So my process of hunting for a new car began
Considerations:
a) I will be buying the car for keeping it for a minimum of eight to ten years.
b) Running of around 100-150 kms per week
c) From my experience , I expect the car may be requiring replacement of certain parts after running about 30000 to 40000 kms. Hence cost of spare parts is an issue.My friendly mechanic informed that Maruti's spares are around 1.5 times cheaper than cars that have a larger import
content. The all India dealer network and service centers of Maruti is also a point I liked.
d) Driven a Hatchback for over ten years. ; Wanted a SEDAN for a change and also for the reason
that I used to feel uncomfortable getting squeezed into my old car (I am over 5' 11" in height).
Now which model of Maruti------- Thought about Swift D'Zire - Saw the specs- Realised that D'Zire is nothing but a swift with a boot; externally it looks like a Sedan but actually a Hatchback at a 10-15% higher cost. Since I am buying a Sedan for myself and not for impressing others the D'Zire got dropped from the desirable list.
Swift Petrol DZire Petrol
Engine: K series1197 cc 1197 cc
Max power 87 ps @ 6000 rpm 85 ps @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque 114 NM @4000 rpm 113 NM @4500 rpm
Dimensions 3850x1695x1530 mm 4160x1690x1530 mm
Wheel base 2430 mm 2390 mm
See the wheel base ; It gives the space available inside the car.
Zeroed in in on SX4 ; Read in the reviews that its FE is 8-10 km per litre; thought that I will invest slightly more and buy SX4 VXI model which comes with a factory fitted CNG
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I told my dealer that I will do the inspection of the vehicle allotted to me before paying the full amount; I paid the token advance and was given the Chassis No. of the Car (Vehicle Identification Number) ; got the address of the stockyard near vasai; got the number of the person in charge of the stock yard and fixed up an appointment for 15 th October 2011 for inspection of my would be car.
Reached there at around 12 noon ; they got my car ready after washing ; I saw the car ; checked the VIN number; deciphered that the car was manufactured in August 2011 from the chassis (VIN ) number, The ODO reading was showing 16 kms; inspected the car all around ; found everything OK; the personnel there were very friendly and helpful ; telling me about the features of the Sx4; different controls etc. ; I requested for a test drive and took a small drive in the car. Satisfied fully with the inspection.
Inspection before registration is recommended to ensure that the dealer doesnt give you a car that is too old ; the VIN number has the details ; ensure that it is not more than two to three months old and has not run more than 40-50 kms. In case of doubt and you are not satisfied with the car allotted to you for any reason, you can always insist to change the car that is allotted and it is easier for the dealer also since it has not been registered in your name.
My would be car in the stockyard
Under the Bonnet
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| Interiors of the car |
Process of buying:
The on road price of the car consists of three parts:
a The showroom price -- You may have to accept what the manufacturer gives with discount or without discount- See whether prices after discounts vary with different dealers. Account for the cash discounts only ; neglect/ignore the accessories offered free of cost by the dealer as they are not of much value- better option is to bargain for a full cash discount without any free accessories. Accessories can be later on fitted to your car at the place of your choice.
b. Cost of Insurance -----------Contact three or four insurance companies and get a price quote
Give them the showroom price of your vehicle minus the VAT. ,Octroi etc, . After deducting 5% depreciation the Insured declared Value is arrived at. This is the mandatory amount for which your vehicle
has to be insured (Comprehensive) before it goes for registration. (This is as of 2011 - Check with the insurance company and not your dealer about the way IDV is calculated and premium thereof) Now compare the premiums quoted and make a choice. If you have an old car already having comprehensive insurance, you can transfer the No claim Bonus (%) of your old car's policy to your new car and get a further discount on the premium you pay for your new car right from day one, provided the new car is also on your name.
So, if on your new car the premium that you have to pay is Rs 10,000, because of the NCB, you pay only Rs. 5000 in case of 50% (max.) NCB. If you sell your old car without going through the exchange scheme offered by dealers then you can covert the comprehensive insurance into a third party insurance and retain the NCB. It should be understood that NCB is not for the vehicle but for your good track record of not making any claims.
c Cost of registration and Life time tax . - Visit the RTO website or personally visit the local RTO office to know the cost of registration. If you know the cost of registration , you can bargain with your dealer on the incidental charges that he may be collecting from you, in the case of your car getting registered through the dealer.
Optionals:
If you dont want a random number getting allotted to your car you can get a number of your choice by paying an amount of Rs. 3000/- (In Maharashtra) . Go to the RTO office , make some enquiries and directly pay at the counter and you can get receipt for this amount. By a small effort you can avoid going through agents for this. Some numbers are reserved as VIP numbers which you can get by paying 50,000 or 25000, 7500 or 5000 depending on the depth of your pocket and your fancy. These numbers are allotted by the Govt. and the amount goes to the Govt.
Delivery day:
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| Dashboard and Music System |
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On Delivery day at the Showroom
Accessories:
Filming
Specification for Filming:
a) Visible light transmission : Should be atleast 70% for Front windows and 50% for side and rear windows as per Govt. norms. Not advisable to violate norms since this can be checked by meters available with the cops.
b) Infra red absorption -- Is greater than 90% for good quality films c) Total Solar energy Heat rejected +absorbed -- Is in the range of 55-60% for good qulaity d) UV abosrption is also one of the parameters
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| Before Filming |
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| Being taken in for Filming in a dust free area |
Documentation:
This is the copy of Form 22 which is submitted to RTO by the dealer; This is issued by the manufacturer with the chassis no. and engine no. of the car. A certificate from your manufacturer that your car is road worthy; thought to keep a copy in case of need in future.
First impressions with my new car
Overall satisfied; liked its extra ground clearance which is important on Indian Roads. Getting CNG filled at nearby petrol pumps; only thing is more no. of trips to CNG pumps since the tank can hold aprrox only 8-10 kg of Gas. Getting an average of 16 km per kg of CNG.
Started back from Bhimashanker at 4:00 pm; Ghodegaon at 44km from Bhimashanker;
