Hi everybody!
This is my first post, so do go so harsh on me….)
So, I'm considering buying a used Suzuki Alto 2009-2011 for about $8k. The main reason for that is obviously fuel economy(4.7l/100k) and I also remember seeing an article about it being the cheapest car to run….
So, I just wanted to know if anyone knows anything about this car that'll stop me form buying it. Alternatives are welcome!
THank you, everybody!
And what did you end up buying?
It would help others to recommend something if they knew your intended use and a yearly k's you might travel.
You are talking of a used tiny car 3 to 5 years old with an unknown distance travelled and unknown accident / abuse history.
The car may be cheap and might not use much fuel but if it is fit for the tip in 2 or 3 years or needs expensive repairs in that time then the few $'s saved at the bowser will mean zero.
The economics of motor vehicles is more than what you might save at the pump. With a lot of cars, depreciation and servicing costs are the major loss points. You can save a few hundred at the fuel pump but can lose thousands in other ways.
You can get a brand new one for about $10,500 if you can stretch you might be better with new car warranty etc
Mirage is the cheapest to run now. Followed closely by alto.
I had a workmate who had his Suzuki 3-cylinder for over 10 years. Bought new, paid cash. Admittedly he didn't use it as much as some people would since he lived only a short walk from his work, but even so it worked out to be a very wise investment. Overall build quality is quite good, comfort is not too bad and even though it has very little power it never seemed ridiculous.
Other options in that class are:
- Toyota Yaris: amazingly good value and with lots of space (the sedan has a bigger boot than a Commodore) though the seats are uncomfortable. Not much to look at, but you won't have too many worries with one of these as parts and dealerships are plentiful.
- Fiat 500: My brain tells me this would be a phenomenal money pit. Parts might be dear, or even impossible to get hold of. But I have to admit that I love the design, the feel and the interior and it is definitely ten times sexier than a Yaris or an Alto.
- Peugeot: 2nd hand there are a lot of really nice little two doors that are very cheap on fuel. French cars have very nice design and fit-and-finish and tend to still look smart even over 10 years old. Worth a thought.
Yaris and Peugeot consume a bit more fuel than Alto…I wouldn't mind taking a look at the Fiat but i couldn't find any decent ones on Carsales for my price range. So, will probably go with Alto
I bought a Suzuki Alto 2 years ago for $10,400 and drive it every day. I have done almost 60,000 kms in those 2 years, a equal mix of freeway and city driving… and I love it.
It has never skipped a beat, servicing is cheap, it is cheap to run despite the 95RON requirement (it only costs $35 to fill cause the tank is so small). I like that it has 4 doors rather than the 2 of most small cars, and that it comes with a full size spare.
I absolutely thrash the 1L engine and generally find it has sufficient power. The only time it struggles is on the long up-hill sections of the freeway when I'll have to drop down to 4th gear to maintain the 110km/hr limit… otherwise it is quite responsive… though make sure you get a manual and not an austomatic
I find the interior spacious enough (I am a regular size male)… though the back seat is tiny and anyone sitting in the back seat would be in trouble if you got rear-ended by a truck. The boot is also a little small for anything other than a bit of shopping, though the back seats do fold down which helps. Not really a family car.
Overall I can't fault it really.
Thanks for you help! How much do you normally pay for servicing? Yeah, I'd assume it's not too spacious but i guess i will have to sacrifice something to save on running costs.
Altos are pretty popular in international markets. Nice city drive car with good economy. But with the budget you have, stretch bit more and grab a brand new one. Hassle free with factory warranty etc.
As a Fella who almost bought an Alto I'll say this the engine is gutless only a 1.0 L WITH 5OKW AND 90NM.No Roadside free with the car for the first three years and it's made in India that automatically sent me elsewhere to Nissan to sign up for a Micra K12 in 2010 when they were on run out.If you can find one of these used somewhere with good mileage for age I suggest that as an alternative.
The K13 Micra can be had for around the same money. I have seen 2012/13 models go for around $8k on carsales. A very good value car to buy second hand and has similar fuel consumption and running costs compared to the Alto.
I came very close to buying one as well. Ended up with the Swift instead. The Alto was just too small for my needs, the need for 95 RON did not bother me (my Swift is fed 98 RON only). I would say definitely test drive and consider a new one.
I was contemplating buying one second hand 3 years ago. It drives pretty well and zippy enough for a 3 cylinder. Obviously a no frills car with barely any features if that's what you are after. I'm pretty sure I looked at one that was only 6.5k but didn't buy because it was obvious the owner didn't take a good care of the car. I expect it to be reliable and very cheap to run.
8.5k seems a little expensive to me though.
i cant see the point of the Alto
let me show you how i see things…
there's C segment cars.. thats Cruze, Focus, VW Golf
that is the large hatches, these are fine for avg. families but can be a bit expensive with the Focus on sale at $16,990
under this is the VW polo, ford fiesta, kia rio etc. types
these i think are fine too being under $15k and being a decent size
now the Alto, Mirage being smaller than these… whats the point?
in australia were we have little in the way of parking pressures and fuel is relatively cheap, why would i ever buy an Indian made car with a 1 litre motor with 50kW?
i dont see the point.. i'd rather spend a little more and get something like a Hyundai i20 or Kia Rio with 75kW… it would be much more comfortable and safe
are you that poor?
Hello Tony,
I agree even in India the safety conscious educated public avoid this car if they value safety. Roads are dangerous killing machines in India where this car is made, however it is still a low cost cheap runabout at the best.
I would still buy it if it were for purely local travel as a second car.
it would not even be a 3rd car for me
again, i ask what do cars like the Alto and Mirage actually fit into the australian roads?
they dont
they're not cheap enough over the next class (ie. Polos, Rios, i20 etc.)
ok you may say the same thing about the i20s and stuff but they are like $4,000-$6,000 less than a Focus Cruze Golf Corolla etc.
This was one of the candidates I looked at a while back. I recall one thing I didn't like was that it required RON 95 fuel which takes a bit of advantage off the fuel economy.
But do compare all the suspects in the compact car class.