Which is worth Buying? Corolla H4 AUTOMATIC, 2004 or Brand New SX4 Auto?

aaggoswami · 6th December 2009, 00:09

1) It looks like the owner has tried to maintain the car in good enough condition such that he can use the car as his workhorse. Trust me, even in smaller cities like Vadodara, you can end up with scratches. So its no big deal.

2) Max will not be more than 4.6-4.8 for this car that is already six years old. Yes, the powertrain will run a lot longer, but other parts will need attention. 5.0 or anything above is not a good deal IMHO.

3) The way you have mention and described the car, it looks the owner did not drive it much and most the driving was done by chauffeur. Nothing wrong but watch out for maintenance in suspension.

Last but not the least, 5.0 or 5.0+ lakhs is not a good price for this car IMHO.

Guna · 6th December 2009, 00:11

Someone in my company sold his 2005 Corolla for 3.75 lacs. I think it was an entry level trim and he sold it during the peak of the recession. But, still it was very shocking to see the level of depreciation.

rhandle · 7th December 2009, 13:45

Also on automatic, every 20K kms at the max you would be spending approx 7k on brake pads. Keep that in consideration as well. Besides that nothing gonna happen to the car.

shankar.balan · 7th December 2009, 14:01

worst case then the expected expenditure will go to 67K instead of 60K

any case we ve given the owner our offer - lets see what happens.

will keep everyone posted

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhandle

Also on automatic, every 20K kms at the max you would be spending approx 7k on brake pads. Keep that in consideration as well. Besides that nothing gonna happen to the car.

vasudeva · 7th December 2009, 14:25

As an owner of H4 corolla (2007), my car has run 44K so far in 31 mths, and so far there has been no expense except for service, denting/painting, and brake pad replacement. These usually need to be replaced at 18-21K (depending on driving conditions) and my last replacement should have cost 6K, but cost 10.5K instead because I did not replace them when I should have (delayed by a week).

Apart from this, all expenses have been optional (cleaning, rubbing, etc).

shankar.balan · 9th December 2009, 10:17

So our offer has been made at MAX 5 Lacs for the Toyota H4 AT 2004 Model thats been under consideration.

We believe this is a fair price for that car given the various points made in my test drive review and pics posted the other day.

In our opinion it is not worth paying any more for what is effectively a 6 year old car- especially since the ultimate users are my friends elderly folks who need absolute peace of mind above all else!

The owner of that H4 hasnt yet reverted to us so we are assuming that he is not really keen to sell at that price as of now.

We shall wait out this week and if any further developments happen I will post them here - failing which, this thread could be shut down by EOD Sunday the 13th December.

ashthedivx · 9th December 2009, 11:12

Well, this is definitely a decision to lookout for, I was even wondering and looking into buying a Used 2007 COROLLA H4 mint condition with around 21,000 on odo. but somehow missed the deal.

For me a 21K corolla engine is virgin and mated with an auto transmission it is some thing which one can not miss.

shankar.balan · 10th December 2009, 10:40

Ok chaps

As of last evening the decision has been made by my pal, for his folks!

Brand New SX4 ZXi AT is IT!!
1. VFM
2. Looks like a very decent deal with all the dealer indicated Price-Offs and so on
3. Ease of Maruti Servicing
4. Reliability of a brand new car
5. High GC
6. Commanding driving position
7. Pretty spacious car for 2 elderly people
8. AT Transmission - driveability and ease of usage
9. Availability of spares and so on
10. Peace of Mind and comfort for his parents.

Looks like the first "gut -led" thought was the correct one - as far as this particular requirement is concerned, given the end-user profile and requirements.

Thanks again to all TBHP-ians who helped us with their feedback and suggestions!

Now I guess this thread can actually be shut down!

Cheers!

iTNerd · 10th December 2009, 10:53

Wise decision Shankar! Sometime, the decision making process can take more weigh in the abstract factors such as A.S.S, reliability,peace of mind etc.. but anyway, you couldn't have gone wrong with either car.. all the best

Car&me · 10th December 2009, 11:00

Apt selection for the requirement.

Convey our greetings to the couple 'Happy and Safe driving'

SkyWalker · 10th December 2009, 11:14

Congrats Shankar on your new car!

tanwaramit · 10th December 2009, 11:59

Congrats on choosing the vehicle for needs after a good analysis. When is the delivery expected ?

shankar.balan · 10th December 2009, 16:54

@ITNerd - yes I agree that abstract/ extraneous factors also weigh a great deal in the purchase decision process.
@Car&Me - thanks!
@Skywalker - actually this wasnt for me - Im quite content with my Scorpio - the whole exercise was for my pal who wanted to buy a new car for his parents!
@tanwaramit - the whole process was quite a lot of fun really like all things that are vehicle/ car related!
Ref Delivery etc - the dealer has told my friend that his "deal" stands until 25th December 2009.
Today I received information from another dealer here in Bangalore that the deal being offered is a pretty good one.
This other dealer has suggested that the car be booked around the 22nd of Dec because there could be a possibility of further improvement in the final deal.
Delivery typically takes 2-3 weeks as I understand it, because SX4 AT is not as much in demand and depending on the colour the vehicle has to get shipped down from Delhi. I am told that for certain colours - Dark Brown, Oyster Blue etc, there could be a waiting period of a month or two.
He also suggested that one should look at the tyres for those small bits of rubber that stick out along the edges -which will indicate whether the car has been used for test drives or not!
Apparently since many dealers simply disconnect the odo and do test drives, there is really no other way one can find out whether a car has been used in this way or not, prior to delivery.

Shall inform my pal about all this!

abhi182 · 10th December 2009, 18:24

Shankar

Quote:

2. Looks like a very decent deal with all the dealer indicated Price-Offs and so on

Would be great if you could give me an idea of what kind of price-offs you got
Am pushing the dealers in Pune hard for the discounts but not having much luck

shankar.balan · 10th December 2009, 19:55

yes sure
once the deal becomes final I will ask my pal and then give you the details.
but why does your location show chennai with your negotiations happening in pune?
cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhi182

Shankar

Would be great if you could give me an idea of what kind of price-offs you got
Am pushing the dealers in Pune hard for the discounts but not having much luck

6th December 2009, 00:09	#46
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	1) It looks like the owner has tried to maintain the car in good enough condition such that he can use the car as his workhorse. Trust me, even in smaller cities like Vadodara, you can end up with scratches. So its no big deal. 2) Max will not be more than 4.6-4.8 for this car that is already six years old. Yes, the powertrain will run a lot longer, but other parts will need attention. 5.0 or anything above is not a good deal IMHO. 3) The way you have mention and described the car, it looks the owner did not drive it much and most the driving was done by chauffeur. Nothing wrong but watch out for maintenance in suspension. Last but not the least, 5.0 or 5.0+ lakhs is not a good price for this car IMHO.
	() Thanks

6th December 2009, 00:11	#47
Guna Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,012 Thanked: 4,204 Times	Someone in my company sold his 2005 Corolla for 3.75 lacs. I think it was an entry level trim and he sold it during the peak of the recession. But, still it was very shocking to see the level of depreciation.
	() Thanks

7th December 2009, 13:45	#48
rhandle BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 549 Thanked: 117 Times	Also on automatic, every 20K kms at the max you would be spending approx 7k on brake pads. Keep that in consideration as well. Besides that nothing gonna happen to the car.
	() Thanks

7th December 2009, 14:25	#50
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	As an owner of H4 corolla (2007), my car has run 44K so far in 31 mths, and so far there has been no expense except for service, denting/painting, and brake pad replacement. These usually need to be replaced at 18-21K (depending on driving conditions) and my last replacement should have cost 6K, but cost 10.5K instead because I did not replace them when I should have (delayed by a week). Apart from this, all expenses have been optional (cleaning, rubbing, etc).
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 10:17	#51
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,158 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	So our offer has been made at MAX 5 Lacs for the Toyota H4 AT 2004 Model thats been under consideration. We believe this is a fair price for that car given the various points made in my test drive review and pics posted the other day. In our opinion it is not worth paying any more for what is effectively a 6 year old car- especially since the ultimate users are my friends elderly folks who need absolute peace of mind above all else! The owner of that H4 hasnt yet reverted to us so we are assuming that he is not really keen to sell at that price as of now. We shall wait out this week and if any further developments happen I will post them here - failing which, this thread could be shut down by EOD Sunday the 13th December.
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 11:12	#52
ashthedivx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,356 Thanked: 24 Times	Well, this is definitely a decision to lookout for, I was even wondering and looking into buying a Used 2007 COROLLA H4 mint condition with around 21,000 on odo. but somehow missed the deal. For me a 21K corolla engine is virgin and mated with an auto transmission it is some thing which one can not miss.
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 10:40	#53
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,158 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	Ok chaps As of last evening the decision has been made by my pal, for his folks! Brand New SX4 ZXi AT is IT!! 1. VFM 2. Looks like a very decent deal with all the dealer indicated Price-Offs and so on 3. Ease of Maruti Servicing 4. Reliability of a brand new car 5. High GC 6. Commanding driving position 7. Pretty spacious car for 2 elderly people 8. AT Transmission - driveability and ease of usage 9. Availability of spares and so on 10. Peace of Mind and comfort for his parents. Looks like the first "gut -led" thought was the correct one - as far as this particular requirement is concerned, given the end-user profile and requirements. Thanks again to all TBHP-ians who helped us with their feedback and suggestions! Now I guess this thread can actually be shut down! Cheers!
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 10:53	#54
iTNerd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Imphal/Noida Posts: 1,241 Thanked: 1,214 Times View My Garage	Wise decision Shankar! Sometime, the decision making process can take more weigh in the abstract factors such as A.S.S, reliability,peace of mind etc.. but anyway, you couldn't have gone wrong with either car.. all the best
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 11:00	#55
Car&me BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 207 Thanked: 36 Times	Apt selection for the requirement. Convey our greetings to the couple 'Happy and Safe driving'
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 11:14	#56
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	Congrats Shankar on your new car!
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 11:59	#57
tanwaramit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dilwalon ki Dilli Posts: 1,930 Thanked: 497 Times	Congrats on choosing the vehicle for needs after a good analysis. When is the delivery expected ?
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 16:54	#58
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,158 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	@ITNerd - yes I agree that abstract/ extraneous factors also weigh a great deal in the purchase decision process. @Car&Me - thanks! @Skywalker - actually this wasnt for me - Im quite content with my Scorpio - the whole exercise was for my pal who wanted to buy a new car for his parents! @tanwaramit - the whole process was quite a lot of fun really like all things that are vehicle/ car related! Ref Delivery etc - the dealer has told my friend that his "deal" stands until 25th December 2009. Today I received information from another dealer here in Bangalore that the deal being offered is a pretty good one. This other dealer has suggested that the car be booked around the 22nd of Dec because there could be a possibility of further improvement in the final deal. Delivery typically takes 2-3 weeks as I understand it, because SX4 AT is not as much in demand and depending on the colour the vehicle has to get shipped down from Delhi. I am told that for certain colours - Dark Brown, Oyster Blue etc, there could be a waiting period of a month or two. He also suggested that one should look at the tyres for those small bits of rubber that stick out along the edges -which will indicate whether the car has been used for test drives or not! Apparently since many dealers simply disconnect the odo and do test drives, there is really no other way one can find out whether a car has been used in this way or not, prior to delivery. Shall inform my pal about all this!
	() Thanks