[anjan_c2007]

The Maruti 800 had come as a new wave car. It changed everything in India as far as cars were concerned and much has been written about the car in the media and elsewhere.
The 800 was the most sought after car by almost all sections of car buyers whatever their budget. Waiting lists were long and the politicians,judges,actors,bureaucrats and all other top notch people vied for the 800. The driving pleasure was like never before The car initially cost about Rs 60 K on the road but enthusiasts fitted accessories worth more than Rs 60 K on their cars. Maruti jokes became a rage and the media never had it so good.
One joke goes thus-a Parsi gentleman driving his 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster quipped,"Earlier I used to have insects, flies and bees sticking to my radiator and now I find Maruti 800's there."
The Contessa (1984) Premier 118NE (1986)and the Standard 2000(1985)were in separate niches and both being rear wheel drive cars were liked by a separate clientèle.The Maruti 1000 came by in 1991 and eclipsed the 800.This was followed by many, many other cars. The crowd of new cars became so huge that very soon the 800 got the "cheapest car" tag.
I would like fellow teambhpians to share their pre 1991 nostalgic moments with the 800 here.Because thats when (1984-1991) the 800 ruled our roads as a tiny and most sought after PYT.

[glomus123]

I am afraid I may not express exactly what I feel. We have our 1988 Maruti 800 Deluxe, run around 70 thousand KMs. My father uses it regularly. He never wants to change it, me too. It serves its best throughout all our good and bad. Still it eases 100 KMPH without much effort. Thanks to the Jap technology and the peppy engine, it gives around 23 KMPL. It had a drop in mileage only when we had a half-engine work done. Before or after it always gave a very good mileage. It is the same car we used for my wedding too. Later one more 800, with MPFI added to our family, but we prefer old one for long rides, especially because we can meddle it even if some problem comes. But never had a problem midway. Long live the 800!!

[anjan_c2007]

A joke that used to make rounds those days was that whenever you hit someone with your Maruti, firstly check your car for damages. Only after that check out on the person or motor vehicle whom/that you have hit, as damages to the third party were minimal always!
Another one here which was fact.The spares used to be all imported and were very costly as duties charged were high. The windscreen used to come for some Rs 2000/- each, the taillights for around Rs 400/- each, doors for some Rs 3000/- each and so on, all unheard amounts during those days.So when each spare part price was listed and totalled, the gross total amount would far exceed and be well above the cost of a new car.

[joshguy]

I still remember the RED M800 which my dad used to bring home (friends car).It used to be like a toy and was looked at as a luxury car similar to merc or so.

Then no other car except 118NE had such plastic dash board and AC integrated into it,so M800 was a luxury car then for us.

The famous colors were chocolate brown ,Syk blue and RED

Then the story turned to M1000 which we also owned for 5 years and rode it for 200000 lakh kms [car came to us with 105000 kms and rest DAD :-)]

[GTO]

The Maruti 800 was quite a revelation for its days. The first time I sat in one ('85 Model), I thought it was the fastest car I'd ever need . The first time I saw the *new* 800 ('86) on a Juhu road, I flipped over the rotary HVAC knobs (next to the instrument console). And the first time I drove my '91 M800, I completely feel in love with the ergonomics (a word I didn't know how to spell back then). Everything seemed to just fall in place, unlike the Amby & Padmini from our garage. The driving position was perfect. Plus, it never overheated either!

My most recent Maruti 800 experience was about a year (or two??) back. Returning home from Lonavla, I jumped into my friend's 800 and he took over the Benz. Believe me, the fun I had hurling down the Lonavla ghats...the car is a damn gokart on wheels. You can make her swing in and out of corners. Unbelievably direct steering. 120 kph felt like 200, and its only when an Audi sticks to your derrière on the expressway fast lane, blinking its lights for you to move out of the way, that you realise how the game has moved on.

Truly an icon within the Indian domain.

[anjan_c2007]

This car a 1987 model (cost was around Rs 82,000)that has been with me all along, was parked by me in front of my friend's house in 1991.He was a car broker.A customer came and liked the car and offered Rs 1.10 L instantly for the car.I said no politely, explaining that I had come to visit my friend and exchange pleasantries and not trade my car..
A new car would cost Rs 1.20- 1.25 L and there were long waiting lists.

[rajushank84]

@GTO: Couldn't agree more! Every time I see an 800 on the road, I regret selling mine. Now life has moved on to other priorities like AC, space etc so the family would never let me buy one again. But I am glad I experienced this unbelievably fun car at least for 1 year in my life.

Just a few nostalgic pics of my all-time favorite car. The first two were taken at the second-hand dealership before I bought it. The other two were taken after it came back from repair post-accident (you can see the front grille is totally different).

[SuperSelect]

Nice thread Anjan..

How can I ever get over my relationship with the Maruti 800 ?!?
She's there - always right there, like an long lost love affair, the fragrance of which refuses to let you go..

BLB 2032 was bright red, Deluxe, 1987. My first car, bought used in 1994 with my own hard earned money. And the thing I've done in that car -
Raced, ripped, romanced, got caught.. the works ! That was a truly lucky car for me, never let me down. Had a few near-miss incidents with 2032.
Finally had to let her go in 1997. I miss you dearly, babe !

Then came MH-04-AC-2185. White, 1997, my first 'showroom' car - mine, courtsey Citibank finance - oh those were the days of liberation ! Got married and drove my wife around in 2185. Zipped like mad on the umpteen outstation trips we took her to - packed to the gills with luggage ! The 800 was truly freedom on wheels.

Thank you for the memories .

[Rahulkool]

We had one in chocolate Brown color, bought in 1984 for half the price of nano 65k IIRC and it was sold in 1996 for 80k lol. We did around 140k kms in that duration. It was a excellent car never gave any problem. Used to give 18kmpl in city and 23-24kmpl on highways. I have seen 140kmph on the speedo many times. learn driving on that car

I always wonder why we did sold that :( , would love to buy back that if i can found. BTW registration was BHZ 622 .

[IQBAL VEERJI]

Originally Posted by joshguy

I still remember the RED M800 which my dad used to bring home (friends car).It used to be like a toy and was looked at as a luxury car similar to merc or so.

Then no other car except 118NE had such plastic dash board and AC integrated into it,so M800 was a luxury car then for us.

The famous colors were chocolate brown ,Syk blue and RED

Then the story turned to M1000 which we also owned for 5 years and rode it for 200000 lakh kms [car came to us with 105000 kms and rest DAD :-)]

Dear not only plastic dash board, no common man had seen hazard warning lights, electrical wind screen washer,safety belts,head rests on seats,flush door handles , inside flick type door openers,etcetc. all these were absent on our so called cars like amby and premiers.

[im_srini]

The M800 is a great car & we've had half-a-dozen, or so, of these in the family since I was in high-school. Can't forget the numerous vacation trips, in one M800 or another, packed-in with cousins & assorted relatives, driving around TN, AP, & KA – funny, it didn’t seem that small then

For most of its 25+ years, the M800 received step-motherly treatment from Maruthi - the exception being the 12-valve 5-speed, which was an uncharacteristic, but welcome, upgrade. The 12-valve, 5-speed, was my very first car & I have very fond memories of that car, it never let me down & I could always depend on it. It was a literal go-kart, & could give the bigger cars, of its day, something to think about. Too bad they axed it to make the Alto appear superior.

Nevertheless, to this day, the M800 is a great city car - small, nimble, fuel-efficient, a perfect substitute for a 2-wheeler, a great 2nd car for running-around or errands. The most recent M800 addition to the family is a 2008 model. I've been using this diminutive car outside its supposed city environment for some 'HyperMiling' & 'am in total awe of what it's capable.

Now, this car has done about 20K Kms, almost 90% of which has been on MAS-to-CBE runs (& back). In the city, the car gives a very average 16 to 18 Kmpl FE figure, it has been the same for the past 2 years. On highway runs however, the picture is completely different. On my very first MAS-to-CBE run, over 2 years ago, this car gave me 22 Kmpl - again, nothing spectacular. But since then my FE figure has steadily increased to more than 30 Kmpl ! For the past 2 weekends, when I've had to drive down to CBE, the FE figure was a spectacular 37 Kmpl ! Despite all its faults & foibles, the M800 is, truly, unbelievable

[gavinimurthy]

Why limit to 1991? :-)

My 1996 model 800 is still with me even after I bought SX4. I don't intend to part with it. The odo is around 6000 now. (Read 106000 :-) ) . I must have travelled to Hyd atleast 20 times so far and it never gave any trouble.

I use it thrice a week to commute to office to keep it in good condition. Strangely though I never feel the low seating uncomfortable even after using SX4.

Murthy

[MutantX]

Our family also had a M800. It was a good car, never gave us any trouble. Unfortunatly had to dispose it since our family was getting bigger.

[Rajesh K R]

We also had a 1998 model M-800 STD and used the same upto 2007 end. did some 53000 kms and sold later to accomodate new car.

Yes, i sure have very fond memories of this car, since this is the first car i drove and we drove to many distant places in the dead of night and without any fear of breakdowns.

It used to give me a mileage of around 23kmpl on highways / long trips.

Long live M-800 !!!

[jatinpatel]

Maruti 800 the car which had literally put Indian public on wheels and the one which created a stir in the market when it was launched.Is still remember when my dad brought his first 800 which was a 1991 800 STD model in navy blue colour me and my family made end number of trips to lonavala and so on.
Then in 1996 came another 800 GJ 5 FF 2812 the most beloved 800 of my family this one was in Metallic gray colour in those days Metallic colour were like so upmarket thing to have.Never ever gave us any kind of problems.She was a peace of my heart but sadly due to some legal registration problems that am not much clear about had to sell her in gujrat but the car is still being used by my uncle I just wished i could get it back and restore her to showroom condition.
Then in 2005 came another 800 but this time it was the MPFi E3 model with AC
Still she is there with me now its my baby now and am never going to sell it as dont want to make the same mistake again cause i know some day or the other this car is going to be a classic.
Will right a complete ownership thread on my 800 with pictures after I go back to India.