Esteem - not withstanding its rather jaded looks and the new attempted make-over ... is truly a warhorse!
I have a 1998 model Esteem VX and I am more than satisfied with its performance. In all these 6.5 years it has not breached our trsut even once.
Apart from the ageing power windows and squeaking doors, I dont think Esteem has shown at anytime that it has completed 1, 55, 000kms or 6years of service.
Maruti is no doubt a common household in India .. and so it robs the user of any snob value as such ... but apart from that, Esteem offers all values - be it in pricing, running/maintenance costs, spares availability, dealer response, service policy, overall customer satisfaction... Maruti takes it all. Imagine.. I am getting close to 14kmpl in city driving with AC on!
We have an Esteem, a Zen, an Opel Corsa (the worst you can get from your money!), a Santro & a Honda City (new) .... it’d be a little tough to believe but still driving our Esteem gives me immense pleasure. Had it not been more than 6 years old, I would probably have still preferred to take my Esteem on long drives out of Delhi. But then family pressure doesnt allow me to ... the vehicle’s age being the factor.
Only one glitch .. Maruti could have done a little better on its looks ... the makeover is all too little too late ... how about giving it a higher driving seat and a better ground clearance? And dont you think the interiors have lived their life now ... and Esteem is actually crying for a change inside? C’mon Maruti .. lets see you do it!! Make your most trustworthy car a great looker too!
To sum it all up ... the best value for money car in its segment.. the Esteem!