Small car to replace Alto - Team-BHP

abhijitaparadh · 5th July 2008, 09:52

My parents want to buy a small car. Following are the factors

1. Should be of the size similar to Alto. They have an alto right now (6 yrs old), and dont want a car which is bigger than that i.e. not as big as Indica or Palio.
2. Running : mostly city occasional highway on GQ.
3. Should have as much safety features as possible withing range of 4-5 lakhs, tubeless tyres a must.
4. Dad DOESNT like santro looks

5. Dad also didnt like Alto's build quality as it started to rattle within first 2 years itself.

They have TDd Estilo and i10, of which they like i10 better.
When are new maruti cars (A-star and splash) going to be launched?
Are there any other choices?

sridharps · 5th July 2008, 11:49

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...lash-star.html (Spotted: Maruti Suzuki Splash And A-star)
Check the above post for more details on Splash/Star.
i10 would be an excellent choice. Spark is another car you can have a look at. Wagon R is being phased out - if that doesn't bother you, you can also consider that.

GTO · 5th July 2008, 11:53

The i10 and the Spark seem perfect for your parent's requirements. What is the reason that they don't want a big hatch? Is it because your father drives himself? If so, then either the Santro Automatic or the i10 automatic (expected soon) will be worth the wait.

snaronikar · 5th July 2008, 11:56

TD Wagon R & Spark also. It does not have the safety features. But can be a good car. These cars have a good discounts also. You have already mentioned about i10.

As for other cars (A-star and splash), it will take some time for them.

amit_mechengg · 5th July 2008, 11:58

grab the spark, i feel it is the smallest and now company is offering 55000 rs off on spark

VJ_MAVRICK · 5th July 2008, 12:01

I think the spark will be an ideal replacement for an alto as the smallest, considering even the new reduced price offering.

amit_mechengg · 5th July 2008, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

5. Dad also didnt like Alto's build quality as it started to rattle within first 2 years itself.

They have TDd Estilo and i10, of which they like i10 better.
When are new maruti cars (A-star and splash) going to be launched?
Are there any other choices?

my alto is done 4 years plus and there is no part that rattles. not even the fibres on the door trim or dashboard. the only thing rattling is the end can of exhaust due to broken mesh inside

.

well i10 is a very comfortable car to drive in city thanks to its gearbox position and short shift.

bottle · 5th July 2008, 12:13

The problem with rattles is due to the plastic clips used in a lot of places. During service and other times if there is need to remove plastic components the service people are not all that careful while reinstalling them and a few of those clips break off. I think this is one major concern and reason why lots of cars do rattle and others dont

aaggoswami · 5th July 2008, 13:10

Test Drive Wagon R and Spark.

Wagon R has good design that allows for easy exit and entry in to the car.
Wagon R also has almost all the features like ABS and airbags.

Spark Test Drive can also help. It is short in size and almost a perfect replacement for Alto. Moreover they are giving good discounts.

IMHO, before buying a GM car make sure that dealer is a good one.

Orion_80 · 5th July 2008, 13:38

Go for Spark LT with the option pack.. It is compact, handles well and with the option pack you can get ABS, alloy wheels and the driver side air bag.

i10 is also a good choice.

mshooli · 5th July 2008, 14:08

Recently had been to the GM showroom to pickup my Magnum and had then noticed the Spark. Quite a neat car for that size. Has great looks and is a perfect city car. I feel it would be the best alternative for Alto.

Quote:

IMHO, before buying a GM car make sure that dealer is a good one.

As about dealers, I bought my car from Vijai motors in Bangalore. Experience was pretty good. Even my first service went through smoothly.

A S H V I N · 5th July 2008, 14:15

try out the spark. it has quite a few safety features like ABS and Air bags in the top end model. plus the interiors are nice. decent build quality. feels solid. and ride comfort is good too. do take a test drive and consider it.

HappyWheels · 5th July 2008, 14:30

Its either the Spark or i10. A TD of both will give you the best picture to make a decision.

abhijitaparadh · 5th July 2008, 20:05

TDd Spark today.
Still dad likes i10 better.

Thing is we can wait for a cpou[ple of months to buy a new car if Maruti is going to launch new modes soon enough.
He is not too keen on Wagon R as it is fairly older design although new facelift gives it a fresh look.

@GTO
The reason why we dont need a bigger car is, the car will be passed on to my sister in a year, and she is NOT a confident driver as yet.
Also it will be mostly restricted to city use in Pune, as we have a Civic for our regular highway use. And you would want the smallest car possible if you have any idea about Pune roads and traffic

bkm · 5th July 2008, 23:24

[quote=abhijitaparadh;892283]TDd Spark today.
Still dad likes i10 better.

Did he like i10 more because of look or performance. Ride quality of spark is better than i10 , Read the reviw in Autocar india .

5th July 2008, 09:52	#1 (permalink)
abhijitaparadh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 52	Small car to replace Alto My parents want to buy a small car. Following are the factors 1. Should be of the size similar to Alto. They have an alto right now (6 yrs old), and dont want a car which is bigger than that i.e. not as big as Indica or Palio. 2. Running : mostly city occasional highway on GQ. 3. Should have as much safety features as possible withing range of 4-5 lakhs, tubeless tyres a must. 4. Dad DOESNT like santro looks 5. Dad also didnt like Alto's build quality as it started to rattle within first 2 years itself. They have TDd Estilo and i10, of which they like i10 better. When are new maruti cars (A-star and splash) going to be launched? Are there any other choices?

5th July 2008, 11:53	#3 (permalink)
GTO Super-Admin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 12,196 View My Garage	The i10 and the Spark seem perfect for your parent's requirements. What is the reason that they don't want a big hatch? Is it because your father drives himself? If so, then either the Santro Automatic or the i10 automatic (expected soon) will be worth the wait. __________________ GTO Change the way you think, and watch the world change around you. Please don't PM for support. Use the Contact Form instead. Please read the NEW Team-BHP FAQ section for all your queries.

5th July 2008, 11:56	#4 (permalink)
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,649 View My Garage	TD Wagon R & Spark also. It does not have the safety features. But can be a good car. These cars have a good discounts also. You have already mentioned about i10. As for other cars (A-star and splash), it will take some time for them. __________________ Love your job but Never love your company because you never know when your company stops loving you-NRN Last edited by snaronikar : 5th July 2008 at 11:59.

5th July 2008, 11:58	#5 (permalink)
amit_mechengg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 737 View My Garage	grab the spark, i feel it is the smallest and now company is offering 55000 rs off on spark __________________ " I dont Drive Fast , I Fly Slowly "

5th July 2008, 12:01	#6 (permalink)
VJ_MAVRICK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 995 View My Garage	I think the spark will be an ideal replacement for an alto as the smallest, considering even the new reduced price offering. __________________ Every SAINT has a PAST and Every SINNER has a FUTURE

5th July 2008, 11:49	#2 (permalink)
sridharps BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 154	http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...lash-star.html (Spotted: Maruti Suzuki Splash And A-star) Check the above post for more details on Splash/Star. i10 would be an excellent choice. Spark is another car you can have a look at. Wagon R is being phased out - if that doesn't bother you, you can also consider that.

5th July 2008, 12:13	#8 (permalink)
bottle BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 574 View My Garage	The problem with rattles is due to the plastic clips used in a lot of places. During service and other times if there is need to remove plastic components the service people are not all that careful while reinstalling them and a few of those clips break off. I think this is one major concern and reason why lots of cars do rattle and others dont __________________ Tata Palio Sport - Station Wagon

5th July 2008, 13:10	#9 (permalink)
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 1,269 Infractions: 0/1 (4)	Test Drive Wagon R and Spark. Wagon R has good design that allows for easy exit and entry in to the car. Wagon R also has almost all the features like ABS and airbags. Spark Test Drive can also help. It is short in size and almost a perfect replacement for Alto. Moreover they are giving good discounts. IMHO, before buying a GM car make sure that dealer is a good one. __________________ EVENTUALLY FATE DECIDES EVERYTHING.

5th July 2008, 13:38	#10 (permalink)
Orion_80 Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 28	Spark.. Go for Spark LT with the option pack.. It is compact, handles well and with the option pack you can get ABS, alloy wheels and the driver side air bag. i10 is also a good choice.

5th July 2008, 14:15	#12 (permalink)
A S H V I N BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cochin, India Posts: 147 View My Garage	try out the spark. it has quite a few safety features like ABS and Air bags in the top end model. plus the interiors are nice. decent build quality. feels solid. and ride comfort is good too. do take a test drive and consider it. __________________ bass-line exhaust notes --- true music to one's ear...

5th July 2008, 14:30	#13 (permalink)
HappyWheels BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 789	Its either the Spark or i10. A TD of both will give you the best picture to make a decision.

5th July 2008, 20:05	#14 (permalink)
abhijitaparadh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 52	TDd Spark today. Still dad likes i10 better. Thing is we can wait for a cpou[ple of months to buy a new car if Maruti is going to launch new modes soon enough. He is not too keen on Wagon R as it is fairly older design although new facelift gives it a fresh look. @GTO The reason why we dont need a bigger car is, the car will be passed on to my sister in a year, and she is NOT a confident driver as yet. Also it will be mostly restricted to city use in Pune, as we have a Civic for our regular highway use. And you would want the smallest car possible if you have any idea about Pune roads and traffic

5th July 2008, 23:24	#15 (permalink)
bkm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 83	[quote=abhijitaparadh;892283]TDd Spark today. Still dad likes i10 better. Did he like i10 more because of look or performance. Ride quality of spark is better than i10 , Read the reviw in Autocar india .

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