Bought a pristine 2006 Maruti Baleno sedan & loving it: Here's why

The way it delivered torque on the highway was at par with my '08 Civic VMT. The body roll around corners was ahead of the Civic

BHPian ralphin_rj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I was lucky enough to recently pick up a '06 Baleno Vxi - lucky because I found it in mint condition. Yes it had repainted panels but no rust anywhere. The interiors were untouched and the electronics were stock except a 100/90 headlamp upgrade.

The car was so good, when I saw it at 9 pm in the night, 10:30 pm got it home, decided on a trip from Chennai to Bangalore at 12pm, all alone! I hadn't even opened the bonnet at that time. Just me and a car I've known for 3 hours! It was an absolute soul stirrer. The way it delivered torque on the highway was at par with my '08 Civic VMT. The body roll around corners was ahead of the Civic, the Baleno can hold ground better IMO at 90-120kmph.

After hitting Bangalore at 6 am, when the sun came out is when I saw the car for the first time in daylight - after 9 hours and ~350 kms. I was a little kid walking around the car some 50 times.

And by the time I was done spending 24 hours - two people had already asked if I was willing to sell it.

Anyway, the take away from the car after few months is that:

• The body roll is almost non-existent
• The torque in low end can is at par with a Cedia 2.0 probably - can pull up a bridge with 4 people with AC on at 45kmph in 5th gear.
• The AC in the car can cool a small room. I think someone said it can put an S class to shame.
• The drive quality is plush and smooth.
• The white background meter console becomes black in the night (Brilliance) - will attach a picture below.
• The tall gearing means in second gear, in the city, it will have the passengers screaming of joy!

Will also attach a picture of the car below in recent times:

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