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Originally Posted by GTO • Reliability: Gone are the days of used cars needing regular trips to the mechanic. With most cars on the market today, long-term reliability is part of the package. • Not the latest: The best deals to be had are often on cars that are a generation or two old • Car history: Pre-owned cars may have been damaged by negligence, floods, or accidents • Maintenance: The cost of maintaining a pre-owned car of a given price will be more than the cost of maintaining new car of the same price. . |
A simple example here..I bought a '95 Esteem in 2000 for 2l..this had alloys,Donuts,CL,PW,HiTech sound system and had put up 66k kms.Later I realised the engine oil had not been changed regularly(going by the gumming on the tappets).Despite this negligence by the previous owner,I still managed 14-14.5 in the city and 19+ on the highway(no exxageration, this) ,used the car for five years/40k kms,spent peanuts only on regular oil changes/coolant/water wash.The "major" maintenance..wheel joint RH side REPLACEMENT(Rs.800), A/C service(once-Rs.1200),new door panels(Rs.725).Best part..I used to clean the carb only every 15k kms.
Sold it for 1.21 ..had a little problem since it was too old..but the care I took for the car sold it for me.
I guess an old buggy(4 yrs) is anyday a better option PROVIDED one knows to assess one fairly well and one has a passion to maintain it himself/herself.
Own a Versa now which I bought for 25% less when it was seven months old.Looks and performs as good as new even now...but somehow driving pleasure is nowhere near the Esteem.