[Bhargava_sr]

Hi Friends,

I have a 96 Esteem Vx running absolutely fine, Its been three years now using this car and pretty happy with its trouble free driving/ maintenance
and performance.
I am now planning for a 2005-2007 Model Esteem or Baleno.

Seniors/Experts/Masters please help me with the below queries to decide on about Baleno to decide upon.

1) FE - City/Highway in smooth driving conditions
2) Re-Sale value
3) Spares Availability in Bangalore
4) Spares cost when compared to Esteem spares
5) Suspension of Baleno with 1+4, because Esteem has a weak suspension
6) Known issues on Baleno

My first option is Baleno, if spare and maintenance cost turns costlier I may decide for Esteem.

[v1p3r]

1) FE - City/Highway in smooth driving conditions - 13/16
2) Re-Sale value Won't hold like a Vtec, but won't plummet like an Ikon either.
3) Spares Availability in Bangalore Pretty good. But be prepared to wait for a select few parts, like A/C compressor, which is JDM and only shipped on order.
4) Spares cost when compared to Esteem spares More than Esteem, definitely.
5) Suspension of Baleno with 1+4, because Esteem has a weak suspension Good
6) Known issues on Baleno Rear wheel bearings are a sealed unit and expensive.

[BlackPearl]

1) FE - City/Highway in smooth driving conditions - I used to get 11-12/14-15 kmpl in my 2005 EIII baleno
2) Re-Sale value - Sold mine for 3.4 lacs in 2009
3) Spares Availability in Bangalore - No idea
4) Spares cost when compared to Esteem spares - Some parts are more costly but they SGP and not MGP and hence of better quality.
5) Suspension of Baleno with 1+4, because Esteem has a weak suspension - Suspension is far better than esteem
6) Known issues on Baleno - Khatak sound from the steering column on hitting potholes at certain angles. Apart from that there are no issues that I know of.

Between Baleno and Esteem, Baleno is a no brainer.

[shuvc]

1) FE - City/Highway in smooth driving conditions - 11-13 for both city and highway. I tend to get lower on highways !
2) Re-Sale value - Since you are buying used the first owner would have taken most of the depreciation loss. You should not lose that much when selling yourself. Baleno's also seem to be in demand in Bangalore. So you should be able to buy ample interested buyers.
3) Spares Availability in Bangalore - Should be fine. Accident repair spares may take a few days at times, but spares are generally available.
4) Spares cost when compared to Esteem spares - Higher. But then it's also half a segment higher.
5) Suspension of Baleno with 1+4, because Esteem has a weak suspension - Pretty good.
6) Known issues on Baleno - Nothing that I would call a deal-breaker.

@v1p3r - approximately how much are the rear wheel bearings?

[v1p3r]

SGP rear bearings are 12-15k a set. They were 15k, but I believe they are now nearer the 12k mark.