Esteem Modification (stationwagon)

kirk · 27th November 2007, 17:48

Hi All,

I am new to this forum. I have a '97 esteem. Would like to modify as a stationwagon. http://www.stationwagon.com/2001_mod...uki_Esteem.jpg
Has anyone in the forum tried this. What would be the effort involved in terms of time and money.
Want to convert to stationwagon for more space.

Thanks, Kirk

CrAzY dRiVeR · 27th November 2007, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirk

I am new to this forum. I have a '97 esteem. Would like to modify as a stationwagon.

Why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirk

http://www.stationwagon.com/2001_mod...uki_Esteem.jpg

Thats a Baleno (internationally known as Esteem). Baleno estate was known as Altura in India.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirk

Has anyone in the forum tried this.

Don't think so. I haven't come across any!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirk

Want to convert to stationwagon for more space.

Do you think its worth the time and money involved? All the best for the project if you decide to go ahead with it!

kirk · 28th November 2007, 07:44

thanks crazydriver for the info on baleno/altura.

Do you think its worth the time and money involved? All the best for the project if you decide to go ahead with it!
-dont know but it would definitely help for my want of more space.

any comments welcome from bhpians on how to go about it.
- draw/sketch basic design, sheet metal work etc

regards, kirk

Jeep · 28th November 2007, 19:21

Would be wise to go for an Indigo Marina or a Fiat Adventure.
That kind of Mods in an Esteem will for sure make it dance like hell (you may otherwise want to change the suspension as well).
I am 99% sure that this experiment will not be worthwhile. However, if you enjoy experimenting, then it is a different thing altogether!

sumitkalindi · 29th November 2007, 11:40

Modifications are possible, there are few coach builders who can do this. Now for the pros, unique car you will have, space will increase. Cons, d pillar has do be designed by the coach builders from scratch, so more likelyhood of it mismatching the whole profile of the car. Metal treatment if not done very porperly/thoroughly, will give you a constant issue of rusting. Reasale value will become nill. These are the major issues coming to my mind.
Keep an eye open for five door metal top gypsies, those are done by coachbuilders. usually there logo is in the back of the vehicle, you will have to take down their number and call them.

kirk · 29th November 2007, 15:05

thanks jeep and sumit for your comments.
looks like this exercise have to be shelved considering the cons. would like to check on the costs though.

regards, karthik

flipsyde · 29th November 2007, 19:57

doesnt seem like a worthwhile experience.....

gemithomas · 29th November 2007, 22:55

DOnt you think the esteem's roof is too low to be designed as a station wagon. And in case you increase the height it would adversely affect handling. Moreover the weight would go up increasing the burden on suspension and engine thereby reducing its life.

An easier option for getting more space is to fit a roof cargo carrier(Box type). Though it will have simmilar problems of weight increase here you have an option of fitting it only when required.

rjstyles69 · 30th November 2007, 00:37

Am sure that this conversion is gonna come at a price and 90% chances are that you wouldn't be too very satisfied with the outcome of the project.

Esteem is way too low for such a conversion and the body lines !! nopes don't kill that car.

Instead save some money and then exchange this car for the Marina or the Adventure, thats only if you are keen on estates.

harjeev · 30th November 2007, 08:02

otherwise if you do not to buy a marina or palio, and would still like to undertake to modification exercise you could

Buy a Tata 207

& Get it converted to a station wagon

This way the height, weight, suspension etc is all taken care off as the 207 is made with the sole purpose of taking weight. You could experiment with a lot of things

jerish666 · 30th November 2007, 09:42

Modify your esteem into a station wagon is not a good idea.Better exchange the car to another station wagon.

condor · 30th November 2007, 10:37

Quote:

RJstyles69:

Am sure that this conversion is gonna come at a price and 90% chances are that you wouldn't be too very satisfied with the outcome of the project.

...exchange this car for the Marina or the Adventure, thats only if you are keen on estates.

True. It will be a perfect example for "Lost in translation". We would have an idea, and by the time it gets converted into an actual build, it would turn out to be something else. And once that happens, you wont be able to do anything with your car. Neither keep it, nor find any takers. LIke Riju said, exchange this for an Indigo Marina, or an Adventure. Atleast a Sienna weekend if you dont want to spend much.

shrivz · 30th November 2007, 10:57

this is how the esteem wagon looked:

Internationally, the esteem was known as the swift and came with options as a sedan, 2-door hatch or 4-door hatch (station wagon)

condor · 30th November 2007, 11:02

A nice conversion.
But, I will still go with an Adventure.

agspins · 30th November 2007, 11:06

was just posting same stuff... Shrivz.
Hey Kirk hope this could give u some idea how its gonna look if u take up the project..

27th November 2007, 17:48	#1
kirk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5 Thanked: 0 Times	Esteem Modification (stationwagon) Hi All, I am new to this forum. I have a '97 esteem. Would like to modify as a stationwagon. http://www.stationwagon.com/2001_mod...uki_Esteem.jpg Has anyone in the forum tried this. What would be the effort involved in terms of time and money. Want to convert to stationwagon for more space. Thanks, Kirk
	() Thanks

28th November 2007, 07:44	#3
kirk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5 Thanked: 0 Times	thanks crazydriver for the info on baleno/altura. Do you think its worth the time and money involved? All the best for the project if you decide to go ahead with it! -dont know but it would definitely help for my want of more space. any comments welcome from bhpians on how to go about it. - draw/sketch basic design, sheet metal work etc regards, kirk
	() Thanks

28th November 2007, 19:21	#4
Jeep BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 438 Thanked: 67 Times	Would be wise to go for an Indigo Marina or a Fiat Adventure. That kind of Mods in an Esteem will for sure make it dance like hell (you may otherwise want to change the suspension as well). I am 99% sure that this experiment will not be worthwhile. However, if you enjoy experimenting, then it is a different thing altogether!
	() Thanks

29th November 2007, 11:40	#5
sumitkalindi BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 376 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	Modifications are possible, there are few coach builders who can do this. Now for the pros, unique car you will have, space will increase. Cons, d pillar has do be designed by the coach builders from scratch, so more likelyhood of it mismatching the whole profile of the car. Metal treatment if not done very porperly/thoroughly, will give you a constant issue of rusting. Reasale value will become nill. These are the major issues coming to my mind. Keep an eye open for five door metal top gypsies, those are done by coachbuilders. usually there logo is in the back of the vehicle, you will have to take down their number and call them.
	() Thanks

29th November 2007, 15:05	#6
kirk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5 Thanked: 0 Times	thanks jeep and sumit for your comments. looks like this exercise have to be shelved considering the cons. would like to check on the costs though. regards, karthik
	() Thanks

29th November 2007, 19:57	#7
flipsyde BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 644 Thanked: 84 Times	doesnt seem like a worthwhile experience.....
	() Thanks

29th November 2007, 22:55	#8
gemithomas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,366 Thanked: 143 Times View My Garage	DOnt you think the esteem's roof is too low to be designed as a station wagon. And in case you increase the height it would adversely affect handling. Moreover the weight would go up increasing the burden on suspension and engine thereby reducing its life. An easier option for getting more space is to fit a roof cargo carrier(Box type). Though it will have simmilar problems of weight increase here you have an option of fitting it only when required.
	() Thanks

30th November 2007, 00:37	#9
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 4,343 Thanked: 842 Times View My Garage	Am sure that this conversion is gonna come at a price and 90% chances are that you wouldn't be too very satisfied with the outcome of the project. Esteem is way too low for such a conversion and the body lines !! nopes don't kill that car. Instead save some money and then exchange this car for the Marina or the Adventure, thats only if you are keen on estates.
	() Thanks

30th November 2007, 08:02	#10
harjeev Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,899 Thanked: 292 Times View My Garage	otherwise if you do not to buy a marina or palio, and would still like to undertake to modification exercise you could Buy a Tata 207 & Get it converted to a station wagon This way the height, weight, suspension etc is all taken care off as the 207 is made with the sole purpose of taking weight. You could experiment with a lot of things
	() Thanks

30th November 2007, 09:42	#11
jerish666 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Trivandrum,Kochi,Trissur Posts: 757 Thanked: 2 Times	Modify your esteem into a station wagon is not a good idea.Better exchange the car to another station wagon.
	() Thanks

30th November 2007, 10:57	#13
shrivz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pune, MH12 Posts: 604 Thanked: 96 Times View My Garage	this is how the esteem wagon looked: Internationally, the esteem was known as the swift and came with options as a sedan, 2-door hatch or 4-door hatch (station wagon)
	() Thanks

30th November 2007, 11:02	#14
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,016 Times View My Garage	A nice conversion. But, I will still go with an Adventure.
	() Thanks

30th November 2007, 11:06	#15
agspins Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MH-31 Posts: 1,653 Thanked: 508 Times View My Garage	was just posting same stuff... Shrivz. Hey Kirk hope this could give u some idea how its gonna look if u take up the project..
	() Thanks