The pain in my knees set me thinking the other day when my normal 40 min drive to work took 2 hours because of traffic jam or rather poor traffic management. And when this became a regular, my mind went to my knees to ask for suggestions. It got one -don't load your driving to me$%^$. OK. OK. Point taken.
I went hunting for an automatic which could become my next car -in my budget. All were petrols and seemed to sip (or slurp!) 20-30% more fuel than their knee-jerking partners. So, what does me do? Live with pain or cough out more bucks for the travel. I asked for a diesel automatic and there were the Camrys and the Octavias. Poor me middle classed people, pay it with kneeeeee.
I went hunting for an automatic which could become my next car -in my budget. All were petrols and seemed to sip (or slurp!) 20-30% more fuel than their knee-jerking partners. So, what does me do? Live with pain or cough out more bucks for the travel. I asked for a diesel automatic and there were the Camrys and the Octavias. Poor me middle classed people, pay it with kneeeeee.
And so this post. Here's an appeal to the (Diesel) Swifts and the Indicas as their next success mantras. There's a huge demand (people please say 'aye' in the poll on the right) in the blogosphere for a diesel automatic once you've seen the pros listed hereunder for the same:
An automatic doesn't discomfort your knees assuring you not only a better ride but a better life.
Stats (find them yourself or request me to concoct some :) ) reveal that those with better knees walk and run better and longer.
Diesel cars cost ~Rs 2 per litre as compared to ~Rs 4 per litre for petrol. 20% more diesel consumption will not hurt as much as 20% more petrol.
Dual pricing of diesel which is under review at present does not cover fuel for normal diesel cars (though there is hinting of expensive fuel for imported ones, wonder how that will be done).
An automatic upgrades your status as well apart from lifestyle benefits listed above.
Ofcourse, the need is more for city traffic people. People typically drive 80% of the times in city than on highways, where an automatic might prove to be a bit expensive without significant benefits stated above (lifestyle advantage is still there BTW).
The guy here's not even asking you consulting charges. Any offers will not be rejected summarily, though!
And yes, you read Electric Assist in teh headline, right? Its the nextgen for India, no use talkin' about it now though.
Suggestions are welcome on this post and other views on future of automobiles in India.
