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Originally Posted by SS-Traveller @GTO: I would beg to differ with your opinion, as explained below: |
SS-Traveller, I'd never go in for a car that's been standing in the dealer stockyard for a year, and you obviously would. In the end, it all boils down to personal preferences. My point is : Buying a NEW car is supposed to be a hassle-free experience. And clearly, there are too many ifs & buts associated with buying old stock.
To reply to your comments:
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Difficult to comment on this, but maybe the car did not sell because of the recession? Surely it wouldn't be a lemon. That can be only decided once it's working on the road...
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Please check the sales reports of the previous 12 months. The i10 has managed consistently respectable sales and has seen a top 10 position in near all months. In other words, the hatch is a best seller...recession or no recession. A 12 month old i10 dead inventory is more the exception than the rule.
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If the dealer has reset the odo, and it would be easily discovered if he did, that would be a legal offence.
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Unfortunately, and as is commonly known, most dealer test-drive cars have their odo disconnected. And yes, this practice is impossible to detect.
Sure, it is a legal offence. Good luck with a 7 year consumer battle. Plus, you have missed my point of a dealer potentially using it as a parts car. Remember, inventory costs are the highest / second highest (dependent on real estate costs) for any dealership. Many dealers will use their dead inventory to the max benefit possible.
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Sun exposure of paint does cause fading / peeling in some low quality paints, which would be immediately visible on inspection and cannot be hidden/polished over.
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It will never be the equivalent of a brand new fresh-off-the-production line car. Extent of damage will vary, of course.
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Again, flood/rat damage will be evident on inspection/test drive before purchase.
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Could be repaired, yes? But then, are we buying a brand new car or a repaired car?
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The t-bhp PDI checklist will come in handy here for non-technical folks.
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One of the main points of the Team-BHP PDI checklist : Buy a fresh production example!
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Tyres and battery WILL deteriorate, as will rubber that is directly exposed to sun (such as wiper blades), but not those rubber components (such as door seals, rubber pipes, etc.) which are not exposed to direct sunlight. Most rubber components in automobiles are capable now of lasting over 3 years in tropical climates, since they are synthetic (EPDM).
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I'm glad you agree that some parts will deteriorate. As for the other components which are capable of lasting over 3 years, you have effectively lost one full year of the life of the rubber with a one year old car, isn't it?
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The brake system will contain DOT4 fluid factory-filled, and is good for a minimum of 3 years from date of filling, before the fluid needs change - there would be no reason to flush and check the unused system.
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Brake fluid attracts moisture. And even in a running car, most manufacturers recommend a change once in two years. I don't agree with the 3 year time period.
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That will depend on the quantum of discount offered. If the discount is Rs.5,000, I'd say 'forget it'. If it's Rs.50,000, I'd go for it...
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A year old i10 will fetch atleast 25 - 30K less when its time for resale? What is the net benefit then?
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A second owner 1-year-old car would definitely be cheaper, but with a part of the warranty expired, and with greater chances of misuse by the previous owner, for which he can't be held responsible later on. The dealer can and will be held responsible.
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The point was : If I am buying new, I want new. If I want to save, then I can also consider a well-maintained 10,000 kms run i10 that could (potentially) be in better shape than dead inventory from a stockyard. New = hasslefree ownership = premium price.