Mar 24, 2014 04:58 PM
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Alto800, the popular entry-level hatchback also became our final choice as the first new car we intended to purchase. On 28th February, we confirmed our booking at the Prakash Auto Showroom, one of the authorized dealer of Maruti Suzuki located at Kongaon, Kalyan.
We got the delivery on 15th March. It was a typical summer afternoon as we took an auto and reached the showroom. The desire to see our car was naturally very intense. We could finally see our car ready to get a wash. After it was cleaned and dried, their staff decorated our Alto 800 LXi variant in superior white colour. My daughter had few days back christened it as Snow White.
Before taking delivery, I inspected and checked the overall working condition of the car and in order to do so I had already gone with my check-list. After making sure that it was all fine, we started our drive in the scorching heat but not before performing the customary puja of the new car. Papiya sketched the swastika symbol with sandalwood paste on the bonnet of the car, sprinkled rice on it and then I broke the coconut in front the right tyre.
The drive was very comfortable and even with the AC in power on-mode; the pick-up of the vehicle was pretty good. The gear shifts were very clean and could perfectly get in the slot. The diagonal shift from 2nd to 3rd gear was indeed very sleek.
The overall cabin ambiance was impressive in the car. The side mirrors and rear mirror view was very good, the rear windscreen is wide enough to provide a good view. Power Steering was light and the horn that takes up till the silver ascent on the wheel was very convenient to honk when needed. The utility open boxes and the only glove box is useful to keep few vital stuffs. The driver seat is comfortable with good back support. Rear passengers could feel more comfortable with better leg room now available on the Alto 800.
The real parcel tray was useful to decorate with some cushions and soft toy. In a nutshell, it is a complete car that provides the basic needs for a small family. We again drove in the evening to the nearby Sai baba temple to seek Baba’s blessings and fill some petrol. The remote fuel lid opener was convenient to use. The final drive of the day in the late hours of the evening was through Vasant Valley road and then back home. We enjoyed and cherished the moments with our Snow White.
After driving home our Snow White (Alto 800 LXi in superior white colour) home from the Prakash Auto showroom, Kongaon, Kalyan. I continued short drives on road familiar to me to analyse briefly the first hand driving experience on this car that is equipped with the F8D 796cc 3 cylinder 12 valve engine.
The short city runs provides a comfortable drive. The suspension was reasonably good over the potholes and the drive was free of any internal vibrations except at very low RPM levels. The gear shift was perfectly in the slots. The diagonal shift from 2nd to 3rd gear was noticeable.
Power steering is light and easy to manoeuvre. The pedal feel for the brake was responsive and the clutch engaging point becomes evident immediately upon short release. The AC cooling is effective and pick-up of the car even with the AC in on-mode is decent. The cabin ambiance is good due to the improved headroom and contemporary designs on the dashboard.
Overall, this entry-level hatchback displays what Maruti Suzuki has mastered on their 800cc cars over several years in the areas of technology, driving comfort and successfully benchmarked it as a perfect complete car package.
