Sugesstion for buying a 2003 used Palio 1.9 Diesel

[pitchucold]

Hi Guys,
I wanted to go for Swift VXI during Diwali, but after reading about Grande Punto, i am feeling that is worth waiting for another 8-10 months for the car to be launched
in India.
But since i cant do away without car, i am intending to go for a 2003 Diesel 1.9 ELX palio D, which i think can be bought for 2.2-2.3 Lakhs.
1. I am thinking of holding this car for 12 -18 Months, then sell it off and buy grande Punto (based on good response). This 12-18 months should be giving me a fair
idea of FIAT - TATA serivce in Chennai.
2. And moreover i think i should be sell the car at that time for 1.5 Lakhs, by which i am be offsetted only by 70-80 grands.
3. Also i heard from few palio owners that car is very sturdy, maintainence is not huge and Service has improved a lot after TATA's has pitched in.
4. I also checked with Concorde Motors in Chennai, they are still servicing Palio D and they can evaluate the Palio which i intend to buy for any major repairs.
5. I may drive close 700 KMS a month. For this Diesel for Palio @8KMPL works out to Rs. 3062 and Used Santro @10KMPL@ 50 Rs Litre works out to Rs.3500, i still make a
saving of Rs. 450 bucks a month.
6. As this is going to be my first car, atleast i wont have a great pain in seeing my NEW car getting scratched. (doesnt mean that i dont mind palio D getting
scratched ;-) )

I also read the post from deepash Puri, http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-mistakes.html (Buying a Second Hand Car - Learn from my mistakes!!!) . hope to follow them.
Questions :
1. What is the going rate for Loans for Used Cars
2. What is ur suggestions on my thoughts, are they very hypothetical? \
3. Request feedback from Palio 1.9 D owners about Car and service in Chennai
4. Is there a better place to take the car for evaluation?
5. How can we find car is accident freee?
regards,
Prasanna KV

[spadival]

You can go thru this thread for feedback from Palio D owners .. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-c...ying-used.html

[pitchucold]

Hi Spadial

I have indeed gone thru the post earlier. based on these and couple of others i have arrived at above questions .

I am looking forward for suggestion / views on my observation. I just wanted to check if i am making a right decision.

regards,

Prasanna KV

[pitchucold]

I have almost finalised on Palio D 1.9.

It is Jun-04 Car with around 35000 on ODO (Though we cant trust it)

Have taken this car to Concodre Service. They have said vehicle is good and probably make require only oil sump change as it is slightly dented. It may costs around 2500.

The Price Quoted by dealer is around 2.7 Lakhs, Probably they come upto 2.65 Lakhs.

But Carwale Individual price is set for the same car at

CarWale CarValue : 2004 Fiat Palio D 1.9 ELX in Chennai


Individual Value (If you are selling/buying car to/from an individual)
Car ConditionExcellent Good Fair Car Value (INR)2,40,5002,31,7001,80,500Dealer Purchase Value (If you are selling your car to a dealer)
Car ConditionExcellentGoodFairCar Value (INR)2,11,5002,02,7001,89,500Dealer Sale Value (If you are buying this car from a dealer)
These values are applicable only if dealer is providing warranty or free services etc. Car ConditionExcellentGoodFairCar Value (INR)2,50,5002,36,5002,21,000

Is it worth paying a premium of 15K for this car. please let me know ur suggestions.

regards,

PRasanna KV

[s0uljah]

In this case it depends on how badly you want the car. My friend picked up a Nov 2003, base model 1.9 for 2,60,000. He purchased it in April this year and it had clocked 48000kms. In his case he had been hunting for the 1.9d for ages so the premium was worth it.

Is ELX the base model or does it have some extras like power windows?

[pitchucold]

Thanks for repsonding Souljah.

The ELX is the one before top end.

IT has Power windows, Power Steering. REarwiper, Tachometer, Central locking.

regards,

PRasanna KV

[s0uljah]

Originally Posted by pitchucold

The ELX is the one before top end.

IT has Power windows, Power Steering. REarwiper, Tachometer, Central locking.

Hey Prasanna!

What condition are the tyres in ? If its possible ask the dealer if you could take some pictures from different angles. It will give us a clear shot of the car too.

Take Nitrous anna along for some bargaining

[basilmabraham]

I have a 2004 November palio D...have done close to 70k on it...absolute stunner...no major issues so far...had to get it repainted though, coz of my careles driving and the sctratches shows too much on the black...i get decent FE f 12-13 in city and around 15 on highways, if I drive sanely...

go for the car mate..its worth buying...

[lamborghini]

@pitchucold - I think you should be looking at around 2.5L for this car.
Along with showing the car to the dealer, you could check the service history of the car as well as insurance reports to see if the previous owner has filed any insurance claims.
I think an average of 8-9kmpl is too low for the Palio D. You should be getting close to 12kmpl with the car. Maybe more depending on the way you drive.
The Palio is an amazing car and if you are looking at buying another Fiat product in the near future, buying this car seems to be a sensible option and would give you a fair idea of how it is to maintain a fiat vehicle.
The palio is an amazing car, it's very safe, it's big, it looks good, and is amazing to drive and has an amazing ride quality.
I am sure you wont be dissapointed.

[pitchucold]

Hi Basilmabraham / Lamborghini/Souljah

The dealer whom i looked at is asking for 2.68 + !% dealer commision that works out to 2.73 Lakhs.

Going for a loan works out close 7100 EMI for 3 years.

I am at crossroads and really confused on what shd i be doing......

Instead of going for used Palio...Should i be going for either
1.Swift
2.Hyundai Getz
3.Hyundai PA
4.Chevy U-VA
5.Skoda Fabia

I guess i am where i started ..hunting for the right new car...
:(

Cheers

Prasanna KV

[typeOnegative]

Originally Posted by pitchucold

Hi Basilmabraham / Lamborghini/Souljah
.............
Prasanna KV

Tell the user to shove it and go for a new car. The PalioD is a good car, but a new car is better.

[condor]

Originally Posted by pitchucold

The ELX is the one before top end.

IT has Power windows, Power Steering. REarwiper, Tachometer, Central locking.

ELX is the top end model. All these features together are available on the top end models.

[.anshuman]

Here in north its easy to find a used palio but its very difficult to sell one.

[dr_aryan]

i would advise you to go for new palio1.1 sle(its coming to just around 3.6 lacks ). although its pertrol but fe is good and you may put tata approved cng kit!

[man23ish]

Pitchucold,

I bought a 2003 Palio-D EL Base model last month and already its been on a trip from Hyderabad to Coimbatore, a distance of 2500 kms.. I think its a good buy.. I bought mine for 2.35 from Lakshmi Hyundai in Hyderabad. Although, i feel that the dealer would have come down in the pricing.. I quoted 2.30 and got it for 2.35, if i had quoted 1.95 something.. well... Anyways, i am happy with the deal i got..

You should bargain hard.. Since Palio's are not sold in large numbers.. also make sure that you take a good mechanic with you to make sure that the vehicle is still in good condition.. Do not buy the vehicle if it has clocked more than 50000 kms..

Best Wishes to you for your first ride..