I own a WagonR VXi purchased in April 2001 and well to share my experience in WagonR’s favour I can say.....if you can buy the look, buy the car. I had a little contradiction on it’s body shape when I bought it, but I loved it then and I love it now. In the last four years i’ve had only 2 problems with the car : 1. The battery had to be changed once and 2: there was a problem with the brake liners making a deafening screaching sound, but which could be solved by just a simple service. Apart from that nothing. My car has been driven for 54, 000 kms and smooth as ever. The gear shifting is brilliant (better than a Santro or a zen for sure), the braking gives a good feel. Utilisation of space is very well thought of, with places to keeps cups etc. here n there. gives me an average of 11.5 in city and 17 on the highway (checked once while returning from Shirdi). Ive taken it upto 140 km/h on the Mumbai-Pune expressway and was stable like a fort. The air-conditioning is exceptional, but does affect power considerably.
Ok a few cons too : the car bounces at high speeds at times, this possible being for it centre of Mass being a little higher. I personally wouldnt know if this is a security hazard becoz the wheels dont seem to leave the road, only the body moves. (at times)
After so much of usage I feel the suspensions now not giving that ease in driving, buit were very good in the first couple of years.
A small but important point is that the side rear view mirrors of the wagonR are very inefficient, unlike in a zen which are the elliptical in shape. the box shaped rear view mirrors of the wagonR reduce the span of vision.
But if I had to rate this car I’d give it a 8/10 and a must buy in it’s segment.