Buying New Car...

sandeep_s · 21st October 2006, 22:58

Hi All,

I am planning to buy my first ever car of life...may be within couple of months
Initially I had convinced myself for buying Maruti Alto until when I read a review about Indica Xeta in a magazine. From then I am little bit confused about which car will better suit me.

I have been reading many articles/reviews (including couple of them in this forum) and I have come to know that Indica is better car in all respect when compared to Alto except ofcource for FE.

I am not that worried about FE as I may use my car only on weekends or may be sometimes when I am running late to office or may be during rainy season.

So my question is Which among these two cars will be better for me (for first time user) and also which will be better for a long time use coz I may not upgrade in near future.

Awaiting for suggestions....

Thanks in advance.

rahul_intlad · 22nd October 2006, 00:05

Kindly use the search feature on team-bhp,there already exists a thread only for the comparison of these two cars

Ps:

Visit
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-c...highlight=alto

adarsh76 · 22nd October 2006, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeep_s

Hi All,

I am planning to buy my first ever car of life...may be within couple of months
Initially I had convinced myself for buying Maruti Alto until when I read a review about Indica Xeta in a magazine. From then I am little bit confused about which car will better suit me.

I have been reading many articles/reviews (including couple of them in this forum) and I have come to know that Indica is better car in all respect when compared to Alto except ofcource for FE.

I am not that worried about FE as I may use my car only on weekends or may be sometimes when I am running late to office or may be during rainy season.

So my question is Which among these two cars will be better for me (for first time user) and also which will be better for a long time use coz I may not upgrade in near future.

Awaiting for suggestions....

Thanks in advance.

Test drive Santro Xing and Indica Xeta. Both are good cars and better than Alto and since you're not worried about FE. Choose which one gives you the most comfort.

esteem_lover · 22nd October 2006, 20:33

well, first you can go through the link provided by rahul_intlad. then if you have any further questions, it can be brought up here for discussion.

my advice for a first timer would be to go for a maruti, since their cars have greater longevity without any hassles & for better service.

markiv · 22nd October 2006, 21:25

I feel that Santro is the perfect car in that segment.

Alto would be a good choice if you are new to driving and FE is the prime consideration..........plus its a Maruti !!

I am still not convinced about Indica/Xeta call it what you will as it suffers from an image problem, rightly or wrongly!

here in NCR, when you see an indica, first thought is that it must be a taxi !!

sandeep_s · 23rd October 2006, 16:19

Thanks for ur replies guys,

rahul_intlad,
I have been through that topic. after that itself i concluded Xeta was better than alto.

markiv.
Santro is out of my budget. I can spend less than 3.5L for an on road price. I dont think santro comes in that.

esteem_lover,
As u have rightly pointed out, that was my question. For a first time driver which car would be better. Merely have a bigger engine/size doesn't make it a good car overall.

I wanna know which is good car which may include cost of running, service, good ergonomics, good reliable engine and ofcourse well suited for a zero exp driver like me...

Thanks,

ravibhat · 23rd October 2006, 17:33

Santro onroad prices starts from 3 lacs and now discounts going on may be around 15,000 RS so IF you are ready to spend 3.5 lacs you can get santro car for sure it might not be fully loaded by one grade less than so called fully loaded Santro, for city and highway driving Santro is all rounder and its the winner except for its bumpy ride comfort. If you really want value for money and not bothered about safety go with Alto , if you are not bothered technical aspects go for indica,

Ravi.

DCEite · 23rd October 2006, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravibhat

If you really want value for money and not bothered about safety go with Alto , if you are not bothered technical aspects go for indica,

What makes you think that Alto is unsafe compared to Santro?
It feels and is actually more solid than Santro and WagonR. This is from my own personal experience.
Dont know of any safety equipment/feature that Alto lacks in comparison to Santro. If it does, let me know. If at all, the Tall boy structure puts Santro at the receiving end.

Coming back to the topic, i would rather go for a Maruti/Hyundai product. TATA is best known for diesel vehicles. Unless you want to be a part of TATA R&D, stay away from the petrol cars.

GTS · 23rd October 2006, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeep_s

I am planning to buy my first ever car of life... I am little bit confused about which car will better suit me...so my question is Which among these two cars will be better for me (for first time user)and also which will be better for a long time use coz I may not upgrade in near future.

Awaiting for suggestions....

For a first time buyer, it HAS to be a Maruti. You can count on them (atleast most of the times!)

Buy Maruti. Buy peace of mind! (How is that for a tag line...a bit hack I suppose!)

I havent had a single issue with Maruti till date. First I had an 800 and now a Baleno. My two cents.

markiv · 23rd October 2006, 21:52

well Sandeep, in that case i would recommend the Alto definitely as its your first car and it would be a hassle free vehicle to own.

and the after sales support of maruti would be reassuring as well as would be the low running cost.

ravibhat · 24th October 2006, 09:37

Hi Dceite,

What I mean is Santro has ABS as an option even on low end version of Santro we can buy Santro basic model with ABS and its braking system is far far better than Maruti cars including Alto, Santro has more space inside, driver's seat of alto is not as comfortable as Santro and since Santro is tall boy design its more safer than alto i feel, Santro comes wth *** rating in safety measures and I saw few accidents involving Santro where passengers are safe even at higher speeds. Alto is also good vehicle but I feel Santro scores over Alto any time. But this might be my
personal thought

Regards,

Ravi.

akroy · 24th October 2006, 12:24

Alto has a very good braking system which i have tested during my long highway trips, other small cars are nothing special... I am 181cm tall, didnt find any problem during the longest drive from Blr - Kol... I still feel it has good aerodynamic features than Santro...
Finally, i feel the main safety feature of a car is the driver !!! This ABS etc are nothing to do if u have a proper driving sense and speed control....A good driver will never apply his brakes, he can sense things well in advance slowly decelerate his vehicle...
For a first small car go for an Alto, dont waste money on other cars where you can have hassles as well as lower FE...Let me tell you, Alto AC is absolutely gr8 (Santro and Indica doesnt come close).... That i have tested in the Kolkata and orissa afternoon heat...
Only space in the rear is lesser in alto...indica has the best space in small car...

My 2 cents
Abhi

superavi · 24th October 2006, 13:07

Hey!

I'm bringing in a Fiat 1.2 as an option into this thread.

(too good to resist!)

GTS · 24th October 2006, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by superavi

Hey! I'm bringing in a Fiat 1.2 as an option into this thread.(too good to resist!)

Superavi....the author of this thread has clearly mentioned: So my question is Which among these two cars will be better for me (between Alto and Indica)
Dont you think it will confuse him further?

GTO · 24th October 2006, 13:26

Topic has been discussed extensively before. Please use the search function to find the relevant answers.

This thread is closed.

21st October 2006, 22:58	#1
sandeep_s Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 21 Thanked: Once	Hi All, I am planning to buy my first ever car of life...may be within couple of months Initially I had convinced myself for buying Maruti Alto until when I read a review about Indica Xeta in a magazine. From then I am little bit confused about which car will better suit me. I have been reading many articles/reviews (including couple of them in this forum) and I have come to know that Indica is better car in all respect when compared to Alto except ofcource for FE. I am not that worried about FE as I may use my car only on weekends or may be sometimes when I am running late to office or may be during rainy season. So my question is Which among these two cars will be better for me (for first time user) and also which will be better for a long time use coz I may not upgrade in near future. Awaiting for suggestions.... Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2006, 00:05	#2
rahul_intlad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,579 Thanked: 4 Times	Kindly use the search feature on team-bhp,there already exists a thread only for the comparison of these two cars Ps: Visit http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-c...highlight=alto
	() Thanks

22nd October 2006, 20:33	#4
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	well, first you can go through the link provided by rahul_intlad. then if you have any further questions, it can be brought up here for discussion. my advice for a first timer would be to go for a maruti, since their cars have greater longevity without any hassles & for better service.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2006, 21:25	#5
markiv BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 183 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	I feel that Santro is the perfect car in that segment. Alto would be a good choice if you are new to driving and FE is the prime consideration..........plus its a Maruti !! I am still not convinced about Indica/Xeta call it what you will as it suffers from an image problem, rightly or wrongly! here in NCR, when you see an indica, first thought is that it must be a taxi !!
	() Thanks

23rd October 2006, 16:19	#6
sandeep_s Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 21 Thanked: Once	Thanks for ur replies guys, rahul_intlad, I have been through that topic. after that itself i concluded Xeta was better than alto. markiv. Santro is out of my budget. I can spend less than 3.5L for an on road price. I dont think santro comes in that. esteem_lover, As u have rightly pointed out, that was my question. For a first time driver which car would be better. Merely have a bigger engine/size doesn't make it a good car overall. I wanna know which is good car which may include cost of running, service, good ergonomics, good reliable engine and ofcourse well suited for a zero exp driver like me... Thanks,
	() Thanks

23rd October 2006, 17:33	#7
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Santro onroad prices starts from 3 lacs and now discounts going on may be around 15,000 RS so IF you are ready to spend 3.5 lacs you can get santro car for sure it might not be fully loaded by one grade less than so called fully loaded Santro, for city and highway driving Santro is all rounder and its the winner except for its bumpy ride comfort. If you really want value for money and not bothered about safety go with Alto , if you are not bothered technical aspects go for indica, Ravi.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2006, 21:52	#10
markiv BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 183 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	well Sandeep, in that case i would recommend the Alto definitely as its your first car and it would be a hassle free vehicle to own. and the after sales support of maruti would be reassuring as well as would be the low running cost.
	() Thanks

24th October 2006, 09:37	#11
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Hi Dceite, What I mean is Santro has ABS as an option even on low end version of Santro we can buy Santro basic model with ABS and its braking system is far far better than Maruti cars including Alto, Santro has more space inside, driver's seat of alto is not as comfortable as Santro and since Santro is tall boy design its more safer than alto i feel, Santro comes wth *** rating in safety measures and I saw few accidents involving Santro where passengers are safe even at higher speeds. Alto is also good vehicle but I feel Santro scores over Alto any time. But this might be my personal thought Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

24th October 2006, 12:24	#12
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,423 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	Alto has a very good braking system which i have tested during my long highway trips, other small cars are nothing special... I am 181cm tall, didnt find any problem during the longest drive from Blr - Kol... I still feel it has good aerodynamic features than Santro... Finally, i feel the main safety feature of a car is the driver !!! This ABS etc are nothing to do if u have a proper driving sense and speed control....A good driver will never apply his brakes, he can sense things well in advance slowly decelerate his vehicle... For a first small car go for an Alto, dont waste money on other cars where you can have hassles as well as lower FE...Let me tell you, Alto AC is absolutely gr8 (Santro and Indica doesnt come close).... That i have tested in the Kolkata and orissa afternoon heat... Only space in the rear is lesser in alto...indica has the best space in small car... My 2 cents Abhi
	() Thanks

24th October 2006, 13:07	#13
superavi BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London Posts: 286 Thanked: 29 Times	Hey! I'm bringing in a Fiat 1.2 as an option into this thread. (too good to resist!)
	() Thanks

24th October 2006, 13:26	#15
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,501 Thanked: 300,617 Times View My Garage	Topic has been discussed extensively before. Please use the search function to find the relevant answers. This thread is closed.
	() Thanks