Request for Advise. Review on Palio - Petrol

Hi folks,

First off, thanks all you guys for such honest and worthy reviews, it makes life easier for lot of people like me. I'm planning to buy my first car, and here are my strict priorities:

1. Price <= 1.8 lac

   
   




2. Power steering and AC

   
   




3. Model >=2002

   
   




4. Safety

   
   




5. Ability to handle CNG

   
   

I'm 98% sure that I'll buy a Palio, even getting couple of good deals where in, car is 2002,has run around 40-42k and price about 1.35-1.45 lac. Sounds a good deal indeed. The only thing putting me into dilemma is my friend's and brother's advises- everyone is telling me not to buy fiat as mainatenance, spare parts costs etc is bit high,and they insists to go for Maruti Zen or Wagon R.

But Zen or Wagon R will costs me more and they are'nt that safe, as in one cant rely on the thin metal sheets of Maruti-my average distance would be around 150-300Kms /week.

Please suggest. I need to get a set of 4 wheels this year :)

Thanks

Rajat Chauhan