Zen(old) vs Alto 1.1

SLK · 11th February 2006, 02:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffetfan

cannot come close to Zen in handling at all

hmm, thats being blunt!... are you sure it was a 1.1? b'coz from what i've seen and heard there is a difference in handling between the 800cc and 1.1L.
Zen has extremely soft suspension when compared to Alto... I don't understand why would one find it SO much better handling.

Alto has the same problem as Baleno .... the tyre change is a must! so its only justifiable to compare it to a zen with 12" rims.

sbasak · 11th February 2006, 16:20

Quote:

Alto has the same problem as Baleno .... the tyre change is a must!

Could you please explain what is meant by it?

SLK · 11th February 2006, 16:45

145/80 R12... not adequate. All international Altos come with 155 R13s at least.
Like in Baleno 165/80 R13... is not adequate. (Maruti had to change it for the Vxi)... They should have done it for the Alto Vxi also.

Technocrat · 12th February 2006, 11:46

Yes Zen has lower ground clearance & driving postion so it might *feel* more planted & also the driving posture was more racy than the Alto.

As about the Palio I dont think of it as a small car

I mean it must handle better because its bigger(both Engine & Size)

What I do say is that for a car of that size(i.e the Alto 1.1) it was a powerhouse

Buffetfan · 12th February 2006, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLK

hmm, thats being blunt!... are you sure it was a 1.1? b'coz from what i've seen and heard there is a difference in handling between the 800cc and 1.1L.
Zen has extremely soft suspension when compared to Alto... I don't understand why would one find it SO much better handling.

Alto has the same problem as Baleno .... the tyre change is a must! so its only justifiable to compare it to a zen with 12" rims.

It was the 800 cc model. I have also driven the Alto 1.1 and apart from the peppy engine (maybe on par or faster than zen) there isnt much to differentiate the 1.1 and 800 cc.
Why would you believe the suspension is different when the engine weight is similar (only 266 cc different) and tyres/profile/weithe / body similar)
My friend had an alto 1.1 and he could not catch up with me in my uno 1.2 on a particularly twisty road.
In my view, alto scores over Zen in
1. Ride
2. Seating comfort (u sit higher)
3. AC (now even but earlier, altos had the best ac courtesy 130 cc compressor while zen used to make do with the maruti 800 49.6 cc run at ttwice the speed to cool the larger area)

Zen scores
1. Better (note not best) high speed manners
2. Better handling

Performance wise both are even, give or take a few...not much to choose there..alto has a better bottom end while zen is more revv happy..

I have a Baleno now. While the tyre change helps...the difference is subtle and at the limit..(I changed from 165/80 to 185/65 R 14)..for regular use the difference cannot be obseved

Sumed · 13th February 2006, 17:36

Alto anyday... I drove an Alto Lx (800 CC) for 4.5 years and my brother bought a Zen just after 2 weeks of my Alto. Though Zen was faster than the Alto 800 (I am sure 1.1 will be faster than Zen) but the ride quality was much better in Alto. Also, it felt more stable at high speeds.

raseel · 13th February 2006, 17:48

hi guys,
too many ppl here like the Alto VXi 1.1. I',m planning to buy a new car (first -timer) and one of these dealers in Bangalore has a Alto Vx1.1 , 2002 model, having 2 owners and 29000Kms to its credit. He;'s asking 2.75 L for it, negotiable of course.

Is it even worth having a look or considering this one ?

DCEite · 13th February 2006, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by raseel

hi guys,
too many ppl here like the Alto VXi 1.1. I',m planning to buy a new car (first -timer) and one of these dealers in Bangalore has a Alto Vx1.1 , 2002 model, having 2 owners and 29000Kms to its credit. He;'s asking 2.75 L for it, negotiable of course.

Is it even worth having a look or considering this one ?

I think the pricing is a bit too much. Why i am saying this? Thats because the Maruti True value quotes 2.7 Lacs for my Feb 2004 WagonR 20k kms(which has the same engine as Alto 1.1.. ).. and add to that i am the first owner!
Going by that Alto 1.1 2002 model should not cost more than 2.2-2.3... again adding to the fact that its no longer in production... maybe even less!!

Zappo · 13th February 2006, 18:21

Raseel do not pay a dime more than 2.25L. That too provided the car is actually 29000kms old (not tampered with). This is just about an Ok prize for a 3-4years old car that is out of production and has 2 owners. Even 2.25L is a tad high. Anything more will be just plain and simple overpriced (even a natural YOY depreciation should make it cost less than that).

Ok, so DCEite said it else I was going to sound it out. Fellas, Vx1.1 had the same engine that WagonR has. Maruti decided two thing simultaneously. M800 should be contented with 4 gears (before that they also had a 5 gear MPFI model) and that Alto should not have anything more than 800cc (Alto got the 5 gears and thus was spec'd higher than the M800).

raseel · 13th February 2006, 18:25

Actually they claim that they are quoting so much since its fully loaded... Power steering, power windows, autocop, etc.

And though I kinda figured that its over-priced, i was thinking that I won't be able to drag them below 2.5L.

But you are saying 2.3-2.3L or lower, eh ?

Hmm.. thanks a lot, lemme see if I can muscle my way lower....

But the basic question I still wanna ask is... is it worth buying a 2 owner, 29K Km run, Alto VXi when I can probably get a brand new M800 for the same price ?

serious_maniac · 13th February 2006, 21:43

In the same vein, do you guys think that a price of 2.65L for fully loaded 2002 Alto VXi (ps, power windows, stereo, autocop etc.), run only 8000 km (yes you heard it right 8000 in 3 yrs 9 months) is fine?

1st owner, mint condition, not to forget in Bangalore

thnx
~maniac

SLK · 13th February 2006, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffetfan

Why would you believe the suspension is different when the engine weight is similar (only 266 cc different) and tyres/profile/weithe / body similar)

B'coz of serious cost cutting... I bought for 4L... now its at 2.5L.... 266 cc... for 1.5L? (its not the same type of cost cutting as baleno... as there wasn't much scope in Alto anyways)

raseel · 14th February 2006, 09:37

Hey, serious_maniac, it seems like a good deal !!
In fact, if you are not going ahead with it..... (god forbid !!).....
tell me......
I'm interested !! :-D

Buffetfan · 14th February 2006, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLK

B'coz of serious cost cutting... I bought for 4L... now its at 2.5L.... 266 cc... for 1.5L? (its not the same type of cost cutting as baleno... as there wasn't much scope in Alto anyways)

the The alto lx that we bought was 3.45 lacs on road in hyd..there have been quite a few discounts and duty cuts since then...thats the reason you see a 1.5 lac difference...
I will check on the suspension on my next workshop visit (have to give my baleno for servicing) and will et you know...still I do not believe the suspension would be any different.

SLK · 14th February 2006, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffetfan

I will check on the suspension on my next workshop visit (have to give my baleno for servicing)

Ok. (its just that the Lx suspension felt lighter to me)

Just reminded me of an experience I had with the workshop.... where the manager started arguing with me saying that Alto 1.1 has the same engine as Zen. ( I had posted it elsewhere on the forum).... Just goes to show how much these people know technically.... These all are just MECHANICS ... not engineers.

11th February 2006, 16:45	#48
SLK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DL XX XX XXXX Posts: 1,634 Thanked: 1,011 Times	145/80 R12... not adequate. All international Altos come with 155 R13s at least. Like in Baleno 165/80 R13... is not adequate. (Maruti had to change it for the Vxi)... They should have done it for the Alto Vxi also.
	() Thanks

12th February 2006, 11:46	#49
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Yes Zen has lower ground clearance & driving postion so it might feel more planted & also the driving posture was more racy than the Alto. As about the Palio I dont think of it as a small car I mean it must handle better because its bigger(both Engine & Size) What I do say is that for a car of that size(i.e the Alto 1.1) it was a powerhouse
	() Thanks

13th February 2006, 17:36	#51
Sumed BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 70 Thanked: Once	Alto anyday... I drove an Alto Lx (800 CC) for 4.5 years and my brother bought a Zen just after 2 weeks of my Alto. Though Zen was faster than the Alto 800 (I am sure 1.1 will be faster than Zen) but the ride quality was much better in Alto. Also, it felt more stable at high speeds.
	() Thanks

13th February 2006, 17:48	#52
raseel Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15 Thanked: 0 Times	hi guys, too many ppl here like the Alto VXi 1.1. I',m planning to buy a new car (first -timer) and one of these dealers in Bangalore has a Alto Vx1.1 , 2002 model, having 2 owners and 29000Kms to its credit. He;'s asking 2.75 L for it, negotiable of course. Is it even worth having a look or considering this one ?
	() Thanks

13th February 2006, 18:21	#54
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,922 Thanked: 2,699 Times	Raseel do not pay a dime more than 2.25L. That too provided the car is actually 29000kms old (not tampered with). This is just about an Ok prize for a 3-4years old car that is out of production and has 2 owners. Even 2.25L is a tad high. Anything more will be just plain and simple overpriced (even a natural YOY depreciation should make it cost less than that). Ok, so DCEite said it else I was going to sound it out. Fellas, Vx1.1 had the same engine that WagonR has. Maruti decided two thing simultaneously. M800 should be contented with 4 gears (before that they also had a 5 gear MPFI model) and that Alto should not have anything more than 800cc (Alto got the 5 gears and thus was spec'd higher than the M800). Last edited by Zappo : 13th February 2006 at 18:23.
	() Thanks

13th February 2006, 18:25	#55
raseel Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15 Thanked: 0 Times	Actually they claim that they are quoting so much since its fully loaded... Power steering, power windows, autocop, etc. And though I kinda figured that its over-priced, i was thinking that I won't be able to drag them below 2.5L. But you are saying 2.3-2.3L or lower, eh ? Hmm.. thanks a lot, lemme see if I can muscle my way lower.... But the basic question I still wanna ask is... is it worth buying a 2 owner, 29K Km run, Alto VXi when I can probably get a brand new M800 for the same price ?
	() Thanks

13th February 2006, 21:43	#56
serious_maniac BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 211 Thanked: 220 Times View My Garage	In the same vein, do you guys think that a price of 2.65L for fully loaded 2002 Alto VXi (ps, power windows, stereo, autocop etc.), run only 8000 km (yes you heard it right 8000 in 3 yrs 9 months) is fine? 1st owner, mint condition, not to forget in Bangalore thnx ~maniac
	() Thanks

14th February 2006, 09:37	#58
raseel Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15 Thanked: 0 Times	Hey, serious_maniac, it seems like a good deal !! In fact, if you are not going ahead with it..... (god forbid !!)..... tell me...... I'm interested !! :-D
	() Thanks