Having a fancy luxury car or a large SUV might be a sign of success but practicality should be a bigger concern

Being an automotive writer is an interesting job from any angle but there is one aspect, which I still find a bit strange. Every week, I get three-four calls on average from friends and acquaintances to advise them on cars. I would describe many of the calls as ‘confirmation bias’. The person has already made up his or her mind about a specific car and wants my ‘opinion’ to reinforce their view but often I shoot down the choice, because I ask them ‘Why?’

Here is the thing. I understand better than most that a car is, for many people, an extension of their ego. For some people with particularly fragile egos, a car is an affirmation of their self-worth. However, in my opinion, may be because I drive a lot of cars, I believe a vehicle has to be practical. That is one reason I love small Maruti and Hyundai hatchbacks. To get around an urban environment, there are a few vehicles better suited than these. But everyone has different needs, do you drive or are you driven around? For example, the number of family members you have or what age are your children and so on. However, I have noticed many people do not factor in where they live, work and where they park. Buying a big SUV when you live somewhere, where your parking isn’t guaranteed or tight, is a plainly stupid idea. Buying a luxury German sedan to get to an office in the boondocks and over rough roads is equally stupid. But people do that and that is why municipalities have to start considering a few things now. Make folks pay for roadside parking. In some Delhi localities, hitherto wide 100-feet six-lane dual carriageways have become single-lane traffic jams. The failure of municipalities to provide parking options, either underground or in big multistorey garages have become an issue. And the lack of these options is what is emboldening the anti-car lobby and frankly the selfishness of many car buyers is to blame.

Do you really need a large SUV for your daily commute between Delhi and Gurugram? Most likely not, and if you bought it because you undertake one trip to ‘the mountains’ annually, well that is an extremely poor allocation of resources even if it is justified by monthly payments. Even a decent sedan, which costs a lot less and is more fun to drive, better for the environment makes immense sense. Your savings might mean your next vacation might be in the Alps rather than the Himalayas (not that I don’t love the Himalayas).

So yes, be practical in your choice of vehicles. Buy the one that makes sense. If you enjoy driving and want something fun, steer clear of the BMW X1 and buy its stablemate the Mini Cooper. Much more fun, lower space footprint and believe me that car gets noticed. If space and size is a major consideration — you might have children and if you travel frequently and you have around Rs 25 lakh to spend — there is nothing better than Innova. Heck even if you have four times as much money to spend, there are a few better options than Innova.

Anyway, as there isn’t a review this week, just ahead of a rush of drives over the next few weeks, let me give you all a thought experiment if you like cars. Considering your needs and those of your immediate family whom you live with, and if you have one crore, what three cars would you buy? Connect with me on Twitter @kushanmitra with your answers.