Maruti 800 is pretty much the first car any person is likely to buy. May would disagree since the average income for middle class India has gone up many folds in the last few years. But Maruti 800 still happens to be the first choice when you are tight on budget.
I have been driving it for almost 3 years now and after 40000 kms. on my speedometer I must say I am thoroughly satisfied. My Maruti is 800 DX (MPFI 5 gear) - a model which Maruti has stopped manufacturing (I still wonder why since it the most wonderful set of wheels you can buy for under Rs. 2.5 lakhs). The foremost positive thing that stands out is the amazing fuel economy.
It gives an amazing 17-19 kms/litre in the usual city conditions. Reading the specs given by the company on the LHS as I write this review, the 17kmpl is a understated figure considering that I have quite often gone on very long journeys(Pune to Bangalore and back for example) on this car and got an average above 21-22 kmpl with AC turned off!!! With AC turned on the car looses much of its zip and the average goes down by 3-4 kmpl but is still way above than most of the other cars in the market.
As mentioned earlier the car is very good on long journeys. Till date it hasn’t given me a single worry in the middle of the road (apart from tyre puncture :-)). I found it quite comfortable on long journeys. Must admit that the comfort level drops down a lot on bumpy roads since it doesn’t have the greatest of suspensions in the world but for its price, its justified. The car is still zippy and gets into the smallest of spaces. Of course it can’t compete the likes of Palio, Indica on express highways but it can give tough competition to any car in city conditions.
I also haven’t spent a single rupee till date on car’s maintenance(mechanical/electrical faults) apart from the regular service charges. I once crashed the tail light on a wall while absent mindedly reversing the car in the parking and got the whole unit replaced in just Rs. 300!! The window wiper likewise cost me just Rs. 95. after I replaced it due to wear and tear The bumper retained minor scratches. The spare parts are most readily available in every town and city and the most readily serviced car.
One might opt to go for beter looking cars nowadays specially as there are a lot available in 3-4 lach category but I don’t think any car can give you more value for money than this. Overall a wonderful little car.
Wrote this review a few months ago, updating it now.
My last major journey (I have bought another car now) with this car was from Pune to Delhi (1600 kms) and I was pleased the way the car performed giving me an average of 22 kmpl, went through some of the worst roads in the country and zipped on smoother roads at a speed of over 100 kmph most of the time.