I need some serious help, my fellow members!!!
My head is spinning. I am tired of thinking. Simple math is now simply beyond my understanding. And logic as just shattered my window panes and gone for a stroll!! I need help.
Guys, I have three cars: 1. 19/12/2019 purchased Kia Seltos GTX+ diesel Auto
2. 02/11/2022 Purchased Skoda Slavia Active
3. 05/05/2014 Purchased Wagon- R ( I have now Shifted this at my farm house and serves me well there)
I am a businessman who heads a Systems Integration Company in Mumbai. When I purchased my Seltos in 2019, it was a hasty decision as I had to undergo a surgery on my left knee to remove a lump (sizeable. Read: 8.6cms x 6 cms x 4.8 cms) from there. Doctors advised beforehand not to drive (Read: Manual) for three odd months once I get operated. This prompted me to sell my 2012 Hyundai Verna diesel SX(o) driven 1,70,000 kms till then and straight in got this Kia Seltos (Someone's cancellation) in just a couple of days. I had it pre-booked but had to compromise on color and get the cancellation car due to medical emergency.
Loved the car. The overall buying experience and now driving it for three and half years. The ownership being mostly fuss-free and the extensive features have pampered me all these years. The car is driven for 48,000 kms and with maximum of depreciation claimed and interest converted into cost till last year (as I did a pre-closure), there are not many sops remaining now. Mind you, I am not a real-estate guy and I prefer my money being in flexible instruments than in real-estate. This hinted me to look for a replacement for my Kia Seltos. I am one impulsive seller and buyer. Hence, in just two days I could negotiate a deal with OLX Auto and a local dealer. I am offered 14.7 lakhs after all commissions and service charges deducted. My original purchase inclusive of extended warranty was 20.62 lakhs. I thought, till this point I am getting a reasonably good deal as the facelift Seltos will launch and dampen the older Selto's demand and can prompt a price correction.
But here is where I have lost it. I need a a diesel only- automatic car/SUV. I do not have a fixed budget but will refrain from going inordinate. So here I start: I have made some decent progress in life so let me reward myself with one segment higher car
. Checked following cars:
1. Citroen C5 Aircross: Pros: Good Looking. Decently built. Supreme ride comfort. Good Diesel engine and gear box.
Cons: Unknown Service and maintenance hassles, way over-priced, missing features like: Ventilated seats and 360 degree camera, and your money will not have any value when you will decide to sell it.
2. Hyundai Tucson: Ticks most of the boxes in terms of engine and gearbox, decent ride, comfort and features but 40+ lakhs OTR and no badge value. I feel your aspiration takes some hit and will only consider if they offer at least 5 lakhs discount, I felt its that over-priced.
3. Jeep Meridian: I am not sure of Jeep's future in India and that scares me a bit. Engine performance is mediocre and resale value will be bad as well. Not yet a serious contender.
Frustration till now: You are ready to spend 30-40 lakhs and if one car has this, other has got that (I am a Kia Spoilt customer). These cars/suvs do not exactly offer me what I am looking for. They made me enter Toyota showroom and they further pile up my woes.
1. Toyota Fortuner: 47+ OTR and what you primarily get is assured resale value, road presence, good size engine, overall peace of mind. But the ride is not comfortable for that price. Felt the interiors lacked space, are not premium and I feel the climb up will not be appreciated by my family members. The car does feel over-priced and a maximum discount on offer is 1.5 lakhs.
2. Toyota Hycross (Considered because of hybrid): Insane waiting period. 24 months is what I have been told and that too for mid-variants. No bookings accepted for top-end as they are yet to clear pre-booked vehicles is what I heard
And 24- months. Who waits for such long period??
Toyota made me fell dizzy yesterday. Head started spinning. Definitely missed Ford Endeavour today. That SUV would have been my top- contender. I had checked my friends' Mercedes A- Limousine. It does not feel a regular Merc but feels more like a compromised Merc at OTR 53 lakhs. And then if a look further, I feel budget would have not stopping then. Now here is the main frustrating bit. The cars have got costly and yes partly because of our insane tax structure but I felt that these manufacturers are also not being fair either. The real question is and this is what I felt: Does our hard-earned money got any value?
I tend to sweat a lot hence I feel ventilated seats is a must especially when it is hot out. Similarly 360 degree feature in SUVs really help. You look a Toyota's 360 degree and you feel like Toyota does not take its customers seriously when it comes to features. They are like, if everyone is offering, we are offering it as well, but do not ask for quality. Don't be too demanding.
Now suddenly what I have started feeling is that, these cars in the price bracket of 10-25 lakhs OTR make so much sense. My eight month old Skoda Slavia which is decently equipped for a base model is worth Rs. 12.72 lakhs that I paid. Similarly, my Rs. 20.62 lakhs 3 and half year old Kia Seltos is luxury on wheels (compromising safety is not expected and should be criticised) when I look around at other cars. But, aren't we Indians deserving of some global cars with good safety and features and globally competitive price? Is it wrong to aspire and at the same time think about value for money preposition? Are we being unfair in demanding certain things or are we being taken for granted? Which Car or what budget shall I have? or Shall I not sell my Seltos and be happy with what I have (that has certainly started making sense) but aspirations and dreams, what about them? Guys, my head is still spinning and I certainly need some help!
Regards,