Advice on buying a June 2003 Palio S10, 38,000 KMS done

[khan_sultan]

Friends,

I have a June 2003 Santro XG (28,000 kms done), that I am planning to now do away with. (have become bored with the car now ). I am now looking for a performance hatch (yes. a hatch not a sedan) and a Palio 1.6/S10 is what i would prefer. I don't mind the 9-10/KM FE of these cars. Pure and unadulterated driving pleasure is what I am looking at.

Need your advice.

• What would be the best price for a reasonably good June 2003 Palio S10, 38,000 KMS done, single owner car? The dealer is quoting 2.5 L
• What things to keep in mind/check specially for S10?

[esteem_lover]

1.3 to 1.5 L is the going price for a genuine piece with service records.

[ram_hyundai]

The asking price is a premium.50k more reduced wouid be a genuine price if the car is in good condition.The resale value of the cars like S10 is more like a dream price rather than the actual market price.
ram

[snaronikar]

Be aware that the costs that will be involved in Fiat's A** and spare parts. It is costlier compared to Hyundai. Hope you are prepared for it. :-)

[finneyp]

Just confirm if the model is 2003? If I remember correctly, S10 was launched in 2002.

If it is in a good condition, 2 lacs will be a good price.

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Be aware that the costs that will be involved in Fiat's A** and spare parts. It is costlier compared to Hyundai.

Really? Definitly not costlier than Ford!

[khan_sultan]

Thanks folks.

Any specific stuff that I need to focus on while buying a used S10?

[gods-envy]

since its more of a performance kinda of car, it wud be misused for sure..
do the usual checking, but with a little more in-detail for this car.

all the best

P.S Regarding the mileage, if u r a reasonably sedate driver, u can manage to squeeze about 10.5kmpl.
my Palio 1.6 GTX-SP used to give me that much in Bangalore city driving conditions
do note that I used to drive it in peak hour office traffic

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

...Regarding the mileage, if u r a reasonably sedate driver, u can manage to squeeze about 10.5kmpl.

I would be more than happy with a 10+ mileage. I have heard that a S10 would give max of 8 kmpl if drivel sedately. driven hard, it would give 6-7 kmpl

[roms]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Thanks folks.

Any specific stuff that I need to focus on while buying a used S10?

Apart from the regular stuff, do check the suspension. The S10 being stiffly sprung, chances are that the suspension might require some attention. Also, the chrome tipped eshaust ( S10 specific only) may require replacement if rusted. The difficult bit is, you will not get a replacement for the part since the chrome exhaust tip is longer made by Fiat.You can go through Amit's thread on his S10 for details on the same.

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Be aware that the costs that will be involved in Fiat's A** and spare parts. It is costlier compared to Hyundai. Hope you are prepared for it. :-)

Not necessarily. Which Hyundai are you comparing, Santro or Getz?

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Friends,

I don't mind the 9-10/KM FE of these cars. Pure and unadulterated driving pleasure is what I am looking at.

Need your advice.

• What would be the best price for a reasonably good June 2003 Palio S10, 38,000 KMS done, single owner car? The dealer is quoting 2.5 L

The S10 should easily give you that kind of FE, infact if you drive with sanity on the highways, i.e, keeping the revs below 2K, it will surprisingly return 16-18 kmpl with the a/c on!

Price is on a higher side. 1.8-2L should be more like it.

[gods-envy]

i think the dealer is trying to make a huge margin by selling it at 2.5L
stick to max-to-max 2L

When I was looking for an S10, there was a dealer who quoted 3.5L for one car (dont remember the year of make though)

I just walked away....

try to bargain hard, s10's maybe hard to find, but still u can get better cars for that price..

[mobike008]

Driving a car like S10 with revs below 2K is hugely uphill task

@Khan, the price should be between 1.5L to 2L and don't worry too much of the FE. It certainly will give you pure and unadulterated driving pleasure which is what you wanted.

[sushanthr77]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

1.3 to 1.5 L is the going price for a genuine piece with service records.

An S10 for 1.3L? What a deal? Buy and then sell for 75k in a couple of years?.

dear e_l, In B'lore a 2003, 1.2, still costs about 1.5L. Obviously, things are very different at your place. I think you should refrain from making false remarks and put an end to your attempts to confuse potential 2nd hand Fiat buyers.

Btw, I think 2L-2.2L is also a reasonable price if the car is in good condition. It is a small price to pay for the fun.

Note: It maybe impossible to find spares for the S10 which are not in common with the regular 1.6. Why don't you try for a regular 1.6 instead?

[khanak]

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Be aware that the costs that will be involved in Fiat's A** and spare parts. It is costlier compared to Hyundai. Hope you are prepared for it. :-)

Originally Posted by finneyp

Really? Definitly not costlier than Ford!

What does the price of Ford's A.S.S. have anything to do with what snaronikar said?

[swale84]

In Mumbai, the asking price for a 2002 1.6 GTX, with 35 - 40 k kms on the clock is 1.5 - 1.8 L.

2003 model S10's with similar mileage command a premium of anything between 20 - 50 k.

I had seen similar models quoted between 1.9 - 2.4 L. I reckon between 1.8 - 2.2 L should be a fair price depending on the condition of he vehicle.

However, do have it checked out at a Fiat workshop, especially an engine scan. I was once told by a Fiat mechanic that an ill maintained 1.6 engine is susceptible to valve seat failure, which would require major engine work.

White smoke in the exhaust is one of the things to look out for.

Suhail

[khan_sultan]

Friends,

Thanks a ton for your advise. Have bought the S10 for 2.1 L. It is in pristine condition. Had got it checked thoroughly by a tata/fiat A.S.S and the person said that it is in god condition and just requires regular servicing. He had suggested a max price of 2.25 L

I will post a complete buying experience post soon. I haven't driven enough to comment on FE, but in the 50+ Kms I have driven, I must that it is just pure pleasure driving the S10. This car rocks man.. and how..