LPG hatchback dilemma?

panks15 · 25th July 2009, 17:11

Planning to buy a new lpg hatchback (already own a baleno cng and indigo diesel) and confused between the 3 cars which are available with lpg option.

The other requriment is power steering and front 2 power windows. Would be used only in city either by me or sis.

The options are WagonR duo, Santro Eco, Spark LPG.

Where maruti gives hassle free ownership spark gives the most advanced LPG system (sequential kit) and is VFM, santro treads in between.

P.S.: Moderator it would be really helpfull if you could please add a poll to it, being a newbie this option is still not available to me.

loving_alaap · 26th July 2009, 00:58

Nothing can beat Santro, but hold on for a while, there is a thread saying new version of santro is coming, so wait for that.

Parm · 26th July 2009, 01:20

buy a santro with factory fitted LPG, you will get a good deal because LPG/CNG is the last option a car manufacturer brings out with the unsold stock before the launch of a new model of the same car!

devarshi84 · 26th July 2009, 08:25

\wagonR followed by \spark.

WagonR for its Duo tech, Spark for its peppy engine and fun to drive factor.

Santro in its current avatar is done with.

aaggoswami · 26th July 2009, 09:00

I will suggest you Wagon R. Although spark has a more modern system, in city driving, there will not be much to separate these car in performance figures.
Wagon R has got excellent visibility from drivers seat, and the overall visibility is also very good. The best car for city driving. The engine with LPG does not feel underpowered and for city driving you will not feel lack of power or anything as such.
As you have mentioned, it will be a hassle free car to own.

archat68 · 26th July 2009, 10:45

The Spark has the sequential LPG kit which is the best among the various types of Kits available.
If you are worried about A.S.S - go for the Spark - best VFM car in the segment.

r_nairtvm · 26th July 2009, 11:07

Hello Guys,

Can you please tell me, why does the smell of LPG so strong with in hatchbacks particularly.

Recently in TVM I was looking at some Santros (2003-2006 models) to buy for my mothers use there (seat hight was a factor for her to get in and out). What I noticed was invaribly in all LPG versions, the smell of LPG was there and even ones clothes had the smell even after getting out of the car. I experienced this in at least 4 cars.

Is it endemic with all LPG hatch backs or was it for those particular cars only.

Thanks for your thoughts

Ram

PS - I bought a Santro 2003 Zip. 39,000 on Clock, PwS, Remote locks, Sonly Xplod, 4 brand new tyres, Generally Good condition for 165 K.

aaggoswami · 26th July 2009, 11:16

@r_nairtvm :

I think what you are talking about is the kit that is aftermarket fitment to Santro.
I have driven LPG Duo Wagon R with factory fitted kit. There was no smell issue.
Also even in case of aftermarket kits, I have seen that either there is no smell or even if there is some smell, its very minor.

Check for leakages.
The smell after getting out of the car is IMO the exhaust. This was evident in cars that had LPG as after market fitment.

mukeshgoel · 26th July 2009, 11:36

@panks15,

I would suggest that instead of going for LPG model, you should buy another CNG car because you already know how to maintain, pros and cons of CNG cars and also LPG technology will be obsolete according to this article.

"The company (Maruti) had earlier said it stopped working on LPG models as it planned to roll out CNG variants of the entire range of its cars from early 2010, the first of which would be the Alto."

Source:
Maruti launches CNG kit for Alto - The Financial Express

mithun · 26th July 2009, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mukeshgoel

@panks15,

I would suggest that instead of going for LPG model, you should buy another CNG car because you already know how to maintain, pros and cons of CNG cars and also LPG technology will be obsolete according to this article.

"The company (Maruti) had earlier said it stopped working on LPG models as it planned to roll out CNG variants of the entire range of its cars from early 2010, the first of which would be the Alto."

Source:
Maruti launches CNG kit for Alto - The Financial Express

The LPG tech. will not get obsolete simply because Maruti has lost interest in LPG !

Maruti is launching CNG models when compared to LPG because of the wide availability of CNG when compared to LPG esp. in North.

Search here for more on LPG vs. CNG wars.

DCEite · 26th July 2009, 12:48

For an LPG hatchback i would always recommend the WagonR. Reason being that even with the LPG cylinder in the boot, there is still ample space left in the boot to carry stuff. In short, best space management of the three.
Other than that, you get Maruti's after sales and reliability, together with a a trouble free ownership. This is one car you cannot go wrong with.

sunil8089 · 28th July 2009, 08:27

Among the three cars mentioned here, following are some of the facts collected from users. All LPG kits have the cold start issues. But when compared other LPG characteristics:

Santro ECO
Mileage-9-10km/l,
Ride Quality - Owners experienced jerking
LPG Tank Capacity - 27.2 liters

WagonR
Mileage-11-12km/l,
Ride Quality - Smooth
LPG Tank Capacity - 22.5 liters

Spark LPG
Mileage - 11-12km/l,
Ride Quality - very smooth
LPG Tank Capacity - 26.2 liters

Overall I feel Spark is the best among the thee along with other features like ride quality, build quality & value for money.

panks15 · 28th July 2009, 15:03

aaggoswami and DCEite: I was also thinking of wagonr but my sister does not likes the looks of the car.

r_nairtvm: aaggoswami is right, the smelly issue is normally with the aftermarket fitment of lpg kit. My friends carb zen had the same issue and it was even more when the ac was switched on, he had to remove the kit and sold @ 50% of the original cost. My uncle owns wagonr duo but he has not experienced any such issues, hence i am opting for company fitted kit with warranty.

mukeshgoel: CNG is currently available only in Mumbai and thane regions in maharashtra and it sometime takes more than 20 - 25 minutes to fill up even during off peak hours. Also the cng cylinder is huge which would take up the complete (or whatever) space is available in the boot of the hatchback.

sunil8089: Thanks for the valuable info.

ownerofazkaban · 1st August 2009, 14:24

Sir, you missed another big car with big LPG tank... Indica Xeta LPG.
Tank water capacity is 38lts, and almost 35 lts petrol.

The car pulls very well, is high on low end torgue and is a pleasure to drive around in city. On highway it does feel sluggish. We have one in our family and its on road around 4lacs in kar.

Do consider this, You get all the space of Indica, plus 60:40 rear split seats and factory fitted LPG system.

Live To Jive · 1st August 2009, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by devarshi84

WagonR for its Duo tech,

What is Duo tech. I thought Duo was the name given to the LPG variants of Maruti cars (800 & Wagon R), just like Eco for Hyundai.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownerofazkaban

Sir, you missed another big car with big LPG tank... Indica Xeta LPG.

You can consider this one. Good deals are available. It's a nice spacious car.

25th July 2009, 17:11	#1
panks15 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 52 Thanked: 0 Times	LPG hatchback dilemma? Planning to buy a new lpg hatchback (already own a baleno cng and indigo diesel) and confused between the 3 cars which are available with lpg option. The other requriment is power steering and front 2 power windows. Would be used only in city either by me or sis. The options are WagonR duo, Santro Eco, Spark LPG. Where maruti gives hassle free ownership spark gives the most advanced LPG system (sequential kit) and is VFM, santro treads in between. P.S.: Moderator it would be really helpfull if you could please add a poll to it, being a newbie this option is still not available to me.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 00:58	#2
loving_alaap BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 808 Thanked: 9 Times	Nothing can beat Santro, but hold on for a while, there is a thread saying new version of santro is coming, so wait for that.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 01:20	#3
Parm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a Toyota! Posts: 2,753 Thanked: 890 Times	buy a santro with factory fitted LPG, you will get a good deal because LPG/CNG is the last option a car manufacturer brings out with the unsold stock before the launch of a new model of the same car!
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 08:25	#4
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	\wagonR followed by \spark. WagonR for its Duo tech, Spark for its peppy engine and fun to drive factor. Santro in its current avatar is done with.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 09:00	#5
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	I will suggest you Wagon R. Although spark has a more modern system, in city driving, there will not be much to separate these car in performance figures. Wagon R has got excellent visibility from drivers seat, and the overall visibility is also very good. The best car for city driving. The engine with LPG does not feel underpowered and for city driving you will not feel lack of power or anything as such. As you have mentioned, it will be a hassle free car to own.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 10:45	#6
archat68 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 897 Thanked: 619 Times	The Spark has the sequential LPG kit which is the best among the various types of Kits available. If you are worried about A.S.S - go for the Spark - best VFM car in the segment.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 11:07	#7
r_nairtvm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dubai/TRV/BLR Posts: 2,091 Thanked: 2,547 Times View My Garage	Hello Guys, Can you please tell me, why does the smell of LPG so strong with in hatchbacks particularly. Recently in TVM I was looking at some Santros (2003-2006 models) to buy for my mothers use there (seat hight was a factor for her to get in and out). What I noticed was invaribly in all LPG versions, the smell of LPG was there and even ones clothes had the smell even after getting out of the car. I experienced this in at least 4 cars. Is it endemic with all LPG hatch backs or was it for those particular cars only. Thanks for your thoughts Ram PS - I bought a Santro 2003 Zip. 39,000 on Clock, PwS, Remote locks, Sonly Xplod, 4 brand new tyres, Generally Good condition for 165 K. Last edited by r_nairtvm : 26th July 2009 at 11:08. Reason: editing
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 11:16	#8
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	@r_nairtvm : I think what you are talking about is the kit that is aftermarket fitment to Santro. I have driven LPG Duo Wagon R with factory fitted kit. There was no smell issue. Also even in case of aftermarket kits, I have seen that either there is no smell or even if there is some smell, its very minor. Check for leakages. The smell after getting out of the car is IMO the exhaust. This was evident in cars that had LPG as after market fitment. Last edited by aaggoswami : 26th July 2009 at 11:18.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 11:36	#9
mukeshgoel Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,234 Thanked: 2,142 Times View My Garage	@panks15, I would suggest that instead of going for LPG model, you should buy another CNG car because you already know how to maintain, pros and cons of CNG cars and also LPG technology will be obsolete according to this article. "The company (Maruti) had earlier said it stopped working on LPG models as it planned to roll out CNG variants of the entire range of its cars from early 2010, the first of which would be the Alto." Source: Maruti launches CNG kit for Alto - The Financial Express
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 12:48	#11
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,415 Thanked: 2,543 Times	For an LPG hatchback i would always recommend the WagonR. Reason being that even with the LPG cylinder in the boot, there is still ample space left in the boot to carry stuff. In short, best space management of the three. Other than that, you get Maruti's after sales and reliability, together with a a trouble free ownership. This is one car you cannot go wrong with.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 08:27	#12
sunil8089 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 198 Thanked: 153 Times	Among the three cars mentioned here, following are some of the facts collected from users. All LPG kits have the cold start issues. But when compared other LPG characteristics: Santro ECO Mileage-9-10km/l, Ride Quality - Owners experienced jerking LPG Tank Capacity - 27.2 liters WagonR Mileage-11-12km/l, Ride Quality - Smooth LPG Tank Capacity - 22.5 liters Spark LPG Mileage - 11-12km/l, Ride Quality - very smooth LPG Tank Capacity - 26.2 liters Overall I feel Spark is the best among the thee along with other features like ride quality, build quality & value for money.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 15:03	#13
panks15 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 52 Thanked: 0 Times	aaggoswami and DCEite: I was also thinking of wagonr but my sister does not likes the looks of the car. r_nairtvm: aaggoswami is right, the smelly issue is normally with the aftermarket fitment of lpg kit. My friends carb zen had the same issue and it was even more when the ac was switched on, he had to remove the kit and sold @ 50% of the original cost. My uncle owns wagonr duo but he has not experienced any such issues, hence i am opting for company fitted kit with warranty. mukeshgoel: CNG is currently available only in Mumbai and thane regions in maharashtra and it sometime takes more than 20 - 25 minutes to fill up even during off peak hours. Also the cng cylinder is huge which would take up the complete (or whatever) space is available in the boot of the hatchback. sunil8089: Thanks for the valuable info.
	() Thanks

1st August 2009, 14:24	#14
ownerofazkaban BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 456 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	Xeta LPG Sir, you missed another big car with big LPG tank... Indica Xeta LPG. Tank water capacity is 38lts, and almost 35 lts petrol. The car pulls very well, is high on low end torgue and is a pleasure to drive around in city. On highway it does feel sluggish. We have one in our family and its on road around 4lacs in kar. Do consider this, You get all the space of Indica, plus 60:40 rear split seats and factory fitted LPG system. Last edited by ownerofazkaban : 1st August 2009 at 14:26.
	() Thanks