I have driven a lot of cars in USA. My company used to rent cars for me, so I kept changing models. So I have driven big as well as small cars.
In India I have driven only 1 car. M800 is a perfect car. It is my father’s first car.
1. It never gives any problems at least for the first 5-6 years. Even after that it will run very smoothly. It is a car for life. You can safetly call it a maintaineance free car. It is the cheapest car in the market to maintain. If economy is what you care about this car is for you.
2. You should not try to cramp in too many people and say space is less. Do not expect space from such a small car. It will be uncomfortable for people more than 6 feet tall. I am 5’9’. I find both driving and sitting behind comfortable. I have driven the car with 5 people. It does not complain.
With A/C on you have to push the pedal a little more.
Boot space is sufficient for a small family. I have never found a occasion when I felt I needed more space. It is only when you are coming back from the airport and you have a lot of luggage that you cannot use this car. But that is ok. I always use a taxi for that.
I have driven n number of times to pune on expressway. M800 is not for driving above 70 kms/hr. It starts vibrating at 80-90 kms/hr. Cruise at 60-65 kms/hr. That is the best way to enjoy this car.
Oil, Coolant whatever.it is only checked during servicing. I have never opened the bonnet. I dont know anything about a car other than driving. If you have a M800, this is how it will be.
Don’t talk about safety. M800 and safety don’t go together. But that is the least worry for people in India. Even I have never thought of safety when driving in India. Because visibility is good all year round, we can get away with it. There are very few/no dirty crashes involving 10 cars. But nowadays there are expressways. The eastern express highway in mumbai also is dangerous. I see vehicles speeding at 100 km/hr. So slowly safety seems to be becoming an issue.
There is no power steering . I have driven cars with power steering. But you get used to drive without it. I have never missed it badly.
Mielage 15 kpl in city. It gives about 18 kpl on highway.
Best 1st car to own. You can buy bigger cars later.
Basically economical to buy. Economical to drive. Not a status symbol. Just for guys like me.