I think with CITY (and especially with VTEC) it is the case of “grapes are sour” with most people. It is a known fact that HONDAs are always expensive to maintain (at least in Pakistan), and have not great resale value………..whereas SUZUKIs and TOYOTAs are cheaper to maintain, have good resale value and immediate market. Not everybody can afford (to keep) a HONDA. Tell me a one single person who bought BALENO despite having enough money to buy & maintain a better car!!!!! you simply can’t.
I see that people tend to defend their choices by degrading other makes – sometimes even going beyond the bounds of decency. We must respect others choices / likings as well.
I have been a CITY IDSI owner for three years but currently driving a BALENO 2005 (company provided). I can very safely vouch that CITY is much much better option than BALENO (as a car - not as an investment).
I drove CITY from Isb-to-Arifwala-to-Isb in a single day (14 hrs trip on motorway+G.T. Road) and Gilgit-to-Isb in a single day (again 14+ hrs of continuous drive in mountainous region) but never got tired. It was so comfortable + a delight to drive. Whereas, I just had a day long family trip from isb-to-abottabad-to-nathiagali-to-isb in my new BALENO – and believe me – everyone was complaining and I myself got tired from driving (for the first time in my life).
BALENO lovers!!!!!! I felt no significant difference in engine power (on somewhat steep climbing abbattabad-to-nathiagali). Yes, BALENO has relatively better pick on straight road, but both cars have same max. speed and in the long-run can compete with each other + XLI.
But then majority of the BALENO owners – use CNG………they must not care about speed that much!!!!! must they?
Now, LIANA is different proposition. It is a later model with significant improvements over BALENO. Though interior is much better than BALENO and even CITY but the seats are still not comfortable (I havn't travelled long though). Obviously, you will never hear this from a SUZUKI owner……………..Let us a wait for sometime – until we get one / two years old LIANAs on road and then see what it is made of. New car - of any model - always looks nice.
COROLLA – people used to buy it when there was no other option – now they buy it (just) to ensure a good resale plus low operating cost (spare parts, servicing & maintenance)
LANCER – I personally like older models of LANCER. For the current model, I have very reliable information about its safety issues………..I won’t sit in it – even for a free ride.
OPTRA – An excellent choice – but a bit pricey here in Pakistan – in UAE it is cheaper than even CITY.
Let us see what KIA has in store for us…..
