The Zen of driving.. Review on Maruti Suzuki Zen - Petrol

I drove the Carburetted version for about 2 years. Have

not driven the MPFI - but is supposed to be a zippier car,

however, with lesser handling prowess (from what I've read)

Differences bet the new/old:

-----------------------------

The older Zen had 13 inch wheels - no MPFI so lesser power

but more than adequate for speeds upto 90 kmph if you love

shifting gears.

I liked the older upholstery better (personal opinion)

A used Zen is cheaper - and will mostly be carburetted...

The Zen is a driver's car. Period. If you have passenger

comfort, rear space, luggage space and other such considerations,

look elsewhere. Again, if you're buying new - there's the

Palio to consider too (esp the 1.6). But I did love the

cornering on the older Zen - drove it to Goa and Trivandrum

from Bangalore and lots of other shorter trips. It needs a

little stick and struggled beyond 90kmph - but at normal

overtaking speeds etc is a great companion. New tyres and

a suspension job (I'd got it used) really improved the

handling. I've heard this has suffered with the new 12 inchers

and a 'softer' ride.

The interior plastics were not too great though they held

up ok - and the ergonomics in the front were good. Rear

seats for long drives were uncomfortable. Luggage space

was ok for a bag and small suitcase and that was that.

If you're buying new, and considering the Indigo (like the

requester of this review) - I'd say avoid the Zen. You do

not use bhps everyday. Safety (not the Zen's strongest point),

space and comfort are big factors. And the Indigo is supposed

be quite driveable - especially in the midrange (80-120).

Being a diesel (efficient engines) and turbocharged to boot,

it should be a happy drive. The CRDi (later,later) will be

awesome - but this itself should be more VFM than the Zen.

Yes the Suzuki engine will last forever - but how long are

you planning to drive. And the Indica/Indigo should be

very safe cars to venture out on the highways in.

One small edge with the Zen would be cost and standards of

servicing and maintenance. Somehow, there are more and

better Maruti service guys and maintenance costs are really a

fraction of that with other cars (am including minor dents

and scratches).

If u're looking for a used hatch - Zen ze choice is clear.