Barei bhai.
When you are buying a 660cc you know all of what you are mentioning.
The higher engine sound in the local alto is for a higher torque at lower rpms to give it a better push. The car is tuned for Pakistani environment. The engine is not similar to the ones Japanese Suzukis have. Everything might be same it might be made in Japan, but is made for Pakistan.
The AC of any 660 is good enough for 2 front passengers. ALTOs AC is good enough for 4 people sitting in car on a normal day.
I agree AGS unit is not a conventional automatic but that is why it is a AGS, suggesting to go for a manual cultus is your personal choice.
If someone is looking for automatic, AGS Is na honei se behtar. My wife doesn't care how it drives as long as it doesn't has a clutch, which she has to worry about.
Other then that delivery, delays you have a different report about it.
Alto is the best /top selling car in pakistan at the moment so dealerships have limited quotas.
Cultus's committed delivery time is 60 working days which are 4 or 5 in a week. It automatically pushes you to 3 months plus.
Cultus probably has the highest premium at the moment. Around 100/150k.
I too have suggested him to move to Cultus VXR if automatic is not an issue. (Vxr or Vxl he can decide as per his budget)