Today I came to the wrong side of the proverbial 'slip between the cup and the lip'
My Brother and myself went SAFARI hunting. We were in the market for a 98 model for under 2 lakhs.
We spotted a SAFARI near a dealers, walked in (incidentally the dealer sold a car to a friend of mine twice, but I never thought of searching with him)
It was a light blue one, Ocotober 00 model. Beige good quality art leather seats and good looks.
Walked in, and enquired about the price, was told it was 2,60,000. Straightaway offered the showroom lady 2,00,000. She said she will call the owner. Then waited there for about 90 minutes, when the owner finally came after saying will be there in 10 minutes for 60 minutes.
Showed me the documents. Told me that the vehicle was his friends' and that he was the third owner, had not transferred the vehicle onto his name, wanted to use it as transport between Bangalore and Mysore since he was a builder, then suddenly fell for the SCORPIO GETAWAY and bought 2 of them. The SAFARI had since become redundant and was put up for sale.
Missed something - while waiting for the owner to arrive, checked the vehicle, could not find anything amiss, no visibility of a shut, started the vehicle, it started beautifully and the engine noise was pure music to the ear.
Finally the time of reckoning arrived. Told the owners friend that was looking for one at 1,50,000 and the maximum I could stretch was 2 lakhs. Only condition was that I had to have it checked with my friends at PRERANA. He forced me to get the vehicle checked at PRERANA today itself, and wanted a commitment to buy from my side before we could discuss the rate. Thought that since he was keen on moving on after he knew that my maximum quote was 2 lakhs, was confident that the vehicle was in the bag.
They sent their driver with me and my brother to PRERANA and ask us to foot the diesel bill. I readily agreed and comandeered the SAFARI. First driving impressions - The seating position is awesome, towering over everyone else (my normal drive is a SIERRA). The power steering was so light and effortless, the vehicle was easily revving, and pulling like a locomotive when the throttle was floored, my smile was wiped off soon. The rear power windows were working only from the drivers side switches, the vehilce was smoking like a rocket when accelerated hard, the air-conditioner was blowing but no cool air was coming and 5th gear was not engaging. Sundry lights and switches were not working.
Filled up 200 rupees worth diesel and felt so comfortable driving the SAFARI. Later on let the driver drive and sat back to observe. The rear seat was really very spacious and the view was like a balcony through the front windshield. The vehicle had 92,000 on the odometer.
Reached PRERANA, the guys took it inside the worshop, was with them when they hoisted the vehicle on the ramp. Now the skeletons started tumbling out of the cupboard.
- The vehicle had a major front left side shunt. It was visible in the detials, the nuts were different, the plastic cadding was not screwed in, the paint was touched up using a brush.
- The chassis was welded and there was a slight bend in the chassis, not visible to my eye.
- The turbocharger was leaking oil
- The suspension bushes were worn out - but no immediate suspension work was needed
- Both the rear tyres were being eaten from the insides
- The radiator cover when opened spewed out coolant like a volcano - which meant that the radiator was blocked
- The sump gasket was gone, leaking oil
- The wheel bearings on the front were suspect.
Then came the small trial, with mechanic and service engineer in the front seats.
- The vehicle was floaty
- The turbocharger had a strange whine - 20,000 would be needed to repair the turbocharger
- Pick-up was lacking.
Overall assessment - The vehicle was not too good and not too bad either. Was valued at 1,30,000, could be extended to 1,40,000 and if I paid 1,50,000 for it, I was a fool.
Went back to the dealer and broke the news to him as gently as possible. The dealer refused to sell it even at 1,50,000
.
Walked away with a heavy heart, told the dealer that he could call anytime and I would be ready with a cheque.
Keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for the call.
My dilema:- I have 2 lakhs to dish out for the SAFARI
, but don't want to be cheated.
Forced to wait for a sweeter deal