[07CR]

I would be on the lookout for a second car by January next year. I have decided to go with the pre owned route, as I recently tasted great success buying a preowned Ecosport S TDCI for my dad.

Requirements-
1) Should be comfortable for 5 people (1 large adult, 2 medium size and 2 short size).
2) Should have great highway manners. If the car is dynamically neutral, it's fine, but the high and low speed ride quality(yes need both!) should be good.
3) Should be an Automatic. Will avoid the DSG and AMTs though.
4) NVH should be good to very good. This includes the wind and road noise at speeds 100-120 Kph. Looking for a great cruiser, rather than a fantastic corner carver.
5) Should not be spartan in features department. Don't require air purifier, wireless charger, wireless Android auto and stuff, but would be happy with good to have features like remote start of City, and ventilated seats of Elantra.
6) Budget- Comfortable till 12L. But can stretch till 15L if the package is compelling.
7) Build quality should be good. I am not expecting ecosport levels of solid build, but don't even want the Seltos like build.
8) Should be niggle free and reliability should be top notch.

Shortlisted-

Assuming both cars in great condition-
1) 2021 Honda City ZX CVT- Quoted price is 15.7L. I hope to get it down to 13.5-14L. Running 5K Kms.
2) 2017 Hyundai Elantra SX(O) AT 2.0- Quoted price is 11.25L, I hope to get it down to 9.5L. Running 40K Kms.

Dilemma-
1) I am confused if the 13.5L-14L for a one year old City is good enough? Also does it justify the nearly 5L premium over the Elantra?
2) If I go with the Elantra, will I face too high maintenance bills over the City? Since the car has already completed 40K kms, are it's best years behind it? I am under the assumption, that the D Segment Sedans are made for atleast 1.5L Kms of driving.
3) Anything particular to worry about both these cars? Like are the recently prevalent brake failure issues of Creta/Seltos, also a recurring factor in the Elantra?
4) Would be keeping this car atleast for the next 7 years. My yearly running would be around 10K Kms. While the City is barely a year old model, is it worth to invest close to 10 lakhs on a 5 year old(it will be 5 in 2022), Elantra?

Awaiting your guidance here, please do chip in incase you have any inputs.

[narayans80]

If the GC of City is liveable for you, its a no brainer among the above 2 options. You are getting a brand new car, 3 lakhs off sticker price with full warranty life ahead. A D-segment car will have D-segment part prices.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by 07CR

6) Budget- Comfortable till 12L. But can stretch till 15L if the package is compelling.

2015 Camry Hybrid might fall within your budget, this will blow everything else out of water as a reliable and comfortable highway car. They are usually maintained well and kept in great condition. D segment cars truly shine on the highways. C segment cars from Japan are the least impressive on highways.

[anb]

Build quality, NVH & highways manners are average for Honda City. So Elantra would be a better option. Actually for most of your requirements, Vento/ Rapid makes more sense or you could wait for the launch of new sedans from VW/ Skoda.

[One]

Originally Posted by 07CR

Shortlisted-

Assuming both cars in great condition-
1) 2021 Honda City ZX CVT- Quoted price is 15.7L. I hope to get it down to 13.5-14L. Running 5K Kms.
2) 2017 Hyundai Elantra SX(O) AT 2.0- Quoted price is 11.25L, I hope to get it down to 9.5L. Running 40K Kms.

Dilemma-
1) I am confused if the 13.5L-14L for a one year old City is good enough? Also does it justify the nearly 5L premium over the Elantra?
2) If I go with the Elantra, will I face too high maintenance bills over the City? Since the car has already completed 40K kms, are it's best years behind it? I am under the assumption, that the D Segment Sedans are made for atleast 1.5L Kms of driving.
3) Anything particular to worry about both these cars? Like are the recently prevalent brake failure issues of Creta/Seltos, also a recurring factor in the Elantra?
4) Would be keeping this car atleast for the next 7 years. My yearly running would be around 10K Kms. While the City is barely a year old model, is it worth to invest close to 10 lakhs on a 5 year old(it will be 5 in 2022), Elantra?

Awaiting your guidance here, please do chip in incase you have any inputs.

Having decent experience with both, this is a tough choice.

2. Not really if it is a well maintained car. But also that's around the threshold when cars if they want to show gremlins start showing if present. The first 30-40k is honeymoon period, after that if sex is enjoyable depends on the couple - both the car and you.
3. Nothing overtly known or that I am aware of
1. 4. - I wouldn't think in terms of money saved between the two - If I were buying I would think of it as the insurance incase something goes off in the older car between the two.

What would I choose between the two options if I was forced to pick one - the car which made me feel better happier with current condition while conditioning my mind that the old one might:
- Potentially stay a few days extra for repairs (especially considering Elantra parts may not be shared readily available)
- The money saved today between two is not money saved but more cash in hand today for tomorrow's possible repairs. Though I doubt repairs will reach that amount in an Elantra but that's how i would condition myself.
- Might not keep the vehicle for 7 years but possibly a couple of years lesser (though not sure if there is a huge difference between a 75k 8 year old City vs 110k 11 year old Elantra, not from a mechanical standpoint but possible from aesthetic/ niggles/ rattles standpoint).

If I were to choose between the two models only, I would save/ earn a bit more (via investment) and go for a more recent Elantra budget permitting. It feels very very different from the City in a much better way.

And finally if I had to generally choose, I would go not go for the City because I have experienced that segment (good experiences). Will explore something else and bide my time and money (considering it has to be kept for 7 years) to match as new a sedan possible in the higher segment in Civic/ Elantra/ Altis (two out of which are discontinued should work in your favour)

Originally Posted by androdev

2015 Camry Hybrid might fall within your budget

This might be a very difficult find, a regular Camry will easily fit though. If the Hybrid is that old, will need to cater for a couple of lakhs for battery replacement as with normal usage, this is about the time 2014-15 ones are needing replacements.

This is a very good budget for sedans, you should have good options. All the best

[androdev]

Originally Posted by One

This might be a very difficult find, a regular Camry will easily fit though.

You can do a quick search of the market. 2015 Camry Hybrid cars have certainly hit the below 15L price. I know someone buying one in Bangalore for under 14L. Obviously as with any used car, lot of patience is required to find a clean car but the prices are certainly in this range.

If the Hybrid is that old, will need to cater for a couple of lakhs for battery replacement as with normal usage, this is about the time 2014-15 ones are needing replacements.

Do you have any first hand info on this? If this is true then Superb would be having a better resale than Camry. I would be interested to know more about this. Camry Hybrid has just hit the sub 15L price in the used car market and likely to become a very sought after car as there are very few good options for reliable highway sedans.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by narayans80

If the GC of City is liveable for you, its a no brainer among the above 2 options. You are getting a brand new car, 3 lakhs off sticker price with full warranty life ahead. A D-segment car will have D-segment part prices.

Was tilting a bit more towards Elantra, but your point is valid too, as a 5K run city is as good as new. The car would be mostly used on the highways when it's full. On other days, it can be my daily drive in the city, but don't think GC could be a huge issue for me in either conditions.

Originally Posted by androdev

2015 Camry Hybrid might fall within your budget, this will blow everything else out of water as a reliable and comfortable highway car. They are usually maintained well and kept in great condition. D segment cars truly shine on the highways. C segment cars from Japan are the least impressive on highways.

It's not actually. The OLX prices state about 17L for a 2016 make, yet to see one in 2015 in my region. Other issue highlighted by @ONE is, the battery replacement. 7-8 year mark is something when the battery might need replacement, which will result in about 2-3L of expenses. I can bargain for the price of the car, but will need to factor in the additional 2-3L expense of battery too. I am also a bit apprehensive of the maintenance cost of the D2 segment sedan. I am spoilt by very cheap 5-6K annual service cost of the Ecosport and can live with a 20K annual service cost for the other car, but anything above that will put a strain on the wallet.

Originally Posted by anb

Build quality, NVH & highways manners are average for Honda City. So Elantra would be a better option. Actually for most of your requirements, Vento/ Rapid makes more sense or you could wait for the launch of new sedans from VW/ Skoda.

Vento/Rapid are too old for my tastes. I don't think either of these will fit our family of 5? And lastly, I am apprehensive about the niggles and reliability of the VW group DSGs.
Looking at the atrocious pricing of Kushaq/Taigun, I am sure the VW group will again go for premium pricing of their so called "Indianised" new sedans.

Originally Posted by One

This is a very good budget for sedans, you should have good options. All the best

Thanks you made some valid points. I am tilting more towards Elantra. I could not find any recent makes. Was able to find one facelifted Elantra (2019), but I hate it's looks and it's quoted price is 19L. That said, will be on the lookout for a more recent version.

[One]

Originally Posted by androdev

Do you have any first hand info on this? If this is true then Superb would be having a better resale than Camry. I would be interested to know more about this. Camry Hybrid has just hit the sub 15L price in the used car market and likely to become a very sought after car as there are very few good options for reliable highway sedans.

Yes, few months back was scouting for these. Two vehicles from four I saw in the 14-15 period had this changed. Also I think in the two Camry threads we have, there are 3-4 folks who have mentioned a change.

That rate of 14 L for a 2015 model is pretty good assuming everything is in place- the new battery cost though will be something I would keep in mind while considering the price.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by 07CR

Was tilting a bit more towards Elantra

You might have to look at Elantra part prices. On a 7 year old Corolla, I spent about 80-100K in the 14 months on maintenance (approximately 22k) and parts. I drove 22000 kms during the time period.

If you are a heavy highway user like me, you may want to set aside an amount for such expenses.

On the flip side, you may also want to dig on why the City owner is selling a 5000 km car.

[One]

Originally Posted by 07CR

I am also a bit apprehensive of the maintenance cost of the D2 segment sedan. I am spoilt by very cheap 5-6K annual service cost of the Ecosport and can live with a 20K annual service cost for the other car, but anything above that will put a strain on the wallet.
.

The last service of the last Camry I saw was ₹24776, don't know why I remember that odd number. It was the 5th though so I was told a bit more than earlier ones (which I can't seem to remember, must have been a round figure )

[viXit]

From my experience as a city owner... Avoid the city.

The parts quality and build has gone down the drain and people at Honda ASS themselves are telling people to buy something else. Took my amaze for service and had a lengthy discussion with the employees.

Too many tiny niggles that will irritate you and eventually make your car feel old and problematic. I can't stand it. But I can't afford to repair every small bit and bob either. So carrying on. The elantra is a good option. But the city won't make sense unless there's low running.

Also a rust magnet honda cars are. My city is parked in a dry covered and closed parking. No leaves, no dust, no water. Yet it rusts where the roof meets the A pillar.

[mohitchalla]

In this budget you can go for a used Corolla Altis. It is a bigger and more comfortable car.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by viXit

From my experience as a city owner... Avoid the city.

My father had a Honda Amaze I DTEC, earlier (2013-2020). Mechanically the car was sound. No issues with gearbox,steering, any electrical switches,engine whatsoever. Heck the car delivered a delightful 26 KMPL on it's last day post nearly 1.1L kms!

However, it wasn't really a desirable product. Be it the rattles, nvh, headlamps, lack of features, suspension (needed replacement almost every 10K km, post 80K kms), and the average annual maintenace bill exceeded about 35K post the 5th year! Looking at your experience, believe Honda has cut corners with the city as well. However, is it your's the 5th Gen city, and the negative feedback you received was for the 5th Gen?

Originally Posted by mohitchalla

In this budget you can go for a used Corolla Altis. It is a bigger and more comfortable car.

I considered the Corolla for a while, however, the latest gen that was on sale has some shockingly high quoted price for the 2017 VL AT model (14.85L). Despite the T Badge, I don't feel Corolla, with the specs it offers, should be at best, slightly more expensive than the Elantra.

[viXit]

Originally Posted by 07CR

, is it your's the 5th Gen city, and the negative feedback you received was for the 5th Gen?

Mine is a 4th gen city.
Steering wheel buttons illumination doesn't work, AC has some sound coming from it, and music system volume increases all of a sudden while changing tracks.

All OEM fitment. No modifications.

I even have an amaze. Lot of issues in that. But the engine and gearbox are robust. Not a single squeak or rattle. Rest of the cabin will fall apart anyday

[car_guy1998]

I would suggest you go for Elantra as the interior looks premium than City and has better build quality than City though being a 4 year old model.

The only grouse with the Elantra is its fuel efficiency. You may not get good FE as City but if you don't care much about the FE, then Elantra it is.

Since you are looking for Elantra, why not look for pre-owned Corolla Altis as well? Yes, it might be boring to drive and expensive to purchase, but Toyota's reliability is unmatched and service costs are reasonable as well and rear seat is quite comfortable.

P.S: I'm a 4th gen City owner, who might be looking for the replacement soon with an AT car, but, still, I couldn't find replacement for my City yet in terms of rear seat space and mileage (mine is a 2014 Diesel version and has run 1,15,000 Kms and I'm getting 17-18 Kmpl in city traffic despite being a 7 year old car).