Shiva Shankar
Expert

Hi,
Tata Nano is improved a lot with respect to safety and also warranty back up of 4 years is a huge advantage.However considering the investment needed,kind of usage mentioned etc, Going for a new/used Maruti 800 would be best selection for availability atlow cost in good condition,proven performance and easy of maintenance.

Abhay Jain

Yes Maruti 800 is good for small family amd small drive

Vinoth

Go for Maruti 800, it is the safe and proven car than Nano.
If you sit on the Nano u really feel like AutoRichsaw

Nilesh Tiwari

donot be misguied, forget Neno, buy only maruti-800 Ac, because, right desigion will always be appreciat. i m also a pride owner of maruti 800

Shine

Hi Joshy.
Maruti is a market proven car and still got the value. Only issue is it is not sold/registered in metros and selected cities since it not compliant to the latest BIS level. And really interested for a new one, wait and see any new variant is coming (there are re market roomers on an upcoming version).
About NANO: It is really good. It got lot of space, up right sitting, road clearance, visibility, mileage, low maintenance and a lot. If you go for LX variant you will get power windows, and AC at 2.25l (in Bangalore - remember the highest registration charges/tax in India). I bet you will never get and AC M800 on the same rate. (Referring to AC, you would have lived in Antarctica to keep the cooling level to HI in a NANO - it is that real chilling inside). I took a drive with my friend to Chennai from Bangalore (400 km approx with short breaks for tea/snacks) and it was a cool drive giving a mileage of 20-21 with 4 adults inside.
Regarding space: there is a lot. You can store a lot on the dash board, keep a huge back pack in front - below the dash ( cannot dream in alto/M800). I never felt the back seat is hotter ever due to a rear engine.
Referring fire incidents. It is not only nano caught fire (Wagaon-Rs, Altos, M800s, Santros, Audi and the latest - a 108 Force ambulance too). Even after did some wiring for a melody horn in my 2004 alto, I got a similar experience while driving. Since I was aware of the circuit, I got to know the trouble as soon as the burning smell came in and disconnected it.
An incorrect wiring done for the gadgets like lamps/horns can set any car on fire.
CAUTION: DONOT MAKE ANY CHANGE IN ANY WIRING IN NANO OR ANY OTHER CAR WITHOUT PROPER INSULATION OR USE OR RELAYS/CUT OFFS. NEVER NEVER CUT ANY CURCUIT AND TAP/TAPE IT FOR POWER. IT WILL END UP IN A DISASTER
My suggestion: go for a nano and enjoy driving at a less cost, escape from the traffic easily.
Last comment: You said, you will be using the car once in a month. Then better go for a new one since you end up in more maintenance than usage cost for a second hand (occasionally, it may not start when you need the car) but driving around 10 kms per week will be good to keep you r battery healthy or else disconnect after use till the next drive so that it could be drained in a span of 2 weeks of idle time.

Microman

Dear Joshy,

Please understand that no small car will seat your 5 member family in comfort. If they are all reasonably thin, then I will suggest you look at the new Wagon R or even an older Wagon R. That way you have low maintenance, tall inside, so more people can be acomodated without hitting the roof. The earlier models should be really value for your money.

Thomas Philip

I recommend you to rent a car during those points in time, rather than buying any car. Consider the costs like - Tax, Insurance, Maintenance, Depreciation etc etc in your analysis. God Bless.

Raju

If you are taking the car out two times a year it is better off you buy the poster of any car and hang it in front of your home and when you stop criticising the Nano and you really need a car ride, hire a BMW it will work out cheaper than your option and you will have a good image. You can distract your mind from the hire you have to pay by counting the number of smaller HAPPY family cars on the road.
These days the workers in the factories are themselves responsible for the bad quality of the car as you can see from the cheap Maruti example when such is the case what will happen be great full the cars are only burning and not simply falling apart.
In any case what I can see is you will never settle for a small car and simply wanted to ask some question, People with such taste who want to soil the Image of something for no reason will always learn things the hard way and by then it ill be too late.