When Maruti car was launched for the first time, way back in 1984, I was one of the fortunate ones to be allotted one of its original model cars at a total price of about Rs. 52, 250/- only. About 19 years have elapsed since then, and I have proudly carried it with me from Ahmedabad to Nazira (Assam), Dehradun and Mumbai. Only recently I was transferred to Ahmedabad from Mumbai, where I have preferred to maintain my family for some personal constraints. I left my original Maruti 800 at Mumbai and have purchased another new Maruti 800 at Ahmedabad. Though the price of this car has indeed increased some four fold, but then does one have any other new car in the market at a comparable rate?
Talk about the looks, style, economy and utility, I do not think any car comes close to this particular car.
It is not for nothing that this particular car has caught the imagination of an average Indian for the last two decades and continues to march as the most fuel efficient, affordable and beautiful four wheeler in the Indian market.
Many other cars which entered market at different phases in the past have just disappeared as fast as they made their appearances. I can clearly recollect the fate of cars like Montana, Uno etc. Some cars in the middle segment, costing about double the price of Maruti 800, such as Zen, Palio, Indica, Santro and Martiz (Where is it now?) indeed have succeeded in creating a niche for themselves, but possibly not at the cost of Maruti 800 cars. Even today, the Maruti 800 is the undisputed Market Leader.
During the last nineteen years, I had to change the Battery only four times, the latest being only recently. No major repairs or body job was ever required till I spent sometime in the rather corrosive and harsh (chemically, that is!) environment of Mumbai, where my poor old car did not even have a roof/ cover on it. It might be interesting to note that I have just got a parking slot (out in the open!) in a reputed Housing Complex in Kandivali, Mumbai at a price nearly double the amount I paid for the car!
Today, a Maruti 800 can be taken care of and repaired, if required, anywhere in this country, metro, urban as well as rural locales, even by a Roadside Mechanic!
I am happy, I am satisfied and I have shown my trust on this variant by making a repeat purchase of the same Brand. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this car to all people who want to purchase real utility cars and not chase wild goose in the form of those fancy vehicles.
I am unable to complete the Review details as the options provided are limited and not Valid for this particular car, I have purchased recently. The latest Model included in your Review has to be from 2001, mine is 2003 Model. The Average fuel efficiency is more than 15 KMs/litre.