[llamainblue]

Originally Posted by Strider24

Are you experiencing and decrease in braking performance? If yes then must go for replacement.

No idea abou Brembo parts, but Bosch brakes pads are good, you can directly go for it a Bosch centre itself, I wouldn't rely on local FNG( if he is not your trusted one or has experience working on a Toyota Car. I too am planning to go for it when replacing front disk rotors next time.

As for why Toyota charges ridiculously high price is a mystery, last time my SA told me it's because of higher quality material used in parts which are imported. However if you have seen my earlier post, i was able to source one HID bulb with same part number at 30% cost (compared to Toyota Genuine part) locally.

Thanks for the reply! In terms of difference in braking, I've not noticed a lot from when I got the car exactly 1 year ago actually They do jar a bit under heavy braking on highways.

I was checking for reliable Bosch centres and found one on Whitefield road in Bangalore (from Bosch's website). Do you have a trusted garage you could recommend? Would appreciate that!

As for the high cost at Toyota, my service advisor was very coy on if they use Toyota or Bosch (he just mentioned they use both, but the brand name on the part is Toyota).

[sganesh87]

I have been a Teambhp member for a while but have mostly been a passive reader and not an active contributor. This is my first post. It’s a long read but I am happy to help anyone who is looking for guidance to become an owner of a pre-worshipped car.

Here is where my story begins. There are only 2 things I truly love - Football and Automobiles.

First family car! - My first love was my father’s light green Premier Padmini with a hand gear. It was one hell of a sturdy car. I learned car driving at the age of 16 as my grandfather wanted me to know how to drive for emergencies. Surely I didn't have a driving license then but I knew how to drive. When I turned 18, my father allowed me to drive independently and I have fond memories of driving it through the tightest of roads. It had an old Philips cassette player with only two speakers in the front but I never complained. It was a luxury back in the day.



Second family Car - Our next family car was a golden beige Daewoo Matiz. My dad got fed up with having to find parts for the Premier Padmini and usually it had to be sourced from Delhi which would take a lot of time then. It was equivalent to maintaining an elephant. We sold it and bought the super fun Daewoo Matiz. Matiz has been the smoothest car I have ever driven. Its second gear was an eternal problem (many users have complained about it) but it was super smooth and agile on highways. It would lurch the moment you hit the accelerator pedal. We had it for 13 years and did innumerable trips from mountains to beaches to countryside roads.



As Daewoo shut, parts were a problem again and we had to say goodbye to Matiz. Meanwhile my siblings and I went to different cities for education and my dad decided to keep a small car for his limited needs - Maruti Alto. I don’t like it one bit (apologies Maruti fans) as I find it to be highly unsafe, has poor driving dynamics, underpowered and full of maintenance challenges. We continue to have it but use it sparingly. Only reason for keeping it is that it's compact and service network is great.

Renting Cars - In the last 10 years, thanks to my job, I have mostly been traveling abroad. I didn’t buy a car of my own but drove both in India and the US. Hertz, National, Enterprise came to my rescue in the US and I have rented many many cars from them. I have been fortunate to drive some amazing American muscle cars there - Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger (with a V8 hemi engine) to name a few. In India I relied on Zoomcar for outstation travel as my company provided for daily transport. My gixxer SF (motorbike) helped manage weekend errands so I didn't buy a car to avoid liabilities. I was already paying for an education loan so was prudent about not investing in a depreciating asset until the loan was cleared.



The car buying experience - I moved to Bangalore at the end of 2020 due to a personal situation in my family. I was looking for a pre worshipped sedan in the range of INR 4-6 lakhs and was keen on a Honda City but couldn't find a good one for the price range. Either they were poorly maintained or had too many miles on them. We went through multiple dealers in the city and realised that it’s very hard to trust them as all of them do some sort of manipulation while selling you the car. A friend advised me to check Toyota U Trust and mentioned that it’s better than the local dealers and typically one can be sure of accident history. I went through a bunch of manual cars (i love stick-shift as I learnt on a hand gear Premier Padmini) - Maruti Ciaz 2016, Honda City 2014, Honda accord 2012 but none I was happy with. I had almost given up when a young sales representative came up to me and mentioned an automatic Corolla Altis 2011 with 89K on the odometer. He mentioned that the VVTI version has always been in demand and this was a well driven car singlehandedly by a driver of a senior executive who then had exchanged the car for a new Innova. I took a test drive and while it wasn’t as exciting as a Honda Vtech, I found it to be strong, powerful and quiet. I wasn’t too keen on an automatic but realized it’s probably the need in Bangalore. I asked the rep if I could have the records of the car and if I could have it independently audited by a mechanic I trust. He was ok with it and I got it audited from Wheels Wisdom (who charged me little over 1K).

My first car - Service record was clean except for a minor accident where the rear left door had to be refit and some past issues with the steering rack and suspension. I was also assured that the corollas run close to 3L kms before the engine gives up. 89K didn't seem too bad and I only wanted to keep it for at best 4-5 years (until the 15 year rule of having to get the vehicle reinspected at the RTO). I had to haggle a bit on the price but I got a great deal and I purchased the car.



I had to wait a few days as the original insurance had expired and I wanted to get a clean new one. I was surprised by the luxury Toyota fit into a corolla for 2011 7-speed-CVTi, vanity mirrors, tons of space to keep things, two way dashboard, a well functioning stereo system.

You buy to make it beautiful - I was excited to have my first car and did the math of what all needs to be upgraded and how it should fit the cost.

First Upgrade - Music system. The original speakers were pretty poor. I upgraded it with Infinity series for front and Rockford at the rear. Bought a bunch of accessories that included a mobile holder, first aid kit, blind spot mirrors and cosmetic 3M liquids. All was good until I realised that the best average I could get is 8.7kmpl in the city and 9.5kmpl on the highways.

Second upgrade and a risky one (CNG) - I thought of upgrading it with a CNG kit to improve city mileage. Everyone around me massively discouraged saying that it would lose power, have engine problems and that I would ruin a great car. My dad was supportive though as both of us knew that by science it’s a different fuel but that cannot directly impact the engine as the process is still combustion.

Service requirements (read - coils, spark plugs as it’s a cold gas) may be more but outright saying it would impact the engine was an exaggeration. Also, the number of sophisticated Italian kits now available is unbelievable. I went to a very renowned but small CNG dealer in Mysore road and got a retrofitting done. Then CNG fuel cost was 52/kg and I would get an average of 14kms in the city and 18 on the highways. This fully solved for my city needs as I drive 27kms daily to work. Unfortunately with the Ukraine war, the CNG price has shot up to 89/kg but it’s still beneficial. I have had no problem except for having to replace old ignition coils in the last 2 years. It works smoothly and transitions well between the CNG system and the petrol system.


(Raw look immediately after installation. This is well covered now and you can't see the CNG installation unless you remove the cover.)

Third upgrade (Tires, never mess with this one) - I was on a trip to a spiritual place and was driving around 90 km/hr when one of my tires burst. Thankfully the Corolla was so stable that I could manage it and park it on the side shoulder. Maybe god saved me that day but I realised that my tires needed a change. My previous owner had changed the wheels to Lenso mag wheels so the tires are different from the factory ones. I would suggest to the readers that factory ones are usually better (I might be old school but I like sturdy steel ones than the good looking but risky mag wheels). I went to my old friend at Madhu Tires and got all 4 tires changed to Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and since then it’s been great.

Last set of upgrades (Damping, decals and more) - I got some damping done on the doors to avoid road noise, roof decals, got the suspension adjusted to be a little on the softer side based on my needs and changed the battery. Now it’s a fully built machine.

Overall I invested around a lakh over and above my purchase price to make it fit for long term use. Since buying I have done 24K in the last 2 years and I don’t see any challenge. It lives up to its name - Toyota.

A few folks to thank -

I read @freakmuzik’s review of the same make and model and @vigsom’s support during the purchase process. He inspired me to write a detailed review of my journey with cars.

Also went through @Strider24’s very touching review of his own health & the Corolla Altis. I guess that’s the same model too

Thanks to @GTO for keeping this forum well maintained over the years and for his expert advice on everything related to mean machines.

Hope this is a good read and inspires more people to go for pre-worshipped cars. It’s good for you and the environment - just spend time doing enough research and arrive at the right car that suits your needs.

[TB16]

Originally Posted by sganesh87

Then CNG fuel cost was 52/kg and I would get an average of 14kms in the city and 18 on the highways. This fully solved for my city needs as I drive 27kms daily to work. Unfortunately with the Ukraine war, the CNG price has shot up to 89/kg but it’s still beneficial. I have had no problem except for having to replace old ignition coils in the last 2 years. It works smoothly and transitions well between the CNG system and the petrol system.

Congratulations on your new purchase.14km/kg with your CNG altis is just too low. My kizashi easily gives 20km/kg in Delhi city driving conditions. Maybe you drive with a heavy foot. If not, then get your throttle body cleaned once and just check for leakage in the CNG pipes. That could be the reason for such low average.

[Strider24]

Update:
Finally after close to 3 years, I have decided to part ways with the car. While the car continues to perform well, bringing smiles in every drive I take. Its time to upgrade to a newer and contemporary tech car.

Booked a Honda City eHev V variant.

Car is available for sale on team bhp classifieds now.

[llamainblue]

Hello all!

Been driving around Bengaluru and my 2009 Altis has taken everything thrown at it in the form of city roads.

Two days ago, I found issues when turning right, and a knocking noise. I went to the Banaswadi Nandi Toyota, who came back today with a quote of 1.2L to fix the steering rack, front lower arms, suspension, and a whole bunch of things. They have said that there is no option to repair anything, and they can only replace the parts.

While I drove into the service centre expecting a bill of 10-15k, this hefty quote left me wondering if they were even the right people to fix the issues.

My question here is - Are there any trusted FNGs who are good at handling a Toyota? I don't want to walk into a local garage unless it is recommended by someone.

Thanks in advance!

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by llamainblue

Hello all!

Been driving around Bengaluru and my 2009 Altis has taken everything thrown at it in the form of city roads.

Two days ago, I found issues when turning right, and a knocking noise. I went to the Banaswadi Nandi Toyota, who came back today with a quote of 1.2L to fix the steering rack, front lower arms, suspension, and a whole bunch of things. They have said that there is no option to repair anything, and they can only replace the parts.

While I drove into the service centre expecting a bill of 10-15k, this hefty quote left me wondering if they were even the right people to fix the issues.

My question here is - Are there any trusted FNGs who are good at handling a Toyota? I don't want to walk into a local garage unless it is recommended by someone.

Thanks in advance!

Can you get a counter quote from Ravindu. I had inflated bill from Nandi as well and go only to Ravindu after that.

I go to the one on old madras road Avalhalli. The service guy there is Pandu who knows me very well.

Overall I have seen FNG is almost same price as Toyota aftermarket.

If you do want to try FNG then go to Carmed on Hennur road.

[llamainblue]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Can you get a counter quote from Ravindu. I had inflated bill from Nandi as well and go only to Ravindu after that.

I go to the one on old madras road Avalhalli. The service guy there is Pandu who knows me very well.

Overall I have seen FNG is almost same price as Toyota aftermarket.

If you do want to try FNG then go to Carmed on Hennur road.

Thank you for the prompt response! I'll try out Ravindu Toyota and see how they fare. If it is expensive too, I'll go to Carmed and check.

Since this seems to be a major repair, I am a bit wary of going outside Toyota, but their quote is just absurd to even consider. Hopefully Ravindu will be better.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by llamainblue

Thank you for the prompt response! I'll try out Ravindu Toyota and see how they fare. If it is expensive too, I'll go to Carmed and check.

Since this seems to be a major repair, I am a bit wary of going outside Toyota, but their quote is just absurd to even consider. Hopefully Ravindu will be better.

Call Manjunath from Ravindu Toyota who will coordinate with Pandu.



If you go to Carmed, Contact Kalyan +918179232323

Both the guys know me well so you can say referred by Vidyut.

Manjunath handles my Corolla for 10 years now.

[llamainblue]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Call Manjunath from Ravindu Toyota who will coordinate with Pandu.

Swell, thank you so much Vidyut! I'll call them tomorrow and fix an appointment.

[llamainblue]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Call Manjunath from Ravindu Toyota who will coordinate with Pandu.

Attachment 2577035

If you go to Carmed, Contact Kalyan +918179232323

Both the guys know me well so you can say referred by Vidyut.

Manjunath handles my Corolla for 10 years now.

Thank you! I've scheduled an appointment for tomorrow, and will hopefully get it sorted in a day or two. I didn't know this repair would come up at 1L km mark. Is there anything else I should expect in the near future? Except basics like brake pads and tyres.

[Zero0001]

Hi Respected forum members,

I am looking to own a Toyota corolla Altis VL AT or a Hyundai verna 1.6 CRDE AT which ever you may suggest but I am inclined towards the Toyota corolla altis due to the reliability the Toyota badge signifies.

I am looking at an Altis VL AT, model of the year 2013 run 72,000kms for a price of 4,20,000 with a 2nd owner and an out of state registration.

On buying the vehicle i would get it Re-registered to the respective state i reside in which would cost me an extra 1.2lakhs on discussion with my RTO agent, which is a must for me.

I Also found a 2012 Hyundai verna 1.6 diesel automatic in my city for the price of 5,50,000 rupees run 80k kms with 1 year warranty as another option.

I Already own 2 guzzlers an Endeavor 3.2 and a thar 2.0 petrol, and third an Innova Crysta 2.4 hence was looking for a fuel efficient car inside the city along with occasional highway drives with a good mileage and reasonable comfort.

Please do give me some advice on which car you think seems favorable and signs to look at before picking up a used Altis.

Thank you!