Worth it to get a 2023 make Maruti Suzuki Baleno for 1 lakh discount?

Should I go for this or get the brand new Zeta MT manufactured in 2024

BHPian 07CR recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi all, my dad is looking to get a Baleno and he's getting a discount of around 1L rupees on a 2023 Nov Alpha MT model which gets it very close to the Zeta MT model price of 2024. I had following questions around this purchase-

1. Would a third party PDI be able to catch any issues with this car (worried since would it be apparent if the car has been sitting idle nearly 10 months now)?
2. If its a good deal, does one lakh rupee discount make sense or should it be more?
3. Could this be a demo/display car? Dealership denies it, but I don't understand why such a high selling car is not moved out of dealership for about 10 months now.
4. Should I go for this or get the brand new Zeta MT manufactured in 2024?

Here's what GTO had to say about this matter:

The fresh-stock 2024 Baleno itself has a discount of 40-50k IIRC, so the actual difference is far slimmer. Baleno sales have been sliding due to pressure from the Fronx & other cars. Go meet 2 dealers, tell them you are there to close the deal and pit them against each other for a fresh stock car. I wouldn't risk it with a 10-month old car lying with the dealer.

If not constrained by budget, do check out the Fronx for your Dad. He will definitely like it more. I would any day pick the Fronx over the Baleno.

Here's what BHPian ike had to add:

Usually there are good deals to be had on old stock(I bought one myself last year) however in this particular case the Baleno is a car that was flying off the shelves, why would this one sit for ten months. I remember a colleague wanted a new Baleno last year in Chennai and no dealer had any stock despite being a cash purchase, minimum wait was 3 months. If they have a good explanation for why this wasn't sold then get it.

Meanwhile, here is what BHPian R-Six said:

I wouldn't even touch it with a barge pole. A hot selling car from the Maruti stable, Baleno, sitting in the stockyard close to a year itself is a red flag! I mean, people are ready to buy these on cash or even by paying a premium if the dealer can offer ready delivery. So be very cautious if you plan to go ahead with this due to budget constraints.

But before that, do try to get some valid reasoning from the dealer on why no one picked this up yet.

Some questions that you could ask to get better clarity around the decision making:

1. Is it some unusual color that no one really wants to own or seen driving it?
2. What is the current odo? Pop the hood and see if the condition matches the odo reading.
3. How are the tyres? Do they look worn out?
4. Battery condition
5. Has it gone through repaint?
6. Are they open for a third party PDI? I read on the forum somewhere that dealers are not allowing the third party PDI practice. Hesitation in allowing services should definitely raise eyebrows.

Quite possible that the car has been rejected by multiple prospects after PDI session.

And, you already mentioned that there is a tight budget. Don't end up on the wrong side after picking up a lemon just because they gave you a decent discount. The car might end up spending more time in the service center than in your garage which spoils the ownership experience as well as shoot the overall expense.

 Anyway good luck on your hunt.

Drive Safe,

R-Six

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