[GTO]

Someone in the family might need to buy a car to hold a parking spot. Wants to spend max of 1 lakh rupees.

He figures that, if it's going to be parked in his compound, it might as well look nice. So, what's the most interesting car one can buy for 1 lakh?

Should be as hassle-free as possible to maintain, therefore W124s and the like are out. No Jeep or Gypsy either.

Contessa Classic?
HM Ambassador?
A neatly maintained Padmini?
An SS80 Maruti?

Thank you in advance !

[Malyaj]

I am assuming the car will be used occasionally. I would suggest the HM Ambassador. Still very much usable and gives the impression that the owner is a serious guy not to be messed around with

A nicely maintained one will also look good just sitting there.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by GTO

Someone in the family might need to buy a car to hold a parking spot. Wants to spend max of 1 lakh.

Since it's just to hold on to a parking spot, a neatly maintained Padmini would be a cool bet. The cost outlay should also be less than a lakh.

Otherwise, for the intended purpose, any of the cars you mention are cool too. It all depends on what the buyer prefers to look at every day and maybe take a spin from time to time.

Cheers

[NAVREVV]

If blocking the parking space is the only consideration then why not look at buying a perfectly maintained Maruti Zen. Will occupy less space and you might get it at a much cheaper price as well.

[Rudra Sen]

A considerably well maintained Contessa/Ambassador/Padmini can go way above 1L.
A SS80 Maruti should be a sensible choice from the lot. In Mumbai I've seen a few of them in good condition. I'm sure one can get a better choice by visiting some secondhand car shops.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by GTO

Contessa Classic?
HM Ambassador?
A neatly maintained Padmini?
An SS80 Maruti?

I would choose a Padmini petrol. Since it was discontinued long ago, it gives the vintage look and vibes. It should be cheap and easy to maintain and spares should be available.

Contessa sold in low numbers so getting spares or even a car in good condition might be tough.

Ambassador was discontinued very recently and I wouldn't choose that.

Maruti is even newer.

Originally Posted by saket77

Heck, even the jelly bean Zen would be a great choice, giving out vibes of a sort of character and statement. All these would be easy on pockets too, and very practical.

+1. If reliability and extremely low maintenance is important, I would look around for a jelly bean Zen in Yellow!

[saket77]

SS80, even some later models of 800 are available within or around the 1Lac mark. Heck, why not look at the jelly bean Zen which would be high on coolness quotient giving out vibes of a sort of character and statement. All these would be easy on pockets too, and very practical.

Advising against the Ambys and Padminis because of the higher maintenance required compared to the Maruti's and other contemporary hatchbacks. Sourcing some spares for older cars may be difficult too.

If one has the option, why not add reliability, practicality and convenience to the equation? Lower running costs will be the cherry on top.

Regards,
Saket.

[KiloAlpha]

Originally Posted by GTO

Someone in the family might need to buy a car to hold a parking spot. Wants to spend max of 1 lakh rupees.
...
Contessa Classic?
HM Ambassador?
A neatly maintained Padmini?
An SS80 Maruti?

Can I say "None of the Above"?

I have a particular soft spot for Estates (station wagons), so I would vote for the Opel Corsa Swing or Maruti-Suzuki Baleno Altura. Both available in Mumbai for under a lakh. Both reasonably OK to maintain. I would stay away from the Palio Adventure because it is not so easy to maintain.

You are unlikely to get a Contessa for under a lakh. There is a very strong enthusiast community of Contessa fan-boys, so values are holding up. Same with SS80. Any available for under a lakh will be very tattered. However, you can get the facelifted 800 (1987-1995) in good shape for under a lakh. Even the desirable 5-speed model can be had for under a lakh.
Ambassador and Padmini will be very obvious "holding the parking spot" purchases, so maybe avoid?

Will your relative be using the car, even occasionally?

[ksameer1234]

Originally Posted by GTO

Someone in the family might need to buy a car to hold a parking spot. Wants to spend max of 1 lakh rupees.

Never thought that this would be such a big thing in Mumbai! An ex-colleague of mine also bought a Tiago primarily with the objective of holding the parking spot. However, she is young and got a nice car since she wanted to learn driving as well. As for the query, I think an old M800 can be had for 50-60k and will certainly be fuss free in terms of ownership. We had a 15 year old M800 which needed nothing more than periodic services and change of consumables. Never broke down, nothing gave away, it just cranked perfectly every time. Also, service support of MSIL is legendary so spares should be easy to come by.

P.S: Adding a small anecdote. In PSUs, officers get car maintenance allowance but need to show a car registered to their name. In yesteryear, I would spot near scrap vintage cars lying around near houses and even at various mechanic shops. Found out that these were registered to officers and would jovially be called Russian and Italian cars. Why those names? Russians were cars that would have to be pulled by rassi (rope in hindi) while Italians were cars that just stood on eent (bricks in hindi). The lengths people went then to avail employment benefits!

[AYP]

I would suggest the 1st Gen Honda City of 2001-2002 heritage. I think even the dolphin Honda City of 2003-2005 can be had for around 1L INR.

This would be followed by the Fiesta of 2005-2007 heritage. Other options include Lancer and an Esteem of early 2000s.

While many people have suggested Zens, WagonRs and Altos, I don't think they hold a candle to the 1st gen City and the Ford Fiesta when it comes to the coolness factor.

[PapaBravo]

Never knew that one had to buy & park a car in order to retain parking in Mumbai. But if that is the case, how about a City vtec SX8 ?



Looks great, doesn't it ?

Cheers,

Pawan

[Venkatesh.H]

Hi GTO,

Well maintained maruti 800 will do the job. One can use the car occasionally in addition to occupying parking space.

Also need to check available life of car after BS6 kick-in next year. Money spend shouldn't go waste in a year or so.


Venkatesh.H

[Aaron:)]

My suggestions -

1st gen Honda City
Mitsubishi Lancer
Maruti Baleno
Maruti Esteem
Maruti Zen
Ford Ikon
Early models of the Ford Fiesta (2005-06)

[2000rpm]

@ GTO: How about a Palio? Would be even great if you get a 1.6!

Wont be hassle free for sure though!

I think Esteem 2004-2005 models will also be a good buy.

[wrongturn]

Coolest cars to occupy a parking spot under 1L?

1. Mitsubishi Lancer




2. Honda City (2001-2003)



Timeless beauties, built to last even the apocalypse and may even become collectable Indian classics 25 year down the line, who knows. But they would look stunning even just standing parked.

or
3. TATA Safari