Nov 14, 2009 07:01 PM
39926 Views
(Updated Dec 28, 2009 06:59 PM)
The Baleno is out of production and is now a good second hand buy not more than 3 lakhs for the last 2007 model and as cheap as 1.20 lakhs for the 2000 model.
Our model was available with climate control, which was available in post mid 2006 VXi models, the only change being the rear light indicator being white and the 12 spoke alloy wheels.
It was mainly needed more on highways as it was used to cover a distance of 150 kms everyday with all 5 passengers onboard due to carpooling.
Engine & Fuel efficiency(with LPG AVOID IT!) Boot space was as more than the Zen even after we had fit a LPG kit by lovato which I do not recommend.
LPG kit never had any problem in the Zen but caused trouble here as it increased friction. So by 25k kms, there was increased engine noise that was audible inside. It did not help cut costs as LPG mileage was more or less the same, ie: 7 in the city and 12 on highways.infact with petrol it gave 9 in the city and 13 on the highways with petrol.
Pickup dropped considerably, so we could never enjoy the racing type experience as reported by other Baleno users. So much so that after 110kph, the car would be highly unstable and at high speeds if it was driven on a little rough surface then rear passengers could sometimes bang their head on the roof. At low speeds the car swallows bumps with ease, but there is high body roll as passengers did move forward while braking.
Engine never gave any problem, very reliable to the core.which is why I love the car. Anyway the depreciation costs were dropping largely, but those who want to buy it as second hand, ensure that its more than 80k kms as between 50k to 80k, most of the important parts are replaced and you dont have to spend so much on maintenance.
PROBLEM - The real problem was after 38k kms when suspension problems arised, it was rectified but soon arised. The car is little expensive to maintain as the Maruti people said that most of the parts were imported, true, the plastic covering of the door handle costed 4000! Service charges were exorbitant. I should have given only 2 for dealer satisfaction. But it was bought from Pune and used in Mumbai. On humps and potholes, the car developed those heavy banging noises like buses do when going above speed breaker. Costs were estimated to 130000! The car had clocked 50k kms, we decided to part ways.
Interiors and Electricals - Dashboard is much similar to the Alto and Wagon R. View is good and height adjust is also available. Please avoid velvet seat covers as they caused lots of fungal formation, rexin ones not only look good but are easy to maintain. Plastic quality was decent, I used coconut oil and perfume mix to keep its shine, it was quite good, one should try to avoid the wax sprays as in our car it caused white discolouratons.
Avoid tampering with the wires, this caused the antenna to malfunction and even the alarm of the anti theft went kaput, otherwise there should be no problem. The central locking system caused some minor error much later, Maruti said it would cost 13000, there was only a tiny problem in the motor, we saved cleverly by replacing with the motor switch of the Accent, that costed only 300. Rear demister was useless and power mirrors is a nice touch. Company fitted JVC stereo without any MP3 was decent till 2 years and was replaced.
There was heavy internal rusting, the place near the bumper area, no wonder there was noise of flowing water in the boot during monsoons, I didnt expect this to happen so soon. Yet from outside the car was as sparkling white! The car was almost all the time in Uran port, so the constant sea side atmosphere may have aggravated it)
Space is excellent and after 3hrs of travelling one never felt tired. All 5 occupants that to on the larger side never complained, except that the AC is too chilling, so it always had to be kept on low.
Baleno is the only car from Maruti which never had a single negative point for space. But the transmission tunnel is a bit high and the rear middle passenger will have slight discomfort unless he is thin. I was always made to sit in the middle:(
Verdict - The car is not bad but please avoid LPG fitted Balenos for the true sporty feel, it has a superb driving experience with petrol only and is quick. Maintenance will be slightly more firstly because its no longer there, almost all balenos have crossed 40000kms by now, so one is bound to repair major or minor parts as a used owner.
you may feel Honda City type 2 will be the next option but that also is in a similar situation, so the best option would be the Honda City type 3 model as it not only looks good, is more fuel efficient, has much better quality and spares will be available and depreciation will not be high as production just stopped in 2008. The 2004 honda city model will come at 3, 20, 000 to 4, 00, 000 which is little more than a newer Baleno of 2006 - 07. So if you are not a hardcore Baleno fan then think on this as Baleno will be as cheap as an Opel Astra in the coming years at less than 50000, SO SELLING IT WILL BECOME A BIG PROBLEM!
But if you intend to modify with kits and high performance after market accesories, then look no further.
