I have owned my Maruti 800 (5 speed one) for six years now and am truly floored by the amazing performance I have got for its price. Not only is the initial cost low even the running costs are absolute minimal.
However my love for this car is not for its cost alone. It has given me phenomenal performance all these years and we have done nearly 73000 Km across various cities in India. We have been outdoors prettly frequently and not on the best of roads at all times yet I am still to have an instance where it has left me on the lurch.
For car as basic as this it has a decently well poised stance and has a good pickup for its small heart (800CC MPFI engine).
With the road conditions not much to speak about, I haven’t had a chance to complain on the braking of the car even with four occupants and luggage.
The suspension is not built for offroading or very bad roads but does a decent job on city roads. Ground clearance is a issue whenever there are abrupt.
Till date the only major maintenance I had to do was the suspension overhauling and steering rack&pinion replacement and I’d put that on the cratered Pune roads it had to bear through the last two years.
I have ensured all its services and maintenance is done only at Maruti dealership and only genuine spares are used and it has stood me in good stead.
I am still getting an average of 18-20 in city and 25-28 on highways.The AC does a decent job till its 36 degrees outside and after that it does become a challenge to keep the interiors cool especially the rear seat passengers.
On the whole a beautiful car and priced right to be the most seen one on the roads too.