Matiz, is it the right choice now ?

[gods-envy]

Hi All,
I am in the process of finalizing a car for my wife and the most obvious choice is a Matiz because -
- its small
- its cute
- it falls in my bracket of 1-1.5 lakhs
- and she is still learning and she wants Power steering.

Now the issue that I am faced with it is :-
- Is it good to wait for the Nano, considering the fact that it might launch in another couple of months or just go ahead with this purchase?
- Also how are the spares and service for this car? easily available and cheap?
- I was told by the seller that he gets about 18kmpl in city(bangalore), is that right or was he just exaggerating?

Please advise.

[csentil]

I get 14 on my Matiz (without AC) and I know someone who used to get 15+. Certain parts are not available easily and you have to make do with local parts which is ok. These are cheaper than original parts which are usually cannibalised.

Service is available. I go to Vijay Autos in K.R.Puram who were ex-Daewoo dealers and still service Matiz cars.

Nano is out only in October. Check todays CNN-IBN news or ibnlive site.

Is someone selling his Matiz as high as 1.5 Lakhs?? Wow.

[jkdas]

Over priced and 18kmpl in city at Bangy?
Chevy now supports old Matiz and I guess the A.S.S. wont be much of an issue these days coz of this.

Always a old car to practice.

[hvkumar]

Still own a 1999 Matiz, 2,60,000 kms done, no problem with spares, but will not recommend buy at this stage since you will have zero resale value. And 1.5L is outrageous. You can take mine for 30K!!! Not that I would sell.

[rider60]

get a maruti800 instead a older dx model with a/c and power steering for that price and hopefully get it from the true value for the added warranty for 1 year, which imo is a more practical option!

the matiz at that price is outrageous indeed!

[prskumar]

The price quoted for matiz is high. The spares shouldn't be a problem as Chevy provides them now.

[shuvd]

1-1.5L! Showed this thread to my friend. He had sold his top end Matiz quite a few years back for 80K. Poor guy nearly burst a few blood vessels.
He used to get around 14kpl.

If you are hell bent on the Matiz, bargain HARD!

[lambuhere1]

My Friend got a Matiz ODO 60000 km for 1 Lakh in BLR. Dont know the model series

[goandude]

I get 18 regularly in Goa and 20+ on highways without AC. Spares in small cities are difficult to get but in Bangy shoud not be a problem

[gods-envy]

Thanks everyone for your responses.
Well over the last weekend, checked a couple of cars but narrowed down to this one

the specs are :-
- 2001 SG Model
- All 4 Power Windows (after market)
- All new Tyres
- Run 40k odd kms
- single Owner
- ICE (some mp3 model; dint check properly)
- all service records available

Well the price he is quoting is 1.4. I am sure he is open to Negotiation.

@rider60 :- I was not aware that Maruti 800 came with Power Steering. Or is it aftermarket?

[lambuhere1]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

Thanks everyone for your responses.
Well over the last weekend, checked a couple of cars but narrowed down to this one

the specs are :-
- 2001 SG Model
- All 4 Power Windows (after market)
- All new Tyres
- Run 40k odd kms
- single Owner
- ICE (some mp3 model; dint check properly)
- all service records available

Well the price he is quoting is 1.4. I am sure he is open to Negotiation.

@rider60 :- I was not aware that Maruti 800 came with Power Steering. Or is it aftermarket?

2001 SD model was bought with 60K on odo at 1 lakh. Check out and bargain hard. You should be able to get it.

[praveen_v]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

Well the price he is quoting is 1.4. I am sure he is open to Negotiation.

@rider60 :- I was not aware that Maruti 800 came with Power Steering. Or is it aftermarket?

The price is sure in the higher side. I think the 800 will also be a good choice. Nope. It does not have a power steering. And power steering is not necessary for such small cars and Learning without power steering is always good

[theMAG]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

Now the issue that I am faced with it is :-
- Is it good to wait for the Nano, considering the fact that it might launch in another couple of months or just go ahead with this purchase?
..
- I was told by the seller that he gets about 18kmpl in city(bangalore), is that right or was he just exaggerating?

Altho the Matiz was a solid car, this isnt the right time for it. If learnability and cost are the main criteria, there's nothing like a used M800.

Nano: Unless your family's combined income is not more than Rs 15000 p.m, Tata Motors wont be selling the Nano just yet. Its to be sold to a reserved set of populace - the low income group, and not to the general public, atleast during its initial months.

[gods-envy]

Originally Posted by theMAG

Nano: Unless your family's combined income is not more than Rs 15000 p.m, Tata Motors wont be selling the Nano just yet. Its to be sold to a reserved set of populace - the low income group, and not to the general public, atleast during its initial months.

That's news to me...thnx for this piece of useful information
nice to see Tata doing that..

So, now I need to start looking for a decent 800 then (something with a Power Steering), else would have bargain real hard on the Matiz.

A doubt that is still lurking in my head, did Maruti make 800's with Power Steering or is it an after market fitting?

[grvanand]

Take a look at old Zen MPFI. Should meet all your requirements with parts and service easily available. Though it came with PS, IMO small cars really dont require them, manual steering provides much better feedback of the road surface.