- Body quite unlike other Marutis. Does not feel as tinny as the Wagon R or Zen
- Cabin not big on space but AC super. Makes good city car, especially for singles
- Alto gives good fuel economy. Get injectors cleaned for improved mileage
- Suspension holds up well till 50,000km. Inexpensive spares not a hit on wallet
A virtuous small car that best describes the diminutive Alto . If you are looking
for your first car but don't want to settle for the unassuming Maruti 800, then
the no nonsense, reliable, frugal, and easy-to-drive-in-the city Alto is for
you. Its compact dimensions, light controls and sprightly performance ensure
that it is a hoot to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The Alto has been India’s largest-selling car for sometime now, having outsold the Maruti 800. This car initially came with two engines in the first few years of its existence; the VXi variant used the Wagon R’s 1.1-litre engine but now comes only with the 800’s engine.
However, the price you have to pay for the Alto’s nippy around-town performance is a fair degree of intrusive engine noise from the small 796cc engine. If your driving is mainly on highways, it’s advisable to go in for the 1.1-litre-engined car that packs extra power.
The Alto delivers on solid build and the doors shut with a considerably more reassuring feel than say a Wagon R or Zen. But cars with high mileage on the odo still suffer from body rattles - a time-honored Maruti problem - which can be easily fixed by changing the door hinges. An Alto virtue is that the suspension does not require any major attention before the 50,000km mark. The drive axle holds on even longer and won’ be a cause of concern before the car hits 70,000 kilometres.
What you need to look out for though are the brakes. The car requires its pads to be changed after every 15,000-20,000km. Electrics are top-notch and trouble-free and not a cause of worry. And this car remains rust-free even after years of ownership.
The air conditioner chills the cabin quite well, irrespective of which engine is driving it. In case the car you are checking out has inconsistent cooling, then get the gas level checked. If it is okay, you might need new AC coils or worse a new compressor. But haggle for a discount on such a car.
While test driving your potential buy, in case the car pulls to one side of the road, take a close look at the tyres - if they happen to be at the end of their life, point this out to the seller and haggle. The Alto comes shod with 145mm tyres, which last till for around 35,000km and provide, decent grip and ride. But if you are changing them, it’s advisable to upsize to 165mm which go a decent way in improving the driving dynamics as well as ride comfort. If the tyres are not a cause for concern, it’s likely the suspension arms might be damaged – take an experienced technical/mechanic along to for accident damage.
Cabin plastics are not the around and tend to loose their sheen soon but a decent dose of polish is enough to liven them up. The Alto is a bit tight on interior space and this car is more for singles than families.
Prices of body panels are not exorbitant (the front bumper cost around Rs 1,000) and commonly-replaced parts like air and oil filters are also among the cheapest in their class, which ensures that running costs won’t be steep. Also, since the Alto shares its engine with the Maruti 800 (although it has more valves per head in the Alto), you can be sure that overall spare parts prices will be quite reasonable.
In September 2005, Maruti launched a face-lifted Alto with subtle changes including freshly-styled headlamps and tail-lamps along with new seat fabric. But cosmetic treatment apart, there is no point in paying extra for this car.
A four-year-old M variant which has done around 35,000km should be available for around Rs 1.60 lakh. The 1.1-litre VXi, which has power windows, central locking and a rev counter as noticeable additions, is a good bet as well and will cost around Rs 40,000- 50,000 more.
The best place to hunt for a used Alto is at Maruti’s True Value outlets that offer warranty and free service as part of the deal. Prices will be higher by 10-15 percent but it’s advisable to buy from here in case you aren’t too sure of your own used car evaluating abilities. The company will also take care of all the paperwork. Prices though are fixed and haggling is not entertained at all. Classified ads are also a great place to hunt for bargain deals. Whichever way you look at it, the Alto is a sensible and reliable city commuter and a good choice as a first car.
