Esteem or Baleno ?

Bullfrog · 1st October 2008, 15:00

Guys,

Currently I drive a Zen mpfi 2006 model and very happy with it. Once a week I do a 300 Km roundtrip to be with my family. And this is on good highway. So log about 2000 Km a month.

Although the drive is smooth and Zen is a no-problem car, off late I feel the need for a Sedan for more comfort in driving especially the monday morning long drive.

Was thinking of picking up a second hand Esteem (mpfi only) or a Baleno which has done less miles. When checked on carwale website, found that it was possible to get an Esteem/Baleno of around same age (as my Zen) for a difference of around 60-90k after selling my current Zen.

I enjoy driving both the cars and some suspension stiffening work will be on the way if I buy an Esteem and possible a mid-range muffler also

Is it advisable to go for second hand Esteem or Baleno at all keeping in mind the production has stopped. After 3 years or so of running will it be a case where both of the above mentioned cars will have to be sold for a song ?

Already I see that second hand Baleno prices have come down drastically in past 6 months.

I need your advise

Thanks
Bullfrog

GTO · 1st October 2008, 17:27

Of course the Baleno! It is superior to the Esteem in power, refinement, handling, ride quality and comfort. This is a no-brainer.

spadival · 1st October 2008, 18:09

This is a no brainer. Close your eyes and go for the Baleno. In addition to what GTO has said, Baleno gives decent milage as well - 12kmpl - city and 14-15kmpl - Highways.

To me, it has been the four wheeled equivalent of HH CD100 - Fill it, shut it, forget it. Very low maintenance cost so far in 50,000 kms, though I suspect its due for a clutch replacement shortly.

anup7649 · 1st October 2008, 18:10

The best bet would be for the beast i.e. Baleno. That is the sturdiest car among these. And moreover that is a better suit to pimp up.

Anup

sureshkishore · 31st October 2008, 05:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullfrog

Guys,

Was thinking of picking up a second hand Esteem (mpfi only) or a Baleno which has done less miles. When checked on carwale website, found that it was possible to get an Esteem/Baleno of around same age (as my Zen) for a difference of around 60-90k after selling my current Zen.

I enjoy driving both the cars and some suspension stiffening work will be on the way if I buy an Esteem and possible a mid-range muffler also

Is it advisable to go for second hand Esteem or Baleno at all keeping in mind the production has stopped. After 3 years or so of running will it be a case where both of the above mentioned cars will have to be sold for a song ?

Already I see that second hand Baleno prices have come down drastically in past 6 months.
Thanks
Bullfrog

dear bull frog,

I had the same predicament two weeks back. But i have been lucky to have been offered a handsome 2.5 Lakh for my 5 year old zen Di. even better, I found myself a mint 05 Baleno Lxi for just 3.25L.
Not a bad deal eh? 75k upgrade from zen to baleno.

dinar · 31st October 2008, 09:20

Baleno is the way to go, unless you love the esteem and really want to do some DIY tuning [as you mentioned] on the car.
Both cars are great value and fun drives.

esteem_lover · 31st October 2008, 09:42

Bullfrog, it's been a month. Did you get the Baleno ?

AirWind · 31st October 2008, 09:42

Its surely got to be the Baleno - have no second thoughts about it!
Its a complete segment bigger (1.6L, 90+ BHP) and better (build, sturdy) and is in the league of the OHC and the Lancer...

s0uljah · 31st October 2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirWind

and is in the league of the OHC and the Lancer...

I dont put any of them in the same league. I know what you mean though.

CtrlAltDel · 31st October 2008, 11:33

baleno of corz! its a great car except for its tail lamps.

snaronikar · 31st October 2008, 11:42

Do I have to say anything...Others have already put it. Go for Baleno.

Baleno_boy · 14th November 2008, 00:00

Baleno ofcoure man.there is no comparison.the esteem does keep up with a baleno upto 100.but after that the baleno smokes the esteem.And both gives similar FE.

Bullfrog · 23rd September 2009, 16:46

Bump....

After one full year of posing the query settled for a Esteem LXi. It was a sort of flat exchange for my Zen, only the Esteem is newer by a year

Pic attached.

Cheers
Bullfrog

sgiitk · 23rd September 2009, 17:00

The only point against the Baleno is costlier spares. Otherwise it wins hands down.

kannan666 · 23rd September 2009, 17:24

Yes, the Baleno is the better car overall except like sgiitk mentions, costlier spares and also for the fact that your capital outflow would be more. However, like Bullfrog did, if budget is a constraint, the Esteem too will do very well !

1st October 2008, 15:00	#1
Bullfrog BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 194 Thanked: 114 Times	Esteem or Baleno ? Guys, Currently I drive a Zen mpfi 2006 model and very happy with it. Once a week I do a 300 Km roundtrip to be with my family. And this is on good highway. So log about 2000 Km a month. Although the drive is smooth and Zen is a no-problem car, off late I feel the need for a Sedan for more comfort in driving especially the monday morning long drive. Was thinking of picking up a second hand Esteem (mpfi only) or a Baleno which has done less miles. When checked on carwale website, found that it was possible to get an Esteem/Baleno of around same age (as my Zen) for a difference of around 60-90k after selling my current Zen. I enjoy driving both the cars and some suspension stiffening work will be on the way if I buy an Esteem and possible a mid-range muffler also Is it advisable to go for second hand Esteem or Baleno at all keeping in mind the production has stopped. After 3 years or so of running will it be a case where both of the above mentioned cars will have to be sold for a song ? Already I see that second hand Baleno prices have come down drastically in past 6 months. I need your advise Thanks Bullfrog Last edited by Bullfrog : 1st October 2008 at 15:02.
	() Thanks

1st October 2008, 17:27	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,530 Thanked: 300,727 Times View My Garage	Of course the Baleno! It is superior to the Esteem in power, refinement, handling, ride quality and comfort. This is a no-brainer.
	() Thanks

1st October 2008, 18:09	#3
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, AU Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	This is a no brainer. Close your eyes and go for the Baleno. In addition to what GTO has said, Baleno gives decent milage as well - 12kmpl - city and 14-15kmpl - Highways. To me, it has been the four wheeled equivalent of HH CD100 - Fill it, shut it, forget it. Very low maintenance cost so far in 50,000 kms, though I suspect its due for a clutch replacement shortly.
	() Thanks

1st October 2008, 18:10	#4
anup7649 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 262 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	The best bet would be for the beast i.e. Baleno. That is the sturdiest car among these. And moreover that is a better suit to pimp up. Anup
	() Thanks

31st October 2008, 09:20	#6
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	Baleno is the way to go, unless you love the esteem and really want to do some DIY tuning [as you mentioned] on the car. Both cars are great value and fun drives.
	() Thanks

31st October 2008, 09:42	#7
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Bullfrog, it's been a month. Did you get the Baleno ?
	() Thanks

31st October 2008, 09:42	#8
AirWind BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 998 Thanked: 404 Times View My Garage	Its surely got to be the Baleno - have no second thoughts about it! Its a complete segment bigger (1.6L, 90+ BHP) and better (build, sturdy) and is in the league of the OHC and the Lancer...
	() Thanks

31st October 2008, 11:33	#10
CtrlAltDel BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: HyderaGr8 Posts: 500 Thanked: 24 Times	baleno of corz! its a great car except for its tail lamps.
	() Thanks

31st October 2008, 11:42	#11
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Do I have to say anything...Others have already put it. Go for Baleno.
	() Thanks

14th November 2008, 00:00	#12
Baleno_boy BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 26 Thanked: 0 Times	Baleno ofcoure man.there is no comparison.the esteem does keep up with a baleno upto 100.but after that the baleno smokes the esteem.And both gives similar FE.
	() Thanks

23rd September 2009, 17:00	#14
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	The only point against the Baleno is costlier spares. Otherwise it wins hands down.
	() Thanks

23rd September 2009, 17:24	#15
kannan666 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KA-02 Posts: 1,002 Thanked: 128 Times View My Garage	Yes, the Baleno is the better car overall except like sgiitk mentions, costlier spares and also for the fact that your capital outflow would be more. However, like Bullfrog did, if budget is a constraint, the Esteem too will do very well !
	() Thanks