Guys, the deed is done, but would still value your opinion ... facts below:
- We (me and my brother) needed a car urgently (dad's had an angioplasty, and his transportation to/from hospital, plus my ride to office, etc).
- We were pressed for time. I have a heavy office schedule, and the brother is scheduled to start a professional course in Cochin on 15 June. I was out-of-office for the whole of May (first half holidaying in DxB, second half in and around the hospital with dad), and so cannot stay away from office for long, to search for cars
- I am stationed in Bangalore, am not yet proficient in Kannada, and don't know any car brokers personally.
OK, that is the background. We decided on an old-model Zen, in the 1.5–2.0 lakhs range. A preliminary search gave surprising results ... the old-model Zen is not very common in the market. Most dealers we approached said the car is still in much demand (or may be that's their standard lingo!) ... anyhow, I reluctantly took off one day from office (last Monday), got in a cab with the brother, and started scouting North Bangalore for a suitable car.
But to no avail! No Zens that:
- Were accident free
- Were in decent condition
- Came in the 2001–2003 range
- Came for below 2.0 lakhs
These were, we felt, not very formidable conditions. Anyway, to make a long story short, we landed in the Bimal True Value in Marathahalli, and still no Zens. However, we were both at our wit's end, and then our eyes fell on two gleaming black Baleno LXi cars parked in the compound. Stop clock.
My brother looked at me. I could read the question in his eyes. "Won't fit in our budget," said I.
"Yes, but this is a segment apart ... why don't we start the thought process again?"
One sentence, and out went so many days of thinking/consulting/conferring/brain-storming. "OK, let's see the car first."
We circled the first car, like wary kickboxers before a round begins. The car didn't jump, and we were soon inside. The tag was stuck on the windshield.
- Car: Maruti Baleno LXi
- Model: 2005
- KMs run: 51,000
- Engine capacity: 1594 cc
- Power output: 91 bhp
- Price: Rs 3,50,000
- Insurance: Comprehensive, paid till March 2011
- Tax: Lifetime Karnataka tax paid
- Features: Alloy wheels, OEM music system, central locking, Sony Xplod speakers in the rear
Pics here:
Please pardon the picture quality. These were shot with my E71.
That above is me ... am slightly bulky, and getting in was not very smooth. But, I'll live with it ... the steering column can be tilt-adjusted, BTW.
Alloys are dirty ... may be they will be cleaner once they jet-water the wheels before delivery?
Notice the colour of the indicator lamps on the back light.
We both thought the car looked good.
By this time, the sales chap had come to us. Very affable guy, name Santhosh. Nice smile.
He told us it was a single owner car, and the sale was owing to the owner upgrading his ride. Of course, he would do everything to make the buy smooth. Of course, he would give us a discount. Of course, he would give us a test drive.
Of course, we would test-drive it!
I have owned an Esteem in the past, and I expected the drive to be somewhat similar. And it was, I thought. (Can anybody tell me if this is a
faux pas assumption?)
We drove around the block. The air-con was top-notch. The seats were art leather. The switches and electrical accessories were all working well. We were getting hooked, slowly but surely.
We got back, and looked at the second car, and decided against it. If it was to be, it would be the first one.
Some minutes later, I had beat the price down to Rs 3.35 lakhs. I am not good at bargaining, and my brother was of little help. I felt I could have done better if he had been a bit more enterprising, rather than standing outside and ogling at the car.
OK, so that was the deal. Rs 3.35 lakhs, and the transfer charges, everything else, would be taken care of by the dealer. The car would be changed to my name in 45–60 days, and the insurance too would be changed. They would handle all the paperwork.
I said yes, paid Rs 5,000 advance, paid the rest with my brother’s cheque, and went home. They will call me once the cheque payment realizes.
Now, tell me, my Team-BHP comrades, did I screw up?
With the price, and with the choice … please comment!