For ages, the Maruti Alto has been a fixture on Indian roads, and it has been the car you want to be seen driving because it is reliable. Is this reputation still deserved? But some say that the newer models cut corners to hold costs down, while others swear by their trusty old Alto that's been running like a dream for years. We have stories of Altos covering 200,000 km without any real problems, and complaints about the newer Altos having frequent niggles. The debate also covers the Alto's reliability, and whether that makes up for its popularity among other budget cars. Discussed also are maintenance costs, availability of spare parts and the car’s performance in different terrains. Is the Alto's brand loyalty fueled by a myth or is it really the workhorse that the Indian automotive landscape is known to be?