Head over Heart ..... its an Innova, at last Hey guys. I’m a bit exited, cos I’m sharing the culmination of a two month research. Hope you don't mind the length of it.
Had posted "Help needed in buying a second-hand car" on 5th Oct, and received some valuable feedback. Thanks Jaggu, Ravibhat, ashthedivx & cooldude1988765.
So here goes .. head over heart ...
After the post, had zeroed in on two vehicles. A two yrs old Elantra and a Safari 3.0 DICOR, 26 months old. Wasn't willing to pay 6.50 for the elantra, thought it was way too much.
With the safari it was a roller coaster ride. Liked this car, negotiated heavily and took it to two mechanics for advise, one of them who works with TASS advised me against a 3.0 for many reasons including that the injectors nozzles are very expensive and that it takes quite a bit of time to resolve any problems that crop up. This was disaster.
Then called up all the showrooms, to inquire if they have any second hand Safari's. Malik motors at banjara hills had two - demo vehicles - went there and found a 10 or 11 month old 2.2 green that had abt 9000 on the odo. Liked the exterior but found the interior alarmingly soiled (was told later that everything will be cleaned up properly). Took this out for a ride, did not enjoy it. After driving the 3.0 quite a bit, this felt it had a left foot. The 3.0 was a lovely peppy engine and this was like an Innova, no fun in driving (no offense to anyone). This was the time I noticed that the Safari lacks basics like proper insulation. I felt the sounds of autos passing by etc., with all the windows up. This was disappointing.
Was earlier given the go ahead for a brand new Safari 2.2 but keeping in mind the resale I didn't want to buy a new one.
This drive kind of lifted the veil of me of brand Safari. (No offense again. Still love this hunk when a well dressed one passes by). Also spoke to the Manager at Malik and he too advised me against the 3.0 - if he hadn't, I probably would have gone with the Red 3.0. So that was it ... finally the desire to own a Safari just vanished when the time came to buy one.
Read a lot on Safari and was ready to live with the niggles (as often quoted here and elsewhere) but the lack of peace of mind, not worth it.
In the meantime, test drove all possible vehicles and Innova was one of them. Hated this vehicle when I took it out the second time for a longer run, considering it was 2.5lt I probably was expecting the sky, keeping in view that the earlier driven car was an Indica. I didn't like the engine, it wasn't peppy, it wasn't fun but was very comfortable. I thought if I ever bought this I'll have to be sitting behind.
Since my requirements was 5-7 seater, thought the Innova was practical, spacious, a Toyota brand, respected after sales & service, trouble free, aka peace of mind. Took some time to think it over.
In the mean time, had zeroed in on a Swift Diesel, (was ready to shell out the 35k premium) thinking I can manage for a few years and then look at the newer models coming by 2010-11, but guess better sense prevailed or that's what I think.
3 days later I'm driving home a brand new Toyota Innova V7 Silver, was having butterflies in my stomach at the showroom but they all settled down by the time I reached home, abt 17 kms.
Initial experience of 300 kms - still maintain its no fun to drive but surprised at the pulling power and the engine does not knock on any gear and the 3rd to 5th gears are quite comfortable for city ride. Has a very comfortable ride and is a mile muncher. It’s just plain, functional and practical. Feel it’s an overpriced car, though.
Didn't have any problems with Radhakrishna Toyota. The staff was top notch.
Thanks guys for reading thru, thanks again to tbhp for all the valuable inputs. |