Nov 06, 2015 04:45 PM
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(Updated Nov 06, 2015 04:45 PM)
In the year of 2014, I decided to buy a car for my parents. There were many cars available in the market offering various features at different price range. I went along with my friend who owns a Swift VDi to test drive many vehicles. Since I was very new to cars I couldn’t judge very well and all the vehicles felt good to me. So, I had to decide my requirements and then try to match with the availability in market and off course, keeping in mind the price.
Practicality and value for money was the top of my requirement list hence I choose Maruti Suzuki. 1) It is highly reliable and known in our market since a very long time, 2) The new engines are better than the old ones so the probability of car getting heated up or oil/coolant/fuel leakages are lesser, and maintenance is easy. 3) Great service network 4) Value for money, Best and cheapest 5) good resale value. 6) spares are not very costly.
Why Alto 800? The new Alto comes with AC and power steering as standard. Ac will take care of adverse weather and most importantly helps in defogging inside car during rain and cold weather, improves visibility and hence a life saver, one need not stop because of fogging like the non-ac cars anymore. The new alto comes with a new look both interior and exterior but the space inside the car remains more or less the same.
specifications -
3 cylinder 796cc engine
max power 48ps@6000 rpm
max torque 69 Nm@3500 rpm
ground clearence - 160mm( best in class)
min turning radius- 4.6 m( good for tight parking and traffic)
wheelbase - 2360 mm
tread front -1295mm rear- 1290mm
length -3395mm
width- 1490mm
height- 1475mm
weight gross- 1185 approx
The new generation engines is quite peppy and pulls very well in traffic and I could hit a top speed of 135km/hr( not recommended) . The front disc and rear drum brakes are decent. The Ac is quite powerful and cools the cabin really fast.
On the downside, once all the passengers are sited with luggage and its fully loaded the pick up reduces and so the brake performance, but one on the highway it can easily cruise at 90-110 km/hr.
The A/c button seems like a power killer button, switching it on reduces the pickup and engines feels powerless hence a undesirable thing in bumper to bumper traffic, once on high way, the car gets momentum and the Ac is not much of a problem.
Space and sitting position- Maruti lacks in this department, it is by far has the least space of all the other brands in their respective segments, my friend who is 6’3 sat on the driver’s seat didn’t feel cramped but not very comfortable or luxurious, the rear seat becomes cramped even more when taller driver and co driver seat. But for a average Indian height it works just fine. The under thigh support for rear seat is also an issue but it’s really soft and cushy as compared to V polo or TATA indica.
The VXI model lacks - ABS, EBD or airbags( no options for upgrade), left view mirror, entertainment system, central/remote locking, ( All of these can be updated by spending 7-15k from showroom or market, or one can strike a bargain) .
Mileage- it returns anywhere between 18km/l in city to 21km/l on highway with Ac all the time.
Verdict- This is a very nice trouble free car for daily commute in traffic( except for the issue with Ac), caters to a small family need, the luggage space can fit a big suitcase and 2 small bags, one can install carrier on the top for more luggage space. It is an excellent second car for many. It is easy to park, good visibility, fun to drive and road trips are good enough if not luxurious. The suspension set up is on softer side so hard cornering is not suggested. The gear box is crisp and falls in slots easily. With good mileage long distance drive is very economical with wide service network it is very reliable even in remote areas.
I have driven this car for 12000 km and never faces any problems from the engine or service.
At price Rs.3, 82, 000 on road in Bangalore it’s a very good entry level, value for money car.
