At this point of time I was getting too much tempted for finding out a deal where I have to pay less for a bigger and better car then off my budget. I was sure I will not be spending a penny more than 12 Lakhs in any case for a new car and 10 Lakhs for an old car. But with a budget of 10 Lakhs why should I even look at an old car or used car, After thinking a lot I penned down difference between New Car and Pre-Owned Car
And above all a penny saved is a penny earned.
After a very deep analysis, I fixed upon a conclusion that I will be hunting for a Pre-Owned car for the next 3 months and if in-case isn’t able to find one then I'll pick up a new car.
Now the question was which car..... I said "Any car will do!!" Suddenly it started seeming like I was on the cloud 9. Every other C+ and D segment car was in my to-buy list. But as had to settle upon for getting desired result hence settled upon a car of Optra's size but with a good brand value so as I can have a good resale value (GM Optra's clinch) at the time of reselling. Question may arise that why I was adamant on Optra’s size of car as I was very much comfortable in driving optra in city as well as on highway. Bigger cars like Accord and Sonata Embera aren't very handy while you drive it at your own for around 60-70 Kms/day. For me they sound pretty big for City driving.
Was too much lucrated toward a V6 2006 and 21K on ODO, I was getting it for near to pennies (in comparision of it's on-road price) but somehow holded up my temptation and sticked up my decision for a car which is easy to maneuver in city & easy to park.
Choices were limited but with the heavy heart & heavy brain storming had to settle upon:
a) Civic
b) Corolla
c) Laura
d) Jetta (Might need to increase budget)
d) .... No other choice
Yes, it is a hard to gulp fact but as a buyer of C+ and D segment we don't have much choices. Placed Skoda and VW into last of my list as they might cost a bomb after warranty get finished and I do not want to be in a mess where-in I have to spend a fortune on maintainence of my car.
Thanks to the friend-dealer, fast friend of a cousin, for being patient and discussing up the my requirement and availability of vehicle in detailed manner rather than getting irritated.
Jetta
Saw 2 VW Jetta, both 12 Lakhs onwards. A German vehicle at its best, though it sounds like any other vehicle after sitting inside but the beauty of German vehicle can be understood by one who drives it. Absolute pleasure to drive, very high snob value, very less availability in market.
Kept it aside due to high budget and would be considered if isn’t got something of my taste.
Laura
Laura was relatively available more than that of Jetta in used car market without doubt. Most of the car I looked at was carrying at least > 50K on ODO, since the majority of the cars were from dealer's inventory it is very unlikely that the meter hasn't been tempered. Found a very nicely maintained Laura-White Color-38K ODO-Complete Service History for around 9.5 asking.
Being a bit skeptical about Skoda's A.S.S., but heck I am getting a good deal.. I'll try to fork out a contact in Skoda and see if everything should go smoothly. But still wasn't that much confident of betting up 9.5 Lakhs on SKODA. Finally let it pass with a real heavy heart.
SKODA ARE YOU LISTENING!! IMPROVE YOUR AFTER SALES SUPPORT NETWORK!!
Civic
Pre-owned Market was actually flooded with Civics and Citys. May be due to High Sales or My fortune
I was floored to see that once I asked friend (Dealer) to arrange for some civics, around 10 Civics were waiting for me at the appointment time given by him. 8 out of 10 were scrapped badly from bottom or were repainted from bottom due to scrapping. This was for sure left a bad impression regarding poor Ground Clearance on me. Got a very sweet deal of Civic V AT-White color-13K on odo-100% service records-2006 at an asking price of 7 Lakhs. Was very happy to have such deal and felt fortunate with my decision of picking up a pre-owned car.
Friend gracefully lended the car for an hour so as I can show up the car to sibling. She was quite amused to see the car and was certainly happy to have civic in the garage but was actually disappointed at the thought of owning a 4 year old car when we can buy a new or newer car.
Paid up a token of 50K for the said civic upon a term of re-thinking the decision for 2 days. Friend again gracefully agreed for the same, however he was very sure that I may not miss the deal which is looks sweet to him as well.
But maybe I was having something different in my mind going up, I went skeptical and thought of researching more as I still have 1 month's time in my hand and I can spend another lakh or two for getting a relatively newer car. Again, with a heavy heart I requested friend to cancel the deal and return the money. He was quite amused with my decision, but was again appreciated my thought of having a relatively a newer car when I can spend more.
Corolla
I always admire Toyota as company having service standards of my type. "What needs to be done has to be done without any fuss!!" However, As we do have another toyota product in our garage and are actually very happy with service provided and overall product in every manner.
Saw quite a handful of corolla is the market, Thanks to the introduction of Altis the later Corolla were available at a real bargain price.
(Very next day of getting token money of civic back) A phone call came from my friend, he calls me up for detailing a H1 Corolla which has 30K on odo-2008 model(i.e. still in warranty)-Alloy wheels-Some accessories worth 20K. Appointment fixed, took test drive of the car, felt like a new car while driving as it was not eve 2 year old according to RC. However, upon inquiry discovered that it is HE mode not H1 i.e. without ABS and Airbags - Rejected it !!
While returning to office, got a call again from the friend to have a look at another 2008 H1 Corolla (In-warranty) with 28K on ODO-owned of some senior person in Ansal Group-with ABS, Airbags and company fitted alloys-Scratch-less condition & Immaculate interiors. Car was in pristine condition and absolute silent in every sort of condition. Upon Driving the car and price asked for I was 100% sure that this is the car I was looking for. Picked up the car for sibling approval, according to her interiors were a bit boring but still It feels overall a better preposition then that of a 4 year old car in every manner.
Gave a token money of 50K and blocked the car same day's evening only. I again thanked my stars for not picking civic last day as I got a 2008 Corolla (In-warranty) for a bit lower price than that of 2006 Civic (Out-of-warranty) and Saved (aka… earned ) a whopping 5 lakhs rupees in less than 2 months.
Next: The curtain raiser....