After the GTO thread on pre-worshipped Civic, I started looking out for good used cars in d-segment. this was 5 months ago. I saw a classified on t-bhp on a cedia select red-color. The quoted price was 6.25 lacs. I bargained for 4.5 and the owner didnt come down on the price after coming down to 5.5 lacs. So chucked the idea and continued the hunt.
The plan was to upgrade my car laterally. I was not able to find good used cedia cars in Hyderabad. With unavailability of good used Civics/corollas/cedia and after 5 months of impatience I shortlisted 4 cars in the below order giving up on the used cedia.
1. Civic (VMT)
2. Corolla 1.8e (2007)
3. ANHC (SMT)
4. linea multijet (Dynamic)
1. Civic
Civic is unavailable in used car segment. test drove a civic at honda showroom. amazing car. This is the car I wanted to drive. I checked with some other dealers and was not available and decided to wait for a good civic.
2. corolla
I have seen a corolla for sale in Hyderabad. 2007 1.8E Manual, black color, 7 spoke alloys, with 52k on the odo. Asking price is 5.5 lacs (negotiable). It doesn’t have keyless entry and one of the tyres have to be replaced. As 3 tires have one profile and the 4th and stepney have one profile. The 3 tires are Michelin and the other two are bridgestones and are of 195/60/15” profile and out of the two one is bald and one is unused. while the 3 Michelins xm1+ are 195/65/15. These 3 are new tires.
Exterior was scratch less and was in mint condition. Front grill seemed to be broken which was fixed with some feviquick types. This was noticeable only on careful observation. Interiors was fabric. leather seats were needed. Some rattles here and there (less when compared to swift rattles). One dose of 3m cleaning will make it as good as a new car. Clutch needed adjustment. 6cd inline deck worked fine with 4 speakers. Insurance expired in march. Additional cost will be 5k for remote keyless entry, 8k for seat covers, 4k for new tyre, 8k for insurance (total 25k).. plus the servicing and changing of all oils, interior cleaning etc (5k). I have to get it checked at the showroom though for any other issues like brake pads/calipers.
I was not confidant about the history even though the dealer was my friends' friend.
3. ANHC
There was a used car white, SMT with 12715 on odo. exteriors and interiors were clean and had reverse camera and white leather seats. Exterior and interior were scratchless and was as good as new. service history and claims were clean. asking price 8.35. honda dealer did not budge less than this. this was a honda certified car. If only I had a certified civic :-(
4. Linea
Did some maths and after loosing patience I thought why not look at the new linea MJD.
Test drove a linea emotion pack. very good solid feel. underpowered. rear seat leg space is less. as i am 6'2" and drive at the last position on seat.
Dynamic is 8.7 on road. This is out of finalised list unless t-jet is going to be launched or a 1.6 mjd. I like the looks and build of linea though.
If one has to spend 8 lacs and get a c segment car with less power and space.
then on friday night I was going through my routine of searching the online classifieds (carwale/sulekha) I noticed a white cedia select for sale at 6 lacs with 7000 clicks. sent an sms at midnight 2.00.
The owner called in the morning. setup the meeting after making sure he was not a dealer. The odo was 6930. opened the boot and checked for any changes in paint color and checked if everything inside the heart was okay. Interiors were as good as new. Checked the boot and the spare tyre.
this was 2008 cedia and looked as though it has just come out of showroon.
Took the car for a spin along with wifey and son. After sitting inside and checking the rear leg room and after 5kms of drive me and wife decided we will take this car. the car was silent and looked like it needs a run-in.
Told the owner we will buy the car. He was not ready to negotiate. He said whoever will come and pay first the car would be theirs.He said "If you want to negotiate I dont want to sell. Look at the car check the history and buy at the said price". There was 65% NCB on the insurance which was renewed two months ago. He was a neurosurgeon at a reputed hospital. He gave his word to another person that he will inform that person before selling the car. He called him and that buyer said he is out of town.
I went and checked my car for the checkbook which I coultnt find and we told the doctor we would pay the amount either in the evening or next day morning. He agreed. next day paid the amount. Took the documents and drove the car home.
Same day sold my swift vdi to my brother-in-law at 4.2 lacs.
I have to put black tints and interchange HU+amplifier+Subwoofer from the swift and put the bahamas mp46 to the swift. This will be done today at my home. Called a well known installer home. I will retain the stock speakers for now in the cedia and later upgrade to better speakers along with leather interiors and rear spoiler.
I will post the pictures soon.
I have been a TBHP unregistered subscriber since 2005. This forum helped me make decisions on my first car. I became a member in 2008 when I wanted to put ICE in swift. since then my daily activity starts with
Team-BHP - The Definitive Indian Car Community. Though I have not contributed much to the forum. I have been immensely benefited from the forum. I would try my best to contribute and help the fraternity.
Thanks GTO for the civic thread. If not for the civic thread I would have never thought of a pre-owned car. Thanks to all the members of the forum.
I plan to change all fluids and do a run-in. at 7k kms it is a virgin car.
Kindly advise on how to use initially and suggest on maintenance/run-in