Thread Starter
#1
Mods - starting with my buying experience, if this is not the suitable place, pls move it to appropriate location. didn't bother to do a spell/grammer check, pls bear with me ![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
The need
My first possession Bajaj Discover has been serving me for more than 5 years quite effectively and now it was time for an upgrade. Now that we are expecting a new member in the family, it made all the more sense to go for a car. It and it was always there in my dreams and the time has come for me to decide. With a long awaited pay hike blessing us, it seems, I can afford another EMI. After all without a couple of EMIs deducted from your salary, you don’t belong to the so called Indian middle class (just kidding).
Amateur choices
I was not sure what my budget should be. Love at first sight - became a big fan of i20 in no time. What looks man! Seems like the car is moving even when it’s parked out there. Looked at common man’s sedan - Swift Dzire. I was always interested in a sedan.
Also did a lot of R & D on the new entrants like Micra, Beat, Polo and Figo. From various reviews, found that the risk is not worth taking as this is my first car.
Safety first
“Safety first” – she said. When you wife says something, better listen to that. There was an accident in her family and one of her relatives was killed in that accident. Later on, investigation pointed out that the car did not have air bags. That would have saved his life. With her brother (fellow works in the US and advised his sister not to compromise on the safety aspects) vetoing anything other than a top end car, I could see where I was heading.
Wise decision
C’mon guys, I have understood that spending about 1 lakh is not too much to ask when the question is on your life. Worked on my budget and reached at 6 lakhs. With safety features incorporated, my initial choices were out of my reach. Hyundai i20 Asta was way beyond my budget. Same was the case with Dzire ZXi. Finally, zeroed in on Hyundai i10 Asta and Ritz ZXi. Somehow liked the looks of i10 when compared with Ritz. By now, Hyundai launched new i10. Went for a TD with one of my friends. The car was really nice for a newbie like me. “No discounts” – said the sales guy. Ah...that means it will be close to 6.5 Lakhs OTR. Both of us felt that it is not a VFM deal. Various online forums and review done by overdrive – all of them suggested Ritz to be a better car – in terms of VFM, highway manners, maintenance aspects etc. Though the back side of the car was a bit disappointing, keeping practicality in mind, decided it’s going to be Ritz!.
Booking done!
Went to Pratham motors with a friend. Ended up booking the car the same day. Colour – baker’s chocolate- again was decided by my wife. 45 days waiting seemed too harsh. Got a decent deal with cash discount of 23K (20K current offer from Maruti + 3K corporate discount), standard accessories, sun control film and under body anti-rust coating. Had to bargain a lot to get anti corrosion coating free.
What’s your credit score?
Again went through the forums before deciding to choose SBI as my banker for my car loan. Was keeping other banks like axis and HDFC also in the loop as fall back option. Manager at SBI branch in Bagmane Techpark seemed like a nice guy. Told me that it will take 10 days. Gave the docs on 3rd Nov and got the call from him to visit RACPC on 18th 2 PM with form 20 and down payment receipt for disbursal of the loan. Meanwhile they found that my 2 wheeler loan is not closed as per CIBIL records. Had to submit my RC book to prove that the loan was indeed closed. The process so far was relatively painless. Thanks to the manager Venkatesh for all his timely interventions and status updates.
Playing a trick or two
After a few days, the waiting was becoming painful. Went to Bimal motors to see if they have any ready stocks. Tough luck! Baker’s chocolate color was not available but almost every other color is readily available. Called up Pratham and told them that I am getting ready delivery from Bimal. The sales girl told me to wait for couple of days before going with Bimal. In 2 days time, got a call from her telling me that White, Silver and chocolate colors are available now. Great news!.
Will continue...
The need
My first possession Bajaj Discover has been serving me for more than 5 years quite effectively and now it was time for an upgrade. Now that we are expecting a new member in the family, it made all the more sense to go for a car. It and it was always there in my dreams and the time has come for me to decide. With a long awaited pay hike blessing us, it seems, I can afford another EMI. After all without a couple of EMIs deducted from your salary, you don’t belong to the so called Indian middle class (just kidding).
Amateur choices
I was not sure what my budget should be. Love at first sight - became a big fan of i20 in no time. What looks man! Seems like the car is moving even when it’s parked out there. Looked at common man’s sedan - Swift Dzire. I was always interested in a sedan.
Also did a lot of R & D on the new entrants like Micra, Beat, Polo and Figo. From various reviews, found that the risk is not worth taking as this is my first car.
Safety first
“Safety first” – she said. When you wife says something, better listen to that. There was an accident in her family and one of her relatives was killed in that accident. Later on, investigation pointed out that the car did not have air bags. That would have saved his life. With her brother (fellow works in the US and advised his sister not to compromise on the safety aspects) vetoing anything other than a top end car, I could see where I was heading.
Wise decision
C’mon guys, I have understood that spending about 1 lakh is not too much to ask when the question is on your life. Worked on my budget and reached at 6 lakhs. With safety features incorporated, my initial choices were out of my reach. Hyundai i20 Asta was way beyond my budget. Same was the case with Dzire ZXi. Finally, zeroed in on Hyundai i10 Asta and Ritz ZXi. Somehow liked the looks of i10 when compared with Ritz. By now, Hyundai launched new i10. Went for a TD with one of my friends. The car was really nice for a newbie like me. “No discounts” – said the sales guy. Ah...that means it will be close to 6.5 Lakhs OTR. Both of us felt that it is not a VFM deal. Various online forums and review done by overdrive – all of them suggested Ritz to be a better car – in terms of VFM, highway manners, maintenance aspects etc. Though the back side of the car was a bit disappointing, keeping practicality in mind, decided it’s going to be Ritz!.
Booking done!
Went to Pratham motors with a friend. Ended up booking the car the same day. Colour – baker’s chocolate- again was decided by my wife. 45 days waiting seemed too harsh. Got a decent deal with cash discount of 23K (20K current offer from Maruti + 3K corporate discount), standard accessories, sun control film and under body anti-rust coating. Had to bargain a lot to get anti corrosion coating free.
What’s your credit score?
Again went through the forums before deciding to choose SBI as my banker for my car loan. Was keeping other banks like axis and HDFC also in the loop as fall back option. Manager at SBI branch in Bagmane Techpark seemed like a nice guy. Told me that it will take 10 days. Gave the docs on 3rd Nov and got the call from him to visit RACPC on 18th 2 PM with form 20 and down payment receipt for disbursal of the loan. Meanwhile they found that my 2 wheeler loan is not closed as per CIBIL records. Had to submit my RC book to prove that the loan was indeed closed. The process so far was relatively painless. Thanks to the manager Venkatesh for all his timely interventions and status updates.
Playing a trick or two
After a few days, the waiting was becoming painful. Went to Bimal motors to see if they have any ready stocks. Tough luck! Baker’s chocolate color was not available but almost every other color is readily available. Called up Pratham and told them that I am getting ready delivery from Bimal. The sales girl told me to wait for couple of days before going with Bimal. In 2 days time, got a call from her telling me that White, Silver and chocolate colors are available now. Great news!.
Will continue...
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