Conclusion
As you might know that cars older than 15 years (petrol) are banned in Delhi, and my car being a 2009 model is about 11 years old i might have to replace it soon but if not then i am getting a good set of alloys and a new Head Unit for sure. May the lord write me a civic in destiny, hope i own a 8th gen civic someday.
My Thoughts on the i10
Times are changing and cars are becoming more and more affordable, so much that people wish to put their money on a pre-owned car rather than on a new 2-wheeler.
This brings us to the point where young students like me would want to get a car as daily driver for the same money they would pay for a bike for those college and miscellaneous commutes. Today when i wonder how life would have been if i would have been able to get the civic, i would have big expenses to bear in respect to the service and usual breakdown/failures on the car, i would also miss out the go anywhere ability of the i10 for its compact size and thus i think a small hatchback sums up as a perfect car for students who are yet to go financially independent.As the car is pretty old now, i prefer to get it serviced from a trusted local mechanic under my observation,i am comfortably able to keep it in good shape with my pocket money.
The i10 fares good as a city car with more than enough power at your disposal, a cng kit shall also compensate on your fuel expenses. The head room and leg room is decent, rear passengers would be comfortable 2 at max, a third passenger would rob you out of space. The boot is spacious however the high loading lip would require you to put those muscles at work
HIGHWAY MANNERS
I have done done 120 max on an empty open stretch of the yamuna expressway(i do not promote high speed driving and suggest everyone to drive within prescribed speed limits).However i have experienced this car do 140 by our driver on a highway due to an emergency situation, thats heck of a scary speed for such a car. The car is planted under speeds of 80 km/h , the soft set suspension however does not inspire confidence at a 100 km/h. You would feel the need of a 6th gear past 80km/h if you drive light footed for a better fuel efficiency.I strongly recommend for a tyre upgrade on the i10 for better stability and control.
How does it compete in its segment?
Main rivals to the i10 are the wagonR and the first generation swift IMO. While the wagonR is an excellent city car with better FE than the i10, it lacks the power and comfort of the i10. My mom once commented that the upright bench like seats are not that comfortable as those on the i10. Here i'd choose the i10 anyday between the two
However when it comes to the swift, its is definitely a better car than the i10 for its engine, its comfort, space and high speed stability due to the wider body and lower stance plus you get the peace of mind with maruti.
Other points to be noted:
1-Engine refinement is nowhere close to the maruti's 4-cylinder engine, the 3-pot engine on the i10 does make its presence feel. I used the "Liqui-Moly Engine Oil Treatment" and it has contained the vibrations very well outshining my expectations for an engine-oil additive.
2- The gearbox is super smooth and buttery, even the clutch and steering are very light. I tried to shift a gear and rotate the steering just with my index finger and it did
3- The built quality is excellent, i don't hear any squeaks or rattles in this 11 year old car. However The presence of hard plastics on the dashboard and door trims leaves a lot to be desired.
4-Non adjustable head rests is problematic for many.
5-zippy ride + small turning radius, you would love parking the car in congested places than the actual driving
6- Value for Money, for me it has turned out to be a great bang for buck at 80K Rupees.
7- This quote comes from "Fun and interesting trivia on The Indian Car Scene"
Quote:
• The lightweight Hyundai i10 Kappa2 was actually quicker than larger engine hatchbacks, and some 10 lakh sedans too. Power to weight = 92 BHP / Ton (Maruti SX4 1.6L = 88 BHP / Ton).
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This was my little sum-up for a pre-owned i10, please excuse me for the imperfections in my first write up. hope it gives a idea to college students like me what to expect from their first small car. I have included a poll , please help me make a choice for the future
Thank You.