Buying a Second Hand Car - Learn from my mistakes!!!

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by Samurai

You are yet to explain the practical reasoning. How does the replaced windshield reduce the value in a practical sense? Does it start leaking in rain, will there be draft? I have two cars with replaced windshields, I'd like know how it is going to affect me as a driver.

But if you are saying you prefer original glass for the sake of it, how is it different from numerology?

i think u forgot to read my previous post. i dont think there is any necessity for any sarcasm here. i said i understand ur feelings, since u have replaced the windshields in 2 of your cars. but the point here is a replaced windshield means the car is going to take that much longer to sell. also it means that either it was involved in an accident (Which means there are other things to look out for also) or it has been handled quite casually for the windshield to break so soon.

iam pretty sure, there is not going to be any draft(whatever that means) nor are u going to have a leaking windshield in the rain....ha ha ha lmao

as a driver, it will not affect u in any manner whatsoever, so u can be rest assured on that, but as a buyer, i would be put off, looking at that.

[Technocrat]

@Samurai: I think what he wants to say is that in most of the cases a replaced windshield would be due to a big accident & hence the resale will go down.

Btw EL I dont understand this point:

3. Never buy from DSAs (True Value, Ford Assured etc)

[yeis]

Originally Posted by Samurai

You are yet to explain the practical reasoning. How does the replaced windshield reduce the value in a practical sense? Does it start leaking in rain, will there be draft? I have two cars with replaced windshields, I'd like know how it is going to affect me as a driver.

But if you are saying you prefer original glass for the sake of it, how is it different from numerology?

Samurai, Esteem_Lover is playing safe here. He simply doesn't want to go into chaos. If windscreen is replaced, he is considering that there might be some accident hence avoid this car. Since one is unable to know whether car is accidental or not, this may help. With this funda, he will succeed in avoiding all the suspected cars (including both of yours ). Chane ke saath Ghun to pista hi hai!

But I too can't digest esteem_lover's 8th rule, sorry boss!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

i think u forgot to read my previous post. i dont think there is any necessity for any sarcasm here.

I apologize if you felt any sarcasm in my queries. That was not my purpose. You have spelt out 10 commandment for how to reject used cars. While some are genuine reasons, some could be pure opinion or personal preference. I don't want people to take it to heart without understanding the reason behind it.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

i said i understand ur feelings, since u have replaced the windshields in 2 of your cars.

Exactly, I have vested interest in making sure people don't take opinions as advice.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

also it means that either it was involved in an accident (Which means there are other things to look out for also) or it has been handled quite casually for the windshield to break so soon.

I would say some would extrapolate like that, but not all, I wouldn't, not in the absence of other evidence suggesting accident.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

iam pretty sure, there is not going to be any draft(whatever that means) nor are u going to have a leaking windshield in the rain....ha ha ha lmao
as a driver, it will not affect u in any manner whatsoever, so u can be rest assured on that

That settles the practicality issue.

In my first car (Toyota Corolla), I had to replace the entire exhaust system because of a bad winter which had 32 snow/ice storms, all the rock salt on the road ate through the metal. When I sold it a year later, the buyer could have said I replaced it because of an accident, but there was no other evidence. But the fact was I was selling a 10 year old car with brand new exhaust system that will last few more winters. The buyer agreed with my logic and paid good price.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Samurai

You are yet to explain the practical reasoning. How does the replaced windshield reduce the value in a practical sense? Does it start leaking in rain, will there be draft? I have two cars with replaced windshields, I'd like know how it is going to affect me as a driver.

But if you are saying you prefer original glass for the sake of it, how is it different from numerology?

Frankly, I would not give a damn, I would welcome it as you get clearer vision. All windscreens suffer from "gravel" rash and wiper abrasions after a while.

In Bangalore, we also hav the Raj kumar fan club who go smashing windscreens now and then. No other damage. Perhaps if all glasses have been replaced, you could ask questions about the past

[THE-U-]

deepashpuri, I empathize with you. But, even with all precautions, it is simply impossible to fully evaluate an used car within a few hours. If your neighbor is selling a car then may be one knows how it was treated but otherwise it will always be hit or miss. I would generally be very reluctant to buy a used car costing more than Rs.1.25L.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

@Samurai: I think what he wants to say is that in most of the cases a replaced windshield would be due to a big accident & hence the resale will go down.

Btw EL I dont understand this point:

techno,
these guys are refined cheats. they are no better than the other 2nd hand car dealers, in the sense that they too tamper the odo, refurbish the car & do not tell you about the works done on it. also they will leave ur purse lighter by a 20-40 k depending on the car, but u still do not get peace of mind. why should u pay more ???

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Frankly, I would not give a damn, I would welcome it as you get clearer vision. All windscreens suffer from "gravel" rash and wiper abrasions after a while.

In Bangalore, we also hav the Raj kumar fan club who go smashing windscreens now and then. No other damage. Perhaps if all glasses have been replaced, you could ask questions about the past

u will never know if the replaced windshield is as good (quality & standard) as the company fitted one. the vision could be too clear for safety.

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

techno,
these guys are refined cheats. they are no better than the other 2nd hand car dealers, in the sense that they too tamper the odo, refurbish the car & do not tell you about the works done on it. also they will leave ur purse lighter by a 20-40 k depending on the car, but u still do not get peace of mind. why should u pay more ???

Well I both agree & disagree. Agree to the point that they also do touch ups & a bit of tampering here & there irrespective of their claims of not doing all these. But their slight higher prices are justified becaue you get: New battery, Tires, 3 free services & 6 months warranty which in short gives you peace of mind for a 2nd hand car

[superavi]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

the vision could be too clear for safety.

Ok. I dont understand this!

I've a Fiat Siena, has a little bit of gravel rash. What's the best way to clear it not that I shouldnt replace it?

Superavi

[Buffetfan]

Originally Posted by Samurai

This one is a strange statement. I have changed windshield on both my cars, (1) Somebody dropped a piece of construction material on my Santro windshield and cracked it. (2) Our driver put dripping wet cloth on the windshield to clean while my black Baleno was locked and parked in real hot afternoon sun. It was hell hot inside, and the windshield went kaput.

Now, why should that reduce the resale value?

In fact, I had the change the windshield on my Uno after completing 50k that included lots of highway driving...the windshiled would not get wiped completely in rains no matter what wiper I used...
the only option was to change the windshield...I guess changing windshield is common to those who done use a driver and do a lot of highway drive themselves...after doing some spirited driving through the dusty hinterland..the shields do develop microscopic scratches and would not get wiped completely by the wiper

[mithun]

3. Never buy from DSAs (True Value, Ford Assured etc)

This statement is partially true and it's only one side of the coin. I admit that the 120 Point Inspection of Truevalue & 3 Free Checkups are a mere eye-wash. And they are making a cool Rs.15,000 from every car.

But in some vehicles I've seen them spending close to Rs.10,000 or above in form of new tyres/parts replacement etc.

But in some sparingly used vehicles or in well maintained vehicles, their profit levels are tremendous.

I don't know whether they are trading any accident vehicles although their motto is that they will never deal with accident vehicles.

[condor]

Mithun, would say that any costs the DSA's incur will be passed on to the customer. The margins may be a little less, but they will not make a loss on any car.

Also, there was a recent discussion of how a DSA tampered with odo readings while trying to sell a car.

[yeis]

Originally Posted by condor

Mithun, would say that any costs the DSA's incur will be passed on to the customer. The margins may be a little less, but they will not make a loss on any car.

Exactly, the victim would be customer only, either seller or buyer. They are not making any deal that causes loss to them.

[Surprise]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

1. Never buy from friends (mostly gives both sides the heartaches)

2. Never buy from dealers

6. Never buy a car which was owned by a company

7. Never buy a car which is repainted

8. Never buy a car whose windshield has been replaced. (Easy to detect)

p.p.s always consult a bhpian about the decision u r going to take. u will never regret it.

1. More than the buyer, the seller needs to be cautious in selecting the person to whom the car is to be sold. If the seller is confident enough that the person, who is buying the car, is matured & doesn't trouble him after the completion of the sale, he can certainly sell it off to a friend. Since its a friend car, the buyer knows how good the seller is in maintaining & handling the car.

2. Let us assume a well maintained car is sold to a dealer & there is nothing to be touched upon. Dealer quotes the car at a premium price. If the buyer wants to quickly finish of the deal and move on without spending much time on this, he/she will surely prefer this deal never minding the extra cost spent on it. Atleast 20% of deals will be like mentioned above.

We need to have our own set of criteria's for purchase & if every criteria is met, immaterial of the seller, we should get the deal closed.

6. We have lots of cars in company name & it was used/maintained by employees. 95% of our cars are well maintained, low mileage, accident free cars. If there are any cars up for sale, I had sold it without any issues within a week (for market rate ofcourse)

ps: The employee never comes into picture when its up for sale.

7. Repainting the car will affect the resale value & majority of buyers dont prefer it. The reason being suspecting it to be an accident vehicle. There are consultants who will measure every part of the car to confirm whether it's an accident car or repainted for looks. If it falls on the second category, there is nothing wrong in purchasing it provided you're okay with all remaining aspects

8. 3 out of 10 cars in my office are with replaced windshield. Thanks to the landlord for growing coconut trees