First Choice Trivandrum - Worst of the lot - Team-BHP

basilmabraham · 3rd January 2009, 07:40

Guys,

I had bought a used Hyundai Elantra from First Choice Motors Trivandrum. I had gone in there because they had a Mahindra tag attached and so thought they would be good. MY experience turned out worse...

I was on the look out for a used Honda City Vtec, and First Choice was my first choice of used car dealers. Went in there with my wife and kid and the welcoming was good enough. They had no Honda City's in stock. They asked me to have a look at few other cars they had in their yard. We went there and saw this seemingly beautiful Elantra there.. I was hooked the moment I saw it. Took a test drive and found a few problems. Was promised all this would be rectified before delivery.

Paid an advance and went away. Came to tbhp and asked for expert advise. All said that the car is a little over priced, but I loved the Elantra and so was prepared to pay the premium... also that gave me 6 months guarantee from First Choice...Also they would buy back my Palio D for a decent price.

This perhaps was the worst choice I have ever made in my life so far...

Got the delivery of the Elantra after all defects cleared as per First Choice.... The car was amazing... I changed tyres to Good Year Assurance and was having a good time. The car rocked and I was very happy for the choice...

But, few weeks back I had a small accident, apparently caused due to a worn out brake pad. The car did not stop at the distance that I expected it would. My bad luck.. Took it to Popular Hyundai for repair. In the mean while, I moved jobs and had to travel to Germany with family for a long time starting Jan 09. So had to sell the Elantra too...

Told this to Popular guys, that I am selling the car and so just get the basics right (may not be the right thing to do, but I guess everyone does this). My experince with Popular Hyundai is posted here

Popular had quoted 20K for the damages, I agreed and asked them to get it done asap. I agreed for this amount because I didn't want a prick of conscience when selling the car later.

Apparently the car had many major issues which were looked over by First Choice and I had to pay for it all. I walked into First Choice to get it done under the warranty, all they said is that this is wear and tear and is not covered under their warranty... I was shocked, had to shell out close to 80K to get the car out from Popular. I had sent a few mails to First Choice all to no avail.

I found a buyer for the car and have sold it now. He got the car checked out at a Hyundai dealer in Ernakulam and have bought the car for a very low price. Cant blame him for it, as the car was screwed up by popular and First choice. All of them walked away with something or the other, I stand here having lost close to 3lacks in 6 months.. So much for owning a premium D segment Car.

Guys, please stay away from them. You are better off buying a used car from an unauthorized person than First Choice.

benbsb29 · 3rd January 2009, 08:35

Basil, thats quite a saddening experience. You've taken a terrible loss thanks to these morons.

aaggoswami · 3rd January 2009, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by basilmabraham

Guys,
Came to tbhp and asked for expert advise. All said that the car is a little over priced,

I think you are talking about this thread:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sedans...9d-go-not.html (Urgent: Used Elantra CRDi swap with Palio 1.9D - To go or not?)

In you other thread I read that you have spent about Rs. 3 lakh in six months.
If my words are " Its a very bad experience ", its an understatement. What surprised me is that even Popular Hyundai are not great. And its not one off incidence as you have also posted the link to other thread that points out to bad experience from Popular.

lohithrao · 3rd January 2009, 11:10

Basil, sad to hear about the bad experience you had....i think i had posted my thoughts when you were about to buy this car...

According to me a 80k run car that too buying from a dealer like FC one has to be extremly careful....these guys will make the car shine and work well for few months but after some good use thats when the all the problem crops out!

As per me First Choice is as bad as any other dealer....i will never trust these guys.

3rd January 2009, 07:40	#1 (permalink)
basilmabraham BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: München, DE & Cochin, Kerala Posts: 233 View My Garage	First Choice Trivandrum - Worst of the lot Guys, I had bought a used Hyundai Elantra from First Choice Motors Trivandrum. I had gone in there because they had a Mahindra tag attached and so thought they would be good. MY experience turned out worse... I was on the look out for a used Honda City Vtec, and First Choice was my first choice of used car dealers. Went in there with my wife and kid and the welcoming was good enough. They had no Honda City's in stock. They asked me to have a look at few other cars they had in their yard. We went there and saw this seemingly beautiful Elantra there.. I was hooked the moment I saw it. Took a test drive and found a few problems. Was promised all this would be rectified before delivery. Paid an advance and went away. Came to tbhp and asked for expert advise. All said that the car is a little over priced, but I loved the Elantra and so was prepared to pay the premium... also that gave me 6 months guarantee from First Choice...Also they would buy back my Palio D for a decent price. This perhaps was the worst choice I have ever made in my life so far... Got the delivery of the Elantra after all defects cleared as per First Choice.... The car was amazing... I changed tyres to Good Year Assurance and was having a good time. The car rocked and I was very happy for the choice... But, few weeks back I had a small accident, apparently caused due to a worn out brake pad. The car did not stop at the distance that I expected it would. My bad luck.. Took it to Popular Hyundai for repair. In the mean while, I moved jobs and had to travel to Germany with family for a long time starting Jan 09. So had to sell the Elantra too... Told this to Popular guys, that I am selling the car and so just get the basics right (may not be the right thing to do, but I guess everyone does this). My experince with Popular Hyundai is posted here Popular had quoted 20K for the damages, I agreed and asked them to get it done asap. I agreed for this amount because I didn't want a prick of conscience when selling the car later. Apparently the car had many major issues which were looked over by First Choice and I had to pay for it all. I walked into First Choice to get it done under the warranty, all they said is that this is wear and tear and is not covered under their warranty... I was shocked, had to shell out close to 80K to get the car out from Popular. I had sent a few mails to First Choice all to no avail. I found a buyer for the car and have sold it now. He got the car checked out at a Hyundai dealer in Ernakulam and have bought the car for a very low price. Cant blame him for it, as the car was screwed up by popular and First choice. All of them walked away with something or the other, I stand here having lost close to 3lacks in 6 months.. So much for owning a premium D segment Car. Guys, please stay away from them. You are better off buying a used car from an unauthorized person than First Choice. __________________ Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic. Last edited by basilmabraham : 3rd January 2009 at 07:57.

3rd January 2009, 08:35	#2 (permalink)
benbsb29 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bans-galore Posts: 3,632 View My Garage	Basil, thats quite a saddening experience. You've taken a terrible loss thanks to these morons. __________________ "You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you." - Eric Hoffer

3rd January 2009, 11:10	#4 (permalink)
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Udupi/Bangalore Posts: 1,949 View My Garage	Basil, sad to hear about the bad experience you had....i think i had posted my thoughts when you were about to buy this car... According to me a 80k run car that too buying from a dealer like FC one has to be extremly careful....these guys will make the car shine and work well for few months but after some good use thats when the all the problem crops out! As per me First Choice is as bad as any other dealer....i will never trust these guys. __________________ " Everyone wants to park their car/bike in the shade(of a tree) but none wants to grow one!, SAVE TREES/GROW TREES"

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