2004 M800 - Long Term ownership review

[sdp1975]

It was in 2004 that I decided to buy a car. With a limited budget,and the long waiting periods for the then newly launched Alto, I decided to go for the 800.

Variant was with a/c. Purchased it without any TD, since I was not really confident about my driving.

It took quite long for me to build my confidence and get used to driving on the roads. For several months, I was scared to take out my car in the chaotic Bangalore traffic. Preferred to use my bike instead.

However, the confidence did build up, and I started to take her out on long drives. And started taking her to work as well.

Over the last 5 yrs I have driven it for 29000 km. Taken it to places around Bangalore like Yercaud, Sripuram and Mysore.Driven it in the city extensively.

The car has served me very well indeed.

It's been reliable, cheap and easy on my wallet.

Positives :

+ Simple, no fancy car. Excellent for city drives. Easy to park even in the tightest of corners. Good overall visibility from drivers seat
+ Low on maintenance. Very cheap spares.
+ Good mileage. 16-17 in city. 20+ on highways
+ Reliable car. Never for once has it broken down or given any problems on the road. Got punctured just once.

Negatives :
- Basic quality of ride. Do feel tired after some amount of driving .
- Poor gearshift. Gearshift definitely on the harder side. Does not slot into 1st gear sometimes.Steering feels hard at parking speeds.
- Poor braking. Absence of boosters can be felt.
- Lack of power can be felt on the highways.

Accessories:
* Sony stereo with 2 speakers
* Crash guard
* Seat covers
* Autocop anti-theft device and remote

Overall, I have been very satisfied with this car. As my first car, she has been really good.

Now, I am sending her to my hometown for my parents to use. Upgrading to a swift VDI.

[predatorwheelz]

Nice compact review sdp1975. Brought back memories of our 1998 M800DX. A car we bought after selling off a 1972 Ambassador.

Even in 1998, there were naysayers of the Maruti, and that included us. But after living with it for some time, it became a part of our lives. Everything - the ease of driving, low maintainence, mileage and reliability endeared the little darling to our lives. It was with much pain that we saw off the car in 2005, upgrading to an Indica.

One surprising thing though. In 5 years its done only 29K kms? Thats less than 500 kms a month! Our car had done 70K kms in 6 years! Was this your backup car or something?

Finally, how about some pics of your little darling?

[sdp1975]

I agree, the car was driven less. Hardly used in the first 1.5 yrs or so. Was using my bike most of the time. Blame it on the Bangalore traffic and my lack of confidence - I got my license 10 yrs before I booked my car but never drove in those 10 yrs.

When I started using my car, my bike started gathering dust, and I had to sell it off

Here are some pics of my darling.

[Seagull76]

Hi Sdp1975,

Very Nice Review on M800.

I also own a 2004 M800 model without AC . Later I fixed AC from a reputed maruti service center

I have driven the car for around 31,000 kms in the past 5 years. Around 26,000kms on highway only ( between bangalore and kanchipuram (near chennai ))

Definitely agree with all the positives you have mentioned.

In highways I always drive my beauty to the max.of only 80-90Kmph mainly due to the brakes.

How is the AC Cooling in your car ? Mine it's not of big effect :( .Would like to know was there any difference between inbuilt one and service center fixed one ?

[sdp1975]

AC cooling has been average in my car. Not a strong AC by any means. Sort of OK for Bangalore weather.

Would there be any difference a factory fitted a/c and one fitted from a MASS? I don't think so, they would both be the same.

I find the steering wobbling above 80 on the highways, never went beyond 90.

[para_7k]

@sdp1975,

Good Review. My dad also owns a 2004 AC M800. Its size is a boon in city traffic. When I want to visit a crowded place, I would sometimes pick his car in place of my i10

On the problems you have mentioned, I don't have any steering problems. I push it till 100 kph and not more. May be you could get your wheel alignment and balancing checked. The stock tyres suck big time. I'm planning to add MRF ZVTS 145/80. I will post the experience soon.

@Seagull76, I find the AC to be adequate although I miss a blower on the passenger side.

[Seagull76]

thanks sdp1075 & para_7k.

I too don't have any steering problems. I used to push my car around ~ 100kph in the highways whenever i feel confident about the roads.

[raju2512]

I too have a 2003 M800 and has run 90,000 km. Except for 2 instances of timer belt failure the car has never stranded me. The ac is not very effective in Chennai climate but not very bad. I get 15kmpl in city with 100% ac. I had regularly serviced the car at the same MAS (popular vehicles) every 5000 kms. My first set of tyres lasted 66600 km and second set also looks good for another 25000 km. I have never touched the clutch or brake (except shoes). The weak point is the suspension and needs frequent servicing. The cost of service / spares is quite low. Even though I have thoughts of replacing the car, my heart is not allowing me to sell it.

[sdp1975]

Your first set of tyres lasted really long.

I always found it difficult to sell my car , knowing that in all likelihood she would be treated as a "second-hand" car by the next owner. This was my first car, and since she had run less, decided to send her to my home, despite the costs and the hassles involved .