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Buying First Car - An Experience |
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Written by sandy
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Friday, 01 May 2009 |
 Cars are something I was always passionate for from my very childhood. So when I finally got enough encouragement from my mother I started figuring out which car will fit my budget with maximum power under its hood. I was looking for a small but a powerful car to have the provision of speed on the highway when required with good mileage.
My initial concerns were moderate price, low maintanance, contemporay
style and modern fuel efficient engine. So I shortlisted Maruti A-Star,
Hyundai i10 and Chevy Spark. But I also considered Maruti Alto and
Hyundai Santro because of their proven track record which has ensured
that they not going out of production as par the manufacturers.
The comparision chart I have dislayed below has been done keeping in mind that I need a car with AC and power steering, as I came to conclusion that these two things are required bare minimum in Indian conditions. I kept music system out of the consideration as that can be fitted as per choice from other car music system manufactures then what the car manufacturer offering. Power window is another thing I thought not important incase you want to keep the price down. So below is the comparision chart. I have also focused on manufactures who have huge service network and provides cheaper accessories and car parts.
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Chevrolet Spark 1.0 PS |
Hyundai i10 1.1 iRDE D-lite |
Maruti A-Star LXI
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Hyundai Santro Xing GL |
Maruti Alto LXi |
| Body Type |
Hatchback |
Hatchback |
Hatchback |
Hatchback |
Hatchback |
| Price (Ex-showroom, Mumbai) |
Rs. 3,46,119/- |
Rs. 3,45,746/- |
Rs. 3,58,995/- |
Rs. 3,42,570/- |
Rs. 2,86,346/- |
| Fuel Type |
Petrol |
Petrol |
Petrol |
Petrol |
Petrol |
| Fuel Overall Economy |
13.45 km/litre |
13 km/litre |
- N.A. - |
13.12 km/litre |
19.6 km/litre |
| Engine Displacement |
995 cc |
1086 cc |
998 cc |
1086 cc |
796 cc |
| Engine Type |
Inline SOHC |
Inline SOHC |
KB-Series |
Inline SOHC |
FC Inline |
| Seating Capacity |
5 persons |
5 persons |
5 persons |
5 persons |
5 persons |
| Kerb Weight |
840 kgs |
800-952 kgs |
860-880 kgs |
854 kgs |
735 kgs |
| Ground Clearance |
170 mm |
165 mm |
170 mm |
164 mm |
160 mm |
| Minimum Turning Radius |
4.6 Metres |
4.75 Metres |
4.5 Metres |
4.4 Metres |
4.6 Metres |
| Air Conditioning |
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| Power Steering |
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| Power Windows |
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| Music System |
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Source :- Comming shortly ...
Additinionally, another factor was the car loan which also had some role to play. I planned to take loan from a nationalised bank because I learnt that private banks are very aggressive when loan recovery matters. But now its applicable for all banks. Only thing I found significant was the rate of interest. I found SBI was offering minimum rate of interest which is approximately 11.75 %. Ideally,i wanted loan to be taken from a nationalised bank where the loan approval process goes through the standard process by which they judge the customer fits for the loan or not. Though banks like Axis and Hdfc also providing good rates and process is sometime smoother and faster then other nationalised banks. This time I found SBI also taken a very smooth and flexible loan approval process.
A car loan rate table will give a rough idea. But check with the bank for the current rates.
http://www.rupeetimes.com/compare/car_loans/car_loan_rates_results.php?type=0&sort=rate&category=Salaried&from=ex
As soon I got my loan approved I been asked to visit the loan processing officer of the bank. Though I missed few intial appointments dew to office work. By then it was late when I recived the delivery order from the bank, due to that I faced problem getting my metallic maruti a-star lxi. The variant of that car was out of stock and maruti stopped supplying car because they were in huge demand from abroad and they had started exporting them in huge numbers. I was been asked to wait for indefinate period because the dealer has no idea when they going to get next lot of cars. This was a precarious situation where I have made the full payment and the variant is out of stock and the dealer was inisisting me to take a solid red maruti a-star which I had refused.
In next 10 days time maruti declared price hike of A-star which was then more problem for me. Because they say the customer subject to pay the invoice price of the car at the time of delivery which is 10,000 rupees more than the proforma inovice which I recived after the down payment and delivery order of the bank. This made me upset a lot. I kept on emailing the maruti company but they said the customer has to pay on the invoice price. I did call the bank as well. They were unable to do any help in this matter. Only suggesstion, the customer can go for an agreement with the dealer by paying a healthy amount as advance with the dealer regarding the delivery dates so that these problems can be minimised.
Finally, after 2 months time after booking I got my car paying additonal 10,000 rupees. Then comes the car receing process which is another important thing one has to remember. Before taking the car one should ideally make a pre-delivery inspection of the car from the dealer's stockyard. It also depends on the dealers wather they will alow or not. Then comes the all important long waiting delivery date of your dream car. I did tried inspecting the car from all possible aspects by the checklist I received for another forum.
Before Registration:
We recommend visiting the dealerships stockyard and checking your car
prior to registration. Once it is registered in your name, there is
little you can do. Check the car manufacturing month/year, especially
when buying in the first quarter of any year. Fiat India was notorious
for selling cars that have been manufactured up to 18 months earlier.
Ascertain that the year of manufacturer is current. If the odometer is
disconnected, in all probability, the allocated car has been used as a
test-drive vehicle. Also check for any repair jobs / body damage;
damage to some cars is inevitable in transit and most repair work is
glaringly obvious.
IMPORTANT : Check the tax calculations on the dealership invoice.
Overcharging for RTO / octroi / lifetime taxes is a popular scam at
many Indian dealerships. Pay only the actual charges due to the
authorities and not a rupee more.
Preparations:
1. Confirm: the date of delivery with your dealership. It is best to go
there only after the car has been prepared and is ready. If you have a
preference for a particular day / time (for auspicious reasons), inform
the sales person.
2. Daylight: We recommend accepting delivery in broad daylight, since
the dark can conceal a lot. You may also not get good service in the
evening since dealership personnel are in a hurry to wrap the day up.
3. Documentation: Ascertain that you carry any required documentation with you. This may include forms, receipts etc.
4. Payments: If any payment formalities are to be completed, carry along the relevant PDC’s / Cash / Credit Cards.
5. Third Person: It’s always a good idea to take a relative / friend along for suggestions, observations and comments.
6. Memories: Take a camera along.
7. Music: Carry a CD / cassette if your car is equipped with a stereo.
8. Gift: Take a token gift along for the sales guy.
At the Showroom:
1. Be Courteous: Don’t bully around. It’s a nice happy moment and the
sales staff is as excited as you are. Treat them with respect, and you
will get better service.
2. Get a Demo - Part of the salesperson's job is to acquaint you with
your new car's features and how each one operates. Ask him to
demonstrate the car fully, and top to bottom, in order to understand
how everything works on the vehicle.
3. Visit the Service Department: We recommend meeting the service
manager and getting familiar with the service center facilities.
Final Inspection:
1. Check the car again: A lot could have happened between the
pre-registration inspection and today. It’s best to walk around the car
and ascertain that the car is super clean! Look for any signs of repair
work / damage such as paint difference, dents etc. Even the interiors
should be squeaky clean.
2. Check that all lights and electric accessories are working fine.
3. Confirm that all the accessories you ordered are fitted on the car.
4. Check that the spare wheel is fresh. And that all related tools
(spanner, jack etc.) are present. Are there wheel locks? If so, ensure
that the lug key is there in the car.
5. Misc : Wipers, floor matting, first-aid kit & hazard sign.
6. What is the mileage on your car? It should not be more than a 100 km (or in the whereabouts) for most brands.
7. Ensure that there is enough fuel in the car. At least to get you to the nearest petrol pump.
8. Somehow, most new cars are delivered with over-inflated tyres by the
showroom. Check the tyre pressure and make the necessary adjustments.
Documentation:
Read the paperwork! Don't take anybody's word for anything. Make sure all the blanks in the contract are filled in.
1. Invoice. (Check that the Chassis and Engine number of the car matches with the Invoice and / or Challan).
2. Sales certificate.
3. All payment receipts.
4. Registration book or temporary certificate (Some States). Is your
name spelt correctly? Are the car chassis / engine number matching with
the actual? Is the number plate made in accordance with the number on
the registration book?
5. Insurance: Ensure that coverage is valid and active.
6. Original PUC certificate. This is valid for one year.
7. Owners Manual.
8. Duplicate Keys.
9. Original warranty with all relevant dealership stamps.
10. Extended Warranty (If opted for).
11. Warranty of third party items such as battery, tyres etc.
12. Roadside assistance Contact details.
13. Business cards of dealership and service personnel.
Source :- http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/buying-car/20741-article-pre-delivery-inspection-check-list.html
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New car delivery checklist
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What to look for
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Yes
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No
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Not applicable
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Inspect the vehicle
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- Examine the exterior for scratches, scrapes, dings, and dents. Note any disfigurations carefully, and have the dealer repair them before you take possession; or get a written commitment, signed by an authorized manager, describing the work to be done and a date when it will be completed.
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- Confirm that the vehicle is clean inside and out.
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- Check to see that a proper state inspection sticker is affixed to the windshield.
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- Make sure that headlights, tail lights, parking lights, and turn signals function properly.
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- Alarm system works properly and can be armed and disarmed easily.
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- The gas tank should be full.
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- See that all standard accessories are included.
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- Ensure that all accessories purchased from the dealer have been added.
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- Alarm or other security device
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- Other: __________________
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- The odometer should register no more than a few nominal miles of use. If there are more than 100 miles showing, it is likely that the car was used as a demonstrator or by dealership personnel or family members for occasional errands. If that is the case, the price should be reduced to reflect the car’s used status.
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- Owner’s manual is in glove compartment.
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Take a test drive
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- Power accessories should function flawlessly
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- Heat/air-conditioner fan motor and settings
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- Steering should be fluid, quiet, and responsive.
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- Transmission should shift smoothly at appropriate RPMs.
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- Ride should be quiet, smooth, and free of rattles, whines, or excessive engine noise.
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- Braking should be responsive and firm at all speeds. Try slamming on the brakes to test the anti-locking feature.
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Check the paperwork
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- Read every clause of the contract and question anything you don’t understand.
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- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the car should match VIN appearing on the:
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- registration certificate/owner’s card
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- financing or lease agreement.
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- Confirm that the engine size and transmission type are as ordered and that this information is correctly entered on the contract.
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- Loan document should correctly state the:
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- Purchase price you and the dealer negotiated (including any dealer-installed options)
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- State sales tax computed at appropriate prevailing rate
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- Trade-in allowance for your old car
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- Down payment you have made
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- Annual percentage rate of the loan
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- Term of the loan (in months of payments due)
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- Lease document should correctly state the:
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- Capitalized cost (purchase price)
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- Trade-in allowance for your old car
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- Residual value at end of lease term
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- Capitalized cost reduction
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- Term of the lease (in months)
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- Payment book with monthly coupons for loan reimbursement should accurately reflect the number of payments due.
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- State registration should have your full name, correct address, and proper identification of the vehicle.
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- Warranty certificate is included, all terms are clear, and is properly dated for the day you take delivery.
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Source : http://www.consumerreports.org/content/news/wheeling/worksheets/pickup_car.pdf
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 12 October 2010 )
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