[Rastapopoulos]

Friends,
I am in process of selecting a hatchback for my parents. My requirements are as below.

• 95% City driving
• Smooth and Controlled drive (Rattle free)
• Power is not the top most priority as they would not be on a racing spree, a decent power should do.
• Cost upto 4 Lac (Power Windows + Music system)
• Easy to maintainance
• back seat decent space (though this would not occupied by adults 80% of the times, I would surely want it to be comfortable for the 20% it is used)

Currently I am doing a preliminary analysis the options and have shortlisted a few

1. Santro
2. i10
3. WagonR
4. Alto (its an all time fav)
5. Spark (included it but not too sure about this option)

Having a Fiesta I am also awaiting Figo but I am sure its not fitting in my requirement.


I am also looking at the service stations to be nearby so my parents can easily visit it. Maruti service is very near need to check for a Hyundai service center.

Can the experts help me in knowing if I missed on any good option? Any inputs which might help me take the decesion.

Thanks in advance.

[prince_pervez]

Out of the list and for a 4 L budget constraint I would suggest the Santro.

[shishir_bn]

Figo will come in march 2010. But for your requirements IMO it is best if you go with i10. peppy engine,easy drive, good FE, very good response in city limits.

[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by shishir_bn

But for your requirements IMO it is best if you go with i10. pepey engine,easy drive, good FE, very good response in city limits.

Good suggestion Shishir, but he needs all power windows + intergrated/stock ICE which might be difficult to get in a 4L budget. We might be talking top end/top end - 1 variant here. I'm not sure if we can get it under 4L.

[shishir_bn]

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

Good suggestion Shishir, but he needs all power windows + intergrated/stock ICE which might be difficult to get in a 4L budget. We might be talking top end/top end - 1 variant here. I'm not sure if we can get it under 4L.

Ya prince. I knew it was for 4L,but spark would have fitted his bill. But he is not interested/not taken a full view on that. So I left spark. But then Alto is also great, but i thought he could go for a new engine with good performer.

[DCEite]

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

Out of the list and for a 4 L budget constraint I would suggest the Santro.

Santro has got a horrible back seat. Bouncy and bumpy ride.

@Rastapopoulos, you can consider Spark LS or Hyundai i10 ERA. Next best option out of given choices would be wagonR VXi. You will get front PW in all these.

[nairrk]

The budget seems low for your requirement.?

if you can stretch little more, then try the i10 or santro (very old model).
Figo - you may have to wait some more time but presume she will be bit expensive.
Alto /spark - will come within your budget but feel bit small (spacewise?).
WAgor R -tall boy and plenty of space but too many cars on the road.

So, i10 scores here.

imo,It is always better to go for a latest model/variant car, even if you have spent little more money ?

[chncar]

My first choice would be Spark. Next choice would be Indica Vista Saffire.

All the other cars are not VFM enough for your budget or too outdated.

[srikanthpotluri]

Santro is old model, but one of my all time favs, absolutely easy and cool.

If possible you can get i10, Alto should be ONLY looked at if you having budget constraints.

[finneyp]

From the given list, i10 is the best bet!

[vkochar]

The i10 would be my choice here anyday !

Other alternative would be the Ritz Petrol base Variant for it's fresh looks. I do not know if it comes around 4 Lacs.

[Latheesh]

How about SPARK, it meets all your requirement.

[Pragmites]

Test Drive the Grande Punto Active. The List Price is 4.5L OTR Pune. If they still have the "Diwali Offer " on, you get Extended Warranty and Insurance Free ( saving of 20K approx). If you areeligible for a Corporate discount, you could save between 8K-10K. The car I test drove had 1000 Km on the odo, absolutely rattle free, silent engine and a decent pick-up with 3 adults on-board. 4 year warranty, service intervals of 15K ( first service at 3K), brilliant ride and handling. Premium hatch at slightly more than the price of a basic hatch

[v-drive]

Hi Rastapopoulos,
I did the same exercise 2 months ago. The only difference was , that I was upgrading my parent's car from Alto to a different one. Alto is cramped, and when I visit my parents , its a challenge for the complete family to go anywhere. Hence , I decided on i10 Sportz. Reasons are as follows
1. Hyundai Network - If not as extensive as maruti, is still reasonable.
2. Diwali offers brought the price of a i10 1.2 sportz just around 4 Lac.
3. Its a new engine, responsive in a city traffic, while having a decent power on occasional drives outside it.
4. Roomy interiors - I was skeptical, till the time I actually took a test drive. Its nice what Hyundai has done with it. Gives a you a fresh and airy feel.
5. Extended warranty which was extend able to upto 5 years. Takes the hassle away (although not factoring in the hassles which one has to go through, to make the dealer agree that it should be covered in warranty).

My suggestion would be to go for the i10, and if integrated music system etc is important for you, then you might have to stretch a little. Although the base version (i10 Magna) should also do the trick.

Good luck

[Rastapopoulos]

So many replies ! ! ! let me thank all of you in go. Thank you all for the Quick suggestions. Some how from Team BHP i gathered that between i10 and Santro, the later is more apt for my requirements. So though its an old model I have it on the list. Spark looks good but is it worth for a long term ownership? Not that its falling apart in 5 years but would it be as dependable as the others?
Also I need to check the chevrolet service centre nearby.