Should I buy a car when I move to Chennai?

lola618 · Mar 5th, 2009, 19:19

I am moving to Chennai in a couple of months and I am considering buying a car when I get there. However, I was told that I could hire a driver with his own car, rather than buy a car of my own.

I'm not sure which makes more sense. I will only be in India 2 years and I'm not sure how often I'll need a car, but I like the idea of having one available.

Thanks!

B.

Aishah · Mar 5th, 2009, 19:27

Hello Lola618 and welcome to India Mike!

Some thoughts come to mind with your question:
Do you intend driving the car yourself or would you employ a driver?

Would it in the long run be cheaper to hire taxis, or do as you suggest a driver with own car?
If you think you will be using a car a lot, daily, then it probably may make sense to have your own. It would be interesting to hear from others the going rate for a driver per month (if you aren't going to drive yourself) compared to the cost of using a regular driver with own car.

lola618 · Mar 5th, 2009, 19:34

I don't think I'd try to drive on my own. I'd hire a driver if I bought a car.

Thanks,
B.

luckyshibu · Mar 5th, 2009, 20:51

Hiring a driver for owned car can cost somewhere between 3000-5000rs for Drivers for 12hours -14hours per day, 6 day a week basis for a month. fulltime driver.

ISN · Mar 5th, 2009, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by lola618

I am moving to Chennai in a couple of months and I am considering buying a car when I get there. However, I was told that I could hire a driver with his own car, rather than buy a car of my own.

I'm not sure which makes more sense. I will only be in India 2 years and I'm not sure how often I'll need a car, but I like the idea of having one available.

Thanks!

B.

It depends on how much you want to spend on a car, If you are staying for 2 years you can defiantly break even by owning a car, leasing a car with a driver will cost you more, you can do your math once you are in Chennai by getting a quote from companies that lease car and driver. If you don’t want a full time driver in Chennai you have another option, you can hire temporary drivers by the hour. Here are some resources for you if you decide to buy a car. Can you share with the forum where will you be working in Chennai? Are you moving from Falls Church VA?

A portal of Indian Cars

Carazoo

India Car

Car Wale

Bharat Automobiles

India Car

Indi Moto

Auto India

Car Trade India

Car Sales India

Zig Wheels

India Car Forum

Indian Cars Forum

Easy Drive Forum

Auto India

Automotive India

Additional Resources

Buying procedure

RTO Registration procedure

Insurance procedure

Indian traffic laws

Automatic Karma

Nick-H · Mar 6th, 2009, 00:05

I thought for a minute that you had left Team-BHP out --- but it is under Indian Cars Forum

I feel sure that you must have the largest collection of Chennai-specific and India-general internet links in the world, ISN

Lola... take it as it comes! Do you yet know where your work and home are going to be, and how much travelling you are going to do every day, and what distances are involved? (Err... I think somebody already said that

) It may turn out that foot, auto-rickshaw and occasional taxi suit your needs amply.

Don't rule out driving yourself here. Why not get an International Driving Permit, so that you have the option to give it a try. Do not let the taxi drivers put you off. They are the most aggressive drivers on the roads; you do not have to drive like that.

Having said that, my IDP ran out while I was still plucking up courage --- but the postscript is that I have now driven over 10,000Km in and around Chennai.

ISN · Mar 6th, 2009, 04:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I thought for a minute that you had left Team-BHP out --- but it is under Indian Cars Forum

I feel sure that you must have the largest collection of Chennai-specific and India-general internet links in the world, ISN

Thanks Nick, the amount of information available on the internet just amazes me.

indianbuddy · Mar 7th, 2009, 06:54

I have just reached to city and while searching for a house for myself thinking about weather to transfer car from delhi or buy a 2nd hand cars... any idea on how much is the city registeration cost for my car from delhi.. and other govt road tax etc I need to pay.

Also a moderate cost of not so old Maruti esteem or hondai car?

lola618 · Mar 8th, 2009, 12:07

I'm not sure which part of Chennai I'll be living in yet, I should know by the end of March. I will be working at the US Consulate.

B.

luckyshibu · Mar 8th, 2009, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by lola618

I'm not sure which part of Chennai I'll be living in yet, I should know by the end of March. I will be working at the US Consulate.

B.

so i know whom to contact if i need a US Visa

Nick-H · Mar 8th, 2009, 13:50

Try to live somewhere like Alwarpet or Nungambakam and walk to work!

There is lots of nice residential property within walking distance of the embassy, and although it is directly next to a very busy traffic system, you only need to get a street or two away from the main roads to find somewhere quiet.

Also possible that, during office-travel hours, it might be quicker to walk on those main roads!

indianbuddy · Mar 9th, 2009, 07:12

hmmmmmm I thought my sub question was linking to main thread owner question.. but seems like I could not attract attention to get answer... especially when the owner of the thread turned out to be working for US consulate..lol

hmmmm should I open a seprate thread?

Nick-H · Mar 9th, 2009, 09:46

Perhaps you should, yes.

Are you aware of www.Team-BHP.com? The best forum for cars and driving in India.

Raghu.Kumar · Mar 12th, 2009, 18:10

Hi Lola,

I would advise you to take a car lease rather than outright purchase as it saves your time and energy in driver management and car maintainance. There are a few companies having Pan India presence like Hertz , Orix auto etc who are reliable players in this field.

You dont have worry if the driver take leave as the company would replace the driver and they would also give you a spare car in case the car given to you breaks down or sent for service.

Do let me know if you require any further info and I shall be happy to assist.

Thanks and Regards, Raghu Kumar

Quote:

Originally Posted by lola618

I am moving to Chennai in a couple of months and I am considering buying a car when I get there. However, I was told that I could hire a driver with his own car, rather than buy a car of my own.

I'm not sure which makes more sense. I will only be in India 2 years and I'm not sure how often I'll need a car, but I like the idea of having one available.

Thanks!

B.

mirjamd · Mar 31st, 2009, 00:19

Some of my friends paid Rs. 20,000 per month, for a car that comes with a driver. so no hassle with maintenance etc.

If you are interested in this option, I could find out the contact details.

Mar 5th, 2009, 19:19	#1
lola618 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Falls Church Posts: 7	Should I buy a car when I move to Chennai? I am moving to Chennai in a couple of months and I am considering buying a car when I get there. However, I was told that I could hire a driver with his own car, rather than buy a car of my own. I'm not sure which makes more sense. I will only be in India 2 years and I'm not sure how often I'll need a car, but I like the idea of having one available. Thanks! B.

Mar 5th, 2009, 19:27	#2
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,614	Hello Lola618 and welcome to India Mike! Some thoughts come to mind with your question: Do you intend driving the car yourself or would you employ a driver? Would it in the long run be cheaper to hire taxis, or do as you suggest a driver with own car? If you think you will be using a car a lot, daily, then it probably may make sense to have your own. It would be interesting to hear from others the going rate for a driver per month (if you aren't going to drive yourself) compared to the cost of using a regular driver with own car. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Mar 5th, 2009, 19:34	#3
lola618 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Falls Church Posts: 7	I don't think I'd try to drive on my own. I'd hire a driver if I bought a car. Thanks, B.

Mar 5th, 2009, 20:51	#4
luckyshibu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 224	Hiring a driver for owned car can cost somewhere between 3000-5000rs for Drivers for 12hours -14hours per day, 6 day a week basis for a month. fulltime driver.

Mar 6th, 2009, 00:05	#6
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,180	I thought for a minute that you had left Team-BHP out --- but it is under Indian Cars Forum I feel sure that you must have the largest collection of Chennai-specific and India-general internet links in the world, ISN Lola... take it as it comes! Do you yet know where your work and home are going to be, and how much travelling you are going to do every day, and what distances are involved? (Err... I think somebody already said that ) It may turn out that foot, auto-rickshaw and occasional taxi suit your needs amply. Don't rule out driving yourself here. Why not get an International Driving Permit, so that you have the option to give it a try. Do not let the taxi drivers put you off. They are the most aggressive drivers on the roads; you do not have to drive like that. Having said that, my IDP ran out while I was still plucking up courage --- but the postscript is that I have now driven over 10,000Km in and around Chennai.

Mar 7th, 2009, 06:54	#8
indianbuddy Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 21	I have just reached to city and while searching for a house for myself thinking about weather to transfer car from delhi or buy a 2nd hand cars... any idea on how much is the city registeration cost for my car from delhi.. and other govt road tax etc I need to pay. Also a moderate cost of not so old Maruti esteem or hondai car?

Mar 8th, 2009, 12:07	#9
lola618 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Falls Church Posts: 7	I'm not sure which part of Chennai I'll be living in yet, I should know by the end of March. I will be working at the US Consulate. B.

Mar 8th, 2009, 13:50	#11
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,180	Try to live somewhere like Alwarpet or Nungambakam and walk to work! There is lots of nice residential property within walking distance of the embassy, and although it is directly next to a very busy traffic system, you only need to get a street or two away from the main roads to find somewhere quiet. Also possible that, during office-travel hours, it might be quicker to walk on those main roads!

Mar 9th, 2009, 07:12	#12
indianbuddy Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 21	hmmmmmm I thought my sub question was linking to main thread owner question.. but seems like I could not attract attention to get answer... especially when the owner of the thread turned out to be working for US consulate..lol hmmmm should I open a seprate thread?

Mar 9th, 2009, 09:46	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,180	Perhaps you should, yes. Are you aware of www.Team-BHP.com? The best forum for cars and driving in India.

Mar 31st, 2009, 00:19	#15
mirjamd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 364	Some of my friends paid Rs. 20,000 per month, for a car that comes with a driver. so no hassle with maintenance etc. If you are interested in this option, I could find out the contact details.