Ok Guys, after a lot of deliberation I think I am now confident of putting up the big question for your expert advice. However I must say that i am totally confused and need someone to hand-hold me in going over the pros-cons before buying.
A little background before I go on:
I currently own a Tata Indigo LX (approx 3 years old), and a Maruti 800DX (approx 9 years old). I drive the Indigo and my wife (who started learning how to drive a few months back) pretty much manages the M800. Its time for me to upgrade and was thinking of upgrading both cars (I'll outline the dilemma a little later).
The Indigo has done well till date barring a few niggles here and there which I have conveniently ignored and managed to rectify and live with. Quite honestly I have been very happy with the car till date as it has pretty much served the purpose for which I had got it (VFM).
I am very finicky about maintaining my cars and hence have made sure that have got anything faulty REPLACED on my Indigo from the TATA service centre instead of repair. Therefore the Indigo is in top condition (outside and inside both), so much so that the service guys comment that this is the first Indigo they have seen which is 3 years old but doesnt look its age (I am flattered - dunno they may just be pulling my leg!
). Have replaced all four tyres to Bridgestone tubeless 185x65x14 around 3 months ago (although the stock JK's could have lasted another 5000 kms easily as per the tyre wala - however dont like to compromise on safety! The car easily gives me 13-14 kmpl in city (always with A/C on, even on idling) and 18-19 kmpl on highway (always with A/C on). The car has done 48000kms till date in 3 years and 3 months.
The M800 has been more of a step-daughter as I had kept it for 2 years after buying brand new and then went overseas for 5 years. Was used by various family members while I was away (however was regularly maintained from Maruti service centre). Been 3 years now since I've been back and have got it regularly serviced from maruti dealership but the car didnt run much as I had bought the Indigo on arrival. Had changed all four tyres to new around 2 years ago, however its run only 5000 kms in the last 3 years (maybe even less - not sure). Only started running when the wife started learning to drive on it a few months back. However the car is great - keeps going on and on without much maintenance being required (maybe it hasnt run so much for me to feel the pinch). The car has done 65000kms till date in 9 years and 6 months.
Now the dilemma:
I'd like to upgrade both cars quite frankly, however there is no urgency as such.
I am quite bored of driving the Indigo for over 3 years now and would like a change. Also dont want to keep the car for very long due to 2 reasons: (1) What if the goverment increases the price of diesel for private vehicles or worse what if they ban them in Delhi! and (2) Its a known fact that any car would start giving trouble as it starts to get old (> 3-4 years).
The M800 I dont consider safe at all for my wife and just wanted to her to learn on an old car before I get her a new one. However she refuses to let go as she feels that changing cars is nothing but conspicuous consumption and she doesnt see the need in my wanting to incur that expenditure. Women - what do they know! Moreover she feels more comfortable in driving a small hatchback as its easier to drive. And also the fact that she doesnt need to drive much at all. She insists on me buying a car for myself and she'll happily do with the M800 for the next 2-3 years.
I didnt agree with her point of view and thus ideally wanted to buy the Santro A/T for her but refrained from doing so since the variant was phased out by Hyundai. Have waited endlessly for the i10 A/T and now they tell me that it should be out in Feb08, however no one knows the expected specs or pricing as yet. No other A/T hatch back worth considering or available for the time being. I wanted to buy an A/T for her as it would be hasslefree driving for her.
Now the point is that I'd like to upgrade both cars quite frankly, however there is no urgency as such. I have even tried for her to take my Indigo while I buy a new one. She reluctantly tried driving it, and was successful in doing so (as I forced her to drive all over the city with me on the passenger seat), however she constantly kept complaining as to how big the car is as compared to her M800 and that how uncomfortable she was as her legs were dangling on the pedals (she's about 5'3"), etc etc. I can see that she can drive it and would be able to do more comfortably eventually as she gets used to it.
I know, that money-wise I'll get more for my Indigo now than later. So I am in a dilemma whether to sell now or not. I dont want to spend much in terms of outflow for my upgrade, therefore am very tempted to sell the indigo now and use that money against reducing my outlflow, however that would also mean that I'd have to buy another new car for me wife by next year maximum - thereby increasing my total outflow tremendously in such a short while.
However if I was to keep the Indigo and the Govt was to ban diesel then not only do I get stuck with an expensive to run and maintain car but that would also severly hit my resale within a short span. Also now that the car is 3 years old it'll always give me a little trouble in terms of maintenance.
Now the Question:
Do you guys think I should buy a new car for my self and keep the Indigo for my wife to drive, and sell the M800?
Or do you guys think I should let her drive the M800 and upgrade to a better hatch as and when available and/or as and when she is comfortable for an upgrade, and sell the Indigo and use that money to reduce my outflow for my new car?
Whatever the option, also kindly advise how much I should I expect to get if I sell - (a) the Indigo, or (b) the M800. Now the requirements and options for my upgrade:
My budget is approx 10-12Lacs (without much flexibility unfortunately).
Ideally I would love to have a SUV which runs on diesel and has an Automatic Transmission and has great interiors with great fit and finish and fits in the above budget! However there isnt anything available with those specfications.
I have pretty much outlined the following requirements (in order of preference):
1) Automatic transmission (would love to have it, although not a dire necessity)
2) Dependable and safe
3) Frugal to run and easy to maintain
4) Comfortable (has a little bit of gadgets like sunroof, integrated ICE, and has good interiors etc)
5) Reasonable resale value (cant say this point will hold much substance as the market will be completely redefined in the next 3 years)
6) Maybe a little snob value too (however not that important)
Based on the above I have outlined the following (not in order of preference):
1) A second hand Suzuki Grand Vitara A/T (in top condition).
2) Toyota Corolla H3 A/T (knowing the new model is just round the corner - which is why they have a 75000 discount on it, as even if the new Corolla comes it'll be way over this price range).
3) Optra Magnum LT (There was a discount of 75000 available on this until end Dec 07 - dunno if its still there, however there is some news of a facelift just round the corner).
4) Or wait for the Optra Magnum LT with A/T and Sunroof (dunno when that'll come)
5) Scorpio Vlx
6) Or wait for the Scorpio Vlx with A/T (saw it in the autoexpo and the lady - some senior official in marketing - said that it is expected in April 08 and they plan to be on time this time, considering they had delayed the vlx launch).
7) Was considering the Civic S A/T - no longer available as its phased out now.
Certain Assumptions:
1) Depending upon what all of you recommend - whether to sell my Indigo first or my M800 first - I might be influenced in not bothering much about resale value for my upgrade. For example if I was to keep the Indigo I can buy a car without much resale in the long run and eventually give it to my wife after 2-3 years, after which I'll probably sell the Indigo then and upgrade again for myself.
Guys, I havent specified WHY and HOW I have selected the above options for upgrade. I didnt want to make this post extremely Looooong thereby making it boring to read (like I already havent!!). However do let me know in case you guys want me to outline the whims behind shortlisting the above options, and I would be more than obliged to do so!
Hoping to recieve some good advice from your end, and BTW I am open to other options too (in case you feel some other car which I've left out would be better suited to my needs).
Thanks and regards.