[shuvc]

Before I get to the Q - let me give a background.


My Indica petrol will probably be sold next week.

After that, I'm looking to replace it with a cheapo cheapo used car. The purpose of this car would be
- ocassional / infrequent usage by parents. Trips to relatives houses, doctor visits, etc
- might start getting used ocassionally for picking up my son from playschool in a few months time. 10km round trip.

Criteria -
- predominantly driver driven
- very easy to maintain; roadside service feasibility a must (am strictly considering Maruti/Hyundai only)
- acceptable level of ingress/egress for parents
- ride as good as possible among the cars shortlisted below
- petrol
- ok AC
- will keep car for around 3 yrs
- this is the killer - price 1 L max Am obviously not considering newer models.
Subsequently, I plan to spend around 20K to 'service' the car .. tyres, oils, suspension etc.

Why did I sell the Indica then ? Wanted a Maruti/Hyundai.

Shortlisted cars - Zen (carb), Zen (mpfi), WagonR, Santro, Esteem, Alto
Zen - Meets max no of criteria - except ingress/egress
Esteem - Meets max no of criteria - except ingress/egress
WagonR - Meets most criteria, but difficult to get < 1L
Santro - Meets most criteria, but difficult to get good specimen < 1L
Alto - ingress/egress issues + difficult to get < 1L
M800 not being considered.

As of now it seems WagonR would be the best compromise, if I can get it around 1L. However, in case I have to consider Esteem / Zen .. which would be better ? Carb or MPFi ?

# What are the pros and cons of Carb/MPFi Esteem/Zen ? I'm hearing that the carb versions tend to give more FE ?
# Also, which of the above has the best ride ? I know none are exceptional buttt, which is better ? I'll probably switch to Michelin XM1s - for whichever car I buy.

[manikjeet]

in your price range you will get a pre 1998 esteem or a zen both were not available as mpfi at that time

the only mpfi cars you get for a lac are matiz and cielo

and you will not find a wangon r or a alto below or near the 1 lac mark

i was offered 1.85 about 10 months back for my alto which has done 1.60 lac km

even if you get a alto or a wangon r you can be sure of one thing something is seriously wrong with car

even a 2000 model santro will set you back by 1.30lac min.

[v1p3r]

Buy first-gen M800, the SS80 version. I know the M800 is off your list, but that version is built better than the rest and will come really cheap, like 30k.

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by manikjeet

the only mpfi cars you get for a lac are matiz and cielo

and you will not find a wangon r or a alto below or near the 1 lac mark

Well am also considering loan default cars, stationed at banks. A relative runs a used car dealership and has the necessary access and knowhow. I'm counting on him to get me some specimens at rock bottom prices.

I guess if push comes to shove, I might go up to 1.25ish.

@v1p3r - no 800s. Also did that model come with a factory fitted AC ? Plus I wouldn't want the car to be > 15yrs old after 3yrs.

What I'm trying to understand is, given that I get a choice between say a 98 Esteem at 80K and a 2001 esteem at 1.4K - how much do I stand to suffer/benefit, in terms of regular running, with a carb version ?

[manikjeet]

Originally Posted by shuvc

Well am also considering loan default cars, stationed at banks. Wifey's uncle runs a used car dealership and has the necessary access and knowhow. I'm counting on him to get me some specimens at rock bottom prices.

now thats a good place to find car at rock bottom prices

my friend got a santro from the bank default cars for only 1.50lacs and car was almost brand new and had only 2k on the odo
and one other friend got a karizma for only 17K

but you have to be very careful about the paper works