My Verna - Keep or Swap - Bought Corolla Altis!

My car (Verna CRDi 1.5 ) has recently completed 100,000 Kms. The car has run flawlessly till now and I have not spent more than Rs. 4000 to Rs. 5000 (in any year) for its routine service (apart from tyre change and battery change - once). At the last service following issues were raised by the SA at Hyundai (together with their estimated cost):

1. Front Suspension Overhaul - (Rs. 25,000 to 40,000)

2. Front wheel bearings - (approx Rs. 5000)

3. Clutch and Flywheel Overhaul - (Rs 25,000 to 40,000)

4. Timing belt and associated - (Rs 5000 to 8000)

Apart from the above listed issues I have noticed following

1. For the past 10,000 to 12,000 Kms the turbo has been giving a loud whining sound when it spools up. However there is no decrese in power output till now. (Hyundai Turbos are known to last about 50,000 to 75,000 kms generally - so I can assume it is nearing its EOL) - New turbo will cost Rs. 80,000

2. Gear engagement has become quite hard i.e. the lever jams while changing gears. This happens frequently but there is no certainity or any perticular condition behind this behavior.

3. Bumpers also need replacement (Rs 8000).

The figures quoted by the SA are only worst case estimates. He can tell me the exact figures only if I hand over the car to the dealership and they do a thorough analysis of the car. However I need the car for my daily purposes and as such will not be able to part with it for more than a day or two.

Current evaluation of my car is about Rs. 3.5 Lakhs to Rs. 4 Lakh.

I was thinking that even if I go for first 4 overhauls, the turbo issue will still remain. So junking the car seems to be best alternative to me.

What do you all have to say about it.

If I go for a new car then absolute reliability is a must for me since this is the car for my daily office going. The only features that I care about are - Power Steering, Front two door power windows, AC, ABS and Driver side Airbag. High groung clearance is a must. Also a fuss free and reliable After Sales is required.

99% of the time I am the only one driving. Would like to stick to B2, C1 or C2 segment (compact car with adequate torque). Suggestions are welcome for both - UVs as well as cars.

Sarthak,

Pls Pls SELL  the car immediately & get yourself a new one.

Its will not be worth spending so much on a 1 lakh km run car.

Also, even after you spend so much small niggles will keep coming up & your visits to the service centres will become more frequent.

So, for a new car, why not go for the new Verna or the new Rapid.  

Good luck

@Manish

Considering my requirements that I have listed at the end of my first post which cars will you suggest?

I am not inclined towards a VW or a Skoda considering their reliability record with their D and E segment cars.

Though I have love my current Verna (Never it has failed me and Hyundai service centre here is quite competent) but it doesn't offer any safety features in its base models. I will need to buy needless features (music system, USB etc. etc.) just to have a vehicle with safety features.

Honda City Corporate Edition seems to be perfect but its ground clearance seems to be still low (165 mm in new model). 

Secondly I am still in two minds whether I should opt for petrol this time or go again for diesel?

My running is about 1200 kms per month. However the reason that I like diesel engine is the excellent low end torque which greatly eases driving in almost all situations.

Also soon to be launched Ertiga (and other compact crossovers)look to be good option since they will be more practical than sedans (Good loading space, nice ground clearance and compact dimensions) but they will be relatively new and we will not be able to vouch for their reliability.

What are your suggestions in this regard?

Sarthak , the cost given by hyundai ASS is on a higher side. I also got a quote for all 4 wheel suspension change for 30k. In delhi there are outside HASS experts also who can overhaul turbo and get in shape for another 50k km , you may check that in indore too.

considering your general usage (1200 kms/month) I would recommend selling your existing verna. You need a new diesel car . Since you have a good experience with the HASS, you could go with the new verna which is supposed to be technically better than the older version.

If the ford service is good in your area, then the new fiesta can also be considered as second option.

Sarthak,

Lets go step by step !!

1 . Determine your max budget 1st ??

2. Do you really need a sedan or a hatch back will do ??

3. For 1200 kms, you should be going in for a diesel car , for sure.

Could you pls answer the 1st 2 questions so that we can naroow down your car?

@Manish

Ok then

1. Max budget is 12-13 Lakhs

2. 99% of time only I travel without luggage so sedan is not required as such (prefer them due to larger engine options available)

3. With my current experience with Verna Diesel. I feel that any Diesel vehicle has a large number of unreliable and high maintenece components liks Turbochargers, Dual Mass Flywheels (Used to smoothen out the vibrations from a diesel engine. Every modern Diesel car EXCEPT new ford fiesta is equipped with it (NFF manages with some electronics) - very fragile component) etc. So even if your engine is fine past 100,000 kms, these components lead to significant maintenance.  

Please give your comments over this.

As per my requirements - Reliability, Good A.S.S, only basic feature set and GC.

Sarthak,

At 13 lakhs you need not look at a hatch back.

I will ask you to TD as under:

1. Mahindra SUV 500

2. Toyota Corolla (Diesel). Although you might find it lil underpowered, its one of the best sedans in its class.

3. Toyota Innova - Old Horse.

4. Skoda Laura TDI - Might have to stretch your budget &  a lil expensive to maintain.

5. Chevy Cruze TCDI - Best power in its class. I am not sure, we hear its ASS is expensive

6. Ford Fiesta TDCI - Very very good option with a lot of goodies, a lil under powered compared to others. But since you dont see much on road, its offers an exclusiveity factor (You will see Verna everywhere). Also, promises to be very low on maintenance.

Sarthak, for 1200 kms per month we recommend diesel , but if you can afford a petrol one there is not harm in going for a petrol one. If you keep diesel vehile for 5 years, you will run 72K kms & with minimum saving of Rs. 3.00 /km you will save Rs. 216000 in fuel cost, so even if you spend a lil extra on maintenance there is no harm

Take a TD of all the cars & then you could decide yourself.

1. All these cars (except NFF) are too big for city errands. (Indore's city roads are too narrow as well as congested) 

2. I donot currently intend to have two vehicles - one for city errands and other as regular.

3. Do you feel it is ok if I wait for launch of Maruti Ertiga or Ford Ecosport while using my car as such. How long will it be able to cope now before giving in.

Really hell of a Dilemha... I would go with City. Cause diesel cars are now come with loats of premium. Honda plays very good game by putting city at a very low price, so now all calculations of break even (between petrol and diesel) has been changed. Now you get fully loaded Cit EMT @ 8.00L, so why pay atleast 2-3 lakhs higher for Verna/Vento, with similar features model. Though they might have few extra features  but I believe in investing in Car and not features. Though few basic features should be there, and Honda E has all those required feeatures. If the diesels needs these much maintanence at 1.00L kms, it is better you stay with Petrol heads. They will seve you for atleast another 50-75K without much expenses.

GC of 165 is enough and new Verna has the same GC. So it will not be the decisive factor between the two.. However, SX4(D) has highest GC and if you are fine with it's look and beat lower fit and finished car, it falls exactly between Citi petrol and Verna diesel.

All the best.