Now I mean this in a nice way. The cockroach survived the meteors and the holocaust, didn’t it?
Had the 800 not been selling like hotcakes, it would long have been phased out, me thinks. The very fact that your servicing bill for the 800 rarely shows up 4 figures (just like it’s engine displacement) and it has a decent resale value, is reason enough to pick up this Brat. Radial tyres, smaller steering for better control, and a more resilient engine that doesn’t heat up as fast as it’s earlier versions are the new throw-ins.
I bought a new piece 2 months back. Hit Ranthambor with 2 friends in it and did 120kmph on the Delhi-Jaipur highway without the A/C. Average speed was 80 kmph for 4 straight hours. The Brat didn’t crib.
It’s very natural for one to grow out of it, though. The moment 3-4 people pack in and you hit the A/C, you start eyeing the nearest Santro or Wagon R. The compromise on pickup is deeeeeply felt. You’re flooring the pedal and the brat retorts- ’too many people on board’ or ’cut the A/C, willya?’. If you’re a pelter, or live on the fast lane, DO NOT BUY this car. If your only priority is to get to point B come rain or shine, go for it. If you put up in Delhi, go for the A/C version.
What do I think about it? Nothing is perfect and I looooove this baby and personally it’s the best car in the world. Go right ahead and disagree.
There’s no end to wanting more, like the Indica campaign says. Everybody learns to drive by banging the 800 to hell, then disown it when they’re ’pros’. Respect the car, any car, and it will stay with you as long as you want it to. (The model year is 2003. The drop down selector in the write review page doesn’t show 2003).