[DicKy]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

The indica has a fan following in rural areas in KL. It's sort of a mini bolero because the diesel engine helps with navigating steep rural roads in a way your average petrol hatch cannot. frequent repairs, it's still abuse friendly, and has good parts availablity, so can stay on the road. It's a niche but very much there.

Are we talking about the 53bhp one? Cause I felt that the Maruti F8B was more usable in hilly areas than Tata's 475 IDI. Then again, it has been almost 14 years since I have drove one, and 10+ years since I have drove the turbo version. So can't say.

But true. It is kinda popular with people who use it as part of their trade. Mostly mattress, clothes, rug and provision sellers. I thought these were mostly gone, but post covid suddenly these started popping up everywhere. I must say Ambassadors too. Not just enthusiasts restoring it, but people who have utilitarian needs are also driving around in recently FC passed Ambassadors.

[greenhorn]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Are we talking about the 53bhp one? Cause I felt that the Maruti F8B was more usable in hilly areas than Tata's 475 IDI. Then again, it has been almost 14 years since I have drove one, and 10+ years since I have drove the turbo version. So can't say.

Yes. Back in 2006 when I was learning to drive, i found the indica v1 the driving school had much easier to drive than their Alto/santro/wagon r around the hilly roads on my home. I ended up buying the turbo mostly for the bigger wheels. Even today my wife prefers the indica to the liva because all the torque let's you drive with just the accelerator. And your don't need to do the three pedal dance at every start on an incline

[meetbhav]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Thinking of buying a dirt cheap car which can work for 6 months at least.

I remember selling our '04 Indigo Lx diesel for dirt cheap. Felt bad for letting it go at such a low price but it was costing us way more to maintain and use.

I would suggest you to stay away from diesel cars especially tata. Look for reliable though old petrol maruti vehicles that fit your budget, something like the old zen which still looks good even today.

[5haS_0209]

If power is not an issue, I'd recommend you to look at 2012-2014 Nano LX. You could get it at a dirt cheap price. And they are an absolute beater car in the city. Since you'll be selling it off within a few months, it would be appropriate in my opinion.
We sold our 2012 Tata Nano LX last month for Rs.55,000 which hit 61k kms on ODO. Ours had plenty of body damage and the AC was not functioning. You could get a good one for around Rs.80k.

[shankar.balan]

As a complete aside, here is something Off Topic;

Being a person who grew up in 1970’s and 1980’s protectionist India, I am still quite amazed at how in 2022 we are saying ‘dirt cheap car for Rs 50,000- Rs 120,000.’

For general comparison purposes, my Dad and Uncle both had Fiats around 1970 which cost them Rs 18000/- each brand new. My Dad had an Ambassador in 1974 which cost him Rs 30,000/- brand new. A Mahindra Jeep CL550 used to cost Rs 75000/- in the early 1980’s. An Ambassador Mark 4 was about Rs 80,000 in the mid 1980’s. The first Mahindra MM540 cost about Rs 1.1 Lac in 1984-1985. Maruti 800 was 42500/-. Maruti Gypsy was about 70,000.

In 2022, an Apple iPhone 14 costs as much as a Mahindra Jeep in the 1980’s and an iPad costs as much as Gypsy cost in the 1980’s and the new Apple Watch Ultra costs as much as an Ambassador did in the 1980’s.

Shocking in a way, but it helps also to put things a little into perspective.

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

As a complete aside, here is something Off Topic;

Being a person who grew up in 1970’s and 1980’s protectionist India, I am still quite amazed at how in 2022 we are saying ‘dirt cheap car for Rs 50,000- Rs 120,000.’

For general comparison purposes, my Dad and Uncle both had Fiats around 1970 which cost them Rs 18000/- each brand new. My Dad had an Ambassador in 1974 which cost him Rs 30,000/- brand new. A Mahindra Jeep CL550 used to cost Rs 75000/- in the early 1980’s. An Ambassador Mark 4 was about Rs 80,000 in the mid 1980’s. The first Mahindra MM540 cost about Rs 1.1 Lac in 1984-1985. Maruti 800 was 42500/-. Maruti Gypsy was about 70,000.

In 2022, an Apple iPhone 14 costs as much as a Mahindra Jeep in the 1980’s and an iPad costs as much as Gypsy cost in the 1980’s and the new Apple Watch Ultra costs as much as an Ambassador did in the 1980’s.

Shocking in a way, but it helps also to put things a little into perspective.

I guess you didn't consider the value of the rupee in your nostalgia post.
One 1980 rupee is valued at 20.52 rupee in 2021, one 1970 rupee is valued at 43.45 rupee in 2021.

In simple terms your 1970 fiat which costed 20,000 Rs in 1970 actually cost Rs. 8.6 lakhs in 2021. Imagine a fiat Padmini tinbox for Rs 8.6 lakh.
Your 1980 Mahindra CL 550 cost Rs. 15.x lakhs in 2021. When you think with this perspective, we were getting shoddy, third world contraptions for atrocious money!!
Today at 15 lakhs you get a modern, comfortable automobile with all creature comforts.

Stop this nostalgia about the past, the past in India was a far more horrible place to be than today.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

I
Stop this nostalgia about the past, the past in India was a far more horrible place to be than today.

A reality check indeed! Some of us do definitely tend to view the past with Rose tinted spectacles!
On another note, it is atrocious how the value of money has just deteriorated.

[smrparui]

I am looking for a used car for 50,000 -1,00,000 in kolkata, which I can use for going to college. My college is 40 kms from my home and I would use the car to go to my college on Monday and return on Friday. During the week it will mostly be parked on the roadside and will be used for 10 kms everyday. Thats the primary reason why I dont want to take my other good cars. The car should be reliable, economical and easy to maintain.

[ndnesh]

In your place I would go with the WagonR. It's reliable, haven't come across any major breakdowns on it, decently peppy performance and works in narrow roads and has enough space to lug things around. Easy to restore as well when buying an old example.

[wheelspinner]

You probably end up spending twice just to keep it up and running for a few months. It will also leave you stranded a few times randomly. Most of these cars have a lot of hidden problems, such as rat cutting wires, and major rusting on underbody. They specifically prepare such cars to show only a few niggles but later the major issues crop up. Based on my experience inspecting them .

[smrparui]

I ended up buying a 2001 Zen VX , 36k kms on the odo, maintained in perfect shape by a retired gentleman. Maybe I will face issues in future, not sure about it. I have had it for just 2 days. I got it for 47k. But for the 10 odd jkms which I have driven it for, I loved it. Its smooth and peppy and great fun to drive.

[bmuser]

Originally Posted by smrparui

I ended up buying a 2001 Zen VX , 36k kms on the odo, maintained in perfect shape by a retired gentleman. Maybe I will face issues in future, not sure about it. I have had it for just 2 days. I got it for 47k. But for the 10 odd jkms which I have driven it for, I loved it. Its smooth and peppy and great fun to drive.

That could prove to be a great find. Less Odometer reading doesn't always mean the tampering or car not been taken care of - as some people tend to think.

I had to sell my very well maintained Alto k10 in MH ( due to pathetic state-transfer rules/hassles associated) which had very less odometer reading (mainly because of covid times) and I heard some comments from suspicions buyers - they were finding the deal too goo to believe :-/

[chiranjitp]

Originally Posted by smrparui

I ended up buying a 2001 Zen VX , 36k kms on the odo, maintained in perfect shape by a retired gentleman. Maybe I will face issues in future, not sure about it. I have had it for just 2 days. I got it for 47k. But for the 10 odd jkms which I have driven it for, I loved it. Its smooth and peppy and great fun to drive.

Congrats on the Zen VX, wishing you many happy miles with her. As an ex Zen owner, I am pretty sure she will run without any issue, even now. My Zen story is similar as well, wanted a cheap car for my college duties, finally ended with a 2001 Zen VXi in 2016, with 90k km on the odometer. Sold her in 2018, did over 30k km under my ownership, she always ran flawlessly. Here's the link to my thread: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...wned-cars.html (My experience with cheap pre-owned cars)

[smrparui]

I want to sell off the Zen due to trouble with parking space. I had bought it for 47k plus 2k for name transfer and I spent around 11k repairing it. It has life time tax paid and CF till 2026 september. If anyone wants to buy it please contact me. I am a new member so I wont be able to PM anyone.