Golden rules to keep in mind while buying a car

Buying a car is a dream harbored by many but with rise in prices of all commodities it is becoming difficult day-by-day to turn this dream into reality. If you are a first timer in purchasing a car it’s better to educate yourself with every nitty gritty of car purchasing without jumping straight into the trap of the companies and the dealers.

Here are a few golden rules that you should keep in mind before opting for the car of your dreams-

·         Educate yourself and compare- Unlike in the older days gaining knowledge about anything is much simpler now courtesy the availability of every detail online. You no longer have to look for magazines or depend on advertisements to know about the vast range of possibilities that is available. All you have to do is sit on your pc or laptop and check out all your options. Go through the specifications and features of all possible cars you want to look into and narrow down your options. You can also base your decision on the reviews given by tech experts as well as other people who have bought the car before. Even if you are set on buying a particular car do not leave out a chance to compare with other cars and re-check by visiting multiple sites rather than taking your decision on the basis of only one review.  

·         Test Drive- No matter how elaborate the detailing is on the website you should ALWAYS go for a test drive for the same model that you intend on purchasing. Two versions of the same model also may seem alike but when you drive them they show dramatic difference in performance and handling character. You can go through as many specs as you want online but for purchase go to the showroom of your nearby dealer and go for a test drive of the car of your choice.

·         Budget- This is a major deciding factor for most people as buying a car is one of the major investments in people’s lives. If you are well off financially then you can always opt for a brand new car with new technology and modern gizmos but for those of you who are on a stringent budget it is better not to stretch your budget by leasing to get a high tech car. In such a case it is better to buy second hand used car while is still in top notch condition.  A lot of people tend to change their cars at regular intervals to opt for newer upgraded technology. Such cars are still brand new and one can buy used car of these sorts which puts lesser pressure on their wallets as well as gives them the fell of driving a new car.

·         Source of finance- Always have a proper plan for financing your car, be it a new one or a used car. If opting for loans make sure you are well acquainted with the terms and conditions. Do not fall into any trap that the dealers may set to fish out excess money from your pockets. Also no matter how persistent the dealer is you can always negotiate the price before signing the deal. Also do not forget to get your car insured during purchase.

All you need to know about the Maruti Alto 800

Launched in India in 2012 the Maruti Alto 800 is among the choice cars in India. This compact hatchback car hugely improved over the older version of Alto and is a great contender in the small car segment. Here are a few facts that one should know about this great buy-

·         Engine- The Alto 800 comes with only one 796 cc engine that delivers 47.3bhp at 6000rpm and 69Nm at 3500rpm powered by a 5-speed manual transmission. The Alto is available in petrol as well as CNG variants. Cable Type Gear Shift Mechanism and Detect Pin Technology (DPT) is installed for smooth and precise gear shifting. Diagonal Shift Assist (DSA) adds to the comfort by assisting in effortless shifting and a flat torque curve prevents frequent gear shifts.

·         Mileage- A mileage 22.74kmpl on highways and 17.0kmpl in the city is offered by Alto 800 petrol variants. The CNG variants claim to give an astonishing mileage of 33.44 km per kg.

·         Design- The new aerodynamic and edgy design of the Alto 800 brings a fresh sporty appeal to the car. Its sleek design packs a punch with bold new bumper grille and trendy headlamps. Addition of the front fog lamp profile enhances the sharp features. The new designer seat, door trim fabrics, ergonomically designed rear-headrest and spacious interiors make this budget car a favorite. Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is available in a wide range of spunky colors including Silky Silver, Superior White, Granite Grey, Blazing Red, Cerulean Blue and Mojito Green.

·         Features- This stylish car is fitted with a wide range of modern gizmos which attracts the masses. Features like air conditioner with heater, power steering, power windows, rear spoiler, rear parcel tray, DIN-1 music system with two speakers in front, USB port, body side moulding and accessory sockets are an eye catcher. The increased length of the car ensures optimum comfort while on road.

·         Safety Features- Maruti Alto 800 uses disc brakes at front and drum brakes at rear. Features like central locking, keyless entry, power door locks, driver airbag, rear seat belts, engine immobilizer, child safety locks and anti-theft device are installed ensuring a safe ride for you and your family.

The Maruti Alto 800 on road price ranges from Rs 2.98 lakh for lower STD variant and goes as high as Rs 4.31 lakh for the high end LXI CNG variant.

Here is a list of Maruti Alto 800 price for all available variants-

STD (Petrol)	Rs 2.66 lakh
STD (O) (Petrol)	Rs 2.73 lakh
LX (Petrol)	Rs 3.01 lakh
LX (O) (Petrol)	Rs 3.08 lakh
LXI (Petrol)	Rs 3.28 lakh
LXI (O) (Petrol)	Rs 3.34 lakh
VXI (Petrol)	Rs 3.48 lakh
VXI (O) (Petrol)	Rs 3.54 lakh
LXI CNG	Rs 3.91 lakh
LXI CNG (O)	Rs 3.97 lakh

THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A NEW CAR VS A USED CAR

One would always see finance advisors going recommending buying old cars over new ones. Now this is a universal agreement and there are reasons for that too :

1.       Costs of used cars are much less and with increasing rates on every single thing on this planet, being economic does not hurt anyone.

2.       The insurance on used cars is much lower than that of new cars.

3.       One can often make use of extended warranty on pre-owned cars if those cars were owned for a year or two and warranty on cars easily exceed two years.

4.       Rate of depreciation of cars is the highest in the first two years of ownership. For example : a late-model Honda Accord can be had for the price of a new Suzuki Swift, and a 3 to 4 year old Honda City, Mitsubishi Lancer or Maruti Baleno will go for close to the same price as a new Alto.

New cars fail to fulfil the above criteria. So used cars are often chosen over new cars when one makes a decision of buying a car.

But not everyone will choose a used car over a new one and for them value of a car matters much more than its cost. So even if the cost of a used car might be less, not always is that an issue, since people willing to buy a dream car would obviously care more for the value of the car rather than its cost.

Reasons why people would care for new cars more than used car when it comes to purchasing:

1.       When buying a car, one needs to make sure that the car does not break down soon after a little use. So buying a car, one knows is new and refined, gives him/her the confidence and reliability that the car is not to turn up issues pertaining to it. Also new car purchases often follow thorough vehicular inspections and test drives. So the confirmation for the quality of the car comes from that as well.

2.       Interest rates for new cars are often less than old cars and this turns out to be an important point of consideration when it is time for long term loans.

3.       Resale values of new cars is much higher than old cars and if one wishes to sell bought cars within a couple years of his/her ownership, this proves to be a highly lucrative idea.

4.       Gas mileage for new cars is a lot more than that of old cars and that is something that is worth spending more for because after all the yield and speed are what we all search for.

5.       New cars can be customizable – you can select the features you wish to be incorporated into a car to meet your needs which is not possible with old cars.

6.       Although old cars may cost less at first, but maintaining them may cost a lot more in the long run and that needs to be taken into consideration.

7.       Old cars depreciate at a lower rate than new cars and thus they offer fewer tax write-offs. 

HOW TO BUY A USED CAR

An ever increasing demand for new cars makes an obvious surge in the market for old cars as well. Buying a used car is not the end of the world. In fact, sometimes it is the more logical option. Albeit, there are a few lowdowns of buying a used car of which mental satisfaction and chances of getting duped during the purchase, ace the list.

So the first thing to cross off your plan list when buying a car is – Homework. You need to plan ahead of time all the pre-requisites in your car of choice – what kind of model you want to buy, what is your budget regarding it, what are the features that you wish to incorporate in your dream car and also make sure you are well informed about the source of your second hand car. Deciding on the car model and the desired features probably comprise of the easiest decision. The effort and diligence comes your way when finalizing on the finance part of your plan.Since car purchasing can prove to be a rather emotional event, one may feel carried away and spend more than they plan to. Also the source of the used car should be a reliable one otherwise chances of the car breaking down after a few months of use becomes a common feature.

The next step in the process would include knowing the car history in a proper certified manner. Also to know about the complete accident history of the car of your purchase is very important. For that, contacting the seller’s regular service station or insurance company is the best way out. Also one should be well aware of the warranties on the car and getting to know about them helps one avail the warranty coverage if any.

It is important to know about the car model that one wishes to buy. Discontinued cars should not be bought and prior knowledge about discontinued cars rids one of opportunities to be duped by the seller.

The third step would be to check out the car of choice. Existing problems about the car of purchase can be discovered by checking it out properly. And after that one should verify a number of documents pertaining to the car such as –

·         RTO tax receipt

·         Car registration certificate

·         Insurance

·         Original invoice

·         Finance NOC

One should always remember that when purchasing, negotiations are always entertained and one can easily hassle to get the price he/she wants for the car.

Certain points to remember when purchasing a car –

·         Duplicate keys must be received with the car

·         Brokerage fees should be bargained upon

·         During delivery of the car, a delivery note must be present recording the exact time, date and odometer reading.

·         The car must be received completely services with complete replenishment of fluids with changed filters and belts (as necessary).

·         The insurance of the car should be transferred to the buyer’s name at the time of delivery.

·         Many unpopular cars that may prove to be quite reliable in the long run have high demand in the resale markets and these often become the centre of attention for potential used car buyers.

Know more about Mahindra TUV 300

The Mahindra TUV 300 was launched in the year 2015. This is one of the important launches of Mahindra as this was highly successful. After its launch and different versions of it are coming soon.  It is available in three trims: T4, T6 and T8. The ex showroom price in Delhi for the different variants are as follows:

·         T4: Rs 7.36 lakh

·         T4+ : Rs 7.72 lakh

·         T6 : Rs 8.03 lakh

·         T6+ : Rs 8.29 lakh

·         T6+ AMT : Rs 9.02 lakh

·         T8 : Rs 8.90 lakh

·         T8 AMT : Rs 9.64 lakh

The Mahindra KUV 300 comes in six different colours: Verve Blue, Glacier White, Dynamo Red, Majestic Silver, Bold Black, Molten Orange.

The car looks stylish and classy. It has a rough look in it too. The length of the car is 3995mm, the width is 1835mm and the height is 1839 mm. The wheel base is 2680 mm with a ground clearance of 184mm. It is a 7 seater car with a fuel tank capacity of 60 litre. The interior of the car is well updated technologically wise and is also comfortable and spacious.

The diesel engine is of 1.5 litre mHawk 80 diesel with 2 stage turbo charger. The maximum power produced is 84bhp against 3750rpm and the maximum torque is 230 Nm at 1500rpm to 2200rpm. The transmission speed for both manual and auto shift AMT is 5. The average mileage covered is 18.49 km/l.

According to the trim the features vary slightly. The features of the trim T4 are: HVAC, power steering, power windows, steering that can be tilted, digital immobilizer and ECO mode with optional ABS and dual airbags. The T6 features are: Anti lock braking system, with electronic brake force distribution, keyless entry, voice messaging system, 2 DIN audio with Bluetooth, body coloured bumpers and handles, side and rear footsteps and stylish ski racks with optional dual airbags and AMT. The features of T8 trim are: Dual airbags, alloy wheels, static bending head lamps, electric ORVMs, micro hybrid technology, steering mounted controls, driver seat height adjuster, lumber support, intelli park reverse assist and fabric upholstery with optional AMT.

The Mahindra group offers a number of accessories as paid options for this SUV. The exclusive and premium enhancers are like: Chrome ORVM, License Plate Chrome Steel, Fog Lamp Chrome Steel, Stylish Upper Grill Chrome Inserters etc. The tough enhancers are like: sturdy roof carrier, black machined alloy wheels etc. There is armour body kit and several other interior accessories too. 

Know more about Mahindra KUV 100 and its price

The Mahindra KUV 100 was launched in India on 15^th January 2016. The exterior of the car looks stylish and classy. The interiors are also comfortable and spacious. The length of the car is 3675mm, the height is 1655mm and the width is 1715mm. The ground clearance is 170mm with a wheel base of 2385mm. The mileage of the car is 22.25kmpl/ 25.32kmpl. The fuel type is diesel. The engine displacement is 1198cc. The maximum power produced is 77bhp at 3750rpm and torque of 190Nm at 1750 to 2250rpm.

The interior of the car is quite spacious. The number of seats is 5 and the technology inside the car is quite updated. The car is available in 7 different colours: Fiery Orange, flamboyant Red, Dazzling Silver, Aquamarine, Pearl White, Designer Grey, Midnight Black. The ex showroom price in Delhi starts from Rs 6.37 lakh. 

Buying A Car: What You Need to Know

No matter what you are buying you should think twice before spending your hard earned money. Car buying involves quite a lot of investment and it should not be done in a hurry. Take your time to think a lot and do not buy when you are desperate because that is the time you make mistake and spend more. There certain points you should consider before buying a car.

·         Do not just walk in to a showroom with vague ideas and let the salesperson help you out. A good and detailed homework first in the internet. There are several sites which provide you will all the necessary details you need whether it is a new car or an old car. Try to curb the desire of going to a showroom and opting for a test drive and then deciding which car to buy.

·         If you are buying a car for the first time then do opt for buying a used car available in a good condition than a brand new one. Do not prefer leasing out because in this case you do not own the car but over a time you more than buying the used car’s price.

·         Do not pay money for a brand only. There are many well known companies who present themselves well enough but actually have quite a poor report. You need to choose the car first without paying too much attention to the brand.

·         Do not look at the last year’s model thinking it will be a great option to buy. The technology is being updates constantly and renovations are always being made. Wait for a redesigned model as they will have more features but the price range will be more or less similar.

·         Do not consider buying a car when you actually need a car at that moment. At the heat of the moment we tend to spend much more than our budget and later we realise that the car is not too much of our choice. If you own a car then slowly take time to decide which one you need and also save money for it. Do not wait for the car you are using to stop functioning and then you deciding in a hurry to a new one.

·         Do not make unreasonable demands with the dealer. The dealer will obviously keep a profit and then sell you the car. There is no point arguing and leaving the showroom and creating drama and trying to make the dealer feel guilty that he is making a profit. You need to understand he will make a profit but also do negotiate reasonably.

·         Do not unnecessarily beat around the bush with the sales person. Tell him clearly your budget, what type you want and what are your expectations from it. Before going to the showroom do try to get the loan or insurance confirmation for your car yourself and then go to the showroom.

These are certain points you should keep in mind when you are thinking of purchasing a car and how to go about the entire process. 

The package of profit in purchase of cars

Purchase of cars by the middle class people of India is driven mainly by dream of owning a car although simply harboring the dream in heart won’t suffice for a judicious purchase of a car. In fact, whether a person wants to buy a new car or a second hand car, both have to be accompanied before by adequate research and knowledge about the details of the car’s specifications and most importantly, the car valuation. It is very important to carry out the correct studies related to valuation of cars before proceeding to purchase a car. This is because it is the hard-earned money that the common man is spending and every penny has to be worth it. Here are some crucial points to take care of in order to plough maximum profits from the purchase of cars:

·         The very first that must be taken into account during the course of car valuation is the condition of the car in case of the used or second hand cars. Here, one must be honest about declaring the actual position of the car, the amount of kilometers it has traversed, the fuel requirements, any major damage caused to any parts and the like. No fact should be concealed because this may affect the valuation, which in turn leads to a considerable financial loss of the concerned buyers of cars. The buyers on the other hand also have to extra cautious and meticulous regarding the valuation aspects of the car as well because it is his or her headache after all.

·         Profit is directly related to marketing, which is again synonymous with presenting the car in an attractive manner and also devising innovative techniques to market a car. From the perspective of the seller of a car, this can indeed be profitable because he or she will be able to gather prospective buyers of the car although some amount has to be invested while doing the car valuation of the second hand cars. The buyer on the other hand, gets a fresh look to the already used car as well as becomes aware about the featured details of the car as well. This can assist anyone to decide which car to go for. But then again, fair play is very essential and there must not be any kind of window dressing or over exaggeration of facts with flowery marketing techniques.

·         The seller of the car must be particular with the proper publication of the photos of the car. It is in fact better to go for high definition photos of the cars to project the various kinds of views including the front view, rear view as well the inside views of the car so that the buyer can get an illustrated idea about the cars. This will determine a certain portion of the car valuation that may also increase the cost for the buyer as well although this will be an advisable step for mutual benefit of both the seller and buyer.

With a little bit of tactics, one can always carry out careful valuation of cars in order to have a fruitful result on both the ends.