Hi All,
I bought Maruthi 800 1995 model for 78, 000 rupees. This is my first car. Initially since I was not knowing driving, I used to feel bad about the car itself - as there is a saying that one who doesn’t know dancing will blame the floor. I had my mind set for buying a new Alto. My cousin introduced me to the party and told to go for this car and to go for a new car after experience. Although I was little bit reluctant, finally I decided to go for it. There were lot of scratches on the car - and the color was dark blue - not that attractive. But, mechanic who recommended this told engine is good. Forget the exteriors. It can all be done at very low cost.
Now, it is 1 year since I bought this. Initially I had Battery problem since there was a local battery. I got it changed to Amco Uasa. Planned for Exide. But, Exide was too expensive. It costed me 3, 000. Later on, there was bit problem with alternator coil and was not charging the battery properly. It costed 1, 000 rupees. But, this happens in any car even in Merc. My old owner was lady and not using this regularly since they had two more cars!!
I have become a confident driver after 1 year. There are no problems with the car now. I am getting a mileage around 14-16 in Bangalore city traffic. Most of the fuel is wasted in parking and traffic of Bangalore.
I haven’t driven this on Highway, but on free roads without my knowledge I would have reached speed of 70+. It is amazing. My friend and brother in law has got Alto. I have driven Alto. Except for suspension and power steering, there is no difference I feel between 800 and Alto. This comes at the cost of mileage. During parking speeds only you will feel the ease of power steering. Once the car is moving, there is no difference between power and non-power steering. Suspension only you will feel at high speeds. In Bangalore traffic you cannot even cross 40+. Mind you the price, Alto since it was recently introduced, you cannot get second hand for less than 2 lakhs. New car costs on the road 3 lakh 50 thousand. EMI will come to 9, 500. Buy a second hand 800 of around 90s within 1 lakh. Repaint will cost 15, 000 for pure metallic. Regular paint will cost 9, 000. If you are lucky, you may event get well maintained car. People have lot of money and don’t know how to spend especially in Bangalore. Even a new learner will directly go to Ikon / Accent. After that they payoff for repairs equivalent to price of second hand Maruthi!!!
One more thing. If you buy second hand car, buy it directly from owner and from small cities like Mysore where there will be less traffic hence less dents and scratches. I have seen cars looking new in Mysore which are of 80s!!!.
New learners, go for 800 - Don’t waste your money. Invest it in some site or shares. If you buy an Alto with 9, 000 EMI for 5 years, and after 5 years if you sell it will go not more than 1.5 Lakhs. Imagine, how much you loose, 5366000=360000 - 150000 =240000. Sorry, if there is mistake in number of zeros!!
Maruthi, do not discontinue it. It will help poor people to go for a car. They should also introduce one more variant with option of Power Steering and Suspension like Alto.