A-Star, Ritz or Dzire ?

scorpiodame · 13th August 2009, 12:38

My father-in-law is looking at buying a car and being a Maruti loyalist, the choice has come down to these three - A-Star, Ritz and DZire (Vdi/Zdi).

This is for Delhi roads and primarily for city driving. He does do a lot of long drives as well, so it has to be suitable and comfortable for the occasional long drive. He also wants a car that is low maintenance and economical.

He is changing his car after a loong time from his beloved Esteem, so I'm trying to make sure that he gets something he will enjoy driving.
He's not into gadgets, accessories and mods, but is someone who loves to drive. He likes a peppy car which is not heavy with easy handling and fun to drive. Considering that he is in his mid 60's I'd like to make sure that he drives something comfortable, easy to handle and safe.

He is more inclined towards the A-Star Vxi where as I'm leaning towards the Ritz or Dzire. I liked the test drive reports on both the Ritz and DZire ZDi.

He liked the handling of the A-Star more than the Ritz during the test drive and said that she felt more peppy and light where as the Ritz felt heavy and sluggish.

Also my mother-in-law found the A-Star easier to get in and out of, than the DZire... although I'm not sure of long term ride comfort for the front seats of either.

I personally haven't had a chance to test drive either of the three cars, although I intend to do so this weekend.

Any help, advice, first hand ownership comments on this would be really helpful ...

vkochar · 13th August 2009, 15:13

After Esteem the logical upgrade should be the DeZire. It's a good car if the looks are digestable that is

But that is an individual choice.

The A Star is too small I feel.

The Ritz is a good package overall and if one can get over the Rear looks ( hate it or love it ) then I'd strongly recommend this car.

My Vote ( If out of the above 3 ) goes to the Ritz.

Technocrat · 13th August 2009, 15:21

See if its only two of them with very occasional need for luggage the A* ZXi(added Safety & cheaper than Ritz (VXi/VDi) fits the bill as he likes it more.

HappyWheels · 13th August 2009, 15:27

I reckon the A-Star would fit the bill here.

Mainly due to the profile of the users + the ease of driving a small car + the safety features offered.

musicmanaman · 13th August 2009, 15:37

I think he should go with the A-Star, becasue it's light and fun to drive, and the best part is your Father-in-law like's it.

athalaga · 13th August 2009, 15:50

I think the for the ease of driving and parking I would go with the A star or the ritz VXI if you want a more peppier car.

ambivalent_98 · 13th August 2009, 15:58

@scorpiodame

One could consider an option from the Hyundai line up. The cars are peppy with decent fuel economy and brand new engine developed (just like the Maruti engines).

The Dzire is too hideous to look at , the A_star as well. The Ritz is deceptive...looks OK from the front but if you happen to see its rear....you might hate it or love it. So for a Maruti loyalist a Ritz seems to be OK.

AirWind · 13th August 2009, 16:25

Your in laws cant go wrong with a Ritz VDi ABS... it suits their requirement to a T. Its a more practical city car - be it driving, zipping, safety, comfort, parking, maintenance or ingress/egress.

joy_swift · 13th August 2009, 17:47

The rear seat of the A-star is very cramped and also claustrophobic.

If its only the front seat they would be occupying most of the time,A-star can fit the bill since he likes it.

Otherwise considering the rear seat,Ritz is a better product.

funkydude · 13th August 2009, 17:48

Go for Ritz VDi. It would be a wise decision. Add Swift VDi to the list. Its worth considering.

Swift is tested and proven for speed, mileage, and comfort.

Takumi-san · 13th August 2009, 18:12

I second joy_swift , A-star if they will be using the front 2 seats mostly. If more people then the ritz.

DCEite · 13th August 2009, 18:18

2 people or 4 people, A-Star is a big NO in my books. Just doesnt make the cut.
Noisy engine, high dashboard, poor visibility, vibrating 3 pot motor, minuscule boot and rear are just some of the reasons i don't like this car at all. Heck, i would pick an Estilo over it, which is a lot more practical option.

Go for the Ritz man, or better still wait for the DZire with K12M engine.

Pragmites · 13th August 2009, 18:42

As long as it's 2 people, A-Star all the way. Great to drive, very comfortable front seats, great fuel economy, and IMHO much better looking than the Ritz or Dzire.

gkrishk · 14th August 2009, 06:38

Dezire VDi if you want a boot for long trips, Ritz VDi if its mostly city driving, Ritz VXi for features.

scorpiodame · 14th August 2009, 12:31

Thanks for your the responses so far. Looks like the A-Star is winning ... its biggest drawback is the boot size ...

The swift is a good option especially the VDi, however, they do not want to buy the swift as the rear window is rather small.

Considering Maruti's known problem of cheap interiors and horrible rattles ... which of these three would you say is the better of the lot ?

I'll hopefully be able to get a better idea myself post the test-drives this weekend ! Will keep you posted ...

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team : Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Avoid...typing...like...this. Thanks

13th August 2009, 12:38	#1
scorpiodame Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	A-Star, Ritz or Dzire ? My father-in-law is looking at buying a car and being a Maruti loyalist, the choice has come down to these three - A-Star, Ritz and DZire (Vdi/Zdi). This is for Delhi roads and primarily for city driving. He does do a lot of long drives as well, so it has to be suitable and comfortable for the occasional long drive. He also wants a car that is low maintenance and economical. He is changing his car after a loong time from his beloved Esteem, so I'm trying to make sure that he gets something he will enjoy driving. He's not into gadgets, accessories and mods, but is someone who loves to drive. He likes a peppy car which is not heavy with easy handling and fun to drive. Considering that he is in his mid 60's I'd like to make sure that he drives something comfortable, easy to handle and safe. He is more inclined towards the A-Star Vxi where as I'm leaning towards the Ritz or Dzire. I liked the test drive reports on both the Ritz and DZire ZDi. He liked the handling of the A-Star more than the Ritz during the test drive and said that she felt more peppy and light where as the Ritz felt heavy and sluggish. Also my mother-in-law found the A-Star easier to get in and out of, than the DZire... although I'm not sure of long term ride comfort for the front seats of either. I personally haven't had a chance to test drive either of the three cars, although I intend to do so this weekend. Any help, advice, first hand ownership comments on this would be really helpful ...
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13th August 2009, 15:13	#2
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	After Esteem the logical upgrade should be the DeZire. It's a good car if the looks are digestable that is But that is an individual choice. The A Star is too small I feel. The Ritz is a good package overall and if one can get over the Rear looks ( hate it or love it ) then I'd strongly recommend this car. My Vote ( If out of the above 3 ) goes to the Ritz.
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13th August 2009, 15:21	#3
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	See if its only two of them with very occasional need for luggage the A* ZXi(added Safety & cheaper than Ritz (VXi/VDi) fits the bill as he likes it more.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 15:27	#4
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	I reckon the A-Star would fit the bill here. Mainly due to the profile of the users + the ease of driving a small car + the safety features offered.
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13th August 2009, 15:37	#5
musicmanaman BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: kolkata Posts: 927 Thanked: 25 Times	I think he should go with the A-Star, becasue it's light and fun to drive, and the best part is your Father-in-law like's it.
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13th August 2009, 15:50	#6
athalaga BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 129 Thanked: 48 Times	I think the for the ease of driving and parking I would go with the A star or the ritz VXI if you want a more peppier car.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 15:58	#7
ambivalent_98 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pune-Bangalore Posts: 807 Thanked: 203 Times	@scorpiodame One could consider an option from the Hyundai line up. The cars are peppy with decent fuel economy and brand new engine developed (just like the Maruti engines). The Dzire is too hideous to look at , the A_star as well. The Ritz is deceptive...looks OK from the front but if you happen to see its rear....you might hate it or love it. So for a Maruti loyalist a Ritz seems to be OK.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 16:25	#8
AirWind BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 998 Thanked: 404 Times View My Garage	Your in laws cant go wrong with a Ritz VDi ABS... it suits their requirement to a T. Its a more practical city car - be it driving, zipping, safety, comfort, parking, maintenance or ingress/egress.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 17:47	#9
joy_swift BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 342 Thanked: 95 Times	The rear seat of the A-star is very cramped and also claustrophobic. If its only the front seat they would be occupying most of the time,A-star can fit the bill since he likes it. Otherwise considering the rear seat,Ritz is a better product.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 17:48	#10
funkydude BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Noida Posts: 110 Thanked: 54 Times	Go for Ritz VDi. It would be a wise decision. Add Swift VDi to the list. Its worth considering. Swift is tested and proven for speed, mileage, and comfort.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 18:12	#11
Takumi-san BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 368 Thanked: 121 Times View My Garage	I second joy_swift , A-star if they will be using the front 2 seats mostly. If more people then the ritz.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 18:18	#12
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,413 Thanked: 2,517 Times	2 people or 4 people, A-Star is a big NO in my books. Just doesnt make the cut. Noisy engine, high dashboard, poor visibility, vibrating 3 pot motor, minuscule boot and rear are just some of the reasons i don't like this car at all. Heck, i would pick an Estilo over it, which is a lot more practical option. Go for the Ritz man, or better still wait for the DZire with K12M engine.
	() Thanks

13th August 2009, 18:42	#13
Pragmites BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 224 Thanked: Once	As long as it's 2 people, A-Star all the way. Great to drive, very comfortable front seats, great fuel economy, and IMHO much better looking than the Ritz or Dzire.
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 06:38	#14
gkrishk BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 146 Thanked: 56 Times	Dezire VDi if you want a boot for long trips, Ritz VDi if its mostly city driving, Ritz VXi for features.
	() Thanks

14th August 2009, 12:31	#15
scorpiodame Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	Thanks for your the responses so far. Looks like the A-Star is winning ... its biggest drawback is the boot size ... The swift is a good option especially the VDi, however, they do not want to buy the swift as the rear window is rather small. Considering Maruti's known problem of cheap interiors and horrible rattles ... which of these three would you say is the better of the lot ? I'll hopefully be able to get a better idea myself post the test-drives this weekend ! Will keep you posted ... Note from the Team-BHP Support Team : Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Avoid...typing...like...this. Thanks Last edited by Technocrat : 14th August 2009 at 13:08. Reason: Please read the note in post, thanks
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