upgrading from 2nd hand alto

[jits_1998]

Hi Guys,

My sweetheart alto has to be exchanged before its time. It was bought from maruti true value in oct 2006 (2004 oct model) for 2.45.

Gave it for my landlady's marriage and was hit by a lorry ... nothing major, just a little 2 mm hole (only on outer layer) in the door below the handle and some scratches around it. Maruti service center guys are saying door has to be changed, other denters are saying it can be repaired for around 3k. But I am bugged, want to change it as it was due for change in 6 months. My usual policy is to buy a good second hand car keep it for 2 years and change it.

I am interested in a wagon-r (2 year old), mainly for its boot space and hoping it would be as lovely to drive as my alto. I am a maruti only guy.

Please advice.

Thanks,
Jitendra

[jits_1998]

I guess I am just going to get it repaired and keep it. Because Wagon-R is on its way out and no other car comes in close range.

[gary4gar]

Wait for 4-5months and Get a new Tata Nano.

[blue_pulsar]

Originally Posted by gary4gar

Wait for 4-5months and Get a new Tata Nano.

Nano as Alto's upgrade? Are you kidding?

And only Maruti for Jitendra please..

Originally Posted by jits_1998

I am a maruti only guy.

jits, how about a second hand true value Swift?

[Gautam Misra]

Jitendra, wait for the Tata Nano launch; the second hand car market is due for a crash. At that time you can go for the kill.

My suggestions would be -

(i) SWIFT LDI / VDI (second hand - depending on your budget)
(ii) Second hand wagon R ( milege would not as good as your alto and there is some talk that it may be phased out with the launch of the splash which is due to be launched this year)
(iii) Esteem ( This would truly be an upgrade and you would get is dirt cheap as it is no longer under production)
(iv) Zen Estilo (driving may not be as good as the wagon r)

[jits_1998]

Originally Posted by Gautam Misra

Jitendra, wait for the Tata Nano launch; the second hand car market is due for a crash. At that time you can go for the kill.

I doubt if its going to crash. If anything its going to increase the number of people who can't afford a car to buy a car. As it is the cars above 3 are going to be unaffected.

Originally Posted by Gautam Misra

(i) SWIFT LDI / VDI (second hand - depending on your budget)

Diesel doesn't make sense as my total ride in about 18 months is only 5.5k kms.

Originally Posted by Gautam Misra

(ii) Second hand wagon R ( milege would not as good as your alto and there is some talk that it may be phased out with the launch of the splash which is due to be launched this year)
(iii) Esteem ( This would truly be an upgrade and you would get is dirt cheap as it is no longer under production)

I prefer to keep cars for only 2 years, so these cars won't get me a resale.

Originally Posted by Gautam Misra

(iv) Zen Estilo (driving may not be as good as the wagon r)

This is the only close option, but my wife doesn't like its looks .

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

how about a second hand true value Swift?

I did a test drive of petrol swift yesterday, zxi 1 year old was available at 4.3-4.4, but found its steering quite heavier than my alto. dun know if that was the case with that piece or otherwise. but the gear mechanism looked like a toy .

Currently analyzing whether to upgrade to swift (cost) or get the ant-hole repaired, or keep it as it is :-( and keep it for another year and a half.

cheers!

[blue_pulsar]

Originally Posted by jits_1998

I did a test drive of petrol swift yesterday, zxi 1 year old was available at 4.3-4.4, but found its steering quite heavier than my alto. dun know if that was the case with that piece or otherwise. but the gear mechanism looked like a toy .

1 year old ZXi at that price is a steal. Atleast in Bangalore.

Yes, the Swift steering is heavier than the Alto. Gives decent amount of feedback for an EPS(Please don't compare with the hydraulic steering).

[jits_1998]

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

1 year old ZXi at that price is a steal. Atleast in Bangalore.

I checked out, it was 2 years old. but stil it was a decent price as per car wale evaluation. But I missed it, its been sold out.

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

Gives decent amount of feedback for an EPS

What is EPS

[Technocrat]

Yes, the Swift steering is heavier than the Alto. Gives decent amount of feedback for an EPS(Please don't compare with the hydraulic steering).

even Alto sports an EPS - Electronic Power Steering

[jits_1998]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

even Alto sports an EPS - Electronic Power Steering

ouch.. my bad :-).

I guess I will keep my alto for now repair cost is around 4k and look for something around divali time.

Cheers!