Long term storage effect on new Car

[Bullfrog]

My friend is planning to buy a car and the dealer is offering a fab discount on one of the phased out models. The issue is that the car's manufacturing date is Aug 2008. Is there any harm in buying this car ? Under what conditions are these cars stocked generally by the manufacturer in these days of JIT etc, with very less inventory holding principle ?

All suggestions and help is highly appreciated.

By the way the car he is planning to buy is an i10 and the model is the 1.1L one.

Thanks
Bullfrog

[sreedotk]

As far as i know the i10 1.1 is still being made and sold in India. So the point of it being phased out sounds a little dubious. I would stay away

[predatorwheelz]

@Bullfrog - Your friend is probably being sold the 1.1 Magna/Asta trim cars, which were discontinued after the 1.2 engine was launched. Now the 1.1 is only available in the lower D-Lite and Era trims.

I would suggest your friend to do a thourough PDI. August 2008 isnt that old a date, but some problems may have cropped up in stockyard storage.

If he is satisfied with the PDI, he should go for the car. Ask him to bargain hard, as the dealer has nowhere to go with an out-of-circulation car that is taking up valuable space in his stockyard!

[sreedotk]

Good call predatorwheelz . On Second thoughts ignore my post and give the car a second look

[GTO]

Buying a supposedly *new* car that's been standing in one place for 10 months? No thanks. Please ask your friend to wisely choose a fresh production example instead.

[SS-Traveller]

If the discount is substantial, PLUS if the dealer is willing to provide your friend with a new battery and new tyres (i.e. of a manufacturing date within the last 3 months, go for it. Nothing happens to a car stored for a year or more, except degeneration of these two components. In any case, factor in the additional expense of replacing these two items soon, when you calculate how much discount is being given.

[trrk]

Hi,

I bought an August 1998 Safari on 01/11/1999.

Except for a discount, it came with the original eaquipment.

The battery was replaced on 28/01/2002 with odometer reading at 38660kms.

A pair of new tyres were put in the front with odometer reading 43600kms on 18/05/2002. New rear tyres were put in on 11/11/2002 with the odometer at 48613kms.

The car was sold after a run of 76148kms with the above tyres and battery. The stepney was barely used original which came with it.

[ImmortalZ]

Wheel bearings. Those will have significantly reduced life if not used. Ask the dealer to change them on delivery or guarantee eventual replacement as FOC (its a wear and tear item normally).

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by ImmortalZ

Wheel bearings. Those will have significantly reduced life if not used.

IMHO bearing life will not be compromised with long-term storage of a new car.

@ trrk: Agree with you - battery and tyre life may not always be compromised. Even then, storing a charged battery for a long time / car standing on inflated tyres at the same spot may result in reduced life of tyres and batteries. Also the engine oil, if more than 1 year old, should be replaced ASAP.

[TRAUMASURG]

[quote=GTO;1328750]Buying a supposedly *new* car that's been standing in one place for 10 months? No thanks. Please ask your friend to wisely choose a fresh production example instead.[/quot

There is no harm in buying a brand new car sitting in the dealer lot if it is a one year old model...you can get a good deal of discount it is all up to you how much bargaining ability you have.Unless you are one of those individual who must have a latest model year car then this one is not for you..If the dealer is desperate to sell and you can reach a deal go for it..regarding the warranty in usa it starts the day the car is put on the road and not day of manufacture.

[SirAlec]

It depends upon many factors, how well do you know the dealers, their record. and ofcourse to check the car.

A friend bought a Passat at hefty discount (i posted somewhere), and its working like a charm.

[Roy.S]

Well, if the price is right, why not? Would merit a thorough PDI and review of warranty terms, though.
By how much is the car marked down?

[ghpk]

Do share the price of the car and the discount.

check on spares, consult any workshop manager, is there any part which can be a headache to source on later date.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Nothing happens to a car stored for a year or more, except degeneration of these two components.

Originally Posted by TRAUMASURG

There is no harm in buying a brand new car sitting in the dealer lot if it is a one year old model

Originally Posted by Roy.S

Well, if the price is right, why not?

I'll elaborate why it's not a good idea:

1. The i10 is a hot-seller. Why would a particular example have been in storage for about a year, when there are customers lining up for an i10 everyday? Why did this sole car not find a home when its production batchmates did just fine?

2. What is the guarantee that this car was not used as a test-drive car? Or a couple of joy rides perhaps.

3. What is the guarantee that this car was not used as a parts car, including as a supply for warranty replacements?

4. How was it stored? Not indoors I'm sure. The effect of direct sun and the relevant hot - cold temperature fluctuation on an idle car? What about flood damage? Engine bays of ignored cars are a haven for rats. Which Indian stock yard is rat free again?

5. Manufacturers don't announce the same, but improvements (however small) are constantly made to cars year on year (based on customer feedback, warranty claims, part failure reports etc.). This car surely isn't the beneficiary of any of these?

6. Was it washed on a daily basis? All of us know the answer to that. Couple that, with the direct sun effect, I'd love to see the paint quality on this car.

7. Tyres + battery have, in all probability, deteriorated. I'm willing to bet on damage to rubber seals, beading, wiper blades, rust inside the exhaust etc. etc. Even the braking system would need to be flushed & checked for any defects.

8. You are paying a lesser amount now, but the resale value will also be lower.

There are simply too many "ifs" & "buts" to this situation. Cars are built to run. If I'm buying new, I want NEW. Else, I'd rather pick a used 1 year old i10 that has seen *atleast* weekly running, than another that's been standing in one place. Heck it'll be far cheaper as well!

[ghpk]

GTO Excellent Explanation and Description of can be type problems.