Hello BHPians,
First of all, a big thanks to the moderators for approving my membership! I’ve been following Team-BHP for a long time, and it feels great to finally be part of this knowledgeable community.
I was initially looking at automatic cars under ₹20 lakh to replace my 2007 Maruti Suzuki SX4 ZXI. But after a lot of thinking (and endless reading on the forum), I’ve come up with a different approach that saves money while fulfilling all needs better.
My Plan:
For my parents (late 50s): My Dad is retiring this year, I want them to be independent of me. Planning to buy a Maruti Dzire AMT so they have a compact, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-drive car for their temple visits and daily commutes. The 360-degree camera in the top variant will be very helpful for them.
For myself: Instead of spending a huge amount on a new car, I’ll keep my SX4 but install an autoclutch system from City Clutch to make driving easier. I have sciatica pain, and this system should reduce clutch strain while still allowing me to enjoy the drive.
Savings & Practicality: Instead of spending ₹20L on a single car, this plan ensures we get two cars that suit our respective needs. My SX4 has only 40,000 km on the odometer and is in great condition with no mechanical issues, also I am getting peanuts for the car, so keeping it might financial sense.It has the necessary safety features like 2 Airbags Seatbelt with pre tensioners and ABS being a ZXI variant.
Future Outlook: My running will increase in about two years, so this setup works well for now. If needed, I can upgrade later without spending unnecessarily at this stage. Parking is not an issue.I am also not interested in latest features like big touchscreens and sunroof.
Autoclutch system: I have personally visited City clutch workshop and have seen the latest kit, it sounds promising.
Questions I Have:
1. How does this plan sound? Does it make sense from a practical and financial perspective?
2. Is this a viable long-term solution? Will retaining the SX4 with an autoclutch and getting a Dzire AMT cover all needs well?
3. Concerns about the 20-year rule: With discussions about banning older vehicles in some cities, should I be worried about keeping the SX4 for the next 4-5 years?
4. The city clutch kit costs ₹50,000, is it worth it?
Would love to hear thoughts from fellow BHPians! Thanks in advance for your inputs!