Upgradation from Maruti 800

I intend upgrade my 08 year old Maruti 800 for-

(a) More space (especially rear leg room) for a family of four consisting    grown up children

(b) Better performance

Usage – 5-6 thousand KM per annum including 300 -400 km/month in town, around 1200 km/ year on highway and hill stations

Budget - up to 6 Lakh, but Value for money important

Petrol/Diesel – I believe petrol car to be suitable for my low running

Hatchback/sedan – inclined toward hatchback for

(a) Ease of driving/handling especially at hill stations

(b) Found very awkward while trying to look rear from driver’s seat of Swift Dezire

(b) I feel the boot adds extra cost and car weight; utility of this extra space being very occasionally. I have travelled long (though little cramped) in my M800, extra boot of next hatch back should be sufficient to meet my needs of a week’s travel on holidays.

I believe it better to own a Maruti or TATA as spares/service is available on road side when we travel on remote places

Shortlisted Indica Vista Safire Aura - for above reasons. Swift seems congested on rear seat. A little disliking for rear looks of Ritz, though it seems better in performance and interior.

Concerns - power of Vista Safire’s engine to climb hills and normal use; general performance of TATA cars.

I need expert advice for making choice between hatch/sedan, petrol/diesel and TATA/Maruti/any other car.

Munish

Hi

For ur usage u require a petrol

So i would suggest u look at Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 Emotion which is really good and fits ur budget also.

Punto has drop dead georgeous looks,good features,good comfort,big boot and also low on maintenance.

Safey is a main concern.Punto has a 5 star safety rating

Take a test drive

Fiat has sourced it both petrol and diesl engine to Tata.Vista uses both Fiat petrol and diesel engine

So u will not have difficulty finding enigine basic spares as they are common to Indica Vista.

My Punto

Fuel Efficiency

Punto 1.4 Petrol - 11 City / 15 Highway

Swift 1.3 Petrol - 11.5 City / 15.5 Highway

Vista 1.2 Petrol - 10 city / 14 highway

I would say go for a hatch for ur requirement

Munish, Welcome to Carwale Forums!

You seem to have figured it out ok, as Indica Vista Saffire Aura is a good choice.

Bhardwaj's suggestion of Punto is also good, as the fit and finish of Punto is very good. You look to be a guy who enjoys keeping a car for a long time and bonding with it. From that standpoint, Fiat cars age well, as the build quality is quite good. They also look very majestic.

Ritz is good if you intend to sell the car at 3 years or less, as the car will have better resale than the other two contenders.

Your point about finding a mechanic nearby is not generally an important one for today's cars, as they are very refined and do not need frequent upkeep. You may have a concern in this department because of the 8 year old car currently in your stable.

Think and let us know what you think.

@ munish,

go for the punto 1.4 emotion pack. it is the best,

it looks great, has the best features available & has the best of ride qualities.

just go & have a look at it & have a test drive & than see wat u feel about it.

I am suggesting to take Punto 1.3 diesel as it have more millage per ltr. say up to 22 Km in lesser price.

Driving the punto gives feel like you are in cockpit. it gives you push kick while taking on roads.

When you took diesel car, you will start using more because of its low running cost.

best of luck.

I suggest you the Ritz Zxi. It has all the safety features and Maruti's good service backup.

Munish, what is your opinion?

Guys, please take some rest while Munish revisits and opines on our suggestions...

My veridct goes for the RITZ VXi...do consider it and test drive it and compare to your next best car that you might think of buying...before you actually invest that much money...I think you might not be changing your car for another 5-10 years hopefully...

@ Munish, if buying in for a longer duration, go in for Suzuki cars, like Ritz or Swift as the past experience says that after say 6-8 years, they will give you a good resale. I am though not sure about Fiat or Ford for that matter. 

An example. I am still getting 90000 for my 10 year old 50000 KM Maruti 800 base model without AC. Bought it for just above 2Lakhs in 1999.

Not a bad deal. 

Sorry if i confuse Munish here,

but Munish, everyone's assuming that you are going for a NEW Car. However, ( maybe i am thinkin too much ) you have really pointed out anywhere that you want a NEW ONE.

So please Rule that out, or else there are alot of options in the used cars also!

cheers!