Challenges Upper Class +250km Exprience

In desire of getting rid of Maruti, My search started for Hyundai. Before Buying my current car "Maruti ALTO Lxi" I had plan for  Santro..Maruti never appealed me. Although considering saving of some buks & Maintc cost ( we all grow, and that some buks is actually v v less now i.e.after 2yrs). ALso I never saved in Maintenance cost, as Price of Spares may be10% cheaper but quality sucks.

Getz was the prime choice. But they have dropped the production. Hard Luck. i20 dint came in picture.

Then comes UVA....test drive....some what convincing and ofcrse seemed to be BEst buy @4L on road price -delhi + expenses 10K for stereo, 5K for Remote Cntrl Lock. Advantage I found is spacious and feels better in driving. Gear shift too wide, gear postion not comfortable. Pickup not good.

Well then comes Swift (for me its last & no choice). Exterior looks- depends person to person. Interior - typical Maruti style. Grey Plastic all over, which I hate. riving comfort - better than UVA. Cooling better then UVA. Pickup again is better. Felt like I have no choice and will again get into Maruti's trap.

I fought hard with myself and decided to try lower segment.

i10 Was the next game. Road Test experience was good. Found engine good but slightly sluggish @1st gear. Power stearing was also bit sluggish but not disturbing. Cooling is Good. Drive comfort was not convincing. For metro drives (more than 1hr) I found it not very comfortable. Style is excellent, interior beautiful , Gear Shift very positive and beautiful.

Three things which it lacks is : Long drive nt v comfortable ( also depends on individual), Small Car , although space is good in its class, Not goo in absorbing shocks on uneven road. No Blame to i10 , but I was looking something else and more.

I stretched my budget by 50K and reached @ 5L budget.

NExt option came as Maruti diesel version, i20, Fabia, Logan, an some other old models.

Diesel- nt interested , Maruti - wanna avoid it , Fabia - Worried abt Maintenance and service network. Logan- not for me, If u have driver close ur eyes n buy Logan .

Driving comfort is my prime concern.

i20 is the option I wanted to Explore. My Test Drive Experience is as:

1. Feels Upper class from inside,

2. Space not a problem in fact best in its class an better than some upper segment cars.

3. Interior - very impressive.

4. Features Excellent in ite class...some upper segment class car will hide faces.

5. Engine felt much better than i10.....I dont know how ....but response was excellent and enough.

6.driving comfort - thigh support, seats, seat adjustable, stearing angle, side supports....jus amazing.

7. Shock absorbing capability on rough roads....jus excellent...YES Hyundai is better then Maruti.

8. Integrated electronic systems like MP3,digital dipaly - Good.

I found it upper class and ont want to compare it with Swift etc. This car is different and is definitely for people who want features, comfort .

9 Fuel economy , they claim higher but I know will get around 12 -13 which is ok for me.

Overall , My suggestion is If u r planning for new car  5L is budget, u r not die hard fan of maruti,

Dont read too much here...GO n Try these cars. Take Test drive and feel the difference.

Do reply after test drive I shall be waiting for your comments.

Ya one more thing I have booked this Model ; )

I know there will be lot of Maruti Fans here , No hard feelings for Maruti . But ye choice aur class ka mamla hei.

NOTE  FOR people here mentioning 1.2L engine not enough for i20,I guess they have not tried the car. Guys go n get the test drive. I tried i10 & i20. i knew the engine is same and after driving i10 had expectation that i20 will not be that responsive.
I WAS WRONG.U will never feel that the engine is same.Excllnt engine and very refined.  ofcrse 1.3 will make it sporty but no complaints with 1.2L
Driving exprnce is amazing..which one'll never get in any Maruti. Excllnt ride,gr8 feature,best sound proofing.It wins in its class and challenges upper class. 

Before booking I took 8 Test Drives to clear all my doubts. I suggest you to go for at least 3 test drives (with gap of 2 days for same model) for any car u wanna buy.

This might Help U:

1. http://www.carwale.com/Forums/ViewThread-8794-p1.html
2. http://www.carwale.com/research/comparecars/carcomparison.aspx?car1=1450&car2=168&car3=&car4=
3. http://www.carwale.com/Forums/ViewThread-6639-p3.html

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If someone thinks I'm biased pls follow the link below. Its personal choice...u'll buy what u want to buy....Chk out star rating and read reviews on this link .
its comparison of Ritz wid i20 (both comparative versions).
Chk out for cost saving or features/comfort etc.
ALL d Best for your decision.

http://www.carwale.com/research/comparecars/compareRatings.aspx?car1=1537&car2=1452&car3=&car4=
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Jus for some fun........
Want to check out something funny
http://www.carwale.com/research/comparecars/compareRatings.aspx?car1=1118&car2=1450&car3=&car4=

BENTLY has jus few more features & less star rating then i20 Magna.....lol

Asta VS Bently Almost same features....
http://www.carwale.com/research/comparecars/compareFeatures.aspx?car1=1118&car2=1594&car3=&car4=

Pls dont get serious and make comments on this. Its is jus for fun.happy surfing
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Got Delivery on 24Aug09
250+ KM driving Experience:Excellent
will post details after 100Exterior Looks, Features, Stablity, comfort, Style, Reasponsiveno key less entry, USB nt availble in stereo, Fuel economy