[wadewilson]

Hello dear BHPians, We have four cars in the house: an XUV700, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, and Isuzu D-Max. However, these cars are too cumbersome to navigate in the city’s traffic and I’ve had a few brushes with traffic where, for example, the bumper of Seltos and Creta were damaged by rash scooty drivers who suddenly merged into my lane in the market.

The need for a beater car was felt for a while now but I’d always kept it off. Anyway, fast forward to today, I decide to drive to the nearby town to check out used cars on a whim. I come across Maruti True Value and find a Wagon R (AGS) model. The car had 50,000+ kms on it but drove well. A couple of nicks here and there and some rust on the top of the boot but overall it was okay.

One point of concern was the wires coming in the boot which I later found out was for a sub woofer which the previous owner had installed but removed before selling it. Upon reaching home, I planned to purchase it but the thought of checking registration details came to mind. When I checked, the car was shown as a second owner car. However, it was told to me that the car was a first hand car and driven by a lady. I’m wondering whether to trust the used car dealership or the details shown in Govt portal?

The dealership told me that they could sell the car for ₹4,50,000. Is that a good price for what would essentially be a third hand car? What scares me is also a doubt in my mind regarding why the second owner sold the Wagon-R after purchasing it. Perhaps the AMT gearbox might have issues? Would appreciate some suggestions from dear members.

[PetrolHead2272]

Your need for a beater is fully understandable but as someone who’s looking into so many used cars lately, my two cents on your dilemma is that this particular car seems a bit too fishy.
Firstly, any car with even a hint of rust (especially a Maruti with their tin can build) should be avoided.
Secondly, it’s very clearly been driven by two separate people. From what I can make out and what my instincts tell me is that you’re the 3rd owner of the car.
Thirdly, the used car market is HUGE. No need to get the first car you look at.
P.S - Please mention what year the WagonR is from because 4.5 Lacs for a used WagonR with 50k+ kms seem way too expensive. You could easily get one for around a lac lesser.
Happy hunting!

[arnav17]

5 lakhs seems a little too steep for a 3rd hand Wagon R. I don't know which city you're in hence can't comment on exact used car prices, but I just checked on a few used car websites and the average price seems to be hovering around 4,00,000 to 4,20,000. Best if you can negotiate a bit or better look at other examples if you're not convinced IMHO.

Good luck for the buy

EDIT : There is a BHpian's WagonR up for sale, check if its the same city as yours.

[Taxman]

The AGS (AMT) as discussed on the forum is quite jerky and would not be a good option to consider while driving through the city traffic.
Would suggest to look into the Jazz cvt, Amaze cvt, Hyundai i10 AT (TC) as the same would be sold within the same price as quoted for the mentioned Wagonr and would have a better fit and finish.
If the budget permits there would be no better option than the Tiago/Comet EV since same would be cost efficient as well as there would be no hassle of an AMT.

[condor]

Originally Posted by wadewilson

. I come across Maruti True Value and find a Wagon R (AGS) model. The car had 50,000+ kms on it but drove well. ..

The dealership told me that they could sell the car for ₹4,50,000. Is that a good price for what would essentially be a third hand car? .

My experience with MTV is that their prices are on the higher side. And so is this price. Suggest cars24 if you have one around, or look around for a single owner car.

[wadewilson]

Originally Posted by PetrolHead2272

Your need for a beater is fully understandable but as someone who’s looking into so many used cars lately, my two cents on your dilemma is that this particular car seems a bit too fishy.

P.S - Please mention what year the WagonR is from because 4.5 Lacs for a used WagonR with 50k+ kms seem way too expensive. You could easily get one for around a lac lesser.
Happy hunting!

Hello PetrolHead2272, the car is a 2019 model and is the ZXI+ model if I remember correctly. And yes, the price does seem a bit high considering that it's a third hand car and also with regards to the rust and other electrical modifications carried out by the 1st or 2nd owner.

Originally Posted by arnav17

5 lakhs seems a little too steep for a 3rd hand Wagon R. I don't know which city you're in . . . But I just checked on a few used car websites and the average price seems to be hovering around 4,00,000 to 4,20,000. Best if you can negotiate a bit or better look at other examples if you're not convinced IMHO.

Hiya Arnav17, yes the price is on the higher side and actually to be frank, the cost of used cars in my neck of the woods is around the range. Disappointing but most of the Wagon Rs I looked at today were of the 2019 to 2022 make and cost around 5L. I'll try and check other used car dealers again tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Taxman

The AGS (AMT) as discussed on the forum is quite jerky . . . would not be a good option to consider. . . Would suggest Jazz cvt, Amaze cvt, Hyundai i10 AT (TC) as the same would be sold within the same price as quoted for the mentioned Wagonr and would have a better fit and finish.

Thank you for the options Taxman but my reason for sticking with Maruti is the availability and cost of spare parts in my neck of the woods. The AMT (in the Wagon R AGS) has terrible head nod (as evidenced by my test drive today) but if I drive it with a light foot and release it when it's changing gears, the car changes gear without a fuss. Having gotten used to the Torque Converter (TC) in my XUV700 AWD and also Seltos (Facelift - 1.5L Diesel), I wanted to get an Automatic (despite AMT's not being as smooth as CVTs or TCs). Also, our Hyundai Creta's parts are very expensive (just recently replaced the oxygen sensor for around 17,500+ rupees at A.S.S.) and overall I've seen that Hyundai parts are more expensive so skipped checking out i10, also, it's quite low slung and for the mountain roads I'll be driving it in, I feel a Maruti would be better since maintenance cost would be low (with respect to Wagon R).

Originally Posted by condor

My experience with MTV is that their prices are on the higher side. And so is this price. Suggest cars24 if you have one around, or look around for a single owner car.

Thank you Condor. There isn't any Cars24 in my area but I'll try and check other used car dealers and see. Most of them though price used cars very high. Before going to MTV, I visited other used car dealers and the price for a 2019 base model Wagon R was around 5,30,000 rupees. The price of Rs. 4,50,000 for the third hand car by MTV seemed enticing but after knowing that it has 2 previous owners, I might have to reconsider settling for an older generation Wagon R in my area.

Once again, thank you to my dear fellow BHPians who took the time to offer their insightful advice.

[Maverick Avi]

I would not trust this car with the rust issue along with questions around ownership. Maruti true value is no saint and is just another pre owned car dealer with money to spend on ads. All the 100 point checklist stuff is hogwash and their prices are always higher. If your primary need is a niggle free city automatic beater that is cheap to maintain you can look at new espresso amt too. It is more compact and has a different suspension tune which might excite you more.

[100Kmphormore]

wadewilson, this may only be my view but I feel you have an excellent beater car in the form of the Creta if the gearbox is of your preference. What you describe with the Seltos and Creta are really in the region of the XUV/Isuzu. My familys daily driver is a 2013 Scorpio SLE and they just cant imagine being in a smaller car. Careless scooterists are a problem yes and I too detest them being on an aggressive high compression single, but no choice. Even our car has some small battle marks they simply choose to ignore. Would suggest not to go any lower as you may not take the compromise of the nice cabin, relatively more powerful engine in the long run.

I have interacted with TruValue when I was looking to buy a 2nd gen Swift and they behave like entitled jerks more or less. The WagonR you saw is too overpriced, and rusting is something that would make me walk away in a jiffy. I-G-N-O-R-E. Plus the AMT is still crap. The Fronx has an improved version and still feels clunky. Get some protection from Hyundai or a PPF for the bumpers and continue to use the Creta.

[Vikash Kumawat]

I think you should ignore this WagonR, as you will be the 3rd owner, you will have hard time to sell it to the 4th owner.
And dont forget its a Maruti, known for good resale value, 2019-2020 and above years's WagonR will not be cheaper.

Why not to search for the Ignis, better 1.2 4 Cyl engine, better interiors than WagonR, better after sale experience at Nexa, if the budget is not an issue, you may get a new base or 2nd base model Ignis for 6 to 6.5 lakhs, being a low demand car, there are good discounts on Ignis

[wheelspinner]

A couple of nicks here and there and some rust on the top of the boot but overall it was okay.

Rust is not a good sign. You never know, it could indicate a bigger hidden issue. It usually happens if there is water seepage from somewhere like holes in the dicky door, roof, or, heat treatment after an accident. This one issue and the troubleshooting if there is water leakage in boot during rains will ruin your whole ownership experience.

Also, the 3rd owner tag will make it harder for you to sell off the car in the future. If I were in your shoes, I would chose the car I hated the most in my garage and just use it. It doesn't make sense to get another depreciating asset, and spend on it's maintenance.

[AJ56]

Please consider getting something safer than a zero star WagonR. It’s low on power, comfort and safety, plus the one you’re looking at has too many red flags and is overpriced.

I’d look for a Corolla from 2014-15, you’ll get one at the same budget and it’ll be a much better compact car as a city beater. I too picked up a Camry a few months ago, and it’s brilliant for daily driving, not too big and not too small for city use.

With any used car, only consider low mile, single owner cars with a full service history at the dealer. Keep 1-2L aside for minor maintenance and you’ll be set.