[Armaan Sait]

Hello Team-BHP,

I’m excited to finally share something close to my heart: our 2000 Maruti Baleno, finished in the rare Atlantic Blue shade. It’s been a part of our family since new, and even today, it continues to turn heads with its classic charm and preserved condition.




Background:
• Year of manufacture: 2000
• Colour: Aquatic Blue (rare shade, barely seen now)
• Odometer reading: 128,000 km
• Usage: Light and careful usage throughout its life, always parked under shade.
• Ownership: Single-family owned from day one.

This car has been loved, not just used. Even after 24+ years, it retains its originality, soul, and smooth driving dynamics that made the Baleno special back in the day.



Condition & Maintenance:
• Paint: 100% original Aquatic Blue factory paint.
• Interior: Entirely stock — original fabric upholstery, dashboard, switchgear, and trim panels intact and in excellent shape.




• Mechanical: Regularly maintained with genuine parts; still drives like a dream.

• Accessories: Still retains the original Kenwood KRC-485 cassette receiver that came factory-fitted (with manual, invoice, and packaging preserved).



• Documents:
• Original Maruti owner’s manual, service booklet.


• Kenwood audio manual and warranty card.


• Original envelopes and documentation from Indus Motors.


• Period newspaper clippings preserved alongside.


Driving Experience:
The Baleno is still a delight to drive. The 1.6L G16B engine remains refined and strong, offering excellent low-end torque and smooth cruising ability. The hydraulic steering feels wonderfully communicative — a rarity today. It’s comfortable on highways, composed around bends, and very easy to drive in the city even after all these years.

Why It’s Special to Me:
In today’s world of modern, tech-laden cars, the Baleno reminds me what true mechanical purity feels like. It’s simple, reliable, soulful — and in this condition, an increasingly rare sight. It’s not just a car; it’s a member of the family.

We’ve taken special care to retain its originality, and the documents, photos, and memories associated with it are just as cherished as the car itself.

Some of the Old Pics taken of the Baleno:






Plans Going Forward:
The goal is simple — keep it running, keep it original, and preserve it as a time capsule for as long as possible. Every drive is special, and every glance at it brings back memories.

Thank you, Team-BHP, for providing a platform where enthusiasts understand the joy of preserving a classic like this.

[Aditya]

Hi Armaan,

Great to see you hanging on to your old Baleno. The cars from that era were simple and had soul. Much more memorable than anything on sale today.


I see that you have kept her in fantastic shape, which is great. Honestly, 24 years / 1,28,000 km is nothing for these Japanese machines. If you maintain her well, like you have been so far, she will carry on for another 24 years without issues. These engines are absolutely bulletproof.

Wish you many more years and miles of happy motoring.

[TechFan]

Wow. Beautiful car and very nice pictures. Brings back memories of my college days in Trivandrum. You can see the phone numbers on the covers are landline numbers. Mobiles were a luxury at that time. Mind blowing that you still have all the original accessories, warranty cards and even the envelopes that the Maruti dealer provided

[DicKy]

Great to see such a time capsule !!!

Especially that KL-01 in the old white on black plates made me nostalgic.

Usually people would say it is difficult to keep the Europeans for long in showroom condition, but I would say the opposite. Keeping an old school Japanese in showroom condition takes much more will power and dedication. These take so much abuse and won't protest that most owners take it for granted and after the 10th year they get bored, they start to neglect periodic maintenance, take it to the cheapest FNG possible and would use third or even fourth quality spare parts. But they would still run and the owners would either run it to the ground or sell it after sheer boredom.

[Samba]

The caption itself brought a smile to my face.
A well-maintained car with a timeless design is always drool-worthy! I loved this shade on the Baleno right from when this car was launched in this blue shade. Good to see you have maintained the color so well.
The 1.6L NA engine with the low seating position and that lovely exhaust note that this car offered always gave a reason for the driver to smile! Even after 25 years, car enthusiasts love this car.

Wishing you many more years of happy ownership with this car.

[Maverick5490]

Lovely post! Do share some background story / fond memories on the car.

The original old pictures are also well taken and preserved, the car truly looks timeless!

[Nino]

Good read Armaan, see that you are from Coonoor as well , Curious as I saw a listing in fb marketplace or OLX stating this is for sale and I am double sure the last picture parked next to a Honda City was used amongst other pictures in the ad (weird that I am unable to quote that specific picture here).

I must have seen the ad in the last 5-8 days maybe, your thoughts ?

[dakshin.bhasker]

What an absolute beauty. Truly a rare colour. My dad used to own one around 2002 or so. It was the first and one of the very few balenos in our small city of Port Blair. She was black in colour, came with factory fitted alloy wheels and spolier, something that cars in those days just did not have. The party trick was the antenna on the back that would go up automatically when the FM was turned on. She was a through and through head turner. Your beautiful car has taken me back to those simpler times!

[Utopian]

I was never a huge fan of Baleno's styling (esp. the red) when it was launched but as an acquired taste, I have started liking it a lot over the years. I think this color complements the styling a lot. Wish you loads of happy miles with the car and congrats for keeping it in an amazing condition all these years.

PS: have you changed the OE wheel caps to alloys now?

[Tapish]

This is amazing, kudos to you for maintaining it so well. reminds me of my Esteem that I had between 2009-2014. The car was mechanically unshakeable and was still running with a friend till a couple years ago.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by Armaan Sait

- delight to drive
- the 1.6L G16B engine remains refined and strong, offering excellent low-end torque and smooth cruising ability
- hydraulic steering feels wonderfully communicative — a rarity today; comfortable on highways, composed around bends, and very easy to drive in the city
- reminds me what true mechanical purity feels like; simple, reliable, soulful — and in this condition, an increasingly rare sight
- keep it running, keep it original, and preserve it as a time capsule for as long as possible

Fantastic car, fantastiquer shade, and fantastiquest upkeep. Cars like these live on and on because of passionate folks like you, who believe in keeping them smiling forever.

Sharing my experience with a 2004 Baleno here (Tribute to the original Suzuki Baleno sedan! It was underrated...very much so) for your reading pleasure.

[Dippy]

What a beautifully maintained car you have there. The Baleno sedan was an underdog when compared to its peers the Honda City and the Mitsubishi Lancer in those days. But boy was it fantastic to drive. That 1.6 petrol was a gem of an engine. I remember it went for massive discounts later in its life and ended up being a killer deal. The Altura wagon was also a nice car.

Wish you many happy years with your prized possession. Hold onto her. She's a keeper.

P.S: Share more photos please

[autoliebe]

I am totally fascinated to see this rare beauty been kept in its original form both physically and in soul.

Make it a vintage one by continuing to do so.

I am particularly impressed with the paint quality and finish which has been preserved in its OEM form.

Your upkeep is a great encouraging lesson to all for keeping (read loving) their cars in today's world where people "upgrade" in 4-5 years just for the sake of "show-off".

Cheers,

[Armaan Sait]

Originally Posted by Utopian

I think this color complements the styling a lot. Wish you loads of happy miles with the car and congrats for keeping it in an amazing condition all these years.

PS: have you changed the OE wheel caps to alloys now?

Thank You for Your Compliments.

Yes I have changed to Aura Alloys in 2002 manufactured by Hindalco Industries(Part of the Adithya Birla Group)

Originally Posted by Nino

Good read Armaan, see that you are from Coonoor as well , Curious as I saw a listing in fb marketplace or OLX stating this is for sale and I am double sure the last picture parked next to a Honda City was used amongst other pictures in the ad (weird that I am unable to quote that specific picture here).

I must have seen the ad in the last 5-8 days maybe, your thoughts ?

Hey Nino,

Thanks for reading and for the keen observation! Yes, I did post the car for sale briefly on FB Marketplace—just to test the waters and see what is the current market price of the car. The photo you’re referring to (next to the Honda City) was indeed part of that listing. However I have no idea of selling her especially as me and my family are also very attached to the car also. Appreciate your interest!

[Doge]

What a treat to see people preserve cars, especially like an old Baleno. How has the maintainance been? Is it true that a lot of spares are Suzuki made and not made by Maruti in India?