10 Cars We All Wanted As Kids And Can Now Finally Buy For Half A Lakh Or Less!

The choice of cars that we have in the country today is staggering. You can buy anything from the world’s most affordable hatchback, the Tata Nano, to some of the fastest sportscars in the world like the Lamborghini Aventador. 

But back in the early 90s, when some of us were still in school, our folks had a very little choice. They had to settle for a Premier Padmini or move to the Maruti 800 in its different iterations. Then something happened. The economy opened up and new cars started to come in. For us kids, it was like a dream come true. The first generation Honda City then seemed as fast as a Ferrari, the Tata Sierra was the ultimate SUV, and the Contessa was the veritable luxury saloon for us. Aaahhh… those were the days. As kids, all we wanted, was to one day own one of these. And the good new is that that day is today.

Yes. These 'dream cars' are on sale in the second hand market for the price of a motorcycle. Sometimes even less. And if you've always wanted a project car, these are it. Here’s what we found on the Indian interwebs. 

1. Mitsubishi Lancer

This car was the cousin to the Evo VI that was setting rally stages on fire across the world. The SFXi variant was probably the most loved by enthusiasts. In the bright yellow with a sporty body kit and a spoiler on the boot lid, this was the quintessential sports car.

Spend: Rs 40,000 onwards

Project: Evo VI replacement body kit. Free flow exhaust. Performance air filter. Stiffer suspension. Boy racer’s dream.

2. Honda City

Lancer’s closest competition was the City. The first generation car came with the buttery smooth Hyper 16 engine. The S didn’t stand for sports, but it could very well have. The subtle side skirts, the barely noticeable spoiler and the lovely alloys made it desirable indeed.

Spend: Rs 50,000 onwards

Project: Make it a sleeper – stock outside, performance inside. Can even be ambitious with a turbo kit – the engine can take a beating.

3. Opel Astra

The ‘European’ luxury sedan had a solid build quality that endeared it to those looking for luxury on wheels! It came in a number of variants and engine options, but the Club was by far the most desirable – the two tone paint job was the reason.
Spend: Rs 90,000 onwards
Project: Spares slightly expensive. Get bodywork and clutch in shape. Get new tyres. Use as a daily driver.


4. Tata Sierra

The three-door Sierra screamed ‘cool’ when it was launched in the mid 90s. Powered by a 1.9-litre diesel engine, it was woefully underpowered. What made it special though were the curved glass sides. There was nothing like it on the roads then and there’s nothing like it on the roads today.

Spend: Rs 40,000 onwards

Project: Give it a thorough service. Bring it back to stock. Drive the coolest car in the world.

5. Ford Ikon

The Ikon took over from the boring Escort at the Ford showrooms. Dubbed the ‘Josh’ machine, it was the 1.6-litre 90 bhp that really set hearts racing. One of the better handling cars of its time, it was also had great looks. The NXT version in blue will forever be our favourite.

Spend: Rs 50,000 onwards

Project: Stiffer springs. Wider tyres. You’re good to go.

6. Hindustan Motors Contessa

Probably the country’s first luxury car, the Contessa was the Indian version of the Vauxhall Victor sold in Europe. Great ride quality and roomy interiors made it a successful car for Hindustan Motors. It was later powered by a 1.8-litre Isuzu engine and a five speed gearbox.

Spend: Rs 45,000 onwards

Project: Spruce up the interiors. Black paint scheme. Voila. Gangster mobile.

7. Maruti Baleno Altura

The Baleno sedan didn’t get the love it deserved, the car’s design is partly to be blamed. The 1.6-litre G-series petrol motor was rev happy and smooth. The Altura station wagon though was better looking and more practical. Afforable Maruti spares are the cherry on this cake.

Spend: Rs 65,000 onwards

Project: Turbocharge the engine. Put wider tyres. Superfast load lugger.

8. Maruti Zen

The first ‘hot hatch’ to ever go on sale in India. The tiny 1.0-litre engine was good only for 50 bhp, but its lightweight and quick steering made it a driver’s delight. Jellybean shape is evergreen and it can be fixed almost anywhere in the country.

Spend: Rs 35,000 onwards

Project: Engine swap – City’s 1.5 Hyper 16. Performance air filter. Racing buckets.

9. Peugeot 309

Peugeot left India in a hurry and the 309 never got its due. Though dated to look at even when it was launched, the car’s TUD5 diesel’s economy was a revelation for Indian buyers. The 309 drove with confidence on the worst of roads.

Spend: Rs 45,000 onwards

Project: Find a mechanic who can service it. Make friends with him and the car will keep you happy.

10. Daewoo Cielo

Daewoo pegged the Cielo as the luxury alternative to the competition and it truly was one. It had a lot going for it – space and image being the most important factors. Daewoo even rebadged it the Nexia, but the company’s troubles in Korea meant that the Cielo’s reign was short lived.

Spend: Rs 30,000 onwards

Project: Service inside and out. New paint job.

If you're wondering about the age of these cars, then yes these are all more than 15 years old. You don't have to worry though. The ban on older vehicles is meant for commercial and transport vehicles. For private vehicles older than 15 years, the ministry of road transport plans to have fitness test to prove their road worthiness. A common practice even in Europe.

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