[Gansan]

Boy, was it a status symbol once! I have seen many a chauffeur driven 800 those days!

[JEHU]

Originally Posted by GTO

Attachment 917195

Truly, the end of an icon. Take a spin down your favourite ghat section in a 5-speed Maruti 800 MPFI. A wide smile is guaranteed

Oh how we love this car. It taught me driving and withstood my lust for speed at 130KMPH. My Dad's last ride was in this car and he pampered it like a baby though he never once drove it.He came back home in an Ambulance while the driver drove back the Maruti 800, Silky Silver, TN XX AC 0090 from the hospital where he had a massive cardiac arrest. His parting words to the driver were to keep the vehicle clean at all times and let him know if any maintenance was required. The PLA Maruti Service station Manager came home and as he paid his lat homage declared that no one cared for their Maruti 800 like my dad did. My dad never knew driving but he loved this car so much. We have our SWIFT which carries us longer in much better comfort but it can never provide the happiness and contentment that the humble M800 provided. Just this month I was thinking of buying a RED M800 for my wife as my little daughter always said that she was comfortable in the little 800 with the windows rolled down. Did I say I love this car.No words at that!!!

[Digvj]

Thank you GTO for opening this thread. M800 is our first car and still loved as much by all family members since last 11 years though it is about to clock 60 K mark. I still remember how I persuaded my parents that we are only going to buy the the Five speed MPI EX instead of the regular one period. Our next door neighbor who also bought regular 4 speed M800 said that you'll never use the fifth gear in city traffic and its not a good decision after we'd bought the car...my reply to him was that the car can be driven around in the 5th gear just at 40kmph and get a great mileage too .....of course he never expected that as an answer. As they say to be old and wise you first got to be young and stupid..well in my case i was 19 and definitely not stupid about my first buy as i still find it difficult driving a car without the 5th...although there are hardly any...Anyhow I am happy with my decision till date so much that me and mom's mobile phone numbers have got the last 4 digits as the car registration no. i.e. 8822 !!

[sumeethaldankar]

A farewell to the car that put a entire nation on wheels and gave form to the middle class dream of owning a fairly modern car (compared to the padminis & the ambys).I have a 15 year old 800 i plan to keep as long as possible.

Long may you run the humble 800 :-)

[srishiva]

They can keep the 800 name alive. But seeing what they did to the Zen name and the car that carries the name, I am not so sure Maruti should retain it unless they can carry the attributes. (of course updating it with current technology)

[wbd8779]

I bought one of the last Euro3 800"s to be sold in the NCR region in September 2009 , just over this weekend took it to Shimla , it is an absolute hoot to drive on tight and twisting mountain roads. It can get into the tighest of parking spaces , consistently return 17kmpl, and will probably never let you down.

This one is for keeps

[girishglg]

Boy coming to know that this month is the end of the line (assembly of course) and curtains down on the beloved 800 makes me feel that soon I will be owning a vintage classic. (I know its stretching it too far).

Calling it a 2 seater would not be wrong since it pampers those sitting in the front seats as I must say that the car has one of the best front seat comfort in terms of legroom and the A/c does cool the front benchers very well like there is nothing at the back. Yes agreed all this with the front seats pushed to the extreme back with legroom just enough to seat a few small kids but what the heck.

Must say that the boot (dicky) is much more spacious than many of the newbies on wheels (may not be literally but since the car is so boxy read straight lines) which helps you accomodate your suitcases or nick nacks with some pushing around. Yes it has ample space for the weekend grocery for sure and if not then you have the cavernous back seat (a proxy for boot) where you can stuff all and sundry to the brim creating acres of space. The split seat versions (older DX) was very useful as well making it a 3 seater with decent luggage space.

More importantly as said by all, everything works, the lights, seatbelts, seat adjustments et all and the more said about the 'less' cost of spares everytime it visits the doc. One can go on and on talking about this little work horse for a long time to come.

The words of a M A S S technician sums up it all when asked how long can one keep this car (a 2000 copy) in the future-

'Sir do not worry, we can keep this one running easily at least for another 10 years from the day it ceases production till we get the MGP support and beyond with abundant supply of spares in the open market'

800 is extinct, long live 800

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by GTO

Truly, the end of an icon. Take a spin down your favourite ghat section in a 5-speed Maruti 800 MPFI. A wide smile is guaranteed

Man, I owned this particular model for four years, it was my first car! I can still see it parked outside the town and every time I see it I have fond memories of what it did to my life. Most of my long distance driving has been done in this car, including some 10 hour long solo drives to Solapur.

I have navigated so many traffic jams and bad roads and this car took me where only an auto rickshaw could squeeze through. It has brought a smile on my face not only going down, but also when going up the ghats.

Farewell!

[sgiitk]

I will only say the humble M800 RIP. This car revolutionized the Indian car market, like no other and deservedly has a place in history. do we have a Smithsonian. Otherwise the Buddha should find place for it (preferably a Mk.I).

[Skyline GT-R]

I have used the 800 from 2005-2011 (70K kms)

Longest drive was from Kerala to Agra via Rajasthan - 6900 kms in 21 days.

Even now i take it for a spin whenever i get a chance.

R I P, 800!

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by JEHU

The PLA Maruti Service station Manager came home and as he paid his lat homage declared that no one cared for their Maruti 800 like my dad did. My dad never knew driving but he loved this car so much.

Now this is called passion in its purest, truest form. Hats off to your father Sir, he was a true gentleman, a class extremely rare these days.

[infotech58]

M800 is certainly the car which changed the four wheeler scene in India. always been the most practical, and no-nonsence car to be ever sold in India; could drive it to anywhere, and anyone could repair it.

i did not own one, neither did i learn to drive in one, but few weeks ago, just for the heck of it, i borrowed my cousin's 1991 M800 and drove it for few days and it was more fun than many more expsnsive cars i have owned/driven.

deep down somewhere, there is still a desire to own a M800 (or an SS80) in me.

[AbhiJ]

Respect to this vehicle...

I learnt driving in one, had my first accident in one, it was my first car.

No power steering, no ABS, No Disc Brakes, 35 odd BHP and a 4 speed gearbox : An absolute go kart...

Quoting Jezza "Road, Seat, Arse.. Thats It!"

It will be missed..

[ashis89]

Guys, how about posting pics of our humble 800s as a tribute to this retiring soldier?

Note to Moderators: Delete it if found unappropiate.

[ajman28]

RIP - M800!

Does anyone know how many M800s have been produced till date?