Between sumptuous feasts of brand new cars tested, I sometimes think of the used market which is flourishing as a result of the ever increasing level of consumerism. It is now that most cars are seen as poseur’s items, which means that once it is more than two years old, it loses its brag points. The result, very excellent cars go dirt cheap in the used market. If you see the classifieds column on this newspaper and some magazines, you can find some very good examples going for mouthwatering prices. I saw a four year old Ford Mondeo with very low mileage for less than six lakh rupees. An old Accord in Maharaja Gold with 45k on the odo for around Rs.5 lakhs was a good bet too. And did I mention that there were a couple of rare imports for all price ranges?
But that is not where I’m taking you to. What I’m trying to say is, forget the costly imports and luxury cars out there, instead take a look at some of the real affordable deals. For the price of a new small car, you can get a barely used midsize car. Now, please don’t throw an argument that small cars are the only way to drive around in town, but take a look at the large number of people driving big cars and you see that they are not wrestling. Small cars may be easier to drive around in congested areas and park, but a bigger car like the Honda City is not too big to be cumbersome either A new small car is just fine and is the safest choice for the family man, I agree. But what if he has a family of grown up people? Why should they be treated to the ‘spacelessness’ of many small cars especially when there is a bigger car available for the same price, which is nearly as new?
For the price of a new Santro, you can get a properly maintained Mitsubishi Lancer or Hyundai Accent which will serve well for the next four or five years without any hiccups. Or how about an SUV like the Scorpio or the Safari? Well, the fuel consumption will be slightly higher in a big car(offset by a diesel power-plant) and also parts may be costlier but only marginally. So why do I say it is still a sensible idea to go and get yourself a larger car in prestine condition? Well, I have some points to substantiate.
· A big car has better space, comfort and equipment levels than a small car.
· A big car usually has better performance and is more enjoyable to drive.
· A big car always offers better safety features.
· A big car will have better ride quality.
· A big car is engineered to last longer than a small car, so even a used one will be good enough.
· A big car has a better image accompanying it. Please read twice.
Small cars are very well equipped these days, but big cars always are. You can get the essential power steering, power windows, powered mirrors as standard with most big cars while these features are available only in the top end versions of smaller cars. Small cars however large they are, are smaller and can play only second fiddle to a midsize car when it comes to space for passengers and their luggage. Big cars are also safer and their average life expectancy is also longer which means they can endure more mistreatment and still be very reliable for longer periods than fragile small cars which carry the ‘handle with care’ stickers.
Now the last point is what I’m asking you to concentrate on. When you drive around in a big car, you get more attention and respect than you get if you drove a tiny hatchback. Drive a big car to the lobby of any grand hotel and a widely smiling sentry will hold the door open for you and take care of the parking. That will not be the case with your small car which you will have to park by yourself, among other big cars and walk back to the lobby while the same sentry will not be caring too much about your presence. You get elevated among friends and colleagues when you own a larger car. Image does count in some places but it isn’t too costly to procure either.
If none of this excites you, let me remind you about the unavoidable depreciation factor. A car depreciates most in the hands of its first owner. When you buy a new small car, you will be paying for the depreciation which will be around twenty percent for the second year. On the other hand, if you bought a used car, the previous owner would have already suffered the devaluation and you will be suffering only the second reduction which is around ten percent of the already low price. Having said that you can pick up a clean Ford Ikon or Maruti Baleno for approximately Rs. 3 lakhs, have a blast in it for the next two years and sell that for almost the same price. It’s all about making the right choice for your budget.
Used Midsize Cars available for the price of a Small Hatchback
Prices in Rs. as seen for 2002-04models
Mitsubishi Lancer
2.75 to 4.50
Maruti Baleno
2.60 to 4.25
Opel Corsa
1.80 to 3.50
Ford Ikon
1.75 to 3.80
Honda City
2.45 to 5.50
Hyundai Accent
2.00 to 4.60
Tata Safari
2.00 to 5.00
Mahindra Bolero
1.60 to 3.50
But that is not where I’m taking you to. What I’m trying to say is, forget the costly imports and luxury cars out there, instead take a look at some of the real affordable deals. For the price of a new small car, you can get a barely used midsize car. Now, please don’t throw an argument that small cars are the only way to drive around in town, but take a look at the large number of people driving big cars and you see that they are not wrestling. Small cars may be easier to drive around in congested areas and park, but a bigger car like the Honda City is not too big to be cumbersome either A new small car is just fine and is the safest choice for the family man, I agree. But what if he has a family of grown up people? Why should they be treated to the ‘spacelessness’ of many small cars especially when there is a bigger car available for the same price, which is nearly as new?
For the price of a new Santro, you can get a properly maintained Mitsubishi Lancer or Hyundai Accent which will serve well for the next four or five years without any hiccups. Or how about an SUV like the Scorpio or the Safari? Well, the fuel consumption will be slightly higher in a big car(offset by a diesel power-plant) and also parts may be costlier but only marginally. So why do I say it is still a sensible idea to go and get yourself a larger car in prestine condition? Well, I have some points to substantiate.
· A big car has better space, comfort and equipment levels than a small car.
· A big car usually has better performance and is more enjoyable to drive.
· A big car always offers better safety features.
· A big car will have better ride quality.
· A big car is engineered to last longer than a small car, so even a used one will be good enough.
· A big car has a better image accompanying it. Please read twice.
Small cars are very well equipped these days, but big cars always are. You can get the essential power steering, power windows, powered mirrors as standard with most big cars while these features are available only in the top end versions of smaller cars. Small cars however large they are, are smaller and can play only second fiddle to a midsize car when it comes to space for passengers and their luggage. Big cars are also safer and their average life expectancy is also longer which means they can endure more mistreatment and still be very reliable for longer periods than fragile small cars which carry the ‘handle with care’ stickers.
Now the last point is what I’m asking you to concentrate on. When you drive around in a big car, you get more attention and respect than you get if you drove a tiny hatchback. Drive a big car to the lobby of any grand hotel and a widely smiling sentry will hold the door open for you and take care of the parking. That will not be the case with your small car which you will have to park by yourself, among other big cars and walk back to the lobby while the same sentry will not be caring too much about your presence. You get elevated among friends and colleagues when you own a larger car. Image does count in some places but it isn’t too costly to procure either.
If none of this excites you, let me remind you about the unavoidable depreciation factor. A car depreciates most in the hands of its first owner. When you buy a new small car, you will be paying for the depreciation which will be around twenty percent for the second year. On the other hand, if you bought a used car, the previous owner would have already suffered the devaluation and you will be suffering only the second reduction which is around ten percent of the already low price. Having said that you can pick up a clean Ford Ikon or Maruti Baleno for approximately Rs. 3 lakhs, have a blast in it for the next two years and sell that for almost the same price. It’s all about making the right choice for your budget.
Used Midsize Cars available for the price of a Small Hatchback
Prices in Rs. as seen for 2002-04models
Mitsubishi Lancer
2.75 to 4.50
Maruti Baleno
2.60 to 4.25
Opel Corsa
1.80 to 3.50
Ford Ikon
1.75 to 3.80
Honda City
2.45 to 5.50
Hyundai Accent
2.00 to 4.60
Tata Safari
2.00 to 5.00
Mahindra Bolero
1.60 to 3.50
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