ARTICLE: The Best (used) Enthusiast cars for 6 lakh rupees! Or less

[GTO]

What can 6 lakh rupees buy you today? A boring-to-drive Indigo or top loaded i10? No offence to those who buy dull new cars for 6 lakhs (I own an Indigo myself), but at the end of the day, we are petrolheads! And petrolheads live to drive. Unfortunately, most of the affordable new cars on sale today are rather unappealing (Related thread).

I'm going to present a list of cars you can buy for 6 lakh rupees (or less), that will *guaranteed* make for a satisfying ownership experience. Each of these will bring a smile to your face (guaranteed again ) in their own special way. Each time that you go out for a drive!

What's more, if you want to enhance the driving experience, most of the below mentioned cars are modification friendly too. As long as you find a clean car, you can't go wrong with any of them. In fact, this could well be the best 6 lakh rupees you've spent in a long time.

• Prices as seen in Mumbai. While Delhi may be in the whereabouts (or cheaper), rates down South will surely be higher
• Highly recommended read : How to buy a used car in India (ARTICLE: How to buy a *USED* Car in India)
• In all probability, you will end up using an after-market specialist for your service & repair needs. Keep a good one ready
• Don't stop short of customising; Recommended section read

Credit for pictures : Many Team-BHPians. Pics lifted from different threads on the forum.

[GTO]

Skoda Octavia vRS



Prices we've seen : Rs. 4.0 - 6.5 lakhs
Availability : Good. Finding clean RS' is very easy, especially in the metros

What you'll like:

• Outstanding handling, braking and driving pleasure. A great track car & driving machine
• Fantastic 150 BHP 1.8L turbo-charged petrol engine. Revv-happy too
• Plentiful after-market modifications support
• European build. Solid car
• Loaded with equipment. Xenon lamps, sunroof, ABS, disc brakes all around and more
• Classic styling. Funky colours include red and yellow

What you won't like:

• Not the most reliable over 50,000 kms. Needs attention off and on
• Turbo-lag in the city
• Cramped rear seat
• Shoddy after-sales service. Expensive parts
• Front wheel drive layout
• Poor urban fuel efficiency (7 kpl)

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Skoda vRS Review 1 (The Octavia vRS - NOW 78000 km UPDATE)
• Skoda vRS Review 2 (Skoda Octavia vRS - Dreams do Come true!!)
• Skoda vRS Review 3 (My Yellow vRS Monster)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Chasing a Silver vRS (An experience chasing a Silver Skoda vRS)
• Used Accord versus Skoda vRS (Used Honda Accord or Skoda RS?)
• Skoda vRS or Cedia (Skoda vRS or Cedia?)
• Skoda vRS a good buy? (is SKODA RS 7L a good buy?)
• Used vRS? Now bought! (2nd Hand Skoda RS Edit: Now bought.)
• Used vRS : What to look for before buying (Used Skoda RS - what to look out for before buying?)

[GTO]

Mercedes Benz W124 (E220 petrol / E250 diesel)



Prices we've seen : Rs. 3.0 - 5.5 lakhs
Availability : Good. Finding super clean cars difficult. After all, the newest W124 will still be atleast 12 years old

What you'll like:

• A *real* Mercedes. Built like a tank and will last 3.0 - 4.0 lakh kilometers
• E220 fast by even today's standards. 0 - 100 in 10 seconds (140 odd BHP)
• Classic evergreen looks. Soon to be connoisseurs favorite
• Your social status will take a boost, thanks to the three pointed star
• Good ride, handling and brakes. Rear wheel drive layout
• Mechanically simple & over-engineered. No fancy electronics. Reliability is strong. Relatively cheap parts

What you won't like:

• The newest example you find will be atleast 12 years old. Old cars require varying levels of refurbishing
• Some spares can run expensive. Body repairs will mean big $$$
• E250 diesel is slow. 0 - 100 in a yawn inducing 16 seconds
• Electronically limited 180 kph top speed
• Poor urban fuel efficiency for the E220 (6.5 kpl). Diesel is fuel efficient though

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Mercedes W124 Review 1 (W124 Mercedes E220 ownership review)
• Mercedes W124 Review 2 (My "new" Mercedes E220 (w124 series))
• Mercedes W124 Review 3 (My DreamCar W124 E Class : Now Bought)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Used W124 E250D: Now bought (A used W124 E250D? EDIT : Now bought. Thanks!)
• Mercedes W124 E Class Used value (Mercedes E-Class (W124) Used Value?)
• Advice regarding 1996 Mercedes E220 Petrol (Buying Advice regarding 1996 W124 E220 Petrol)

[GTO]

Ol' Honda City Vtec



Prices we've seen : Rs. 2.75 - 4.25 lakhs
Availability : Above average. Clean Vtecs are hard to find

What you'll like:

• A jewel of a 1.5 liter 106 BHP revv-happy engine. Loves its 7,100 rpm redline
• Still the quickest C segment sedan. 0 - 100 in 9.xx seconds
• Satisfying to drive. Engine begs to be revved. Direct steering and butter-smooth gearshift
• Super Honda reliability. Mechanically simple too
• Fuel efficiency beats current C segment sedans (thanks to light 985 kilo kerb weight)
• Low cost of ownership. Appeals to the heart and the head
• Modification friendly. Huge after-market support

What you won't like:

• High speed behaviour is rubbish
• Basic interiors
• Sparse trim levels (not even a tilt adjust steering)
• ABS option unavailable

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• OHC Vtec Review 1
• OHC Vtec Review 2 (My 2001 OHC VTEC)
• OHC Vtec Review 3 (Honda City Vtec!!!)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Pointers to help inspect an OHC Vtec (Help! Pointers needed to inspect an OHC 1.5 Vtec before purchase)
• Right price for a 2003 OHC Vtec (Is 4.25 L the right price for a 2003 OHC Vtec)
• Help on OHC Vtec pricing (OHC Vtec price. please help!)
• Hunt for an OHC Vtec (My Hunt for the OHC VTEC! Now bought - Pictures added)

[GTO]

Honda Accord V6



Prices we've seen : Rs. 6.0 - 10.0 lakhs
Availability : Good. Lots of V6' sitting on dealer lots

What you'll like:

• A jewel of a 3.0 liter 221 BHP 6 cylinder revv-happy engine. High on refinement too
• Fast acceleration. Absolutely wild mid-range
• Super Honda reliability. Built to last
• Spacious interiors. More room than the Mercedes E-Class
• Automatic gearbox is a boon within the city
• Relatively fresh. 2 - 5 year old examples available

What you won't like:

• 5.0 - 6.0 kpl in the city. There is a reason these cars go cheap
• No manual gearbox option available
• FWD layout. Lacks handling finesse of the Europeans

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Honda Accord V6 Review 1 (Honda Accord V6 20,000 km and counting..)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Buying a used Honda Accord V6 (Used Honda Accord V6)
• Honda Accord V6: What went wrong? (Honda Accord 3.0 V6 - What went wrong?)
• Used Accord V6 or Skoka Superb TDi (Used -Superb 2.5TDI or Accord V6)
• Used Honda Accord V6: '04 , '05 or '06 (Used Honda Accord V6 2004 vs 2005 vs 2006)
• V6 Power! - My Accord - Updated: Pic Page 3

[GTO]

Ford Mondeo



Prices we've seen : Rs. 3.0 - 4.5 lakhs
Availability : Above average. Mondeos age well, thus most examples feel good

What you'll like:

• Driver-oriented sharp handling. As good as a FWD D segmenter can get
• Fast & torquey engine. Nice gearbox too
• European build. Solid car that ages well
• Spacious and comfortable interiors
• Good ride quality (by its high handling standards)
• Early Mondeos came well-equipped (e.g. xenon headlamps)
• Diesel variant also available (tough to find)

What you won't like:

• 7.0 kpl in the city
• Inconsistent reliability. Expensive parts are hard to find
• FWD layout

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Ford Mondeo Review 1 (The SR-71 - My Modded Mondeo)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Buying a used Ford Mondeo (Keen on buying a used Mondeo!!!!)
• 2003 Ford Mondeo: Pros and Cons (ford mondeo 03- 6laks?? pros and cons ?)
• Cons of buying a used Ford Mondeo (Cons of buying a Ford Mondeo)
• Buying a used Ford Mondeo (Used Mondeo)
• 2002 Ford Mondeo. How much to pay? (How much for 2002 Mondeo Petrol ?)

[GTO]

Mitsubishi Cedia



Prices we've seen : Rs. 4.5 lakhs and up
Availability : Decent. The Cedia didn't exactly set the sales charts on fire, but a little research & hard scan on the market can land you a recent example. At a good price

What you'll like:

• Superb driving experience. Refined 2.0 liter engine has good power and driveability
• Well-sorted ride and handling package
• Brownie points for steering and gearshift quality
• Spacious interiors
• Strong after-market support for modifications
• Japanese reliability
• All-rounded nature

What you won't like:

• Engine is not a scorcher. Car begs for more power
• Indian-spec car has a softer suspension for ride quality (over handling)
• HM's lousy after-sales support
• Some parts can entail wait periods

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Mitsubishi Cedia Review 1
• Mitsubishi Cedia Review 2 (Cedia SPIRIT - running report - now 5000 km)
• Mitsubishi Cedia Review 3 (Mitsubishi Cedia Sports 11500 km(7 months) report)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Buying a used Cedia Sports for 5.99 lakhs (Getting 2006 white Cedia Sports : asking 5.99L)
• Is 8 lakhs worth for a 2008 Cedia Sports? (Cedia Sports 2008)
  
  

[GTO]

Honda Civic



Prices we've seen : Rs. 6.00 - 9.50 lakhs
Availability : Excellent. A currently sold model that averages about 7,000 units each year. There are plentiful used Civics on the market.

What you'll like:

• Stunning design & solid construction
• Stellar reliability levels. A completely dependable no-nonsense automobile
• Fast revv-happy engine. High on refinement as well
• Quick steering, slick gearshift and overall driver-orientedness
• Spacious well-designed interiors
• An all-rounded car that appeals to the head and heart
• Tremendous after-market modifications support

What you won't like:

• Poor torque delivery at low rpms
• Soft rear suspension poses limitations
• Stingy Honda. No folding rear seat or FE / DTE meters

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Honda Civic Review 1 (Got my *pre-worshipped* Honda Civic)
• Honda Civic Review 2 (Honda Civic 1.8V A/T. EDIT : 9 months / 8,500KM up!)
• Honda Civic Review 3 (12000 km ownership report Civic 1.8S)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Honda Civic Maintenance Costs (Honda Civic Maintenance and Service Costs and Must dos)
• My extensively modified Civic
• Civic owners : How do you manage in traffic? (Honda Civic: How do you manage in traffic or 1st gear.)

[GTO]

Fiat Palio 1.6



Prices we've seen : Rs. 1.00 - 1.75 lakhs
Availability : Average. Expect footwork to find a good Palio 1.6 cheap. You can also buy a new one for under 5 lakhs, but used makes more sense (high depreciation)

What you'll like:

• 1.6 liter 100 BHP engine. Torquey too. India's 1st hot hatch
• 100 BHP for Rs. 1,00,000 only. Maximum bang for the buck
• European build. Feels solid
• Excellent ride quality and high speed stability
• Spacious interiors (by hatchback standards)
• Well-proportioned styling. Still a looker

What you won't like:

• Average braking ability
• Poor fuel efficiency, relative to the hatch segment
• Fit & finish are unimpressive
• Ordinary interiors
• Frequent niggling issues. Spares aren't easily available

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Fiat Palio GTX Review 1 (Palio 1.6 GTX long term test report - 50,000 kms)
• Fiat Palio GTX Review 2
• Fiat Palio GTX Review 3 (Palio 1.6 GTX – Initial review of a used 2002 model)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Palio GTX in 1 lakh or something else? (1L Budget: Palio GTX or something else?)
• Palio GTX in 1.5 lakhs (PALIO 1.6 GTX 2001-1.5 LAKHS?? ( calling all palio GTX owners ))
• Help in Palio GTX Pricing (Need Help - Pricing for Palio GTX)
• Palio GTX or Getz. What to buy? (Help me choose - Getz or Palio GTX)
  

[GTO]

Maruti Baleno



Prices we've seen : Rs. 1.75 - 3.00 lakhs
Availability : Decent. Maruti true value carries Balenos too

What you'll like:

• Revv happy engine. Good outright performance
• Flat torque curve aids urban driveability
• Balanced ride quality and handling
• Great project car for modifications
• Japanese reliability + Maruti's after-sales service. Peace of the mind
• Respectable fuel efficiency

What you won't like:

• Ugly rear styling
• Ordinary interiors
• Expensive spares entail long wait periods
• Does not feel as "special" as other cars on this list

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Maruti Baleno Review 1 (My comprehensive BALENO ownership thread)
• Maruti Baleno Review 2 (My Baleno's review at 38,500 kms "The poor man's fast car ")
• Maruti Baleno 3 (Baleno 50000 Km in 3 Years 2 Months - Review (Now clocked 50,000 kms))

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Some queries regarding a used Baleno (Planning for Baleno - Stuck with some queries)
• Smitten by a used Baleno (Smitten by a Baleno!)
• 3.35 lakhs. Good price for a 2005 Baleno? (Is 3.35 Lakh reasonable for 05 Baleno???)
• Dilemma: Buying a used Baleno (Used Baleno...dilemma)
• Buying a 2006 Baleno (Maruti Baleno 2006)
• Getting a good deal on a 2004 Baleno (Is this a good deal (2004 Baleno) ?)

[GTO]

Mitsubishi Lancer



Prices we've seen : Rs. 1.25 - 2.75 lakhs
Availability : Good. Lancers sold respectably, and are easy to find in the used market

What you'll like:

• Mod-friendly nature & excellent after-market support. Mivec engines anyone?
• Superb handling and suspension. A satisfying drive
• Refined engine offers decent performance & driveability
• Stunning looks (even today). Easily one of the best looking C segmenters sold here
• Japanese reliability. A trouble-free car
• Excellent steering. Deserves special mention
• Suitably equipped for its time. Drivers seat height adjustment, tilt steering etc.

What you won't like:

• Lacks the outright performance of the OHC Vtec
• Localisation (from 2003 onward) lead to compromises in fit and finish
• Some spare parts are expensive to replace

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Mitsubishi Lancer Review 1
• Mitsubishi Lancer Review 2 (April 2005, lancer review)
• Mitsubishi Lancer Review 3 (My new Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 Invex -The Automatic Karma!)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Does buying a Lancer at 2 lakhs make sense? (Lancer in 2L? Makes sense anymore?)
• Bought a 1.8 Lancer Invex AT (Thinking about a 2000 Lancer Automatic in Chennai EDIT : Now bought 1.8 Invex)
• Choosing between a Lancer SFX or a Baleno (baleno vs lancer sfx)
• Lancer or Baleno. What to buy? (Lancer or Baleno)
  

[GTO]

Contessa Classic 1.8



Prices we've seen : Rs. 30,000 - 1.75 lakhs
Availability : Above average. The "Conti" has been on sale for 20 years now, thus, expect to sift through all types of examples

What you'll like:

• Super cool muscle-car styling. An ol' Classic! Solid road presence. Oozes with character
• Bullet proof 1.8 liter Isuzu petrol engine. Relatively quick too
• Excellent ride quality
• Interior space. Comfortable back seat (sofa)
• Rear wheel drive

What you won't like:

• Electricals prone to failure
• Below average braking capability
• Shoddy fit & finish. An old school car that was built the old school way
• Prone to heavy rusting
• Not really a handler. Far from it!

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Contessa Classic Review 1 (Got My Contessa)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Advice: Buying a Contessa 1.8 GL (Advice Needed on Buying a Contessa 1.8GL ?)
• Found a 1997 Contessa 2.0 diesel (Found a 1997 Contessa 2.0 Diesel)
• Buying a Contessa 2.0 diesel (Buying a Contessa 2.0 Diesel?)

[GTO]

Mahindra Classic 4x4



Prices we've seen : Rs. 1.75 - 3.25 lakhs
Availability : Clean examples are rare. A Jeep that sold in small numbers. Many are scrapped already. Owners who have retained their Jeeps aren't willing to sell

What you'll like:

• A true Jeep. Timeless styling. Oozes with image and character
• Torquey 2.1 liter diesel. Respectably fuel efficient (11 kpl)
• Built tough, simple and robust. Loves to be abused
• Outstanding offroad capability. Literally a mountain goat
• Open-top cruising
• Well-equipped (by basic Jeep standards). Recaro style seats, disc brakes, tow hook etc.

What you won't like:

• Living with one is not everyone's cup of tea. To start with, you won't fit in the driver's seat
• Frequent niggles. Loose build quality
• Stock diesel engine is not built for the open road. Highway cruising at "only" 80 - 90 kph. 0 - 100 takes a couple of hours
• Harsh ride quality
• Heavy to drive in the city, and you stay exposed to the elements (heat, dust etc.)
• Loves to flirt with rust

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Mahindra Classic Review 1 (Mahindra Classic 4x4)
• Mahindra Classic Review 2
• Mahindra Classic Review 3 (Mahindra Classic - Jeeping exercise)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Choosing between a Classic or a Gypsy (Gypsy or Classic ? Now bought Gypsy)
  

[GTO]

Maruti Gypsy 4x4



Prices we've seen : Rs. 50,000 - 3.50 lakhs
Availability : Obviously way better than the Classic. Gypsies have been on sale for nearly 25 years now. Avoid 1.0 liter engine variants. New Gypsy also available for Rs. 6.0 lakhs at your nearest Maruti showroom

What you'll like:

• Revv happy MPFi engine. Refinement high (by 4x4 standards)
• Built tough, simple and robust. Loves to be abused
• Outstanding offroad capability. Literally a mountain goat
• Open-top cruising
• Japanese reliability (dream on, Jeepers) + Maruti's after sales support. Peace of the mind
• Easy to drive, even within the city

What you won't like:

• Loves to sip petrol. No diesel option
• Lack of low end torque for offroad use
• Light weight clutch requires generous slipping in 4x4 mode
• Harsh ride quality (bumpier than the Classic)

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Maruti Gypsy Review 1 (Purchased & Ownership Report – My new GYPSY 413W)
• Maruti Gypsy Review 2 (A review of the Gypsy Regular Hard Top)
• Maruti Gypsy Review 3 (1995 Maruti Gypsy MG410W)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Buying a '94 Gypsy for 2.5 lakhs (1994 Gypsy for 2.5 lakhs???)
• Buying a Gypsy from Auctions (Gypsy from Auctions, Pls help !!)
  
  
  

[GTO]

Maruti Zen



Prices we've seen : Rs. 65,000 - 1.5 lakhs
Availability : Excellent. The Zen sold exceedingly well over its 10+ year run in the Indian market. As a result, plenty of used cars available. Best to choose the late model MPFi engine variants.

What you'll like:

• A go-kart in the right hands. Literally!
• A Tuner's favorite. All sorts of engines (Esteem, Baleno, City 1.5L) have been swapped into the Zen's engine bay. Feather-light 765 kg kerb weight
• Balanced chassis and nippy handling
• Japanese reliability & Maruti's after-sales service
• High on fuel efficiency
• Good looking, especially with the right wheels & tyres

What you won't like:

• Small cabin size. Rear bench is terrible
• Carb engine has poor low end torque. MPFi has more power, but go the engine swap way
• Basic suspension
• Electric power steering (later models) not exactly to an enthusiast's taste

Some ownership reviews on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Maruti Zen Review 1 (ZEN : The Complete Review.)
• Maruti Zen Review 2 (Maruti Zen 35000 km Report)
• Maruti Zen Review 3 (zen:60k review)

Some discussions on the car (Please search for the complete list):

• Buying a 2003 Zen Carbon (how much for a 2003 zen carbon?)
• Good deal on a 2000 model Zen (Is this a good deal for a Zen 2k model?)
• Tips on buying a used Zen (Tips needed for buying a Used Zen)
• Info on buying a used Zen in the 1-1.5 lakh price range (Info needed on - Used Maruti Zen)