Should I buy a second-hand car, or go for a new budget-friendly Maruti car for my parents?

Autocar India

•21w

Yes, these days it’s quite easy to find well-maintained used cars that aren’t too old and don’t have major issues.

If you’re on a tight budget, the used car market gives you far greater choice compared to buying a new car. You can often move a segment or two higher for the same price.

You can check out Spinny.com, where all used cars go through a 200-point inspection and come with a warranty for greater peace of mind

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹7.07 Lakh

Got a suggestion for Mariam?

Add a Comment

More questions on similar cars

B P Jyrwa

•1w

I own a Ford Figo Aspire 2016 petrol model. Please suggest a compact sub-4 metre car as a replacement. My budget is ₹8-9 lakh, and the car will run mostly in the city.

Autocar India

•2d

There is a wide range of sub-4m cars available in your budget. We've listed the best city cars for each body style:1) Hatchbacks: Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza 2) Compact sedans: Maruti Suzuki Dzire3) Crossover/compact SUV: Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Citroen C3

Vihari

Hi, I am upgrading from a Tata Vista Quadrajet. My usage will be mostly within the city, with drives of up to 20 km at a stretch. Occasionally, my family of four goes on 3–4 day trips to nearby hill stations, which involve steep inclines and sharp bends. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos 2026 and possibly the Tata Sierra. Please advise on the best engine variant and transmission that would offer a comfortable and pleasant driving experience. Also, would choosing a diesel automatic be a bad decision, considering I am willing to pay an additional ₹1.5–2 lakh?

Autocar India

•23h

For your usage, which is largely short in-town drives with occasional hill trips carrying family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic is the most suitable choice. It offers a very smooth and easy driving experience, especially in stop-go city conditions, with light controls and seamless power delivery that will feel far more relaxed compared to your current Vista. On hill drives, while it may need to be worked a bit harder on steep inclines, it has enough power and is easy to manage.A diesel automatic is not a bad choice, but in your case, it is not the most ideal fit. With mostly short city runs of around 20km, modern diesel engines can sometimes require longer, sustained drives to maintain optimal health, and you may not fully utilise the diesel’s strengths. The extra cost also becomes harder to justify given your usage pattern.The turbo petrol with DCT is another option, but for your kind of driving, it is not the best fit either. Dual-clutch automatics can feel less smooth at low speeds, in crawling traffic, and in hilly conditions; they require a bit more care.So, overall, the petrol IVT strikes the best balance of smoothness, ease of driving and long-term peace of mind. If you are also considering the Kia Carens Clavis, it could be worth a look for its added practicality. But if you specifically want an automatic petrol, you will have to opt for the turbo petrol with DCT, as the 1.5 naturally aspirated engine is offered only with a manual transmission.

Kia Carens Clavis

verma

•6d

Hi, I currently own a 2022 Toyota Innova Crysta B6 diesel automatic, and my usage is quite low at around 400–500 km per month. Please suggest whether I should sell the car or continue using it. Also, if I decide to upgrade, which new car would you recommend that offers a similar size and comfort?

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage of just 400-500 km a month, it makes more sense to hold on to your Toyota Innova Crysta diesel automatic. It already offers the space, comfort and reliability you are looking for, and with such low running, you are unlikely to benefit financially from switching to a new car. The cost of upgrading will be significantly higher than any savings or advantages you gain, especially since your current car is still relatively new.That said, with low usage and mostly short drives, you should ensure the car gets an occasional longer run to keep everything in good condition.If you are still considering a change, it should be more for a different experience rather than a direct replacement. The Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is the closest alternative in terms of size and practicality, while offering a more modern cabin and a smoother petrol-hybrid driving experience that suits low running better.So, unless you specifically want newer features or a different driving experience, it is best to continue with the Crysta, as it already fits your needs very well.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova HyCross

View all Posts