Maruti 800 upgrade

fergus · 24th August 2007, 17:29

Dear Forum,
I currently own a Maruti 800 2003 STD model and have it for the last 4 yrs ,done hardly 26,000 kms without absolutely no problems.Now however I am missing the extra boot space and driving comfort during long trips .I Will be thinking of a new car in 6 months time.Any suggestions.I have filled up the below checklist
Cars short listed -none as the maruti is my first car
Price range- upto 5 lakhs

Maintenance & After Sales Service (A.S.S.) expectations- should be good and available easily.

Average distance traveled per month- 1000 kms + occasional 900 kms ( 2 way) trips every 3 months
Where car will be mostly used:city, rough roads
It will be self driven
Any specific requirements from car : Better luggage space,rear seat comfort
How long you intend on keeping this car: for at least 4 years .

Thanks in advance,
Fergus

nispatel · 24th August 2007, 19:43

Many of us will be able to provide you suggestion if you come up with more preferences.

If you want to stick with Maruti and budget below 5 L then it's Esteem that can foot your bill since you want a boot. It's showing is age but it's VFM. Once you get used to it, you won't like any hatchbacks.

Ford ICON can also meet your requirement since your monthly run is very less.

Hyundai has Accent GLE but it will be little above 5 L.

Tata Indigo Petrol / Diesel can also fit your bill but you may not get king like treatment in their service shop.

Mahindra Logan Petrol if you stretch little bit.

You can have more options if you bit loosen up your purse string or forget boot and settle for premium hatchback. I would recommand you against that since you specifically require boot space.

Nimz · 25th August 2007, 03:21

Where is Mahad?

Do you have all dealerships /service stations there?
That would narrow your list as A.S.S is importanct for you.
Boot and rear space? You looking only at a Sedan? or will a Hatch do? UVA comes to mind. Lots of space and comes shorn with tubeless tires and withing your budget. All the promise makes it more attractive.

Palio 1.6 will also be good.

Sedans - Esteem comes just at 5 Las OTR after discounts here in Bangy.

What about FE? Performance? Not particular?
Nimz

ashwin_seattle · 25th August 2007, 04:51

esteem or ford ikon flair. With the current discounts zooming, ford ikon should be good for a 5 lac budget. its comfortable and strong with proven rocam engine.
For newer rides, u can choose getz/swift, although boot space is very less in swift.

fergus · 25th August 2007, 10:08

Thanks Guys its great to have such informative BHPians around.I am posting below individual queries and thank you all for your quick responses.

Nimz-Mahad is a town on the Mumbai Goa highway about 170 kms before Mumbai.We have a Maruti dealership in Mahad but its not that good.I get my servicing done at another place in Mahad.Well I am quite used to FE as my Maruti gives me 18kpl on highway.Any narrowing down on the choices with reagrds to FE and boot space and riding comfort.Actually I am talking about riding comfort after a very bumpy ride to Pune from Mahad via Tamhini Ghat.I wonder if any of you guys have gone that way to Pune.
Does the Esteem have power steering and is the rear seat ride comfortable over bumpy roads as well

Ashwin -any idea of the on road price of getz and the Ikon flair and what is its FE

nispatel-Is it true that Ford Ikon servicings are pretty expensive.What is the FE of the Accent GLE-its a petrol version is it.
Thanks all of you and have a great weekend,
Fergus

vivek_pinkoo · 25th August 2007, 12:50

Why don't you TD all the car short listed (Esteem and Ikon) and see the outcome against your requirement

Zappo · 25th August 2007, 13:33

Are you planning to sell off your M800? That may also have an impact on the choice of your car. If you are planning to keep the M800 then you can have a more versatile range to choose from. FE should not hamper your choice. For regular day to day running (where distances are not much) you may wish for good FE and use the M800 whereas once you hit the highway for long drives the bigger, comfortable car may take over.

However if you are planning to sell off the M800 then the new car will take over as the primary car. In that case FE will also become an important criteria as you said you have got habituated to the M800 kind of economy figures.

ashwin_seattle · 27th August 2007, 02:19

Ikon Flair is around 4.75 lacs ex showroom, so it should be around 5 lacs on road. Flair wud be a better coice than esteem if u r looking for rear seat comfort,ride quality and stronger build. esteem is quite agile on road, but when it comes to ride quality, safety and design, its quite old and flair has an edge here.

Getz is a decent car too, if u can live without a boot. Its modern, strong build, very spacious(even better than an ikon), and quite roomy and nice interiors.
Getz ex showroom price for the 1.3 GLS model is 489800 rs. So its approx 5 lacs on road too.
If u need a more modern car(as ikon and esteem are on the verge of extinction), go for a Getz. It has good power(1.3 version), ok fuel efficiency, hyundai A.S.*, and looks and moderniy to boast.

take uyour pick man.

I would not suggest an esteem today, as its the same old wine being served again and again. Moreover, everone would agree that ride quality and seating comfort is at its minimum so take your pick from ikon flair and getz.

fergus · 27th August 2007, 09:59

Thanks ashwin any ideas what is the FE of ikon flair ,hyundai getz.Is it true that the Ford after sales service is very expensive?

nicejits · 27th August 2007, 10:23

Fergus,

Go for Esteem thats a best car for you ! it gives great vales for money, good Boot and decent FE and as car is form Maruti’s desk so no service
issues !

Regards,
Jitendra

sqwall · 27th August 2007, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by fergus

Dear Forum,
I currently own a Maruti 800 2003 STD model and have it for the last 4 yrs ,done hardly 26,000 kms without absolutely no problems.Now however I am missing the extra boot space and driving comfort during long trips .I Will be thinking of a new car in 6 months time.Any suggestions.I have filled up the below checklist
Cars short listed -none as the maruti is my first car
Price range- upto 5 lakhs

Maintenance & After Sales Service (A.S.S.) expectations- should be good and available easily.

Average distance traveled per month- 1000 kms + occasional 900 kms ( 2 way) trips every 3 months
Where car will be mostly used:city, rough roads
It will be self driven
Any specific requirements from car : Better luggage space,rear seat comfort
How long you intend on keeping this car: for at least 4 years .

Thanks in advance,
Fergus

As you will be driving on rough roads I would say you drop Getz from your list due to its low ground clearance, otherwise the car is pure bliss to drive.
I say this with experience as i own one .

Cheers

rahul_intlad · 27th August 2007, 10:47

The only thing against the esteem is that it in all probability it is in its last phase and would mostly be replaced in the first quarter of next year by the swift sedan[dzire],something you must keep in mind.

ashwin_seattle · 27th August 2007, 12:00

fergus, flair gives around 10-11 in city and around 13-14 on highways(maybe more)
getz gives just about the same 12-13 in city and 15 on highways.

gbpscars · 27th August 2007, 12:11

fergus,

given the place you are in, Mahad, it will make lot of sense to go with Maruti - for your case the esteem. will solve your boot space issue too.

you can also think of coming to mumbai when you can and shop for a 2nd hand esteem. there are lots of them around here for sale and in great shape. if you are thinking of a daily use in a semi-rural place like Mahad, and of fuel efficiency, you can look for one with a CNG kit too.

i know a chap very well who does a daily trip from roha to mumbai city everyday with a 4 year old esteem running on CNG for his business, and the car serves him wonderfully well with very less maintenance cost, even during the monsoons - you will know about the road quality around there.

go with truevalue if looking for a second hand.

Jaguar · 27th August 2007, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashwin_seattle

Ikon Flair is around 4.75 lacs ex showroom, so it should be around 5 lacs on road.

Ikon flair costs 5.49 on road here in bangalore (Got the quote yesterday from cauvery ford). Will get kenwood stereo + 4 speakers and autocop free.

24th August 2007, 17:29	#1
fergus BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 95 Thanked: 8 Times	Maruti 800 upgrade Dear Forum, I currently own a Maruti 800 2003 STD model and have it for the last 4 yrs ,done hardly 26,000 kms without absolutely no problems.Now however I am missing the extra boot space and driving comfort during long trips .I Will be thinking of a new car in 6 months time.Any suggestions.I have filled up the below checklist Cars short listed -none as the maruti is my first car Price range- upto 5 lakhs Maintenance & After Sales Service (A.S.S.) expectations- should be good and available easily. Average distance traveled per month- 1000 kms + occasional 900 kms ( 2 way) trips every 3 months Where car will be mostly used:city, rough roads It will be self driven Any specific requirements from car : Better luggage space,rear seat comfort How long you intend on keeping this car: for at least 4 years . Thanks in advance, Fergus
	() Thanks

24th August 2007, 19:43	#2
nispatel BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 97 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Many of us will be able to provide you suggestion if you come up with more preferences. If you want to stick with Maruti and budget below 5 L then it's Esteem that can foot your bill since you want a boot. It's showing is age but it's VFM. Once you get used to it, you won't like any hatchbacks. Ford ICON can also meet your requirement since your monthly run is very less. Hyundai has Accent GLE but it will be little above 5 L. Tata Indigo Petrol / Diesel can also fit your bill but you may not get king like treatment in their service shop. Mahindra Logan Petrol if you stretch little bit. You can have more options if you bit loosen up your purse string or forget boot and settle for premium hatchback. I would recommand you against that since you specifically require boot space. Last edited by nispatel : 24th August 2007 at 19:46.
	() Thanks

25th August 2007, 03:21	#3
Nimz BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 594 Thanked: 198 Times View My Garage	Where is Mahad? Do you have all dealerships /service stations there? That would narrow your list as A.S.S is importanct for you. Boot and rear space? You looking only at a Sedan? or will a Hatch do? UVA comes to mind. Lots of space and comes shorn with tubeless tires and withing your budget. All the promise makes it more attractive. Palio 1.6 will also be good. Sedans - Esteem comes just at 5 Las OTR after discounts here in Bangy. What about FE? Performance? Not particular? Nimz
	() Thanks

25th August 2007, 04:51	#4
ashwin_seattle BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: seattle/chandig Posts: 122 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	esteem or ford ikon flair. With the current discounts zooming, ford ikon should be good for a 5 lac budget. its comfortable and strong with proven rocam engine. For newer rides, u can choose getz/swift, although boot space is very less in swift.
	() Thanks

25th August 2007, 10:08	#5
fergus BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 95 Thanked: 8 Times	Thanks Guys its great to have such informative BHPians around.I am posting below individual queries and thank you all for your quick responses. Nimz-Mahad is a town on the Mumbai Goa highway about 170 kms before Mumbai.We have a Maruti dealership in Mahad but its not that good.I get my servicing done at another place in Mahad.Well I am quite used to FE as my Maruti gives me 18kpl on highway.Any narrowing down on the choices with reagrds to FE and boot space and riding comfort.Actually I am talking about riding comfort after a very bumpy ride to Pune from Mahad via Tamhini Ghat.I wonder if any of you guys have gone that way to Pune. Does the Esteem have power steering and is the rear seat ride comfortable over bumpy roads as well Ashwin -any idea of the on road price of getz and the Ikon flair and what is its FE nispatel-Is it true that Ford Ikon servicings are pretty expensive.What is the FE of the Accent GLE-its a petrol version is it. Thanks all of you and have a great weekend, Fergus
	() Thanks

25th August 2007, 12:50	#6
vivek_pinkoo BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 194 Thanked: 5 Times	Why don't you TD all the car short listed (Esteem and Ikon) and see the outcome against your requirement
	() Thanks

25th August 2007, 13:33	#7
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,922 Thanked: 2,699 Times	Are you planning to sell off your M800? That may also have an impact on the choice of your car. If you are planning to keep the M800 then you can have a more versatile range to choose from. FE should not hamper your choice. For regular day to day running (where distances are not much) you may wish for good FE and use the M800 whereas once you hit the highway for long drives the bigger, comfortable car may take over. However if you are planning to sell off the M800 then the new car will take over as the primary car. In that case FE will also become an important criteria as you said you have got habituated to the M800 kind of economy figures.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 02:19	#8
ashwin_seattle BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: seattle/chandig Posts: 122 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Ikon Flair is around 4.75 lacs ex showroom, so it should be around 5 lacs on road. Flair wud be a better coice than esteem if u r looking for rear seat comfort,ride quality and stronger build. esteem is quite agile on road, but when it comes to ride quality, safety and design, its quite old and flair has an edge here. Getz is a decent car too, if u can live without a boot. Its modern, strong build, very spacious(even better than an ikon), and quite roomy and nice interiors. Getz ex showroom price for the 1.3 GLS model is 489800 rs. So its approx 5 lacs on road too. If u need a more modern car(as ikon and esteem are on the verge of extinction), go for a Getz. It has good power(1.3 version), ok fuel efficiency, hyundai A.S.*, and looks and moderniy to boast. take uyour pick man. I would not suggest an esteem today, as its the same old wine being served again and again. Moreover, everone would agree that ride quality and seating comfort is at its minimum so take your pick from ikon flair and getz.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 09:59	#9
fergus BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 95 Thanked: 8 Times	Thanks ashwin any ideas what is the FE of ikon flair ,hyundai getz.Is it true that the Ford after sales service is very expensive?
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 10:23	#10
nicejits BANNED Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mumbai ( Borivali ) Posts: 328 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Fergus, Go for Esteem thats a best car for you ! it gives great vales for money, good Boot and decent FE and as car is form Maruti’s desk so no service issues ! Regards, Jitendra
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 10:47	#12
rahul_intlad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,579 Thanked: 4 Times	The only thing against the esteem is that it in all probability it is in its last phase and would mostly be replaced in the first quarter of next year by the swift sedan[dzire],something you must keep in mind. Last edited by rahul_intlad : 27th August 2007 at 10:55.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 12:00	#13
ashwin_seattle BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: seattle/chandig Posts: 122 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	fergus, flair gives around 10-11 in city and around 13-14 on highways(maybe more) getz gives just about the same 12-13 in city and 15 on highways.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 12:11	#14
gbpscars BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 402 Thanked: 5 Times	fergus, given the place you are in, Mahad, it will make lot of sense to go with Maruti - for your case the esteem. will solve your boot space issue too. you can also think of coming to mumbai when you can and shop for a 2nd hand esteem. there are lots of them around here for sale and in great shape. if you are thinking of a daily use in a semi-rural place like Mahad, and of fuel efficiency, you can look for one with a CNG kit too. i know a chap very well who does a daily trip from roha to mumbai city everyday with a 4 year old esteem running on CNG for his business, and the car serves him wonderfully well with very less maintenance cost, even during the monsoons - you will know about the road quality around there. go with truevalue if looking for a second hand. Last edited by gbpscars : 27th August 2007 at 12:13.
	() Thanks