The Baleno was my first big car and what a car it was. The Baleno has spoilt me thoroughly. The news that Maruti is discontinuing the Baleno has saddened me and I decided to look for for another car.
So I went to the only Honda dealer in town( about 20 KM from my house) to check out the Honda City(and its variants). I test drove the Honda City Gxi - it had all the features of a Baleno except the power. The car handled well but the thrust one gets when one presses the pedal in a Baleno was missing. The City with a 78 BHP engine is a junior partner to a Baleno. For a tall person like me getting in and out of the Honda City is a challenge since the roof is low. All other features of a City are matched by a Baleno at a pricetag which is 2.00 lacs less.
I have driven a Baleno for 2.5 years and have never had even the slightest problem. I am sad to see the end of this fine car(real VFM) and hope Maruti brings out a car which is as good in performance and has a real value for money
Sudhir Tandon
Pune