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S. Muralidhar

What is your take on buying a second-hand Maruti Esteem VX model? I am looking at affordability and a car for a family of five? Which year's model to go for? Can you suggest any other alternative car?

Gangadharan Mani

A second-hand or used Maruti Esteem can be a good choice for the bargain-hunting car-buyer, who is on a stiff budget. It (the used car option, that is) could potentially help you leapfrog into the mid-size car segment, but may set you back by only as much as what a new low-end two-box (hatchback) car such as the Zen would cost.

The Esteem is the real entry-level three-box car. Unfortunately, while that is true of the value-cost proposition that the Esteem represents, it is also true as regards the car's dimensions, comfort and contemporariness. The car's design is fairly dated and its interior features, though functional, are barely comparable with other cars in the segment.

The Esteem can seat a family of five, but rear seating is a bit cramped for three passengers, compared to the Hyundai Accent or the Ford Ikon, both of which feature more shoulder space for rear seats. However, given the lightweight construction of the car, the power-to-weight ratio of the Esteem's 1.3 litre engine is not all that bad compared to competition.

Some of the other pluses are that the Esteem's paintwork (at least after year 2000 models) and gearbox, which is one of the best.

However, some points to be remembered before starting to scout for that second-hand Esteem include the fact that the last time the car got a major facelift was in late 1997. A pre-1997 model may be that much cheaper in the market, but will not fetch you much if you went back to sell the car at a later date.

Further, while the Esteem was not sent back to the design studio after that year, the finish quality of the car and its components were drastically improved in 2000. Coinciding with the launch of the Euro II version of the Esteem ( featuring a multi-point fuel injected engine), the car was racked up the fit and finish ladder.

So, a used Esteem, which is about three years old to date or thereabouts would be the most ideal. A model in this range will most definitely cost you more than one which is pre-2000, but will serve you better in the long run. You have listed the Esteem VX as a preferred option, but if it is not within your budget, see if you find a good bargain in the lower trim Esteem LX.

But if it is inevitable that you buy an older car, you may as well look at the Maruti 1000 of 1997-98, which will cost just over half as much as the Esteem; the remaining cash can be used to fund its maintenance during the car's remaining working life.

A used, three-four-year-old Esteem would cost Rs 3.5-4.5 lakh depending on trim level and usage.

(Readers are invited to send their queries related to the world of automobiles to: q&a@thehindu.co.in)

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