Starting a Used Car Restoration Business – Suggestions Invited
- Thread Starter ss80
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Thread Starter
#34
Update for the last week
Thank you Sir, I will certainly do homework on jeeps for a few days before I finalise on any car. The only reason I stayed away from the Jeep idea is because of three main reasons.
1. I dont have a parking space at my home & I have to do all DIY on the road just next to my house gate hence, the openess of the Jeep will be a big issue with kids playing all around in daytime when I am sleeping & street dogs damaging it at night, when I am at work.![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
Previously the only reason my M800 was spared by kids was because they could not climb on to it/ open the door.
2. As you know weather can do a lot of damage to a car when its parked in Sun (seat covers, all plastics, bonnet paint etc), I have seen a guy restore a fairly good condition MM540 near my home, his Jeep too was parked outside for whole day. less than six months from the last paint job the car is really not in that good condition thanks to the kids & weather. This scares me about the damage to its resale value.
3. I fully agree that there is no day in the calendar when Jeep's wont have buyers. In fact it is the most sure shot way of getting back my invested money. But I am too new to diesels & Jeeps. I have never been in one, not even touched one till date, I have no idea what it feels like to own a JEEP, spare part prices etc.
The funniest part is whenever I see any Jeep (restored/modified) usually it is overdone, so its very difficult to know where to draw the line.
Thank you Sir, I read so many ads in the last few days & also saw a few cars which were on sale on the internet & was shocked to accept the line you have mentioned above. Money is in Maruti 800 or in latest model swifts! Alto, esteem, zen (carb), wagonR, estilo are all an absolute no no when it comes to commercial restoration. I will certainly spend some time in the internet trying to get more info about Jeeps, will also read some good threads on Jeep & Gypsy restoration too.
Thank you Sir,
Jeeps have a lot of space for DIY & customisation (no boundaries unlike other cars). I will get back to this thread in sometime with more info.
Being a hard core Fiat Fan (ever since the day I drove the Palio & ofcourse the Punto 1.3MJD) I would love to work on a Padmini, but selling it would become difficult as I doubt if there are enough buyers in the market for me to experiment with. Parts wont be a problem, mechanic too isnt an issue, but Padmini's are known for superb engine & crazy rusting (seen some threads recelty). So body work might drain all my cash. Padmini is a big gamble for me as of now, but will love to do that someday.
The whole last week I spent sometime in gujri, got a few contacts & buying used spares (engines/gearboxes/any part) wont be a issue. Also browsed extensively in the internet for Zen Mpfi & Old Honda City, I had almost made my mind about a OHC (other state passing) 1.5ltr blue colour. Then I hit another road block - the loan part is stuck.
The person who was about to lend me the loan at a low interest has struck a big land deal which he doesnot want to miss at any cost, hence he invested every penny he has in it & my loan thing is pushed off for a few months atleast ( I also sensed lack of willingness in his talk) hence left with nothing in the pocket as of now.
I am able to get loans but at monthly interest which is totally unacceptable for me. Here are a few deals I had my interest in.
Now all that I am left with is to do homework on Jeeps & hunt for more financiers![[confused]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Confused.gif "Confused [confused]")
Thank you Sir, I will certainly do homework on jeeps for a few days before I finalise on any car. The only reason I stayed away from the Jeep idea is because of three main reasons.
1. I dont have a parking space at my home & I have to do all DIY on the road just next to my house gate hence, the openess of the Jeep will be a big issue with kids playing all around in daytime when I am sleeping & street dogs damaging it at night, when I am at work.
Previously the only reason my M800 was spared by kids was because they could not climb on to it/ open the door.2. As you know weather can do a lot of damage to a car when its parked in Sun (seat covers, all plastics, bonnet paint etc), I have seen a guy restore a fairly good condition MM540 near my home, his Jeep too was parked outside for whole day. less than six months from the last paint job the car is really not in that good condition thanks to the kids & weather. This scares me about the damage to its resale value.
3. I fully agree that there is no day in the calendar when Jeep's wont have buyers. In fact it is the most sure shot way of getting back my invested money. But I am too new to diesels & Jeeps. I have never been in one, not even touched one till date, I have no idea what it feels like to own a JEEP, spare part prices etc.
The funniest part is whenever I see any Jeep (restored/modified) usually it is overdone, so its very difficult to know where to draw the line.
Thank you Sir, I read so many ads in the last few days & also saw a few cars which were on sale on the internet & was shocked to accept the line you have mentioned above. Money is in Maruti 800 or in latest model swifts! Alto, esteem, zen (carb), wagonR, estilo are all an absolute no no when it comes to commercial restoration. I will certainly spend some time in the internet trying to get more info about Jeeps, will also read some good threads on Jeep & Gypsy restoration too.
Thank you Sir,
Jeeps have a lot of space for DIY & customisation (no boundaries unlike other cars). I will get back to this thread in sometime with more info.
Let me give you a suggestion you can think about : Buy a Fiat premier padmini ......u make will be more (Provided you have an amazing engine) ..........ave seen it through my eyes ![[;)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Wink.gif "Wink [;)]")
The whole last week I spent sometime in gujri, got a few contacts & buying used spares (engines/gearboxes/any part) wont be a issue. Also browsed extensively in the internet for Zen Mpfi & Old Honda City, I had almost made my mind about a OHC (other state passing) 1.5ltr blue colour. Then I hit another road block - the loan part is stuck.
The person who was about to lend me the loan at a low interest has struck a big land deal which he doesnot want to miss at any cost, hence he invested every penny he has in it & my loan thing is pushed off for a few months atleast ( I also sensed lack of willingness in his talk) hence left with nothing in the pocket as of now.
I am able to get loans but at monthly interest which is totally unacceptable for me. Here are a few deals I had my interest in.
Now all that I am left with is to do homework on Jeeps & hunt for more financiers
Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?
@Anand:
1. Your apprehension about the open parking space is correct. Try starting with a hard top Gypsy, then. It has extremely simple mechanicals and is very easy to work on. You'll have to read a lot on differentials and transfer cases though. Moreover, its a petrol and so your diesel inexperience doesn't count.
2. Forget the Accents, unless you want to take home a pittance for all your hard work that you have put in them. The returns would just not be worth the time and money you will put on them.
3. I wouldn't pay more than 50000 bucks for that MM540.
4. I do agree with Keith that Baleno is a bloody hoot of a car to modify; but you will have to look hard to find buyers for your restored/customized/modified Baleno.
5. Keep it up. Don't give up. To paraphrase a Chinese saying: "the dismantling of a thousand cars starts with a single spanner."
@Anand:
1. Your apprehension about the open parking space is correct. Try starting with a hard top Gypsy, then. It has extremely simple mechanicals and is very easy to work on. You'll have to read a lot on differentials and transfer cases though. Moreover, its a petrol and so your diesel inexperience doesn't count.
2. Forget the Accents, unless you want to take home a pittance for all your hard work that you have put in them. The returns would just not be worth the time and money you will put on them.
3. I wouldn't pay more than 50000 bucks for that MM540.
4. I do agree with Keith that Baleno is a bloody hoot of a car to modify; but you will have to look hard to find buyers for your restored/customized/modified Baleno.
5. Keep it up. Don't give up. To paraphrase a Chinese saying: "the dismantling of a thousand cars starts with a single spanner."
Thread Starter
#37
Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?
Thank you Sir, Baleno is a very good car to modify but the parts cost is too high. The front bumper without paint costs 8000+, mirror assembly (one side) 8000 & it goes on so. Most parts are SGP as far as I know. However once I have cash I would not shy away from buying one for sure. It is undoubtedly a very good & peforming car.
Thank you Sir, Baleno is a very good car to modify but the parts cost is too high. The front bumper without paint costs 8000+, mirror assembly (one side) 8000 & it goes on so. Most parts are SGP as far as I know. However once I have cash I would not shy away from buying one for sure. It is undoubtedly a very good & peforming car.
Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?
Dear Anand, am not asking you to go in for a Baleno at all. Maybe you misunderstood my post.
Dear Anand, am not asking you to go in for a Baleno at all. Maybe you misunderstood my post.
Thread Starter
#40
Sometimes our Values slow our progress
Sam:
I did not misunderstand your advice Sir, I just agreed that Baleno is a fantastic car. When I was doing the initial home work about this idea, I had Baleno on my list of preferred cars, but once I came to know the part prices etc I was a bit shocked. That is the reason I mentioned the drawbacks of this car.
Jarpickle:
I do not want to do anything in the car that can/might put the buyer in any sort of legal issue later on. If I change engine then engine number wont match what is on the rc book & so he may fail FC in near future whenever he gets it done.
Sharing a few more things:
I cant be 100% honest (gentleman) in this business, but I wont be anything less than 99.99%![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
This is one of the reason's why my known people wont lend money for this business. They always assume that I am doing this to make money & if it is so, then why waste money on parts?
It is my dream to make someone's dream of 1st car to come true in the form of a fully serviced, breakdown free used car.
For many people (who have no idea about cars) buying a car for the first time is like a "plunge into darkness, with fingers crossed" a certain amount of fear exists in them. It is this fear which usually compels them to buy a car from "Certified/branded outlets" but i have seen enough examples in my short tenure in a used car dealer, of how well they polish & sell cars as refurbished cars, I am not cribbing about them, they are just doing it for money.
On the first day of my car ownership I had a breakdown on a lonely dark road. That day I decided make my car a "breakdown free car" (which I did succeed to some extent). I just dont want to see any of my customers to face that kind of situation. I might start late, but I dont want to change myself for just a few thousands. Had I hide the fact (about refurbishment cost) to my financier today I would have been posting pic of OHC 1.5ltr bought, but then this isn't about money alone.
Sam:
I did not misunderstand your advice Sir, I just agreed that Baleno is a fantastic car. When I was doing the initial home work about this idea, I had Baleno on my list of preferred cars, but once I came to know the part prices etc I was a bit shocked. That is the reason I mentioned the drawbacks of this car.
Jarpickle:
I do not want to do anything in the car that can/might put the buyer in any sort of legal issue later on. If I change engine then engine number wont match what is on the rc book & so he may fail FC in near future whenever he gets it done.
Sharing a few more things:
I cant be 100% honest (gentleman) in this business, but I wont be anything less than 99.99%
This is one of the reason's why my known people wont lend money for this business. They always assume that I am doing this to make money & if it is so, then why waste money on parts?It is my dream to make someone's dream of 1st car to come true in the form of a fully serviced, breakdown free used car.
For many people (who have no idea about cars) buying a car for the first time is like a "plunge into darkness, with fingers crossed" a certain amount of fear exists in them. It is this fear which usually compels them to buy a car from "Certified/branded outlets" but i have seen enough examples in my short tenure in a used car dealer, of how well they polish & sell cars as refurbished cars, I am not cribbing about them, they are just doing it for money.
On the first day of my car ownership I had a breakdown on a lonely dark road. That day I decided make my car a "breakdown free car" (which I did succeed to some extent). I just dont want to see any of my customers to face that kind of situation. I might start late, but I dont want to change myself for just a few thousands. Had I hide the fact (about refurbishment cost) to my financier today I would have been posting pic of OHC 1.5ltr bought, but then this isn't about money alone.
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Thread Starter
#42
Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?
What if someone changes Half/Full engine from MASS ?? Many cab owners change the engines after covering a certain kilometer. My cousin bro has changed his fiat's engine 3 times but not endorsed in the RC. I'll soon inquire about this in the RTO
What if someone changes Half/Full engine from MASS ?? Many cab owners change the engines after covering a certain kilometer. My cousin bro has changed his fiat's engine 3 times but not endorsed in the RC. I'll soon inquire about this in the RTO
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