TVS Apache RTR 310, which will offer you more performance and features, although it will be a little more expensive to buy even in base trim. If you are instead leaning toward an ADV, then you should consider bikes like the KTM 250 Adventure and TVS Apache RTX 300. A test ride of these bikes will help you decide what sort of bike is right for you and which one suits you best.

Shachindra Jha

Tiago or Alto? How should I choose my second budget car at the age of 67?

Autocar India

•56m

If you are looking for a small car that has light and easy controls, the Maruti Suzuki Alto is a good option. It is easy to drive, has a peppy and very fuel-efficient engine. The Alto is also very reliable, and being a Maruti car, it also benefits from a strong service network.The Tata Tiago, on the other hand, is a better option if you want a more spacious car with better interior comfort and a good ride quality. The Tiago is also very safe and has a 4-star Global NCAP rating.Thus, the choice really comes down to what you want from your new car.

Tata Tiago

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Jaswinder Singh

•1w

Wish to buy Scorpio N. How is the resale, and is diesel best?

Autocar India

•1h

Resale value depends on multiple factors such as the age and condition of the vehicle. However, in general, the Mahindra Scorpio N has a very good resale value due to strong demand in the new car space and its good brand value.We would recommend the diesel over the petrol engine as it delivers very well on the performance front but is very refined, and of course, will offer you better efficiency than the petrol.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Allwyn L

•1w

I’m looking to buy a new car within a budget of a maximum of ₹12-13 lakh. My daily commute to the office is approximately 20km, and sometimes I use my motorcycle as well. So, I usually commute by car about three days a week. Please suggest a car suitable for daily city use and occasional long drives of around 1,500km (to Goa), maybe 3-4 times a year. I need ample luggage space, good suspension, comfortable rear seats for elderly parents, and an efficient, reliable car with relaxed and worry-free ownership. I am considering the Kia Carens Clavis, Ertiga, or anything else that meets my needs. Please suggest an automatic, but not the AMT offered by Maruti.

Autocar India

•2h

Considering all your requirements, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki XL6, which is essentially a more premium version of the Ertiga. The XL6 will offer captain seats at the rear, which your parents would find more comfortable than the bench setup in the Ertiga. It also has a more premium look and feel inside.The ride is also comfortable, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine is efficient and paired to a torque converter gearbox which is far smoother than an AMT. The XL6 does not feel lively and peppy, and its setup is more for calm and relaxed driving, but it meets your requirements for good luggage space and worry-free ownership.At you budget, you would get a mid-spec variant which would be equipped with all of the essentials like a touchscreen music system and automatic climate control. We would rule out the Kia Carens as it is only available with a manual option and in a lower trim. Its replacement, the Carnes Clavis, offers the automatic option; however, prices start at Rs 16 lakh.

Aatrey

I own a 2019 Ford EcoSport diesel and am planning to switch to a petrol car, as my daily commute has drastically reduced. Since the EcoSport is a 1.5 TDCi turbo-diesel, I am used to its power and torque. My daily runs will be less than 8km and a maximum of 300km per month. Will such short runs affect a turbo-petrol engine like the one in the Mahindra 3XO (Turbo Multi-Port Fuel Injection)? I have heard it requires a cool-down method of idling for a minute before starting and stopping the engine, which might be cumbersome on a daily basis. I hope there are no DPF-type issues in a turbo-petrol engine with low usage. Please suggest whether I should opt for a naturally aspirated engine with less power and torque to avoid potential problems due to low usage.

Autocar India

•2h

In general, it is a good habit to leave the engine idling for a few seconds before shutting it down. This is because turbos spin at extremely high rpms when driven. Shutting down an engine stops the oil circulation while the turbine shaft is still freely spinning due to inertia. Thus, leaving the engine to idle allows the turbos' revs to come down, while the lubrication system is still on.Earlier, you had to leave turbocharged cars idling for about a minute, but with today's modern engines and advanced lubricants, it is generally recommended to leave them on for just a few seconds. So, you can safely buy a turbocharged car, just remember to shut down after a few seconds while you unbuckle and gather your phone and other items.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Nandu

•1w

As a first-time buyer with a budget of ₹12.5 lakh, I am confused between the Skoda Kushaq Signature and a year-old Citroen Basalt, and would appreciate your advice on which is the better choice.

Autocar India

•3h

The Citroen Basalt is very spacious and offers a more comfortable ride, but the year-old Basalt is poorly equipped. While the new car has made a huge leap forward, the Skoda Kushaq will still feel like the more rounded package, with a better interior fit all around and more features too.

Skoda Kushaq

Citroen Basalt