Team-BHP - Cheap "do-it-all" car for rough use

Hello Bhpians,

I have a a bit whacky requirement. I am coming to India(KA 01-05) in July and would have a brief stay <=7 months.
Looking for a car <=1.2Lacs.
Pls suggest. Me preferences in order of priority:
1. Ford Ikon - nice built, big and pretty cheap nowadays
2. Alto - After all a tried and tested Maruti
3. Santro - Another reliable work horse.
4. M800 - Last option.

Thanks in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiv_1984 (Post 3441548)

If you are coming for a short stay, either hire a car, or get a new car and sell it off. You may even evaluate options of leasing the car for 6 months or so.

In my opinion hiring is your best choice. You can get a daily rate of between 800 and 1200 on long term basis. You driver, fuel and maintenance are taken care of - so no head aches. If the car and/or driver "break down", the operator sends another.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fine69 (Post 3441565)

@Shiv_1984 - A Ford Ikon can cut pretty deep in your pockets even in the 7 months that you'd own this car, stay away unless the seller is a reliable person.

BTW, are you planning to sell the car before going back?

Yes, I will sell it before I leave which is early next year. BTW, I was just carried away by the looks of the Ikon, looks so mascular, isnt it? Never knew it could be an expensive machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aroy (Post 3441566)

Thanks Aroy.. But, the run wont be much as I use office cab for office commutes and I need this car only for my down town trips with family (max 500 kms /month). So looking at my use vis-a-vis what I have to pay to the car company doesn't make too much sense else that would have been the best option.

Pls continue to pour in your suggestions.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiv_1984 (Post 3441548)

I would suggest you to visit Maruti True value & buy Alto from them. Also, ask them the buyback price after 7 months of the same car.
You might loose around 10K in dealing with True value than with direct sellers/buyers, but it would save a lot of time & effort.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiv_1984 (Post 3441647)

Yes, I will sell it before I leave which is early next year. BTW, I was just carried away by the looks of the Ikon, looks so mascular, isnt it? Never knew it could be an expensive machine.

Thanks Aroy.. But, the run wont be much as I use office cab for office commutes and I need this car only for my down town trips with family (max 500 kms /month). So looking at my use vis-a-vis what I have to pay to the car company doesn't make too much sense else that would have been the best option.

Pls continue to pour in your suggestions.

Thanks.

If you need it for occasional down town trips a 1/2 day cab is the way to go. For a short duration, getting a car and then selling it is really not worth the trouble. In Delhi, we can get cabs for 1/2 day 40km for any where between 600 and 1200 depending on the model.