Good for Bad times and Bad for Good (Suzuki Alto (1997 on) in general)

Member Name: qasimite

Product:	Suzuki Alto (1997 on) in general
Date:	29/12/02 (609 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, Good fuel consumption, Low maintenance cost

Disadvantages: Less space, Uncomfortable, Safety

I have driven Alto for quite some time and some other cars too. When I say its good in bad times and bad in good times, I mean when you are in a bad financial situation, Alto wont be a great additional burden but when talking about having good time like comfort and fun in driving, Alto probably is not designed for that. Like any other car Alto has some good points and some bad points.

Good points first.

ECONOMICAL

Here Alto will beat almost any other car and probably this is the factor for which most budget conscious people will opt for this car. The reasons that contribute towards Alto being a budget friendly car are:-

* Low Cost. Though it does have many other limitations, still people who cannot afford purchasing another spacious car will stick to Alto.

* Fuel Consumption. An excellent mileage. You will get the best miles against your fuel. So Alto will be a friendly name for people who have to travel more miles per day in connection with their job or for other reasons.

* Low Maintenance Cost. Cheap spare parts reduce its maintenance cost to a great extent. The car is otherwise not very demanding on care and maintenance. Mostly mechanical design and functioning, so you hardly face much of electrical complications.

COMPACT

* Good in Bad Times. Due to its compact size you will fell much easier with Alto than any other car, to make your way through a crowded street or at times traffic jams.

* Easy Parking. You only need a walking space between two cars and you can fit your Alto between them.

* Easy Retrieval from a Bad Parking. Well, what you do when you find your car trapped between footpath and another car that some one parked just behind your car? You wait if you have another car but Alto ca get out from most of such situations. Its smaller size from head to tail and from left to right will only need a little of movement space. A couple of forwar
d and reverse moves will get you out of a bad parking.

RELIABILITY

* Can say very reliable. You wont have many troubles along road side. And when it does occur, a little knowledge of automobiles or any road side mechanic will put your car on the road again.

Now some things bad about Alto.

* Driving Experience. You hardly have anything to celebrate about it. No power steering and even gears, brakes and other controls will not give you a very enjoyable or comfortable feeling when driving.

* Comfort. Its better to take some other car when you go for long drives. I have already talked about power steering and brakes etc. A poor suspension and kind of seats Alto has, will add to discomfort in long drives. You cannot drive it to very high speeds too, so duration of your journey will also increase when travelling by Alto.

* Looks. Just average. And below average if you have been driving some other cars of recent models. This applies both to exterior and interior of the car. Colours quality (non-metallic) and choice isn’t attractive too.

* Space for Passengers and Luggage. That’s the worst about Alto. Hardly a comfortable space for sitting and almost no space for luggage. If you or some one in your family are tall, Alto is just not for you. After all where will you keep your legs while sitting inside car? Similar problems you face if you have company of over weight people. You may not be able to accommodate three persons on the back seat. And don’t carry more than a small bag with you if you have company. A larger bag or even your brief case will find its place on back seat. So carry luggage or people with you at one time.

* Safety. Don’t depend. Very light and soft structure coupled with absence of any special safety features will make you depend purely on your driving skill.

In nutshell, your budget will be the major factor for your decision
whether to buy Alto or another car. If you can afford, go for another car and if you are tight on finances, you can settle for Alto.

Summary: