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I am using a 2002 Maruti 800 DX that has the 12-valve MPFI engine and a five-speed manual transmission as standard fitment. With so many exchange schemes, including those from Maruti's dealers, should I consider trading-in this car for a new vehicle? What are the pluses and minuses of this five-speed M800 model?

T. A. JOSEPH

Maruti has since discontinued production of this five-speed transmission variant of the M800. This was probably done to give the Suzuki Alto which also features the same 800cc MPFI engine on its LX and LXi variants an edge over the M800. After all, the Alto is Maruti's entry-level B segment car, and M800 with its variants are in the A segment.

It is a fact that this five-speed transmission variant of the M800 offers a superior ride quality and continues to command a higher resale value in the used car market.

The five-speed gear-box in this variant of the M800 is the same gear-box that is available in a couple of other Maruti cars in the B- and C-segments. The quality of this gear-box, in terms of smooth shifting and precise slotting, is far superior to the regular four-speed gear box in the M800. Combined with the MPFI engine, this variant of the M800 made for the most economical and comfortable of small cars. Most of the other features are nearly identical to the current DX variants of the M800.

Unless you are in a hurry to upgrade to a larger, more comfortable B-segment car, we would not recommend a trade-in exchange scheme for you now. The M800 is less than two years old and can nearly match up with some of the B-segment cars in terms of ride quality.

If you do decide on selling this five-speed M800, you will be able to bag a better bargain by selling it in the open market and talking down the price of a new one with the dealer, rather than going in for an exchange scheme. Most exchange schemes that manufacturers and their dealers offer may seem attractive upfront, but will also deprive you of the ability to get discounts or freebies on the new car.

I am planning to buy a new bike as I am fed up of driving scooters with low mileage. After referring to several reviews and after a bit of homework I have almost decided to buy the newer version of the Bajaj bike — the Pulsar DTSi 150cc. The new Pulsar DTSi, which features digital technology and claims to have better power and mileage compared to the older version and even some other bikes from Hero Honda. What I want to know about is the maintenance aspects of Pulsar DTSi 150cc, as it has been launched on back of a relatively new technology. Also, the market gossip I hear is that the Hero Honda bikes are better (than Bajaj bikes), particularly on the grounds of maintenance costs. Will Hero Honda Passion Plus be a better option?

N. K. CHHAYA

The Bajaj Pulsar DTSi could be the right option for you, going by your expectations of power and mileage. The new digital twin spark ignition technology (acronym - DTSi) that has been incorporated into the Pulsar's engine has enhanced its power output and mileage. For more details about the bike's technology and how it works check out the archives section of the Auto Focus column in our online edition at www.blonnet.com.

Any new technology tends to be more expensive in the beginning and prices go down after product volumes go up. Of course, companies do price products with new technology lower even at the time of launch on the expectation of future volumes.

In Bajaj's case it is no different. The DTSi technology that Bajaj has developed has been extensively tested after considerable inputs into the process technology.

Maintenance will not be an issue, if it is the possibility of engine failure or component malfunction that is bothering you. So, as far reliability of this new technology goes, it is as good as any other. In fact, the new DTSi technology has been so successful for Bajaj that the company is now trying to adopt the same technology for some of its future bikes.

The market perception about Hero Honda's bikes being cheaper to maintain is probably simply based on the fact that there are more number of bikes from this company on the roads.

While Bajaj's bikes in the past did lag behind in terms of built quality and reliability, the new bikes are all class leading on these parameters. That said, the only problem with the Pulsar DTSi is probably the false neutrals that continues to dog the gearbox.

That should not deter you from buying the Pulsar DTSi. The bike has a lot to offer, including great looks and pretty refined performance. The Hero Honda Passion Plus is in a completely different segment all together. So, the more comparable alternatives from the Hero Honda's stable may be the 150cc CBZ and the new 135cc Ambition.

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