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S. Muralidhar

I WANT to buy a car in the mid-size C-segment. With a budget of about Rs 5.5 lakh, I have narrowed down my options to the new Maruti Suzuki Esteem VXi (petrol) and the Tata Indigo GLX (petrol). I am going to use the car in Mumbai with a monthly average running of around 400 km. Considering Mumbai's driving conditions I request your advice on the final choice. I am looking for a car that is reliable, high on mileage and is easy to maintain. It should also have good resale value.

Rajesh Master

All the four considerations that you have listed point clearly to the Maruti Esteem as being the better choice. Feature-for-feature, the Tata Indigo GLX may offer more than the Esteem VXi, but the long-term running costs will be lower from better mileage and lower spare-part costs. This entry-level Maruti sedan also boasts of a higher power-to-weight ratio than the Tata three-box.

The Esteem's overall reliability, too, will tend to be better than the Indigo and the former's resale value has also been higher. The caveat here being that many of these points are relevant only for the petrol versions of both these cars.

But the Indigo offers more interior space and shoulder room at the rear, and its boot is larger. The Esteem does not score higher points with its relatively smaller dimensions. Driving and parking the Esteem is a breeze and almost gives the driver the feel of a small car. With its near level boot lid level, the Esteem is easier to park, an issue that may be a bit of a bother with the Indigo's raised boot lid level, which restricts visibility of the rear.

So, the Esteem (though it is a bit dated in terms of design, despite the changes to the exterior) is still good value for money both at the time of purchase and in the long term. The compromise on interior space is something that most Esteem buyers willingly accept for the high value and low running costs that the car has come to represent.

I want to purchase a multi-utility or sports utility vehicle. Which of thefollowing would be best suited for both family and business use — Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Sumo Victa or Chevrolet Tavera? The price I am willing to pay for the vehicle would be Rs 7 lakhs plus.

A. R. Uranakar

If you are looking at personal mobility for a big family of 7-8 members, there is no better alternative than a practical multi-utility vehicle like the Toyota Qualis or the Chevrolet Tavera.

But if the number of passengers are not going to be as many often, and you want the big car feel, then a lower-priced sports utility like the Mahindra Scorpio will be the more cost-efficient choice.

In your case, our recommendation will be the Mahindra Scorpio for its new age design, practical and fuel efficient 2.6-litre turbo diesel engine, decent build quality and fit and finish. The Tavera is a slightly longer vehicle than the Scorpio (in terms of wheelbase), but that does not necessarily increase its ability to accommodate more passengers or luggage.

The Scorpio may also be able to offer more features for the same price compared to the Tavera. Further, while the fuel efficiency of the Tavera may be slightly better than the Scorpio, the running and maintenance costs of the former could be higher than the Mahindra SUV in the long run.

But if you have waited this long to close down on the vehicle you want to buy, it makes eminent sense to stick it out until the Bharat Stage III version of the Scorpio is rolled out into the market. This new emission standard version could also see a few design changes outside and inside the vehicle. Also, the changes that will be required to be made in the engine of the Scorpio, for it to meet the new, more stringent emission norm, will be a considerable leap in diesel injection technology. You might as well wait to benefit from the improvement in technology, which could also improve the Scorpio's resale value.

I am planning to buy a two-wheeler. I am primarily on the look out for a bike that will give me good mileage and is relatively comfortable to ride. My daily commute is about 60 km. What would you recommend?

R. Pankajakshan Nair

Going by your mileage expectation, the bikes that we will recommend are Bajaj CT 100 in the entry-level 100cc category, Hero Honda Splendor among the 100cc bikes in the Rs 38,000-42,000 range, Hero Honda Passion Plus in the premium 100cc category and Bajaj Discover in the 125cc category.

All these bikes will give 55-65 km per litre of fuel, with Bajaj CT 100 and Splendor offering more mileage than the other two.

Queries may be sent to: q&a@thehindu.co.in or by post to Q&A, Business Line, 859/860, Kasturi Buildings, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

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