It was in 2004 that I decided to buy a car. With a limited budget,and the long waiting periods for the then newly launched Alto, I decided to go for the 800.
Variant was with a/c. Purchased it without any TD, since I was not really confident about my driving.
It took quite long for me to build my confidence and get used to driving on the roads. For several months, I was scared to take out my car in the poor Bangalore traffic. Preferred to use my bike instead.
However, the confidence did build up, and I started to take her out on long drives. And started taking it to work as well.
Over the last 5 yrs I have driven it for 29000 km. Taken it to places around Bangalore like Yercaud, Sripuram and Mysore.Driven it in the city extensively.
The car has served me very well indeed.
It's been reliable, cheap and easy on my wallet.
Positives :
+ Simple, no fancy car. Excellent for city drives. Easy to park. Good overall visibility from drivers seat
+ Low on maintenance. Very cheap spares.
+ Good mileage. 16-17 in city. 20+ on highways
+ Reliable car. Never for once has it broken down on the road. Got punctured just once.
Negatives :
- Basic quality of ride. Do feel tired after some amount of driving at times.
- Poor gearshift. Gearshift definitely on the harder side. Steering feels hard at parking speeds.
- Poor braking. Lack of boosters can be felt.
- Lack of power can be felt on the highways.
Overall, I have been very satisfied with this car. As my first car, she has been really good.
Now, I am sending her to my home in Kolkata for my parents to use. Upgrading to a swift VDI.
The VDI is, of course, another story  .
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