Car for my Dad! Budget 2-2.5 lac

[wanderlustindia]

Keeping in mind the fact that I will sell off the Ikon in another couple of months, I need to replace this with a smaller car for my Dad. I expect to get anywhere between 2-2.5 lacs for the Mar'04 Ikon (not sure if I am valuing this alright). After paying off the outstanding principal on the loan for the Ikon, I will be left with about 1.4 lacs.

He has just learnt driving (at 55 I must admire his enthusiasm though I wish he'd learnt it a lot earlier, but nonetheless). His driving is okay to say the least .

Options I have in mind are:
1. A new Maruti 800 AC
2. A used Alto Lxi
3. A used Santro Xing

Any suggestions?

[Eddy]

Sorry for the dampener, but I think its an optimistic estimate of the Fords value. I dont know about Pune, but a Flair (March 04) will not fetch you more than 1.75K, unless you are very lucky.

[snaronikar]

1) What is the budget you are looking into?
2) Is it the 2nd hand you are interested or the new one?
3) How many people will be travelling int he car?
4) What is the usage of this car kms/day?
5) Is FE all that important?

These are a few questions which comes to my mind right now. Pls answer the above and you can have a perfect suggestions here.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Sorry for the dampener, but I think its an optimistic estimate of the Fords value. I dont know about Pune, but a Flair (March 04) will not fetch you more than 1.75K, unless you are very lucky.

Eddy, you are perhaps right. I prolly am very optimistic. Lets see!

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by snaronikar

1) What is the budget you are looking into?
2) Is it the 2nd hand you are interested or the new one?
3) How many people will be travelling int he car?
4) What is the usage of this car kms/day?
5) Is FE all that important?

These are a few questions which comes to my mind right now. Pls answer the above and you can have a perfect suggestions here.

Answers:
1. Budget between 1.5-2 lacs (I assume the three options fit in)
2. M800 doesn't come with a power steering, the other two do. M800 is last on the priority list.
3. Self-driven. Home to work. One off weekends Mom and Dad with minimal luggage.
4. It wont run daily. At best 3 times during the work week and one off weekends. Average monthly running would be around 500-600 kms.
5. FE is important. The Ford is an avid drinker . Need to do better than that with the next car.

Another thing I would like to mention here, I would not want him to be driving this car for more than 2 years. Once he is comfortable with his driving, I would go back to a sedan, its much safer. The Ford is difficult for him to drive well. He is only a beginner (2-3 months into driving and he is not a quick learner).

[sukiwa]

Looking at father's age, a car with higher seating position would be better. Please try second hand Santro/WagonR in your budget.

[kailashnj]

Go for a second hand Maruti Esteem which should be available for that kind of money that you are looking in the second hand car market. You could very easily get a 2003 car at that price.

[snaronikar]

Used Alto LXI. It will have pwr steering and ac would be a better option as you are not going to keep it for more than 2 years. It gives better FE and is good to drive on highways. I have driven from B'lore to Goa and back in Alto Lxi. It will answer to most of your answers above.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

Looking at father's age, a car with higher seating position would be better. Please try second hand Santro/WagonR in your budget.

I had the Wagon R in mind, but Dad is not very keen on it for the boxy looks.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by kailashnj

Go for a second hand Maruti Esteem which should be available for that kind of money that you are looking in the second hand car market. You could very easily get a 2003 car at that price.

Kailash, Maruti Esteem is again a car with a boot which makes driving difficult for him (poor judgement being the reason). Thats the reason I am keen on a small hatch.

[harshavardhan]

Brand new M800 with AC. You are always better off with a new car (Warranty being the main issue). It's a good begineer's car.

Harshavardhan

[blue_pulsar]

Please avoid the 800. For his age, without the PS might be strenuous to drive.
I would suggest a used Alto LXi. Easy to drive. Very efficient. A noisy motor though. For around 1.5-2 lacs, you might get a 2002-2003 Alto LXi I guess.
Between 1.5-2 lac, you would get a pretty old Santro. Better avoided.

[gopz]

Alto LXi is what I recommend. Perfect for city driving, FE, ease of driving with PS and low maintenance.

[gods-envy]

Looking at father's age, a car with higher seating position would be better and preferrably one with a power steering as well..
even if u shell out a few more thousands, i wud suggest a used Santro.
You can get a decent Santro with PS for 1.75.
Think about it.

[alto99]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

Looking at father's age, a car with higher seating position would be better and preferrably one with a power steering as well..
even if u shell out a few more thousands, i wud suggest a used Santro.
You can get a decent Santro with PS for 1.75.
Think about it.

Isn't seating height similar for alto/santro? I drive Alto, have driven a Santro (for few kms) and didnt realise much difference, but could surely realize it for 800 Zen and esteem.