[Poitive]

Originally Posted by sahakar

Ohh I am sure they will go better. This was without any haggling, their off the counter rates. While for the dealers that's the final price.

But since they finally procure from the dealers itself, shouldn't the dealers be cheaper. I need to understand how it works.

Cheers

Mate, I am just making a logical guess now. If a dealer makes a sale though such a company, it would be with almost no overhead expenses. These companies would be a bit like bulk purchasers. Hence the dealers would be offering them very different rates. And these companies too would be going shopping to different dealers based on what rates etc they get.

[sahakar]

Originally Posted by Poitive

Mate, I am just making a logical guess now. If a dealer makes a sale though such a company, it would be with almost no overhead expenses. These companies would be a bit like bulk purchasers. Hence the dealers would be offering them very different rates. And these companies too would be going shopping to different dealers based on what rates etc they get.

Hmm, I guess that makes sense. Why can't the dealers directly offer us those rates

Anyway, I have given up for June. Now will wait for July offers and wait / watch. In the meanwhile I am reading thru Reva reviews. I hope I don't start considering Reva

Cheers

[spadix]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

You know what, i would take it between these 3 in your case.
in order of preference.
1. i10
2. Wagon R
3. Ritz

How about a Punto? Wouldn't it better than either of these on the handling and highway safety front?

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Getting the VIN is no issue at all. I once got the VIN of a ANHC over the phone. I never even visited the dealership and for crying out loud he didn't even know who i was.

Honda is very open about giving VINs, from what I've noticed. In general, Honda dealerships will go all out to give you any info you request for (except for their margin on each sale -- I tried to get this but failed ).

It's the other aspects where they aren't that great.

Originally Posted by sahakar

But I fail to understand, that if a direct marketing company can match a dealership offer, hell the dealership should be giving us a much better and transparent offer.

It's all about bulk ordering. Dealers see regular business from direct marking and leasing companies, and so are prepared to give discounts because they get a guaranteed, steady flow of lumpsum cash which they can promptly invest and hopefully earn their IRR/RoI sooner. The ability to plan investments earlier is valuable, and they pass some of this value back to bulk purchasers. Leasing companies for instance get a much larger discount from Honda than an individual - even one working for a large corporate - can. And as you've noted, this is just the beginning offer.

Originally Posted by sahakar

I have one query, is there a way where we can get the genuine corporate discount for each model that Maruti offers. Every dealership i went to had a different number from 2000 to 4000 for A*. Shouldn't corporate discounts be transparent and same across dealerships.

Write to MUL. I think this depends from company to company. Honda sends out an email every once in a while to their dealerships advising them on the corporate discounts applicable. I was shown such an email - complete with details on the exact discount on each model of car to each company on their list of corporate tie-ups - when I was in the process of buying my car last year. It was extremely transparent and standard.

If it's left to the dealers however, it may yet be transparent in the case of some dealers at least, but definitely not standard across dealers. Dealers pushing out larger volumes will be able to give out larger discounts (same logic as outlined a couple of paragraphs above).

Regards,
spadix

[mdsaab]

I am also suggesting from a newbie driver friendly front. Its just that the three above mentioned have a good view of the road ahead and you are perched up higher. Especially with the marutis. This coupled with light controls make these great choices for first time drivers

[selfdrive]

^^ For a first time driver, I would heartily recommend the Wagon R. It offers great road visibility as mentioned by mdsaab and a decent city ride. If you want a diesel, go for the Ritz.

Perhaps I should also recommend looking at some preowned cars if you have the time/ inclination. If you do, see you on the used car price check thread!

[vb-saan]

For a new driver, my recommendation will be to go for the safest option in the price range - maybe a Punto, Fabia or a Figo.

[rrahul_2778]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

You know what.....What's your exact budget?

Wagon I didnt find it fun to drive. Initially I did TD with just me and the sales person, it was ok. Later when I went with 4 of us in the car, it was cramped and car is very sluggish at lower gears. The older Wagon I had previously was damn good.

Yes- between i10 and Ritz is what I have to choose. Anyways I have the VIN number now for the Ritz D, have to check the date of manufacture.

I wanted to have a hard stop upto 6L on my budget (with basic accessories included like body cover, basic ICE, etc).

Originally Posted by spadix

How about a Punto? Wouldn't it better than either of these on the handling and highway safety front?

Originally Posted by vb-san

For a new driver, my recommendation will be to go for the safest option in the price range - maybe a Punto, Fabia or a Figo.

Please dont mind, but I feel Punto, one hot hatch, but cant be newbie friendly. It is safe no doubt. Also its kind of out of my budget. Figo I did a TD, didnt find it as much fun to drive as the Fiat D engines. Petrol I guess other than the KSeries and Kappa, we dont have any strong contenders. Also resale is an important criteria due to the nature of my job.

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Perhaps I should also recommend looking at some preowned cars if you have the time/ inclination. If you do, see you on the used car price check thread!

I did check preowned, but because of a new job and urgent need of car with an infant at home, am planning to get a new one. But somewhere I feel used is better because of limited choice of good samples, atleast beats the confusion I am having at the moment

[mdsaab]

Our buddy selfdrive, picked up a pre-owned Jazz. His jazz has even me drooling over it. Wonderful car with all the goodies one could ask for. BTW it fits in your budget too.

You seem pretty set on the Ritz D now, it's one that won't disappoint either.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by rrahul_2778

Please dont mind, but I feel Punto, one hot hatch, but cant be newbie friendly. It is safe no doubt. Also its kind of out of my budget. Figo I did a TD, didnt find it as much fun to drive as the Fiat D engines. Petrol I guess other than the KSeries and Kappa, we dont have any strong contenders. Also resale is an important criteria due to the nature of my job.

I did check preowned, but because of a new job and urgent need of car with an infant at home, am planning to get a new one. But somewhere I feel used is better because of limited choice of good samples, atleast beats the confusion I am having at the moment

Personally if I am buying a car for a Newbie, I will give feather-lite cars like Wagon-R a miss. And a Newbie driver will not remain in that state forever. In a couple of months s/he will get used to the car and then whether it’s a Punto, Swift, or Safari – does not really matter

If 6 lakhs is the hard stop, I will suggest to go with the i10, or Ritz (since you did not like the Figo). Or even better option is what Mdsaab suggested – look out for a good pre-owned Jazz. And it makes more sense with an infant at home.

[mdsaab]

Ok now don't hit me for this.
i don't want to make you increase your budget, but this is quite a tempting offer.
The ANHC EMT which should work out to around 8L OTR. give or take a couple of thousands.
Now the controls are very light, perfect for the city. It comes with ABS and 2 Airbags as standard.
Quite a good enthusiasts car, so you will be happy with the driving dynamics.
available practically off the shelf
This is just a suggestion, budget comes first ofcourse.

[rrahul_2778]

@MDSaab, I can see you taking me towards a divorce

Jokes apart, 8L for a petrol sedan I may not put despite the coveted H badge. And I have a house purchase also going on in parallel.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by rrahul_2778

@MDSaab, I can see you taking me towards a divorce

Jokes apart, 8L for a petrol sedan I may not put despite the coveted H badge. And I have a house purchase also going on in parallel.

I can understand mate. Stay married, buy a sedan a little later.

[nileshch]

Originally Posted by spadix

Honda sends out an email every once in a while to their dealerships advising them on the corporate discounts applicable. I was shown such an email - complete with details on the exact discount on each model of car to each company on their list of corporate tie-ups - when I was in the process of buying my car last year. It was extremely transparent and standard.

If it's left to the dealers however, it may yet be transparent in the case of some dealers at least, but definitely not standard across dealers. Dealers pushing out larger volumes will be able to give out larger discounts (same logic as outlined a couple of paragraphs above).

So nice to hear that about Honda. VW dealers on the other hand, and VW may be partially responsible for that, are so much secretive. My dealer was originally quoting a 14k corporate discount on the car and was saying this was the company policy. After pestering him with the fact that all other dealers are offering 16k discount, he relented.

[souravc]

Originally Posted by nileshch

So nice to hear that about Honda. VW dealers on the other hand, and VW may be partially responsible for that, are so much secretive. My dealer was originally quoting a 14k corporate discount on the car and was saying this was the company policy. After pestering him with the fact that all other dealers are offering 16k discount, he relented.

Well absolutely not true , all car manufacturers are the same - as good or as bad as the others. I was in the market to buy a ANHC last July / August and the range that I got from the dealer was from zero discount to 20 K discount.

[nileshch]

Originally Posted by souravc

Well absolutely not true , all car manufacturers are the same - as good or as bad as the others. I was in the market to buy a ANHC last July / August and the range that I got from the dealer was from zero discount to 20 K discount.

I was saying this from my experience. What you say could be true. I have not gone to any other dealers other than VW in recent times!