Introduction

With over 29 million examples sold, the Maruti Suzuki Alto is one of the most easily available cars in the secondhand car market. From Rs 50,000 to couple of lakh, there is an Alto available for different budgets, offering value like no other car in the segment.

Why I’d buy it

Primarily for a hassle free experience. If you are on a tight budget, nothing works better than a Maruti. There are plenty of Altos available under Rs 1 lakh, and if these aren’t in best of conditions, then fixing them doesn’t cost much either.

The performance isn’t bad; in fact, the power to weight ratio of the Alto K10 is better than few of the bigger cars. Also, if you look a little more judiciously, you can get your hands on one of the relatively few units that came with the 1.1-litre engine. For those looking for cheap thrills, this is certainly a car worth considering. The decent performance, brilliant turning radius and tiny dimensions make it one of the best city cars.

There is something about the small Maruti cars that makes them indestructible. Overload it, take it to places you won’t imaging taking an SUV, run it without a proper service for a prolonged period, but till such time that the basics mechanicals are in place, the Alto will never give up on you (I would suggest you rather not try any of the above).

For beginners, even the whole economics makes lots of sense. Get one for cheap, fixing it doesn’t cost much either and if the plan is to upgrade soon after, the price won’t drop by much, practically allowing someone to use a car on nominal rent.

Why I’d avoid it

Firstly, it isn’t safe. The Alto is available with an airbag, but I am not very sure about the structural integrity of the hatchback. That should not deter someone from buying it.

Lack of space is the other big problem that you have to live with. The front passenger comes in the way, while changing gears, using hand brakes and while you turn in order to reverse the car. People with generous proportions won’t fit on the rear bench and the boot is miniscule.

My favourite version

Any variant that comes with the 1.0-litre or the 1.1-litre engine. There aren’t many features in the car anyways, just see to it that it has both side mirrors.

Quick facts

Price: Rs 60,000 to Rs 2 lakh

Engine: 800cc three-cylinder petrol 48bhp / 69Nm, 1.0-litre petrol 67bhp / 90Nm

Gearbox: five-speed manual, five-speed AMT

Fuel efficiency: 12kmpl to 15kmpl