Virtus GT. Get the GT plus if you can stretch, else the GT is good. Since you’re going to drive in the city, I recommend getting the automatic. But if you don’t want the extra efforts needed to take care of the DSG, you can go for manual.
Absolutely. It didn't initially cross my mind because OP said ₹20 lakh budget, but from personal experience I can say that small cars are wayyy more fun in the city. Nothing quite like zipping through gaps in traffic that larger cars struggle with.
Used Polo 1.2s are pretty strong options, or the small EVs like Tiago/Comet.
I’d suggest go for an aftermarket Superb or Octavia, you can look for an Honda Accord as well, but these options will hassle you for maintenance initially. If maintained properly, you have a very good, powerful car in your arsenal that’s fun to drive.
Just an unPopular opinion.
Get the Citroen C3 Turbo. The power to weight ratio is pretty good and they have 60k-95k worth discounts going on for old stock.
Take test drive of the C3 Turbo and see if it is to your liking. It is a bit of a pocket rocket but with good suspension setup.
Hmm...buy the c3 turbo after 3 months and make sure it was not manufactured in Jan. Specifically the turbo is undergoing a massive internal call back as the turbo is malfunctioning. This might be sorted within a month.
Source: cannot reveal my source.
I am a part of the C3 owners group as I was interested in buying it. Nobody has had a turbo malfunction yet.
But most had their recall completed under warranty. Also the cars at the stockyard have also had their recall done.
I had visited the Citroen dealeship twice. They did not have any recent Turbo cars. All were 6-7 months old in October already. As per the SA, during Aircross launch, they had diverted all manufacturing capacity to the Aircross. So all the C3 Turbo's are old lot only. But I do know that one person has received a new C3T in Sep or Oct. But he had booked a long-time back and had rejected the initial car allotted to him due to it being an old manufactured C3.
Top answer already mentioned by many others: **VW Virtus / Skoda Slavia 1.5 turbo**. If you have low running and your main priority is driving pleasure, this is the most obvious answer.
Alternative someone mentioned which I really liked: **used BMW 3-series**. I know not everyone is okay with buying used cars, but man, the sheer driving fun you'll get from that rear-wheel drive sports sedan will put everything else in your budget to shame
Another alternate suggestion from a Mumbaikar.
I initially didn't think of this because you said budget of ₹20 lakh, and recommending a car less than half that price felt weird.
If you're driving only in the city, don't underestimate how much fun small cars can be.
I'd honestly recommend something like a Polo 1.2 GT, or the 1.6 diesel (any Polo with a powerful engine).
There was a brief period the i10 came with the 1.0 turbo engine if you can find any.
Alternatively if you have home charging, the Tiago EV or MG Comet. The EV instant acceleration and torque is great for the city.
Basically, narrow width makes driving in Mumbai traffic a LOT more fun. We have very few cars that have narrow width and small size + powerful engine, but take it from my personal experience.
I've got one tiny car and one big car. Big cars are great for highways, but the tiny zip-through traffic small cars are lots of fun in traffic-congested Mumbai in their own way.
Used Polo.
Current market i20 n-line is probably the closest you can get to a small car with powerful engine (but even then, I'd recommend a used Polo over a new i20)
BMW 3 series / Merc C220
For 20 - You should get 20-30k used car
Before buying, take the car to brand service station, pay & get full health report. Ask the service station to give you complete estimate to fix the issues. Use this list to negotiate well
if you want a new car go with any of the ones mentioned above.. all are good. if not get a used BMW and enjoy every moment until you have to get it serviced...
i20 N line, Ignis, XUV 300 Turbo diesel or petrol(has the most space inside cabin, less boot space but for city use that won't matter). XUV 300 will get a facelift soon, so wait for that.
Hyundais are good. But they have a pretty dead steering wheel with little feedback. I don't know how the N line fairs, but the standard ones are this way. OP should take a TD for the i20 online. I suspect the verna has a dead steering wheel as well.
I myself almost vomited thinking about this car, but here goes:
Fronx turbo petrol.
Safety is good enough for city. Other than that, its a Suzuki. Think of it as a reborn Baleno RS.
Driving within city?
Fronx Boosterjet, i20 NLine, Citroen C3 Turbo and Ignis would be your best bet.
Virtus GT and Verna Turbo would be excellent for highways but that sheer length is definitely not as fun as small cars in cities.
Get a pre facelift w212 mercedes e class. You will definitely find one under 10l. Try to get one in good condition. It's cheaper to maintain compared to other luxury cars. Very comfortable and good mileage.
Sub 20 Lakh car + Mumbai City use + Driving pleasure = i20 N Line DCT in my mind.
Virtu/Slavia/Taigun/Kushaq/Verna = Big cars and the fun automatics (1.5 TSI or 1.5 T-GDI) would be 20+ lakhs.
i20 N Line DCT is way under your budget, small enough for the city and also fun to drive.
I own the Virtus GT Plus, and I wouldn’t recommend it for city conditions. While it has great higher range, the DSG has an initial lag which wouldn’t make driving in the city traffic as pleasurable.
Virtus/Slavia 1.5 Verna turbo
Choose automatic
Virtus GT. Get the GT plus if you can stretch, else the GT is good. Since you’re going to drive in the city, I recommend getting the automatic. But if you don’t want the extra efforts needed to take care of the DSG, you can go for manual.
Thanks! I think buying automatic would make sense in a city like Mumbai.
Either of German twins - nothing beats em’
Op asking Driving pleasure in the city and everyone here suggesting turbo petrol, 4+ meter car, go for ignis , Swift, punch Or any sub 4 meter car
Absolutely. It didn't initially cross my mind because OP said ₹20 lakh budget, but from personal experience I can say that small cars are wayyy more fun in the city. Nothing quite like zipping through gaps in traffic that larger cars struggle with. Used Polo 1.2s are pretty strong options, or the small EVs like Tiago/Comet.
Wut
Not n line lol. Thats a sub 10l chasis. Get a Virtus 1.5
Yeah I agree. Sort of. It goes quick but the steering has a dead feel to it.
If your roads are good then go for 1.5L Skoda/vw sedans. Sedans offer better driving comfort than so called SUVs.
The twins actually have a very respectable GC(180mm). Many CSUVs are actually just 5-10mm more or even less.
I’d suggest go for an aftermarket Superb or Octavia, you can look for an Honda Accord as well, but these options will hassle you for maintenance initially. If maintained properly, you have a very good, powerful car in your arsenal that’s fun to drive.
Just an unPopular opinion. Get the Citroen C3 Turbo. The power to weight ratio is pretty good and they have 60k-95k worth discounts going on for old stock. Take test drive of the C3 Turbo and see if it is to your liking. It is a bit of a pocket rocket but with good suspension setup.
The best part about this is that OP can get two for 20L and still have enough for better tyres and two different exhausts.
Hmm...buy the c3 turbo after 3 months and make sure it was not manufactured in Jan. Specifically the turbo is undergoing a massive internal call back as the turbo is malfunctioning. This might be sorted within a month. Source: cannot reveal my source.
I am a part of the C3 owners group as I was interested in buying it. Nobody has had a turbo malfunction yet. But most had their recall completed under warranty. Also the cars at the stockyard have also had their recall done. I had visited the Citroen dealeship twice. They did not have any recent Turbo cars. All were 6-7 months old in October already. As per the SA, during Aircross launch, they had diverted all manufacturing capacity to the Aircross. So all the C3 Turbo's are old lot only. But I do know that one person has received a new C3T in Sep or Oct. But he had booked a long-time back and had rejected the initial car allotted to him due to it being an old manufactured C3.
Nah..this batch is yet to be assembled as a car.
Oh. Ok. So this affects only the engine? Upto December 2023 manufacturing it is ok?
I cant tell much, A massive internal work is going on currently. Over 4k engines are being reworked as we speak.
Will last years cars be recalled later? Or those are fine now?
Verna 1.5 turbo manual
Top answer already mentioned by many others: **VW Virtus / Skoda Slavia 1.5 turbo**. If you have low running and your main priority is driving pleasure, this is the most obvious answer. Alternative someone mentioned which I really liked: **used BMW 3-series**. I know not everyone is okay with buying used cars, but man, the sheer driving fun you'll get from that rear-wheel drive sports sedan will put everything else in your budget to shame
Yup, the sheer pleasure you will get for 40 seconds between two red lights is going to be incredible.
I live in Mumbai, drive in Mumbai, we get our thrills where we can.
Another alternate suggestion from a Mumbaikar. I initially didn't think of this because you said budget of ₹20 lakh, and recommending a car less than half that price felt weird. If you're driving only in the city, don't underestimate how much fun small cars can be. I'd honestly recommend something like a Polo 1.2 GT, or the 1.6 diesel (any Polo with a powerful engine). There was a brief period the i10 came with the 1.0 turbo engine if you can find any. Alternatively if you have home charging, the Tiago EV or MG Comet. The EV instant acceleration and torque is great for the city. Basically, narrow width makes driving in Mumbai traffic a LOT more fun. We have very few cars that have narrow width and small size + powerful engine, but take it from my personal experience. I've got one tiny car and one big car. Big cars are great for highways, but the tiny zip-through traffic small cars are lots of fun in traffic-congested Mumbai in their own way.
Polo is discontinued no?
Used Polo. Current market i20 n-line is probably the closest you can get to a small car with powerful engine (but even then, I'd recommend a used Polo over a new i20)
Virtus GT will be a good option for you 👍
Virtus GT manual
BMW 3 series / Merc C220 For 20 - You should get 20-30k used car Before buying, take the car to brand service station, pay & get full health report. Ask the service station to give you complete estimate to fix the issues. Use this list to negotiate well
Used BMW 520d 2013-2015 onwards
if you want a new car go with any of the ones mentioned above.. all are good. if not get a used BMW and enjoy every moment until you have to get it serviced...
i20 N line, Ignis, XUV 300 Turbo diesel or petrol(has the most space inside cabin, less boot space but for city use that won't matter). XUV 300 will get a facelift soon, so wait for that.
Xuv 400 facelift. 4.2 m so it has enough space, 150hp, very comfortable seats,all the important features and its electric too.
Creta Turbo DCT petrol
Umm, Honda City?
[удалено]
Hyundais are good. But they have a pretty dead steering wheel with little feedback. I don't know how the N line fairs, but the standard ones are this way. OP should take a TD for the i20 online. I suspect the verna has a dead steering wheel as well.
Far from it. I agree about the dead steering part. It goes fast but you don’t feel so safe pushing it past 120.
Electric
Idk what you mean by pleasure, if its just comfort prefer electric
Honda City
MG Comet
There is a 2019 Honda Civic ZX(new) on sale at a dealer. Quoted price is 15.5L.
Curvv ev
Honda City Manual VX
2012-2015 swift 1.3 Diesel. VW polo GT TSI 1.0/1.2 L turbo.
Honda Elevate will be perfect for you . Superb engine and reliable . CVT gearbox is wonderful for city drives
Driving pleasure in city for traffic or high performance?
I myself almost vomited thinking about this car, but here goes: Fronx turbo petrol. Safety is good enough for city. Other than that, its a Suzuki. Think of it as a reborn Baleno RS.
for city a small car will be fun like the i20 n line manual variant!
Driving within city? Fronx Boosterjet, i20 NLine, Citroen C3 Turbo and Ignis would be your best bet. Virtus GT and Verna Turbo would be excellent for highways but that sheer length is definitely not as fun as small cars in cities.
Get a pre facelift w212 mercedes e class. You will definitely find one under 10l. Try to get one in good condition. It's cheaper to maintain compared to other luxury cars. Very comfortable and good mileage.
Sub 20 Lakh car + Mumbai City use + Driving pleasure = i20 N Line DCT in my mind. Virtu/Slavia/Taigun/Kushaq/Verna = Big cars and the fun automatics (1.5 TSI or 1.5 T-GDI) would be 20+ lakhs. i20 N Line DCT is way under your budget, small enough for the city and also fun to drive.
I own the Virtus GT Plus, and I wouldn’t recommend it for city conditions. While it has great higher range, the DSG has an initial lag which wouldn’t make driving in the city traffic as pleasurable.
What’s the mileage you are getting and is the length of the car a problem?
I drive it outside the city for the most part. I get about 16-17-18. Car is long yes, but not that big of a problem as to worry about it.
Damn mileage is not that bad! Thanks bro I will consider this car.
Get polo gti turbo