Base Variant + Accessories OR Top Variant: Which makes the most sense?

Planning to buy a car anytime soon. Well, you might have figured out what brand to choose and which car to buy. But the hassle is not finished yet. There’s one more step left. And that is choosing between the variants or the trims of the car. This is really confusing as the salesperson will be trying to convince you to go for a top variant. Your friends might have suggested you go for a base variant and get accessories. Confused? Right, we’ll make it easy for you. Here is the list of few parameters that can help you decide the trim or the variant for the car you selected.

1. Cost

   

   The major reason for your friends telling you to choose a base variant is the cost. There is a huge gap in the price between the base variant and the top variant. For eg., the base variant of Hyundai Venue starts from ₹6,55,000 which goes all the way up to ₹11,15,000 for the top variant. Now this is a huge leap in terms of cost and one should definitely go for a base variant, right? No, let’s not jump to conclusions this early.

2. Engine and transmission options

   

   Nowadays, carmakers offer not less than 2 engine options with almost every model. Some even offer 3 or more. The base variant might not get the most powerful engine. So you will have to choose that do you want a powerful engine or are you okay with the one offered with the base variants. The GT versions of some cars are restricted to the top variants only. So, if you want a turbocharger spooling sound heard every time you rev, it is suggested that you go for a top variant. Same goes with the transmission. The base variant might only offer a manual transmission while as you go up in the trims chart, you will find automatic transmission too. But wait, there’s more to this story.

3. Safety Features

   

   Although some safety features such as airbags at the front and ABS have been made mandatory by the government under BNVSAP, you won’t get all the safety features in a base variant. For eg side-curtain airbags, EBD, ESP, rear parking sensors and many more that are restricted to the top variants only which is the reason that the top variants cost a lot more than the base variants.

4. Comfort and Features

   

   Same as the safety features, base variants do not offer a lot of features that the top variant does. You will not get features like cruise control, push-button start and keyless entry, infotainment system, remote trunk release and the list goes on. Thus, the top model of a car is simply studded with all the luxuries and gimmicks the company can offer with the car, while the base model is a bare born one. That doesn’t mean that base variants are worthless, have a look at the next parameter.

5. Resale Value of the car

   

   This, not all of you might care of. But it is one of the major parameters to look for if you plan to change the car every 3-4 years. The trims or the variant of a car do not make a major difference in the cost of the car while reselling it. Thus you won’t get back the extra amount you have spent while buying the car.
   You can tune in to the live discussion on the second-hand market of the automobile industry at the Instagram handle of GoMechanic on 2nd May, Saturday sharp at 5 pm to get all your queries answered by our avid author Vishal Khanna and Irfan Chaudhary a.k.a the MCMR (My Country My Ride). Click here to visit the Instagram handle.

So this was our guide to help you choose between the variants of a car while buying. Rest, it also depends whether you want the car for a normal and comfortable city ride or do you plan to make modifications and make it more into a recreational vehicle. You can hit us up with any queries in the comments section below. And do not forget to tune in to the live session and get your queries covered.

Also read: New Car PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) And Checklist