K10 Dhantenan..Leaves..Returns in grown up CIAZ avatar

Initially when I started to look for buying a car in 2011, I had the following in mind 1.it should be affordable(within 4lacs) 2. fuel efficient 3.decent space 4.maintenance free/less 5.serviceability and reliability 6.idle for small family of 3-4 With the above requirements, I started looking for options 1. chevy spark was in the budget with tall boy design and beige interiors attracted me, in the process I also saw the Hyundai santro ,Wagon R and both were good in all the specs, but going beyond 4 lacs. So, I almost finalized the spark and even paid a booking advance, and that's when my brother advised me to go for Alto K10 and after driving it too, I felt chevy spark was more VFM with the spacious beige interiors and heart was still there, but my brother insisted to buy K10 for my purpose. Hence, I went with his decision and now felt that was a wise decision with 7 years of ownership of K10(sunlight copper), it became a part of my family and every time I drove it became more part of me( like the way I think it just drives ) I loved every bit of it, and we were so emotional to part with it after final 7 years and 38000 of kms. My driving was mostly inside city and for the first 2 years It was just in the parking and only running in the weekends. However in the 3rd year I relocated to a place nearby office (7kms) and that's when I started driving it for everyday, so my miles started. Had done 5-10 long drives 3-4 times to Tirumala, 2 to Thiruvannamalai, 2 to chidamabaram,cuddalore and the longest being Chennai->ahobilam-mahanandi-belum caves-kadappa-Chennai during dec 2017. In many long drives, had to drive during day/night time on bad and broken roads and in all the time, K10 took it with ease and never ever gave me any sort of trouble anywhere, and it was so reliable that I felt it was talking to me in the last few days like "what did I do wrong that you are sending me away" or "what did I fall short on that you are leaving me" K10 was more than a decent performer and always revv happy . In one recent long drive(Nov 2018) from Pondy to Chennai on ECR, I pressed it hard(that was the only time , mostly I drive in 80 and sometimes it goes to 100 and I will bring it to 80-because i go by safety is more important than speeding) and it happily responded and went to 120 and rallied between 100-120 for a few kms stretch and was not so happy if I brought it down to 80. My K10 was the old design of 2011 which had the same body as alto800 but an extended bonnet for accommodating the K10 engine which gave it a overhang in the front and looked like a big car from the front side. I personally felt if it was a little taller( which maruti later designed and introduced ) would have been good for interior space. The space and interiors were just adequate , the boot space could have been a bit more to accommodate big luggage during long travels, however we adjusted with placing some luggage in the passenger seat as mostly were only 3 including me. Mileage was superb in long drives it returned 20-22 and in city mostly 14-15, my driving was so limited that I had to fill it mostly once a month and rarely twice. Servicing and Maintenance were also less, except a few times body shop work,where It met with small accidents due to other vehicles brushing it in the rear and side door section. The last few days of parting was so emotional , that till the last minute we were contemplating to cancel the new car booking and continue with K10 boy. However, all good things have their time to bid adieu(like humans), so finally bid adieu to K10 and it returned to us in grown up CIAZ avatar. Overall if one is looking for a first time car, I recommend to go with K10( now with better space, comfort and safety features ), you will really love it for its simple design and superb performance.