getz, set, go

q: I want to buy a premium hatchback that is powerful, drives well and has good safety features. I have narrowed down my options to the Fabia, Getz CRDi and Palio Stile 1.6. I am not averse to diesels as long as the in-cabin noise is well controlled. Plea-se help. I already have a Swift VDi tuned to 95bhp.

Nirmal Krishnan

a: It looks like the Getz CRDI is the best option for you. It has a whopping 110bhp, is super-silent and a hoot to drive. If you remap the Getz you could squeeze at least another 15-20bhp out of it!

sounding out

q: I ride a Honda Unicorn (September 2006 model) that has developed a problem since the last few months. As the engine reaches 4,000- 4,500rpm there is a rattle from the speedometer console. This does not make the handle vibrate but it does cause a buzzing noise. There is however no problem above or below that rpm. The Honda mechanic says this is an inherent problem of the model and has been corrected in the new version. He says it’s a problem with the bushes in the fairing. Is this true? What can I do to control and correct the noise?

Tejus

a: No, this is not an inherent problem with your particular model, or any model of the Unicorn. We know as we have long-term tested each example of the Unicorn and know several users of the same model as yours. What you could however get checked up at the earliest are the screws holding the front fairing, headlight, ignition lock assembly and front number plate. These should be properly tensioned.