Help Needed for Buying a Used car

scorpio07 · 27th May 2008, 12:35

Dear BHP ians,
I am planning to buy a used car, this will be my first car and i am not great with regard to choosing car in terms of the specifications or identifying the car as such. I have zeroed in on two models that i am interested. would greatly appreciate your help if you could throw n your opinions

Car models: Honda city or Lancer Diesel
Budget : 4 - 5 Lacs max
Mileage:: What can be the maximum KMS done that i can go for without having to spend too much on maintenance for the next 2 years
Interiors: Prefer the interiors to be in fit and form and wat to look for when choosing the cars.

GTO · 27th May 2008, 16:34

It will be pretty difficult for you to source a low mileage Lancer diesel; the few I have seen on sale had well over 90 - 100K on the odo. You'd be better off with a Honda City (OHC and NHC too!) since it will be far easier to drive, and to maintain.

I suggest you zero in on the best NHC that is available in 5 lakh rupees.

esteem_lover · 27th May 2008, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio07

Dear BHP ians,
I am planning to buy a used car, this will be my first car and i am not great with regard to choosing car in terms of the specifications or identifying the car as such. I have zeroed in on two models that i am interested. would greatly appreciate your help if you could throw n your opinions

Car models: Honda city or Lancer Diesel
Budget : 4 - 5 Lacs max
Mileage:: What can be the maximum KMS done that i can go for without having to spend too much on maintenance for the next 2 years
Interiors: Prefer the interiors to be in fit and form and wat to look for when choosing the cars.

Get a 2003/2004 Toyota Corolla. goes for 5-5.5L. Value for money.

harsha.cs1 · 28th May 2008, 16:00

I too would suggest a used corolla. do also keep in mind an accent crdi/ viva crdi. it is good fun to drive and you could get a low mileage one in the price range.
cheers,
Harsha

karanraheja · 28th May 2008, 16:18

Corolla would be a very good option ! If you want a City car with good mileage and ease on maintaining the best option would be NHC. I wouldnt advice you for a Lancer. As GTO mentioned its not easy to get a 2nd hand Lancer with low running.

scorpio07 · 11th June 2008, 10:09

Sorry for delay in posting a reply, was confused as to where my post went

.

I came across a OHC 2003 model 1.5 Exi Black, odo shows 47k, drove the vehicle nice to drive (never driven a honda) Owner is looking for 3.9L

I havent checked it with a mechanic, one i donno anyone and two one of my friend suggested to take it to the Service Station and get a general check up done. Also, for OHC i think 3.9l is on high side and somewhere around 3-3.2L would be good.

Body of the vehicle looks good with no visible damages and the tyres are good too with goodtread. Suspension was good too since i drove it through some patchy roads in Royapettah.

Any Suggetions??!!

somebodystopme · 11th June 2008, 16:21

In 5 you can also get NHC. I would suggest you search only for NHC. And buy the one with maximum price in your budget with less ODO will have a good resale and will be a pleasure to own.

Veelubai · 11th June 2008, 23:20

@Scorpio - Welcome to team bhp.Actually thats a descent price price if the car is in great shape. I suppose the model OHC came in black only on the Vtec and towards the end[ post - 2002] ,there was a ltd edition model launched with beige interiors, golden emblem , fog lamps etc. Also , since you had a sense of satisfaction why not try bargaining and close the deal for maybe 3.60 or 3.70?

I think Honda does the check and stuffs for a nominal amount.Not sure about this though.

snaronikar · 12th June 2008, 17:55

Welcome to the forum man.

I would feel broaden your choice to Accent/ Ikon/ Viva CRDi/ Corolla/ OHC/ NHC/ Lancer etc. for sedans.

scorpio07 · 16th June 2008, 11:27

Hey PPl,
Went to the Honda Service dealer and checked up on the OHC 2003 one, apparantly the service history is very irregular and had crossed 70k in 2007 beginning, however the vehicle showed 48k, so i am dropping that of the list and looking for another one, pbly over this weekedn will try to chk out some vehicles.

musicmanaman · 17th June 2008, 09:12

Between the City and the the Lancer diesel, the City is a better bet as GTO mentioned.

scorpio07 · 23rd June 2008, 10:08

Thank You all, i have put the plans on hold due to some other commitments, i appreciate the time taken by you all. Will def update when i buy one sometime in another 2 months time

aaggoswami · 23rd June 2008, 11:31

From the two cars you have mentioned, Honda City is the better bet.
If you are able to stretch a bit, go for G2HC ( Generation 2 Honda City ).

san_74in · 23rd June 2008, 11:43

If you plan to buy the city... the only worry is which version? They have changed the City variants too fast and used car buyers when they re-sell may have a problem fetching a decent price!! This is the only issue... otherwise i personally like the old City MUCH better than the new one.. Which basically sells else-where as Honda Jazz! So decide your pick keeping the re-sell issue in mind. If you can get a old V-Tec... it can run for another 10yrs - incredible car it is... All the best!

shreyas99 · 25th June 2008, 11:31

Hi Scorpio,
I bought a OHC Vtec for 4.25L in March, service records were clean.
Mileage 60k done. Its a stock & prev owner has maintaned it well.
In city i normally drive it for mileage and get around 12 with A/c 90%.
Long drives, i feel its giving me 14+.

I am really satisfied with the engine this one has I was told by an expert
that these engines are built to run until 3L kms easy. To add to this, the
resale value is good. You hardly find a OHC V-tec for sale anywhere,
even if you come across one it sells for a fancy price. This car is worth
an investment.

My advice, stick to OHC(good re-sale), if you are looking for a V-tec
then don't be in a hurry. Wait for some time till you get a good one.

adding a Pic of my Car.

Shreyas

27th May 2008, 12:35	#1
scorpio07 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: chennai Posts: 285 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Help Needed for Buying a Used car Dear BHP ians, I am planning to buy a used car, this will be my first car and i am not great with regard to choosing car in terms of the specifications or identifying the car as such. I have zeroed in on two models that i am interested. would greatly appreciate your help if you could throw n your opinions Car models: Honda city or Lancer Diesel Budget : 4 - 5 Lacs max Mileage:: What can be the maximum KMS done that i can go for without having to spend too much on maintenance for the next 2 years Interiors: Prefer the interiors to be in fit and form and wat to look for when choosing the cars.
	() Thanks

27th May 2008, 16:34	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,788 Times View My Garage	It will be pretty difficult for you to source a low mileage Lancer diesel; the few I have seen on sale had well over 90 - 100K on the odo. You'd be better off with a Honda City (OHC and NHC too!) since it will be far easier to drive, and to maintain. I suggest you zero in on the best NHC that is available in 5 lakh rupees.
	() Thanks

28th May 2008, 16:00	#4
harsha.cs1 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 224 Thanked: 2 Times	I too would suggest a used corolla. do also keep in mind an accent crdi/ viva crdi. it is good fun to drive and you could get a low mileage one in the price range. cheers, Harsha
	() Thanks

28th May 2008, 16:18	#5
karanraheja Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 436 Times	Corolla would be a very good option ! If you want a City car with good mileage and ease on maintaining the best option would be NHC. I wouldnt advice you for a Lancer. As GTO mentioned its not easy to get a 2nd hand Lancer with low running.
	() Thanks

11th June 2008, 10:09	#6
scorpio07 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: chennai Posts: 285 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Thanks Guys Sorry for delay in posting a reply, was confused as to where my post went . I came across a OHC 2003 model 1.5 Exi Black, odo shows 47k, drove the vehicle nice to drive (never driven a honda) Owner is looking for 3.9L I havent checked it with a mechanic, one i donno anyone and two one of my friend suggested to take it to the Service Station and get a general check up done. Also, for OHC i think 3.9l is on high side and somewhere around 3-3.2L would be good. Body of the vehicle looks good with no visible damages and the tyres are good too with goodtread. Suspension was good too since i drove it through some patchy roads in Royapettah. Any Suggetions??!!
	() Thanks

11th June 2008, 16:21	#7
somebodystopme BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 519 Thanked: 43 Times View My Garage	In 5 you can also get NHC. I would suggest you search only for NHC. And buy the one with maximum price in your budget with less ODO will have a good resale and will be a pleasure to own.
	() Thanks

11th June 2008, 23:20	#8
Veelubai BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: B'lore/Trichur Posts: 317 Thanked: 87 Times	@Scorpio - Welcome to team bhp.Actually thats a descent price price if the car is in great shape. I suppose the model OHC came in black only on the Vtec and towards the end[ post - 2002] ,there was a ltd edition model launched with beige interiors, golden emblem , fog lamps etc. Also , since you had a sense of satisfaction why not try bargaining and close the deal for maybe 3.60 or 3.70? I think Honda does the check and stuffs for a nominal amount.Not sure about this though.
	() Thanks

12th June 2008, 17:55	#9
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Welcome to the forum man. I would feel broaden your choice to Accent/ Ikon/ Viva CRDi/ Corolla/ OHC/ NHC/ Lancer etc. for sedans.
	() Thanks

16th June 2008, 11:27	#10
scorpio07 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: chennai Posts: 285 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Hey PPl, Went to the Honda Service dealer and checked up on the OHC 2003 one, apparantly the service history is very irregular and had crossed 70k in 2007 beginning, however the vehicle showed 48k, so i am dropping that of the list and looking for another one, pbly over this weekedn will try to chk out some vehicles.
	() Thanks

17th June 2008, 09:12	#11
musicmanaman BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: kolkata Posts: 927 Thanked: 25 Times	Between the City and the the Lancer diesel, the City is a better bet as GTO mentioned.
	() Thanks

23rd June 2008, 10:08	#12
scorpio07 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: chennai Posts: 285 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Thank You all, i have put the plans on hold due to some other commitments, i appreciate the time taken by you all. Will def update when i buy one sometime in another 2 months time
	() Thanks

23rd June 2008, 11:31	#13
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	From the two cars you have mentioned, Honda City is the better bet. If you are able to stretch a bit, go for G2HC ( Generation 2 Honda City ).
	() Thanks

23rd June 2008, 11:43	#14
san_74in Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 5 Thanked: 0 Times	Used Honda City: Which one? too many versions over the years If you plan to buy the city... the only worry is which version? They have changed the City variants too fast and used car buyers when they re-sell may have a problem fetching a decent price!! This is the only issue... otherwise i personally like the old City MUCH better than the new one.. Which basically sells else-where as Honda Jazz! So decide your pick keeping the re-sell issue in mind. If you can get a old V-Tec... it can run for another 10yrs - incredible car it is... All the best!
	() Thanks

25th June 2008, 11:31	#15
shreyas99 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 42 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	Hi Scorpio, I bought a OHC Vtec for 4.25L in March, service records were clean. Mileage 60k done. Its a stock & prev owner has maintaned it well. In city i normally drive it for mileage and get around 12 with A/c 90%. Long drives, i feel its giving me 14+. I am really satisfied with the engine this one has I was told by an expert that these engines are built to run until 3L kms easy. To add to this, the resale value is good. You hardly find a OHC V-tec for sale anywhere, even if you come across one it sells for a fancy price. This car is worth an investment. My advice, stick to OHC(good re-sale), if you are looking for a V-tec then don't be in a hurry. Wait for some time till you get a good one. adding a Pic of my Car. Shreyas Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks