Old Alto/Santro/Zen or new M800??

[manish7]

I am situated in Pune and I am looking to buy my first car in next few days. I have few options vailable to me -

(1) Buy older Alto/Santro/Zen (2001 or later) for around 2.25L to 2.5L. But as I have observed that reliable sellers (such as AutomratIndia or Maruti True value) have overpriced cars -- typically overpriced by 25k-40k. On the other hand, few small shops do sel cars for little less but there is no gurantee there.

I have 2 options form one such small shop --
(a) Sep 2001 Alto VXi for 2.15L, but car already had 2 owners, but it is in good condition with 42000 running on digital odometer.
(b) June 2001 Santro LP for 2.30L, having a sngle owner with roughly 41000 KM running.

Though I personally think both these prices are at least 10-15k higher. Is this a good deal?

(2) Alternatively I can buy new AC M800 for around 2.43L in my city.

I am unable to decide which one would be a better option considering that I am willing to use this car for at least 3-4 years without any major expenses. Addional power & comfort that Alto VXi or Santro will provide seems tempting but at the same time I am concerned if the older car would attract more maintenance and headache. Comparative M800 is truble-free but is too plain for my liking and I don't want to spend 2.4L on a plain car such as M800

What would be a better option in this case??

- Manish

[manish7]

No inputs???????? :(
Please give me some insights guys...

- Manish

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by manish7

I am situated in Pune and I am looking to buy my first car in next few days. I have few options vailable to me -

(1) Buy older Alto/Santro/Zen (2001 or later) for around 2.25L to 2.5L. But as I have observed that reliable sellers (such as AutomratIndia or Maruti True value) have overpriced cars -- typically overpriced by 25k-40k. On the other hand, few small shops do sel cars for little less but there is no gurantee there.

I have 2 options form one such small shop --
(a) Sep 2001 Alto VXi for 2.15L, but car already had 2 owners, but it is in good condition with 42000 running on digital odometer.
(b) June 2001 Santro LP for 2.30L, having a sngle owner with roughly 41000 KM running.

Though I personally think both these prices are at least 10-15k higher. Is this a good deal?

(2) Alternatively I can buy new AC M800 for around 2.43L in my city.

I am unable to decide which one would be a better option considering that I am willing to use this car for at least 3-4 years without any major expenses. Addional power & comfort that Alto VXi or Santro will provide seems tempting but at the same time I am concerned if the older car would attract more maintenance and headache. Comparative M800 is truble-free but is too plain for my liking and I don't want to spend 2.4L on a plain car such as M800

What would be a better option in this case??

- Manish

Dude,
Why dont you look at a car based on the following criteria
1) cost of ownership (fuel economy, cost of spares, maintainance)
2) new car gives better average, maintainace is low and resale is higher
3) if you are taking loan then new car loan is far cheaper than 2nd hand
car loan
Hence i feel the new m800 will help more than an old alto/santro
Hope this helps

Ravi

[RX135]

I don't know about Alto VXi, but Santro LP 2001 is way too overpriced. My friend bought Santro LP couple of years back (with 7000km on odo) for 2.6L. No way, you should pay so much for a 5 year old car. Just drop it.

[carfreak]

if you can get the pricing and the vehicle condition right,i would advice you go in for a used santro.even a new maruti 800 may give more problems in 4-5years than a used santro.the alto vxi is no longer produced but i have read reviews about it when it was launched and its good-it has the wagon r engine so no problem with spares.but i still feel a used santro is a better bet-very few problems crop up in santros and hyundai service is great too.why dont you enquire with individual sellers?
perhaps then the excess pricing problem will not come too.about second hand prices i dont have much idea

[manish7]

It's hard to find a know seller, otherwise I'd buy it tomorrow!!!!
The used car shops are making 20-30k in the bargain, but at least some of them seem reliable and in case of second hand car it matters a lot.

How about 2003 Zen for 2.55L - is that a good deal?

[shuvc]

Very high prices those ..
A colleague recently bought a Sep 2004 WagonR LX (base model), 1st owner, 13,000kms for 2.15 L ...

How much is the Alto LX in your city ?

[manish7]

Yeah, I guess pune is highwr in prices due to taxes and all. New alto will be even more expensive soon due to RTO tax hike.

Alto LX is roughly 2.95 on road. BTW, the 2.3L Santro (2001) is already sold for that price. Sinc epeople are buying at that price, sellers are selling it. Typically, in AutomartIndia the same Santro would perhaps cost me 2.45L.

Automart quoted 1.85L for 2004 AC M800

- Manish

[RX135]

Originally Posted by manish7

Alto LX is roughly 2.95 on road. BTW, the 2.3L Santro (2001) is already sold for that price. Sinc epeople are buying at that price, sellers are selling it. Typically, in AutomartIndia the same Santro would perhaps cost me 2.45L.

Then be happy that you are not the one who bought that Santro Since you have budget of approx. 2.5L, I strongly recommend you check out Xeta as well. It just might fit in your bill with little stretched budget.

[manish7]

No Xeta - I don't trust Indica variants!!

I have already surveyed in 8-10 shops over last 15 days the prices I mentioned seem prevalent in my city.

My budget works out this way for me as per "good deal" and I intend to drive this second hand car 3-4 years without any major iisue, so I would prefer cars with 40k or less on odometer.

(1) The ideal option would be to buy 2002 Maruti 800 AC for around 1.25L to 1.35L depending on condition

(2) Otherwise, go for 2002 or later Zen/Alto/Santro for 2 to 2.25L with 40k or less on odometer. In this option I am primarily looking for AC and Power steering.

I think if second car is in good condition, it gives trouble free run for 3-4 years, comparatively resale price still holds good and cost of ownership is significantly less as compared to the new car of same make/model.

- Manish

[jkdas]

Xeta would cost 3.4 or so OTR.

Stay with old santro for reliablity. Try to get the 1.1 engine as its more powerful.

[irdevanand]

Originally Posted by manish7

I am situated in Pune and I am looking to buy my first car in next few days. I have few options vailable to me -

(1) Buy older Alto/Santro/Zen (2001 or later) for around 2.25L to 2.5L. But as I have observed that reliable sellers (such as AutomratIndia or Maruti True value) have overpriced cars -- typically overpriced by 25k-40k. On the other hand, few small shops do sel cars for little less but there is no gurantee there.
- Manish

manish if you can up your budget by another 50-60k i am willing to sell you my 2005 april zen. 7500kms, excellent car. (checkout post titled accent gle vs fiesta 1.4 in this forum - thats me, still confused as to what to buy after selling this zen) but i wish u were in chennai !!!!!!!!!

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by manish7

(2) Otherwise, go for 2002 or later Zen/Alto/Santro for 2 to 2.25L with 40k or less on odometer. In this option I am primarily looking for AC and Power steering.

In that case I would suggest either Alto or Santro .. whichever you get in good condition and a good price. Preferably Santro.
Zen resale may fall after 3/4 years ...

[manish7]

Can you let me know what price I should pay for these 2 cars (refurbrished) -

(1) April 2003 Zen LXi, with power steering, prower windows, AC, Sound system in good condition with 32K reading on odometer
(2) 2001 Santro LS with 41000 on odometer; again with power steering, prower windows, AC, Sound system

- Manish

[SLK]

Having owned an alto for amost 4 years now... I can say this car is rock solid.
Go for an Alto Lx a later model like 2004-05....
Do not go for the 800.... I have one for the last 6.5 years.... though its reliable.. but its no good.