Quote:
Originally Posted by Pranava VS It isnt a typo sir and it is the 2017 model and that's why all the confusion. |
Firstly, do invest the time. The first step is only to gain information - do not get completely prejudiced against the proposition from the outset.
By and large, a well-maintained, accident-free and properly run 2 year vehicle should be a more reliable proposition than a vehicle stocked at a dealer's for two years.
But:
1. That shouldn't stop you from finding out about the stockyard vehicle.
2. That doesn't mean you can't get a problem-free vehicle via this route.
Let's take a look at what could go wrong in a parked vehicle. These are to the (limited) best of my knowledge - I hope people will expand on this in order for us to arrive at the best possible decision. I speak as someone who is seeing first hand frustration in a close friend about Tata's idiotic dual-tone only top variant move. He too has started looking at the Hexa (which I've been pushing all along from my side) after seeing through the Harrier's apparent exterior charm.
1. Damage to rubber seals/beadings etc from being out in the sun. Easily fixed by changing rubber and topping up/replacing fluids (experts please advise between topping up and replacing). For plastics/leather/interior surfaces and paint, nothing the right application of the right set of products won't fix. The cumulative UV wear of two years on aesthetics is a factor, but pales in the face of discounts IMO.
2. Damage from rodents/water-logging. A vehicle damaged this way is hard to fix properly and is the most common type of chronically unreliable vehicle. Should be avoided at all costs - this is where most horror stories originate from. Off the top of my head, I remember a Kizashi story on this forum. Fortunately, a thorough inspection can give you a good idea about both of these sources of damage.
Now, here's what you need to find out from the dealer:
1. How was the vehicle stored? Is his yard covered (hopefully) or enclosed (improbable) or entirely open (most likely)? Take a good look. Try and look for signs of rodents in the vicinity. Might well be that the most damaging thing it's been exposed to is the sun.
2. Most importantly, as already mentioned by another member, warranty should be from date of your purchase and from Tata, not the dealer. If that's the case, any further issues (arising from sources other than rodents/water) will most likely come out in the (extended) warranty period and be honoured.
3. Full vehicle story. If you can indeed be the first owner, why haven't they managed to sell the vehicle earlier? Is warranty from Tata as new even possible at this stage?
Of course, employ heaps of caution - always remember that this is the easiest way to a horror story. But also that it's not an inevitable outcome - in fact, far from it. There was a time when I too was afraid of such propositions - but while I haven't had occasion to avail one, a hypothetical discussion with more experienced enthusiasts helped clear my mind. It is when we work on general impressions that such fears arise - once we're armed with sufficient information, one can look for diamonds in the rough and still reasonably hope to not cut oneself.
Advantages:
1. Classy single tone look is preserved.
2. Many features are preserved (multi-colour ambient lighting comes to mind).
3. Better than used price.
4. Better than used condition/feel.
Disadvantages (assuming a trouble-free vehicle):
1. Might be reliable as assessed by due diligence, but might still have initial niggles post pre-delivery replacements. You must be ready to make a few extra trips, stand around, have small stuff replaced etc.
2. No 7 inch touchscreen
3. Horrible, garish chrome garnish is pre-applied (hopefully it can be removed/swapped out).
Go there, have a shufti, if things seem okay, go with someone who has more sense and experience wrt this than the two of us, and then finally reject/accept it. And push hard - if it's clean, you could get an already VFM car at a throwaway price.
Cheers, best of luck and I hope you find the right Hexa at the right price.
I hope Tata takes into account the feedback from multiple posts here. It is BEYOND STUPID of them to be doing this dual tone only nonsense. Someone some posts back said "Tata doesn't deserve your money". I can't help but agree. Their marketing and missteps truly disgust me.
The idiot sales guy who had the audacity to chuckle at a poster's suggestion of dual-tone not befitting the Hexa and its target audience sadly seems like the kind of person behind the marketing team as well.