I had to buy a car for my Mom, so thought of giving a try to this option -Alto-Lets go!.. This car is just good for milege, and for single driver only. In terms of power a brand new alto is even worse than a old-carborettor fitted (non-mpfi) engine Maruti-800.
Over the past years i have had 5 cars, from Fiat, Maruti 800, Wagon-R, Santro to Esteem. As said this is only an entry level car, People who have been driving powerful cars of 1.1 engines , will not find this car confortable, and truely speaking if u can buy Alto for 3.1Lakh , then stretchng for another 60k is a better option and getting on a 1.1L engine car.
Pros -
- Maneuvering the car is easy, just like a toy.. Reversing the car is easy as compared to big segment cars like Santro, Swift, wagon_R
- AC is Good, Effective.
- City mileage has been arnd 15 -17 depending on speed, traffic, with AC, etc.
- Cheapest car so obviously a + point as u save money (but at the cost of satisfaction)!
- low maintenance, cheaper parts as compared to other cars obviously.
- Good for starters and Women drivers.
- Power steering quite good, needs little effort, but felt size of steering wheel is large for this car.
- Resale value & service of maruti a point to be taken.
Cons -
- Pick up is not good but okay for 1-2 ppl, but with 3-4 ppl pick up is v poor, & with AC pick up is horrible, u wld get frustated pressing the accelerator in AC !! can hardly pull 4/5 ppl with AC on !!
- All seats are cramped up
- Vey jerky pick up in 1st & 2nd gears ! the car can hardly move much in 1st gear & gives back a jerk if clutch not pressed slightly. Only from 3rd gear (above 30kmph) onwards jerks are not felt so much.
- Very less boot space (170L).
- Getting in & out of car is extremly uncomfortable (I'm 5"9').
- Avg plastic Quality
- Gear box not at all smooth, continous problems with reverse gear even after service ! Also the gear throw is longer than other cars. IN short its a bit Wierd!
- Day/night mirrors are not there, so at night time a lot of reflection occurs from front glass, side & rear view mirror. Night driving is really uncomfortable in alto.
- Long drives for more than 4 hrs (with small breaks) really uncomfortable & tiring ! Alto not meant for good long drives.
- Since the width of d car is not much, even if a healthy person sits in front passenger seat - the gear box tends to touch him significantly & comes in d way !
Moral of the story-
- This is entry level car
- If you are buying car for the first time. Lets Go!
- If you are downgrading yourself from 1.1L car to 800cc. please think 10 times.
- Only good for Women, girls and starters.
- Ofcourse- Car with the best milege on petrol is here. If milege is your top priority. Lets Go!
- I feel Maruti 800 is still better than going for Alto.
All the Best! for your car selection.
good fuel economy, avg style, compact, v easy to drive, good visibilitypoor pickup, bumpy ride, v jerky drive in 1st & 2nd gear,night driving difficulty, v less boot space