I have a 2006 Esteem, fitted
with Lovato CNG. My questions
are, have I done the correct
thing by fitting the kit
considering it’s a 2006 model and is Lovato
a good quality kit to recommend to others?
I drive 70 km daily in Mumbai city and get
16-17 km per kg. Is that a good average? Also,
some old CNG users advise that every morning
first I must run the car on petrol for 3-5
km and then switch over to CNG to prolong
engine life. Is this correct? Do advise. — Vijay
Dube, by email
It would have been better if you had your
car converted early on and reaped the benefits
that much longer. And Lovato is one of the
better CNG kits around. As for the last part of
your question, it isn’t the amount of driving
you do on petrol that matters. The important
thing is that you purge all the CNG from the
fuel lines before turning off the car, and allow
the engine to warm up a bit before switching
over to CNG in the mornings.
I am using a Suzuki SX4 since the last 7
months. It’s in good condition, and has done
8,500 km. I wish to go for the Nissan Sunny.
Should I buy or should I continue to use
the SX4 for some more time?
— Manubhai Patel, by email
Your car is still fairly new and selling it now
would mean a hard hit due to depreciation. We
suggest you enjoy the SX4 for a while longer
and then see if you still want to exchange.
Which is a better option - the Indica Vista,
Maruti Swift or the Ford Figo? Also, is a TDI
engine better than the Safire in terms of
maintenance? — Ranjan Shah, by email
If you can afford it, the Swift is the best of
the lot. And as for maintenance, there isn’t a
huge difference between the two. If regular
maintenance is done, they last a long time.
I have decided on buying a petrol variant
of the Ford Figo Titanium. My weekly
running would be around 30 km, with an
occasional long drive once a month. However,
I am confused between the petrol and
diesel variants. Many are advising me to buy
the diesel though my running would be less.
Please advise. Also, will converting to CNG
be the best option?
— Pravin Dabhade, Navi Mumbai
Your usage can’t justify the extra cost of a
diesel car. It will make sense only if you expect
to use the car a lot more in future. Same
is the case with CNG conversion.
I am planning to buy my first car for our
family of 4, and my budget is `3.5 lakh. It’ll
be just for weekend use in the city, say 20
km per week. I want to go for the Suzuki
Alto K10, though the Hyundai Santro is also
on my mind. Is the Alto a good bet?
— Deepak Zaveri
Definitely. The Alto K10 is tried and tested,
it will suit your needs well. It’s low on maintenance
and easy to use. Happy driving!
Do manufacturers customise cars? I am
a right-leg amputee and am looking for
someone to do alterations. Also tell me what
will be the price range for automatic transmission
cars and which are these.
—Ramachandra K Shetti, by email
Carmakers do not offer modifications, but
there are garages that will help. Using an automatic
car will make sense. Depending on
your budget, you can pick from the automatic
versions of Maruti Suzuki A-Star, Hyundai
i10, Honda City and Skoda Laura.
I bought a a pre-owned Maruti Swift LXi
petrol 2007 September model for `3.22 lakh.
The car is in extremely good condition. Will
it be feasible to convert it to LPG or CNG? I
don’t use it daily, but on weekends I clock
around 100 km. But from next month, I will
drive 30 km a day. — Sanjay Mahajan
CNG/LPG conversion would be worth it if
you foresee further increase in your daily usage.
The price you paid seems fair for a car in
good condition. While cheaper deals can be
found, the hassle-free experience is worth it.
I am fed up with my 2007 Mahindra Logan
1.6GLS. Suggest me a sedan in the range
of `7-8 lakh with a peppy drive and superb
pick-up. — Suresh Karnik, by email
Honda City is prefect for you, but you will
have to stretch your budget a little though. An
alternative, if you’re willing to go for a secondhand
car, is the old Ford Fiesta 1.6 S.
I am planning to buy my first car. My
budget is `4-6 lakh. Am confused between
the i10 Asta, Swift new VXI, Volkswagen
Polo Comfortline or Skoda Fabia Ambience.
My use will be during the weekends and the
car is for family of 5.
— Nirav Shah
For a family of 5, I suggest
the new Swift, as the
other cars you listed feel a
little cramped on the inside
compared to the new
Swift.
with Lovato CNG. My questions
are, have I done the correct
thing by fitting the kit
considering it’s a 2006 model and is Lovato
a good quality kit to recommend to others?
I drive 70 km daily in Mumbai city and get
16-17 km per kg. Is that a good average? Also,
some old CNG users advise that every morning
first I must run the car on petrol for 3-5
km and then switch over to CNG to prolong
engine life. Is this correct? Do advise. — Vijay
Dube, by email
It would have been better if you had your
car converted early on and reaped the benefits
that much longer. And Lovato is one of the
better CNG kits around. As for the last part of
your question, it isn’t the amount of driving
you do on petrol that matters. The important
thing is that you purge all the CNG from the
fuel lines before turning off the car, and allow
the engine to warm up a bit before switching
over to CNG in the mornings.
I am using a Suzuki SX4 since the last 7
months. It’s in good condition, and has done
8,500 km. I wish to go for the Nissan Sunny.
Should I buy or should I continue to use
the SX4 for some more time?
— Manubhai Patel, by email
Your car is still fairly new and selling it now
would mean a hard hit due to depreciation. We
suggest you enjoy the SX4 for a while longer
and then see if you still want to exchange.
Which is a better option - the Indica Vista,
Maruti Swift or the Ford Figo? Also, is a TDI
engine better than the Safire in terms of
maintenance? — Ranjan Shah, by email
If you can afford it, the Swift is the best of
the lot. And as for maintenance, there isn’t a
huge difference between the two. If regular
maintenance is done, they last a long time.
I have decided on buying a petrol variant
of the Ford Figo Titanium. My weekly
running would be around 30 km, with an
occasional long drive once a month. However,
I am confused between the petrol and
diesel variants. Many are advising me to buy
the diesel though my running would be less.
Please advise. Also, will converting to CNG
be the best option?
— Pravin Dabhade, Navi Mumbai
Your usage can’t justify the extra cost of a
diesel car. It will make sense only if you expect
to use the car a lot more in future. Same
is the case with CNG conversion.
I am planning to buy my first car for our
family of 4, and my budget is `3.5 lakh. It’ll
be just for weekend use in the city, say 20
km per week. I want to go for the Suzuki
Alto K10, though the Hyundai Santro is also
on my mind. Is the Alto a good bet?
— Deepak Zaveri
Definitely. The Alto K10 is tried and tested,
it will suit your needs well. It’s low on maintenance
and easy to use. Happy driving!
Do manufacturers customise cars? I am
a right-leg amputee and am looking for
someone to do alterations. Also tell me what
will be the price range for automatic transmission
cars and which are these.
—Ramachandra K Shetti, by email
Carmakers do not offer modifications, but
there are garages that will help. Using an automatic
car will make sense. Depending on
your budget, you can pick from the automatic
versions of Maruti Suzuki A-Star, Hyundai
i10, Honda City and Skoda Laura.
I bought a a pre-owned Maruti Swift LXi
petrol 2007 September model for `3.22 lakh.
The car is in extremely good condition. Will
it be feasible to convert it to LPG or CNG? I
don’t use it daily, but on weekends I clock
around 100 km. But from next month, I will
drive 30 km a day. — Sanjay Mahajan
CNG/LPG conversion would be worth it if
you foresee further increase in your daily usage.
The price you paid seems fair for a car in
good condition. While cheaper deals can be
found, the hassle-free experience is worth it.
I am fed up with my 2007 Mahindra Logan
1.6GLS. Suggest me a sedan in the range
of `7-8 lakh with a peppy drive and superb
pick-up. — Suresh Karnik, by email
Honda City is prefect for you, but you will
have to stretch your budget a little though. An
alternative, if you’re willing to go for a secondhand
car, is the old Ford Fiesta 1.6 S.
I am planning to buy my first car. My
budget is `4-6 lakh. Am confused between
the i10 Asta, Swift new VXI, Volkswagen
Polo Comfortline or Skoda Fabia Ambience.
My use will be during the weekends and the
car is for family of 5.
— Nirav Shah
For a family of 5, I suggest
the new Swift, as the
other cars you listed feel a
little cramped on the inside
compared to the new
Swift.
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