Changing from my Sonet iMT to a used DCT for 1L extra: Worth it?

I have seen the pics and it seems to be in great condition. It's priced attractively as well, so attractive that I can sell my Sonet and buy the GTX+ and I believe I would need to shell out a max of 1L.

BHPian 07CR recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have a Sonet iMT HTX turbo. It is pre owned and well maintained. It's a July 2021 manufactured car. Condition is great and it works flawlessly and haven't encountered even a minutest of niggles. It's run 16 K kms.

Recently came across a Feb 2021 top end Sonet GTX + DCT ( Old kia logo). Its completed 12 K kms. I have seen the pics and it looks in great condition. It's priced attractively as well, so attractive that I can sell my Sonet and buy the GTX+ and I believe I would need to shell out a max of 1L. I would gain following over my sonet-

• Ventilated seats
• Auto dimming irvm
• Inbuilt tpms
• A 4.2 inch colored MID with more functions (opposed to black and white in my sonet)
• Loaded 10.25 inch touchscreen vs 8 inch in my sonet
• Front parking sensor
• Wireless charger
• Air purifier
• Rear wash wiper
• Mood lighting
• DCT gearbox without paddle shifters
• Connected car tech
• Bose sound system with 8 speakers vs non Bose and 6 speakers in my Sonet

I would lose following -

• Wireless Android auto
• Rear sun shade
• New logo of Kia

I would be inspecting the car thoroughly, and also intend to take it to a Kia service centre and perform thorough diagnostics. If everything looks great, should I replace my current sonet with the GTX+ ?

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say on the matter:

Yes, go for it.

Gtx + also has a better aesthetic appeal like good-looking alloys, red inserts bumper, better interiors etc. Apart from the long list of features which you have mentioned.

These looks and features will help you keep the car for a longer period without feeling that the car is outdated.

Most important- Get it checked at KIA ASS thoroughly and take a long test drive before finalizing the deal.

Here's what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:

The rear sun shade is the immediate useful feature that you would miss. Charging you may not use regularly - and you would have cable based charging option. You can replace the logo, may be ?

If the car checks out, why not ?

Here's what BHPian jaysheth had to say on the matter:

Especially given you are so very well satisfied with your iMT car, I would advise retaining your iMT. Further, I would advise against trading any iMT with any DCT, the former being far more reliable as (the most important factor viz.) transmission technology.

Sharing some further thoughts that might help:

In my case, I wanted a pure automatic so that my wife would find it easy to drive, and even though i20 (or i20 N-Line) DCT sounded perfect for our requirements, I have been skeptical of DCT, especially with ever-increasing traffic conditions and bumper-to-bumper traffic being encountered regularly (I see your location is Pune, same as mine).

Massive traffic jams would become more and more frequent, howmuchever we might hate that! Just search on "DCT heat" issues on Team-BHP. That's what made me steer clear from it (very thankful to Team-BHP members and threads).

In my case, since I wanted a full automatic, I chose Honda Jazz CVT while it was still on offer. It has been a lovely decision. During my trips especially to dense areas in Pune/Mumbai, it is so comforting and reassuring that the car is not a DCT one, and I would never get a transmission overheat warning! I would have had the same feeling with an MT or an iMT as well, but never with a DCT!

A lot of additional features you have listed are a definite plus, but in my humble opinion even collectively they don't give the "peace of mind" that an iMT would offer against a DCT, especially for our weather conditions + traffic conditions. Goodness forbid, but you might be losing the peace of mind you have got today.

This opinion might differ from the mainstream opinion. Best wishes with whatever you finally decide.

Here's what BHPian PaddleShifter had to say on the matter:

One lac is nothing when you compare how much better Seltos is compared to Sonet in terms of space and extra features mentioned by you. You set to lose nothing to be honest as all three features can be added too (logo doesnt matter honestly).

There are three main aspects that you need to factor:

1. Larger size of Seltos in urban traffic and parkings.

2. DCT v iMT: DCT will sure need higher maintenance (overall).

3. Your pre-owned Sonet is already tested to be guaranteed reliable. Buying a Seltos will again bring a period of uncertainty for a few weeks/months regardless of how it feels during inspection.

Whatever you choose, I wish you have a wonderful/ happy ownership experience.

Here's what BHPian TheFonz had to say on the matter:

One lac is nothing when you compare how much better Seltos is compared to Sonet in terms of space and extra features mentioned by you. You set to lose nothing to be honest as all three features can be added too (logo doesnt matter honestly).

There are three main aspects that you need to factor:

1. Larger size of Seltos in urban traffic and parkings.

2. DCT v iMT: DCT will sure need higher maintenance (overall).

3. Your pre-owned Sonet is already tested to be guaranteed reliable. Buying a Seltos will again bring a period of uncertainty for a few weeks/months regardless of how it feels during inspection.

Whatever you choose, I wish you have a wonderful/ happy ownership experience.

Here's what BHPian SeniorC had to say on the matter:

Since your current car is also pre-owned, you could switch to another pre-owned car but get it checked thoroughly by professionals.

DCTs are much convenient to drive in city traffic. Just follow the DCT driving rule of putting your car in N or P everytime you stop. Instead of continuous crawling in stop and go traffic, keep some gap from vehicle in front and move after stopping.

DCT, TPMS, front parking sensors and IRVMs are good enough reasons for the change. Rest other features of DCT are not really relevant but may be good to have.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.