Alto or Spark?

vickysab · 20th June 2007, 11:14

Hello,

I am looking to buy a small car having good mileage, low cost of service and should carry at most 5 persons (including driver) with ease.

I am quite impressed with the mileage of Alto and looks of Spark. I don't like the shape of new Zen and Wagon R. Santro's a nice car though is not quite fuel efficient as compared to Alto.

So guys please help me select a car that would suit my requirements.

1. Alto
2. Chevrolet Spark
3. Santro
4. Zen

Thanks much.
Vicky.

gopz · 20th June 2007, 11:19

Also consider the Indica Xeta. Alto would be cramped for 5 persons.

Ajaybiz · 20th June 2007, 11:19

Close your eyes and go for Spark as was planning for that only but Swift Diesel changed my decission.
Spark is very good small car.

zoom2_ash · 20th June 2007, 11:24

If fuel efficiency is your main criteria then there is no other option then Alto. but overall, i would reccomend Santro or Spark. Spark has very good responsive engine and is very stable even at speeds of 100+ KMPH. Santro is a good car with good service backup and you can expect a mileage of abt 15-16 with AC in City.

abhilashvk · 20th June 2007, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom2 ash

Santro is a good car with good service backup and you can expect a mileage of abt 15-16 with AC in City.

15 - 16 Kms in the city in a Santro? Sorry cannot digest that....Are you sure its not highway?My friend's santro on a moderate foot returns 11 Kms with AC in the city.

akroy · 20th June 2007, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom2_ash

Santro is a good car with good service backup and you can expect a mileage of abt 15-16 with AC in City.

Never !!! It doesnt give more than 13kmpl in bangalore city (with partial AC)....

15-16kmpl is the mileage you get in an Alto with full AC always that too if driven properly...

Abhi

alabjarus · 20th June 2007, 12:04

Shoot for the Santro.

Pros are:

1. Quality interiors
2. Mileage of 11-13 in city & 15-17 in highway
3. Good A.S.S
4. Trouble free ownership experience
5. Low maintenance & spare part cost
6. Good resale value

Cons are:

1. Bad back seat ride in highway
2. Back seat good for 2. 3 is a tight fit

zoom2_ash · 20th June 2007, 12:30

yes, 15-16 is the city avg. but its with aprox 50% AC. On highways, its returning abt 17-18 again with abt 50% AC. But pls note its with Santro Xing ERLX. I think there was an improvement of abt 1-2 KMPL from the earlier Xing without Erlx.

gemithomas · 20th June 2007, 12:46

Why ask. If you have the money go for the Spark. It might seem overpriced. But remember that the 3 year / 1Lkm warranty is bundled with that.

ravi@64bhp · 20th June 2007, 12:50

If you want good reliability and service backup and cheaper maintenance, go for Alto. It is really good. If you switch on A/C there will be drastic reduction in power-major negative.

Spark is really good, but GM's service backup is not great as Maruti Service.

If you drive more often on Highway, and if you like performance driving, go for spark or swift.

benbsb29 · 20th June 2007, 14:08

Vickysab, I would narrow down the choice to between the Santro and the Spark. I dont know if you can call the Spark as VFM, or whether you will digest the centre mounted console, but its a new car, and has been making the right waves from what i hear/read.

Santro although aging now, is quite a reliable car, and deserves a look. The pros and cons have been mentioned both on this thread, as well as certain other threads in the 'What Car' section.

abhilashvk · 20th June 2007, 14:14

Quote:

Santro although aging now, is quite a reliable car, and deserves a look. The pros and cons have been mentioned both on this thread, as well as certain other threads in the 'What Car' section

I was told by a Hyundai employee that Santro is due for a facelift ( and might have a 1.1L CRDi engine too !!!)

radek · 20th June 2007, 15:34

I personally think Spark is the best car from your list.

But if it is going to be your first car, I suggest you should go for Alto or Santro. These cars are very reliable with good, proven after sales service. Most of the users will agree that they haven't spend really anything more than routine servicing cost in first 3-4 years. Breakdowns are rare, but there is always reliable service network all over India.

btw, none of this car is good for 5 people (ok for a short distance). If it is your requirement, consider Palio stile 1.1. There are questions about its after sales service, but atleast you can get service from any tata service netwrok across India.

dadu · 20th June 2007, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by radek

btw, none of this car is good for 5 people

Except for TATA small cars (Xeta, Indica)

vickysab · 20th June 2007, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by radek

I personally think Spark is the best car from your list.

But if it is going to be your first car, I suggest you should go for Alto or Santro.

Yes this would be my first car.

Okay after going through all the replies, I have shortlisted Alto and Santro.

Now the price difference between Santro and Alto is roughly 1 lakh. So is Santro really better than Alto considering the 1 lakh difference?

20th June 2007, 11:14	#1
vickysab Newbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 5 Thanked: 0 Times	Alto or Spark? Hello, I am looking to buy a small car having good mileage, low cost of service and should carry at most 5 persons (including driver) with ease. I am quite impressed with the mileage of Alto and looks of Spark. I don't like the shape of new Zen and Wagon R. Santro's a nice car though is not quite fuel efficient as compared to Alto. So guys please help me select a car that would suit my requirements. 1. Alto 2. Chevrolet Spark 3. Santro 4. Zen Thanks much. Vicky.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 11:19	#2
gopz BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 452 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Also consider the Indica Xeta. Alto would be cramped for 5 persons.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 11:19	#3
Ajaybiz BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,440 Thanked: 320 Times View My Garage	Close your eyes and go for Spark as was planning for that only but Swift Diesel changed my decission. Spark is very good small car.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 11:24	#4
zoom2_ash BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 74 Thanked: 5 Times	If fuel efficiency is your main criteria then there is no other option then Alto. but overall, i would reccomend Santro or Spark. Spark has very good responsive engine and is very stable even at speeds of 100+ KMPH. Santro is a good car with good service backup and you can expect a mileage of abt 15-16 with AC in City.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 12:04	#7
alabjarus BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 210 Thanked: 78 Times	Shoot for the Santro. Pros are: 1. Quality interiors 2. Mileage of 11-13 in city & 15-17 in highway 3. Good A.S.S 4. Trouble free ownership experience 5. Low maintenance & spare part cost 6. Good resale value Cons are: 1. Bad back seat ride in highway 2. Back seat good for 2. 3 is a tight fit
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 12:30	#8
zoom2_ash BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 74 Thanked: 5 Times	yes, 15-16 is the city avg. but its with aprox 50% AC. On highways, its returning abt 17-18 again with abt 50% AC. But pls note its with Santro Xing ERLX. I think there was an improvement of abt 1-2 KMPL from the earlier Xing without Erlx.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 12:46	#9
gemithomas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,366 Thanked: 143 Times View My Garage	Why ask. If you have the money go for the Spark. It might seem overpriced. But remember that the 3 year / 1Lkm warranty is bundled with that.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 12:50	#10
ravi@64bhp BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 602 Thanked: 10 Times	If you want good reliability and service backup and cheaper maintenance, go for Alto. It is really good. If you switch on A/C there will be drastic reduction in power-major negative. Spark is really good, but GM's service backup is not great as Maruti Service. If you drive more often on Highway, and if you like performance driving, go for spark or swift.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 14:08	#11
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,968 Thanked: 13,218 Times View My Garage	Vickysab, I would narrow down the choice to between the Santro and the Spark. I dont know if you can call the Spark as VFM, or whether you will digest the centre mounted console, but its a new car, and has been making the right waves from what i hear/read. Santro although aging now, is quite a reliable car, and deserves a look. The pros and cons have been mentioned both on this thread, as well as certain other threads in the 'What Car' section.
	() Thanks

20th June 2007, 15:34	#13
radek BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 288 Thanked: 81 Times	I personally think Spark is the best car from your list. But if it is going to be your first car, I suggest you should go for Alto or Santro. These cars are very reliable with good, proven after sales service. Most of the users will agree that they haven't spend really anything more than routine servicing cost in first 3-4 years. Breakdowns are rare, but there is always reliable service network all over India. btw, none of this car is good for 5 people (ok for a short distance). If it is your requirement, consider Palio stile 1.1. There are questions about its after sales service, but atleast you can get service from any tata service netwrok across India.
	() Thanks