[HowardRoark]

Originally Posted by AJ56

Your requirements have Accord/Civic written all over them, fun cars to drive for a first time driver, easy to learn on (I too learnt on the Accord at 18), cheap to maintain and reliable, adequate power, good aftermarket support. You’ll get well kept ones under 3L, keep 1-1.5L aside for maintenance for a worst case scenario. Will also be much safer than tin cans like micra or i10. Cheers.

I am wondering how old Accord/Civic should one buy. I saw few Accords between 2006-11 on OLX around 3.5-4.5lakhs. Are these reliable? If I take proper care can I continue using them forever? As an alternative any more suggestions from Toyota (etios) or Honda in old but reliable criteria?

[vedirah]

Originally Posted by Pratham_V12

How often is the 1.5 TDI (not just the engine but the whole car) prone to failing a part or throwing tantrums in general? I want a car that is fairly reliable (not Toyota levels of reliability but decent enough) so that I can take the car out for a night run without any worry.

VW's TDI engines are known to have injector failures and in general VW cars are known for ABS sensor failures. Touchwood mine doesn't get there! Also, VAG parts and service can be quite hard on the pocket. I'd rather suggest you wait until you make your own money to get a VAG car.

As you are starting off with driving, I'd suggest an easier car to drive and maintain. Something small and nimble, communicative. So I'd suggest that a very good option could be the Swift. Second best option would be the Figo, and then the Maruti Zen. These are very enthusiast cars too, very fun to drive. Trust me you want to stay away from the Octavias and Honda Citys for your first car. It's just as much about the power as the size itself.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by HowardRoark

I am wondering how old Accord/Civic should one buy. I saw few Accords between 2006-11 on OLX around 3.5-4.5lakhs. Are these reliable? If I take proper care can I continue using them forever? As an alternative any more suggestions from Toyota (etios) or Honda in old but reliable criteria?

Do not buy anything older than 2009-10, (8th gen Accord was introduced in 2008, before that you’ll get the 7th gen). You’ll easily get 2010-11 Accords for 3-4L in good condition. Market value of a 2.4L 2010 is around 2.8-3.2L for reference.

Extremely reliable car, Toyota is equally reliable but the Camry’s from those years only got 2 airbags vs the 6 in the Accord. No comparison with Etios or City, be it power, build quality or safety. Just make sure you get the car checked thoroughly by the authorised dealer and your trusted mechanic.

Have them make an inspection report and don’t hesitate to walk away from any seller who refuses the inspection (you should offer to pay for it). The only known weak point of the Accord/Civic from those years is the steering rack seal prone to leaking, diagnosing and fixing this is relatively straight forward. Make sure you go to your trusted mechanic over the dealer as they tend to rip you off on repair pricing.

Also follow this checklist:

http://pop.h-cdn.co/assets/downloads...-checklist.pdf

[wheelspinner]

Hi BHPians,

I'm trying to get my first car. I'm in my early 20s, earning since my teens, and, can afford a decent car. But I don't feel like spending a lot of money, you can say I'm very frugal. Hence, I liked the idea of buying a used car. There is a multitude of options, and it is really confusing. I was advised that since I learnt driving a long time back, and mostly forgotten it is better to get a used one. So, even if I run into minor accidents, it won't hurt me like it would had it been a new car.

However, based on my research so far. Used cars seem to be very overvalued currently. Most of them are accidental, or have some issues due to which owners are selling them off. Making them a very bad option as I imagine I would be spending more time in garages than driving

So, what do you think? Are used cars still worth a shot? What factors to be kept in mind when buying the first used car (or first car)?

I've looked at a few unpopular cars like the used Tatas (Zest, and Bolt), Altos, and Santros. I really like the Tatas because of their build quality. However, the older Altos, and Santros are uninspiring because they don't have good build quality nor decent features. If I end up buying an old Tata Bolt/Zest/Vista, will I get spares, and will it be a good choice?

Moreover, one big concern is the absence of ABS, and Airbags in the older used cars.

Keeping all this mind, what would you suggest me? Any specific used car model/variant that I can go for? I also want to keep it for a few years, and get rid of it immediately. What things should I look for in the used vehicle being the novice I am? Also, how to avoid getting a lemon?

Note: mods please delete if you consider this a duplicate post, I couldn't find any post similar to this exact topic

[mgastor2022grey]

Hi @wheelspinner, welcome to the car club of confusions!

Since you are a first-time driver, I would suggest you to not go for used car routes, as it may take away the experience if you end up with a lemon. By a lemon, I do not only mean cars that don't drive, I even mean cars that have maintenance and legal issues. So, for a first timer, a new car is the best.

Since you have considered used cars like the Tata Zest and Bolt, I assume that you have a budget of 8-9 lakhs. Trust me, there are lots of amazing cars out there in this price range.

Since you are driving for the first time, I would suggest you to go for an automatic and a petrol car. Please stay away from CNGs, not a good option for a car IMHO.

You can take a look at the Tiago XTA, which falls at a price of 8 lakhs, or a I10 Nios Magna AMT Kappa 1.2 VTVT for around 8.5 lakhs.

If you are keen on extending your budget for around 11-12 lakhs, some of the good cars are Tata Altroz XZA Petrol for around 11.5 lakhs and the Renault Kiger RXZ AMT for 11 lakhs.

Hope this helps!

[gischethans]

Finding a good used car through online marketplaces can be quite challenging and time-consuming. However, I discovered that opting for trusted outlets like True Value, Tata Motors Assured offers a better chance of getting a quality car, albeit at a slightly higher price. The added benefits of free service and warranty provided some peace of mind. My situation was similar in 2020 when I decided to go the True Value route for an Alto 800, as I had limited driving experience since obtaining my license in 2013. Despite the car having 66k km on the odometer, it served us well for over three years. Admittedly, there were a few minor incidents that left scars on the car – a rear-end collision for which I was not at fault and a scrape against an electric pole due to my poor judgment while turning. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting the delivery of my new Punch this week, and I'm excited for the adventures that lie ahead.

[wheelspinner]

Originally Posted by mgastor2022grey

Hi @wheelspinner, welcome to the car club of confusions!

Since you have considered used cars like the Tata Zest and Bolt, I assume that you have a budget of 8-9 lakhs. Trust me, there are lots of amazing cars out there in this price range.

Thanks. I was looking at used Zest and Bolt, well maintained high mileage ones that cost in the 2L ball park. After many months of hunting, found a doctor used Bolt for a reasonable price.

But agree, should increase the budget and, consider getting a new car

[wheelspinner]

Originally Posted by gischethans

Finding a good used car through online marketplaces can be quite challenging and time-consuming. However, I discovered that opting for trusted outlets like True Value, Tata Motors Assured offers a better chance of getting a quality car, albeit at a slightly higher price. The added benefits of free service and warranty provided some peace of mind.

Agreed. Probably it is better to go for branded dealerships rather than dealing with shady dealers and individual sellers

If something goes wrong, I can atleast legally pursue them.

[raptor_diwan]

True, buying a used car nowadays is entirely dependent on luck; either you get a good car, or you'll stay in the garage for a long time, or soon you'll find yourself selling it again on OLX. Since it is your first car, I would suggest going for a new car; maintenance will be less, and you'll be tension-free for the next 5 years.

If you're considering a new car, please do share your budget; with the correct budget, it would be easy to make a suitable recommendation.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by wheelspinner

So, what do you think? Are used cars still worth a shot? What factors to be kept in mind when buying the first used car (or first car)?

Yes; if you have the time to wait for the right one. It is always a good idea to test drive them and check their service history as well as account for major expenses when buying a car used.

As for which car, it depends on whether you want a petrol or a diesel. If it is a diesel you want then you're headed in the right direction looking at Tata zests and bolts but if it is a petrol you desire then forget about the Tatas and hunt for an SX4 or a 1.6 Fabia instead.

[Bhodrolok]

An used Polo GT Tsi. Nothing comes close. It's a simple choice.

[wheelspinner]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

An used Polo GT Tsi. Nothing comes close. It's a simple choice.

I am really scared of the repair costs
My local mechanic says no one except the Volkswagen service centers can repair them (and that they need some specialised software for fitting parts). Are Polos reliable and easy to maintain?

Also, the asking prices are outrageous here in Kolkata. It is even more difficult to come across a clean one.

[Bhodrolok]

Originally Posted by wheelspinner

Also, the asking prices are outrageous here in Kolkata. It is even more difficult to come across a clean one.

I am sure you can find a FNG who can handle Polos easily. Also Polos can get 4+2 warranty so you might even get one which is still under warranty. The experience on the GT Tsi is absolutely unbeatable as a driver's car.

[joelstephen]

I'm very happy i started driving with an Eeco. Non power steering, simple, teaches you to respect the limitations of your car, . Drove it around a lot before I moved to driving other cars. I don't think I'd have been as considerate to the mechanicals of the car if I had started with a very powerful car.

[wheelspinner]

Go or no go? I want to drive this for next 4-5 years. Fulfils my safety needs (2 airbags, rear defogger, and ABS) too. After that I will happily scrap it if need be, or sell for a throwaway price:

https://www.cars24.com/buy-used-hond...a-11917276728/


It is a 2015 Honda City, SV MT PETROL, 1st owner. Insurance seems to be expired. No spare key. Cars24 gives me some confidence. Compared to dealer prices, it seems cheap (at ₹3.93 Lakh) due to high running. They claim there are no repainted parts on this one. The front lights are faded though - is that concerning?

Will it have niggles? I have heard a lot about Honda reliability, can I go for it? Need honest opinion.

Is Cars24 of Kolkata to be trusted?