Going for a stint abroad: Sell or retain my 2 year old Innova Crysta?

I also have a Jazz CVT which is used by my wife since she is not comfortable driving the Crysta.

BHPian SKannan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Guys, need your views/suggestion since I am in a dilemma. I have a Crysta VX Diesel 2021 Dec model which has hardly run 11k km and is maintained in excellent condition. I also have a Jazz CVT which is used by my wife since she is not comfortable driving the Crysta. I will be travelling out of India for 6+ months and would have to keep Crysta idle for this period (also there is a car loan EMI to be paid). And I am not sure what will be the effect of this long hibernation on the engine or vehicle. So I was exploring the option of selling the Crysta, and I am getting offers up to 27L. I bought it for 27.15L a year ago.

About my usage & requirement, we usually travel 2 road trips a year for around 6k km and need a 7 seater since we are a family of 5 + luggage. And I don't prefer rentals.

So the question is should I sell the Crysta and get a diesel (no petrol pls) automatic 7 seater (TATA, Mahindra, KIA) later this year/next year or hold on to it?

Thanks in advance.

Kannan.

Here's what BHPian Reinhard had to say on the matter:

If you are going for just 6 months - absolutely don't sell the car. I was in fact once out of the country for good 2 years & retained by old Indica Vista anyway here in India. Once in 2 weeks, my dad used to just start the engine, move the car a bit internally within the society. Just a few feet here and there for wheel rotation & brake release. Took care of running the AC and everything else that has fluids in the ducts that need to be moved.

Thats it - I came back, started using the car to office from the next Monday. Cars aren't as notorious to maintain in hibernation as feared. Remember - we have been in a nearly year long lock-down as well, in which many cars didn't move at all.

Just ask your spouse or some friend/relative to use / activate the car once in 2 weeks. In the worst case - the battery will die due to no charge. Its cheap to replace. If you come back after 6 months & dont extend your deputation for too long - the Crysta won't be cheap to replace . One thing you must do for sure is - spray a lot of rat repellent spray on any visible surface you see in the engine bay and under it.

Here;s what BHPian Asoon had to say on the matter:

You should let it go and get some thing new when you are back.

Given your driving needs and your schedule next few months, it does not make sent to pay EMIs and not utilising the asset. Also Diesel with no running for a long time is not a good combo.

You are getting excellent price for the car. Innova always commands a great resale value but the pricing fades as model gets discontinued. Today, Toyota has planned Hycross as the flagship Innova and Crysta as a commercial Innova, with time Crysta craze will go down and resale value will follow.

Classic example is Polo, it was discontinued last year, and today its resale value for GT / Legend versions is on peak. But 3/4 years later next generation of buyers will be different from current generation who value the brand pPolo. Same story with 90HP Punto, today people do not know about that model.

You will find better options later this year in the similar price point. Competition is already ahead of Crysta in terms of features and this gap will continue. Crysta will become Scorpio Classic of Mahindra.

To summarize - "You will be paying premium (interest) on an asset which is not even getting utilised and is depreciating (today you are getting a fantastic price tomorrow not sure), which to me makes no sense".

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

If you are getting 27L for your car, what are you waiting for? Sell it off!! I don’t see the Crysta retaining this kind of value in another year once Hycross picks up. The timing is correct right now, make the most of it.

You can evaluate your options for a new family car next year.

Here's what BHPian DicKy had to say on the matter:

Bothered about keeping the car idle for 6 months and paying EMIs? Don't bother selling it. Like others have said, make arrangements for a close one to start and move the car frequently.

Wanting to go for an automatic? Sell it ASAP, before the buyer changes his mind.

Here's what BHPian vijaysrk had to say on the matter:

You mention that you'll be traveling for 6+ months.

If it's only six months, I would say hold on to the car. You've clearly invested not just money but emotions too, and have perhaps done a lot of research before buying this car. Also, it will likely be the last practical diesel you may own, before being forced to move the EV/Hybrid way. The joy of owning a a torquey diesel with Toyota's bulletproof reliability is not a combination that can be easily matched. Six months of storage is nothing for a Toyota if done properly, using the suggestions others have given.

If there's a chance your stay abroad may extend to a year or beyond though, the equation may start to change. You'll have to start factoring in the cost of capital (EMI, interest), depreciation of the car, etc. At that point, it might even make sense to come back and buy a pre-owned diesel Innova of the same vintage at a substantially lower price. You would have benefited from having earned interest on the capital you saved, as well as buying the next one at a good depreciation to the price today. That's the bean counter in me speaking!

Here' what BHPian funkykar had to say on the matter:

6 months is hardly a period to worry about. IT will be perfectly fine when you return. Get it frequently cleaned.

Why are you worrying about EMI? That is last thing to worry about. When you borrowed money, you pay. Thats all right. Most in the country did the same for good part of Covid too.

IF you dont like the car or care less about it, sell it. But, you will not get a new Crysta diesel when you are back if you want one also. If Toyota relaunches one, of course will be much more expensive.

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