Used Zen vs new Zen

shuvc · 27th July 2005, 12:46

Folks , need your inputs on this :

A friend of mine, here in Kolkata, has zeroed in on the Zen.
His requirements which drove this choice:

# Must be a Maruti
# Price <= 3.5L
# Hassle free ownership experience
# Good Mileage
# Avg daily travel 40km
# Will keep the car for min 5 years
# Is NOT a car enthusiast

# Wants a car to take him from pt A to B in comfort
# Self driven
# Will buy within August

Now he is weighing two options.

* A known, sedate owner driven (professor) 2001 Zen LX, 30K kms, for around 1.8 L (Tax paid till 2009)

* New Zen LXi

I am pushing him to go for the new zen.

It would be great if you guys could put forth your comments on which would be a better buy and why ?

shravan316 · 27th July 2005, 13:07

I'd suggest the new Zen too, provided, he can live with the new design.
Since he's going to keep the car for a minimum of 5 years, the cost of maintainence will be relatively cheaper than the old Zen.
Secondly, when he'll sell the car 5 years down the he'll get a better value for the car.

shuvc · 27th July 2005, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by shravan316

I'd suggest the new Zen too, provided, he can live with the new design.

Thanks.

Looks are also not that important to him.

Though I can't help adding that even for a person who is not exactly 'into' cars, he does have a verrrry strong opinion about the looks of the NHC

turbo_lover · 27th July 2005, 14:00

hey dude

if budget aint a problem (since his budget is 3.5)..he should definately go for the New Zen Lxi...
new car is a new car dude ..you never know what kind of problems may come up in a 2nd hand car whereas a new car will come with warranty free service so no tension for atleast 1 or 2 years ..the new Lxi will provide a power steering ,fresher interiors ..clear lamps etc ..well the bumpers and the tail lamps are in a mess but cant do much about it ..
further as shravan mentioned ,he will also get a decent resale after 5 years ...

GTO · 28th July 2005, 09:52

I think that the new Zen is an absolute waste of money! Its horrendously overpriced for a 15 year old design that is outclassed by most other cars (from its competitors in the same market segment). Also, Its too cramped and has horrible ride quality.

If he is absolutely keen on a Zen, tell him to take advantage of depreciation and go for a used buy. If inclined toward a new car, theres a lot more on offer from other car makers.

GTO

Revvhead · 28th July 2005, 11:52

I would have said that GTo, but his friend wants to keep the car for 5 years and be Mechanic & hassle free

In that case a new car - any new car is the way to go

a 2001 zen even if its just 30K on the clock will be saying hello the owrkshop for minor repairs within 6 months of purchase

lamborghini · 28th July 2005, 13:07

But which Zen that travels 40 kms a day will not visit the mechanic or start rattling on Kolkatas roads?
If he is buying a new car, the Zen is CRAP in comparision to other CHEAPER MARUTI VEHICLES like the WagonR.
I would advise him to save money and buy an NEW ALTO LXi or a WagonR Lxi (cheaper and has same discounts then zen).
The Zen sales are falling slowly slowly and by the time he goes to sell it he will get a crap resale value.
If he is admant on a Zen then tell him to get the used one.
Either way, even the new one will start rattling soon so he might as well save 1.5L (taking into account that the old zen requires 20K worth of work.)

v1p3r · 28th July 2005, 13:50

How about a 2nd hand Zen D? Great mileage, can be had for the price, and it's a Maruti.

shuvc · 28th July 2005, 15:18

unfortunately he wants a petrol zen !!

has somehow given the thumbs up to the zen although initially was going the Alto way ..

have been feeding him all these comments .. he'll probably decide next week ..

devarshi84 · 28th July 2005, 20:26

I wouldnt buy used unless I am strained. A new car is always the way to go.

zulfikar · 16th August 2005, 09:51

I would say NO NO to Zen,

But if he is ONLY thinking about a Zen, Then go for a used Zen...

Reasons:
1. Its only Driven 30Km,
2. Professor Driven (would be very well Maintainence)
3. Its for 1.8L with Tax Paid for another 4 years,
4. He will not have a Huge Loss if he plans to sell it Within 5 years.

shuvc · 18th August 2005, 15:48

Thanks for all the views and inputs ..

its been decided and done with .. we went yesterday and he booked a beam blue zen lxi ..

also got some negative feedback on the swift (will post it in the swift hype thread) and ...
since I was there, took the op to drive the baleno too ...

mods can close this thread , since the car has been bought ..

RJK · 18th August 2005, 19:16

Zen is crap car to buy for new. But if he HAS to buy zen, get the used one. Save 2 Lakhs on it. There's no way the car is going to make a repair bill of 2lakhs. Also, 5years down the line, he wouldn't get much for the new car anyway. So resale shouldn't be the top criteria.

27th July 2005, 12:46	#1
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 354 Times View My Garage	Used Zen vs new Zen Folks , need your inputs on this : A friend of mine, here in Kolkata, has zeroed in on the Zen. His requirements which drove this choice: # Must be a Maruti # Price <= 3.5L # Hassle free ownership experience # Good Mileage # Avg daily travel 40km # Will keep the car for min 5 years # Is NOT a car enthusiast # Wants a car to take him from pt A to B in comfort # Self driven # Will buy within August Now he is weighing two options. * A known, sedate owner driven (professor) 2001 Zen LX, 30K kms, for around 1.8 L (Tax paid till 2009) * New Zen LXi I am pushing him to go for the new zen. It would be great if you guys could put forth your comments on which would be a better buy and why ? Last edited by shuvc : 27th July 2005 at 12:47.
	() Thanks

27th July 2005, 13:07	#2
shravan316 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,029 Thanked: 10 Times	I'd suggest the new Zen too, provided, he can live with the new design. Since he's going to keep the car for a minimum of 5 years, the cost of maintainence will be relatively cheaper than the old Zen. Secondly, when he'll sell the car 5 years down the he'll get a better value for the car.
	() Thanks

27th July 2005, 14:00	#4
turbo_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,377 Thanked: 9 Times	hey dude if budget aint a problem (since his budget is 3.5)..he should definately go for the New Zen Lxi... new car is a new car dude ..you never know what kind of problems may come up in a 2nd hand car whereas a new car will come with warranty free service so no tension for atleast 1 or 2 years ..the new Lxi will provide a power steering ,fresher interiors ..clear lamps etc ..well the bumpers and the tail lamps are in a mess but cant do much about it .. further as shravan mentioned ,he will also get a decent resale after 5 years ...
	() Thanks

28th July 2005, 09:52	#5
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,494 Thanked: 309,349 Times View My Garage	I think that the new Zen is an absolute waste of money! Its horrendously overpriced for a 15 year old design that is outclassed by most other cars (from its competitors in the same market segment). Also, Its too cramped and has horrible ride quality. If he is absolutely keen on a Zen, tell him to take advantage of depreciation and go for a used buy. If inclined toward a new car, theres a lot more on offer from other car makers. GTO
	() Thanks

28th July 2005, 11:52	#6
Revvhead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 450 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	I would have said that GTo, but his friend wants to keep the car for 5 years and be Mechanic & hassle free In that case a new car - any new car is the way to go a 2001 zen even if its just 30K on the clock will be saying hello the owrkshop for minor repairs within 6 months of purchase
	() Thanks

28th July 2005, 13:07	#7
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,138 Thanked: 5,843 Times View My Garage	But which Zen that travels 40 kms a day will not visit the mechanic or start rattling on Kolkatas roads? If he is buying a new car, the Zen is CRAP in comparision to other CHEAPER MARUTI VEHICLES like the WagonR. I would advise him to save money and buy an NEW ALTO LXi or a WagonR Lxi (cheaper and has same discounts then zen). The Zen sales are falling slowly slowly and by the time he goes to sell it he will get a crap resale value. If he is admant on a Zen then tell him to get the used one. Either way, even the new one will start rattling soon so he might as well save 1.5L (taking into account that the old zen requires 20K worth of work.)
	() Thanks

28th July 2005, 13:50	#8
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,353 Thanked: 7,012 Times View My Garage	How about a 2nd hand Zen D? Great mileage, can be had for the price, and it's a Maruti.
	() Thanks

28th July 2005, 15:18	#9
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 354 Times View My Garage	unfortunately he wants a petrol zen !! has somehow given the thumbs up to the zen although initially was going the Alto way .. have been feeding him all these comments .. he'll probably decide next week ..
	() Thanks

28th July 2005, 20:26	#10
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 212 Times View My Garage	I wouldnt buy used unless I am strained. A new car is always the way to go.
	() Thanks

16th August 2005, 09:51	#11
zulfikar BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 532 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	I would say NO NO to Zen, But if he is ONLY thinking about a Zen, Then go for a used Zen... Reasons: 1. Its only Driven 30Km, 2. Professor Driven (would be very well Maintainence) 3. Its for 1.8L with Tax Paid for another 4 years, 4. He will not have a Huge Loss if he plans to sell it Within 5 years.
	() Thanks

18th August 2005, 15:48	#12
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 354 Times View My Garage	Thanks for all the views and inputs .. its been decided and done with .. we went yesterday and he booked a beam blue zen lxi .. also got some negative feedback on the swift (will post it in the swift hype thread) and ... since I was there, took the op to drive the baleno too ... mods can close this thread , since the car has been bought .. Last edited by shuvc : 18th August 2005 at 15:49.
	() Thanks

18th August 2005, 19:16	#13
RJK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,150 Thanked: 737 Times	Zen is crap car to buy for new. But if he HAS to buy zen, get the used one. Save 2 Lakhs on it. There's no way the car is going to make a repair bill of 2lakhs. Also, 5years down the line, he wouldn't get much for the new car anyway. So resale shouldn't be the top criteria.
	() Thanks