Small car + 2600 km/month + novice driver + Old Delhi traffic + lowest TCO

Krishna you can take time till you manage more savings to actually invest decently.Dont take me otherwise,Alto might be a good car but not a Smart investment at all.

Consider nothing less than a Estilo whihc also has a very good FE.

Besides it can act as means of your commute when required.

Practicality also has some role in here.You can buy Alto but i would not recommend putting CNG kit in there.

Its a total waste.Lot of powerloss you will appreciate and the engine will bear the brunt beacuse of insufficient power to run the engine effectively=that means ebgine will bear all the brunt due to Extra load it will experience with CNG.[theoratically]

Well thats my thesis and observations.

I know lot of people and keep seeing them in the Body shop who are unhappy of their 800 and alto CNG conversions compared to the Wagon R and Estilo happy customers with the same CNG converison.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

Krishna:

Good fuel efficiency [K Series Engine] 13 - 15 in City, 18+ in highway
I think it is in 40,000 kms u need to change engine oil. Experts pls share ur views!!
Avg Service cost wud be quite nominal in Maruti when compared to other cars for sure...

Cheers,
Sai

"I feel proud to say, I luv to drive anytime..."

@Krishna: Brand Ambassador wow!!! See, this is human tendancy, if u check out you will find anyone who is using a specific car is recommending the same, Please check People use to tell (I am not different) that his decision is the best. Luckily, I used Indica DLG, Indica Xeta (still using), Santro XG/XO & Wagon-r LXi... So, I feel just because I used all these cars, I am in little better position to compare & tell which one I like most. Here, when I am adding VFM then the best option is the one I am using presently, Spark. Cheapest & most fuel efficient. I am saving good amount on each Tank Full. Also, service cost is Zero (presently) for next 3 years, what else you can ask? Fully loaded LT, you can compare the features with i10 Sportz, I calculated everything recently and difference was huge.

I recommended Spark LPG because I got very good feedback regarding mileage (reported 13), calculate the figure with 12 only (minium) and you will find its more economical than Petrol + no power loss (as compare to other LPG options & CNG options). Thats why in small budget, I always like Spark. Recent accident experience added few more pros in Spark. Parts are not costly, Front Bumper 938/- only.

Estilo is there, but I dont like its shape (Most important factor for me... Looks). All in all, I will always pick a Spark LT today as compare to i10 Sportz because comfort level is not much and I am only 5'8". If someone is over 6 ft. he can check out whether he is comfortable or not.

I am talking about Present options, if you can wait you can check out Figo & Chevy Beat too.

People dont change when you tell them that there is a Better option... They change when they realise that there is No Other Option..

Besides loan/interest component, you need to taken into cosideration the resale.

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

That itself will cut down your total ownership cost by around 1.5 lakhs at the end of 3 years in case you are purchasing a new vehicle,besides you can save that money by buying a handsome second hand deal.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

Resale is very important, without which TCO is incomplete.

To add... I understand price of CNG is likely to rise substantially.  Running cost on CNG may not remain so economical - would workout at par with diesel.

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

But Pankaj my query is whether it still be the Fuel of choice for people who want to save money from their daily run or Diesel is the next option to go for. With uncertainty hovering around i think in an year or so even Diesel might suffer a price hike.What would you suggest at this point?


Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

I think Astar Vxi with CNG retro fit suits to your requirement . as you said .. not many travellers all the time just one or two kids .. trust me except space Astar is really a cool car.. very good engine and stability on the road is awesome.. being a member of maruti family resale value can be nice.

I was talking to a retro fitter in lajpat nagar on phone he told me a star on cng is delivering 22kmpl avg. do not know if this is wrong

or just go for old indica v2(or TDI vista)  3.5 lakh only DLS with excluding CNG

Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action. It needs YOU! http://www.greenpeace.org/india/getinvolved

@ Krishna: Most important question? Why you are picking Alto LX (without PS)? I drove the same and in traffic jam its not easy (may be am use to of PS thats why). And your wife will drive the car, PS is not must?

People dont change when you tell them that there is a Better option... They change when they realise that there is No Other Option..

For various considerations, Diesel may not suffer from price hike, like CNG is likely to.  Even if it does, it will not be to that extent.  The running cost of the two would more or less work out at par or would not have much of a difference then.  Diesel could also be preferred from performance point of view.

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.