In Brief
For anyone looking to purchase their first budget small car, the Maruti Alto is undoubtedly part of the discussion, and even more so when buying used. It's small and easy to drive, low on maintenance and most importantly it's extremely efficient. In fact it's even quite comfortable for a car of that size. All of this makes it an extremely easy car to own. Now when you look out for a used Alto, you might get one with several engine options andndash; there was the 800cc 3-cylinder motor which is essentially the same one that works force on the current Alto800, a 1.1-litre 4-cylinder mill and of course the Alto K10 with the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder motor.
On Road
Yes, the 800cc mill does seem a rather small one on paper, but consider into your calculations that the car weighs less than 800kg and it makes for quite a sensible purchase. While the Alto has never been bred for performance, it does pretty well in the city as well as for short highway runs. The small dimensions ensure that you can easily manoeuvre the car through traffic and park it with ease in the tightest of spots. And this especially comes in handy considering that most people who purchase this car are first-time buyers. While the 800cc Alto is available in the used car market pretty easily, if you want either of the two larger motors, you will have to search a bit. That said, the 1.1-litre as well as the old K10 were both absolutely fantastic machines and did offer marginally better performance than its smaller sibling.
Moving In
On the inside, you will be greeted by a very basic dashboard layout with minimal features. Despite the small dimensions of the Alto, there is a fair amount of space on the inside. It can comfortably seat three average sized Indians at the back without having to struggle for shoulder or leg room. With regards to features, the base LX variant of the Alto came with optional AC but the higher LXi and the VXi (1.1-litre) were equipped with AC as well as power steering.
Efficiency
The Marutis have always been known for its frugal and maintenance free engines and the Alto is no different. In terms of efficiency you can expect the Alto to return around 14-15 kilometres to a litre of fuel.
Buying used
The Alto is a basic car with just the things you need in it and that is exactly what makes it easier to maintain. The Alto did not come with a factory fitted music system so it is best to get it checked before actually making the purchase. Like every car, the Alto too has been updated from time to time right from its launch in the early 2000s and keeping that in mind, it is best to opt for a car that is relatively newer. Models from after 2006-2007 too come at an extremely affordable price and if you are lucky enough, you might even find one with very few kilometres on the clock. Since the Alto retails at a pretty affordable price, in the used market it comes fairly cheap too and with that mind it is in fact a good car to bet your money on.
Money-wise
The Alto will easily be available starting as low as Rs 60,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh for the latest Alto800. While some of the first generation Altos are still on sale in the used car market, it is advisable to pick a car that is at the max 6-7 years old. Needless to say the price may vary as per the kilometres on the clock and the condition of the car.
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