PREMIUM CHOICE

q: My brother wants to buy the Chevrolet Optra Magnum diesel. I think he’d do well to take a look at the Skoda Octavia too. Which of the two cars is better? Is the Magnum reliable? Also, is the Fiat Linea worth waiting for? What other cars should he consider?

Vinoth Kumar Narayanan

a: We suggest you go for the Optra diesel, as it’s cheaper to buy and run. The spare parts and service costs are much cheaper. The Octavia is expensive to maintain though the resale value is better. If your brother is concerned about performance, we recommend the Optra. As for the Fiat Linea, it’s a good car but will be in a class lower than your budget.

GO SWIFT

q: I want to upgrade from a hatchback to a saloon — perhaps a diesel. My daily commute is about 40km. However, I take my family out on short holiday trips, which comes to around 400km-500 km for a round trip. I want something that balances power and fuel economy. Should I buy a diesel, considering the government plans to make diesel and petrol the same price? Also, is it true that diesel vehicles are more expensive to maintain in the long run (even with the new CRDi engines)? Do second-hand diesels not make a smart purchase?

Ramana Gowra

a: For a distance of 40km a day, a diesel is justified. Diesel is unlikely to become the same price as petrol, although there’s talk of the government planning to charge car owners extra for diesel. New diesel engines are quite reliable and last for a long time. Stick to your maintenance schedule and use good-quality fuel to prolong engine life though. Buying a second-hand diesel can be risky if you don’t have a proper service record of the car. If you can, it’s best to buy a new car. At your budget, the Swift Dzire makes most sense. It’s a capable car with a peppy engine and good fuel economy. Alternatively, you could look at the Logan, but you may not like the fact that it skimps on several features. The Dzire is a better buy.