The Maruti Suzuki Swift is a strong contender in your budget. It’s fun and engaging to drive while maintaining a comfortable ride quality. The only drawback is its new 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, which is efficient but lacks some of the punch that would have made the Maruti Swift a complete package. If you’re open to considering a compact SUV, the Skoda Kushaq (manual, in its lower two variants) is also an excellent option. Its turbo-petrol engine is punchy, and the ride and handling balance are among its biggest strengths. It’s also highly practical, offering ample space for four adults and a large boot. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts Latest questions Asked by: Shekhar Kumar I am a 47-year-old male (5 ft 9 in, 85 kg) looking to buy a long-term, reliable, strong and powerful scooter. My daily city commute is about 15-20 km, and my budget is up to ₹1.5 lakh. I am currently considering the TVS Ntorq 150, TVS Jupiter 125, Suzuki Access 125 and Honda Activa 125. Are there any other scooters I should consider? Please advise. The TVS Ntorq 150 is the most powerful scooter in your shortlist, and it will also be the most fun to ride. It is also the most feature-packed, with a TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, riding modes and a host of other features. The TVS Jupiter 125 is a more practical option, with plush ride quality and a huge 33-litre underseat storage space. The Suzuki Access 125 is a family scooter with peppy performance that should be very reliable and fuel-efficient, too. The Honda Activa 125 doesn't have any one standout feature, but is a proven package you can't really go wrong with.Take a test ride of all four so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. Asked by: Saravanan Mani I currently ride a 9-year-old Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 and want to upgrade to a new bike for daily commuting. I’m 6 ft tall and weigh 100 kg, so comfort and good suspension for rough roads are priorities. I need a bike that returns at least 30 km/l and suits a 25 km daily commute. My budget is ₹2.5 lakh. Please suggest suitable options. Since your priorities are comfort, mileage and spacious ergonomics, here are some options you can consider. Given your long-standing relationship with the Thunderbird, something similar to it from the Royal Enfield stable would be the Meteor 350, which is a genuinely usable cruiser on our roads. However, its siblings - the Bullet 350 and Classic 350 - are more comfortable due to their upright riding positions, and those would be our recommendation. You can also look at any of the Honda CB350 models because all are comfortable, smooth and spacious bikes which will serve you well. Another option you can consider is the Hero Xpulse 210. It is going to be the most comfortable machine of all the ones recommended here. Although, do bear in mind it is only sold through the fledgling Hero Premia dealer network. Also, it has some engine reliability issues which have been cropping up of late. Asked by: Gaurav Gupta I am planning to buy a BMW M340i for long-distance trips into wildlife reserves, as I have a strong interest in wildlife. I have two concerns, one is the E20 petrol. The M340i engine is a high-compression engine and needs high-octane fuel. With E20 petrol now available across the country, will this cause any issues for my engine? The other worry is the low tyre profile on bad roads, which may lead to punctures. Do give me your best advice. On E20 fuel, you don’t have to worry at all. In fact, you should be happy because the base octane rating for E20 fuel has jumped from 91 octane to a minimum of 95 octane or even higher. Hence, this suits the 11.0:1 compression ratio of the M340i’s B58 engine, and now, instead of hunting for high-octane fuel, you can use fuel anywhere, as you are now assured of 95 octane.A bigger concern are the low profile tyres, which are staggered with 245/45 R20 in front and an even lower 275 / 40 R20 at the back. This could be a problem on bad roads, where the tyres could be vulnerable to impact damage.One way to protect the tyres against punctures, but not guaranteed, is to pump up the tyre pressure by about 3-4PSI to make the sidewalls stiffer. This reduces the flex in the sidewalls and makes them more resistant to impact damage, but quite honestly, the BMW M340i is not a car we would take into the jungle! View all questions Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts
