Resources for renting/buying/leasing a car in Delhi

newyorker23

I'm moving to Delhi in a few months and need a car. The car will primarily be used to commute to Sonipat several days a week. I have two basic sets of questions--first, any opinions on whether I should rent, buy, or lease would be appreciated. [please note--I've been to India several times and lived there before, so I'm well aware of the insanity on the roads and the risks of driving oneself. That being said, I'm willing to consider it as well as hiring a driver. Really, finances, and to a lesser extent the ease of actually procuring the car, are the key points for me.]

Second, what are my resources for renting/buying/leasing a car? I'd appreciate names of dealerships, contacts, websites and further info on this subject. If it matters, I'm a USA citizen.



Moderator note: Hi NewYorker, I've moved your query here, to the "moving to Delhi" forum, where I think it fits better.

OrangeStreet

How long are you here for?

If more than six months, Your best option is to go buy a second hand Car. That way, you can sell it again when you're about to leave and recoup most money if not at all.

The safest bet is Maruti TrueValue... They have different options.. Check them out.. Good thing is, you can sell it back to them too.

http://www.marutitruevalue.com/buy.aspx

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OrangeStreet

We recently got a second hand car for the lady from TrueValue, Top model of Suzuki Zen for about three grand (USD)

Raghu.Kumar

Hi New Yorker,

There are advantages as well as dis advantages in both - ie. buying a car as well as leasing a car.

If you lease a car, you dont have to worry about maintainance, driver availability, spare car, driver absence , fuel etc. but at the end of the lease, the car is still not yours. all the money down the drain.

if you buy a car of your own whether new or used, then all the above said responsibility will be yours and you own the car and even if you sell it at a depreciated value, its worth.

Now coming to the other question, how long are you going to be in Delhi. is it a short term duration or long term ( more than a year ) are you coming with family ? whats the budget you have in mind ( either for purchase or taking a monthly lease or paying EMI ) accordingly I can suggest the various options that you can consider.

Shall await to hear from you. Have a Good Weekend. Ours has started now being Friday night

Regards, Raghu

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CaribeanGrl

couldn't agree more....they r great, simple and easy

Haylo

How long are you working here for? You can't drive in India on your American license, and an International Driving Permit only lasts for one year, though of course you could renew it if you're planning to go back home for a visit.

I'm also pretty sure that non residents aren't allowed to buy cars.

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capt_mahajan

err, I think Haylo means expats and not non residents. (though I do not know of the rules for expats)

'Non Residents'- or NRIs, in the indian income tax context- are Indians working abroad for more than half the year. They are allowed to buy cars- in fact, in the days when foreign exchange was much desired and there was a waiting period to buy a new car, they had special quotas for doing so. I bought a car once like that.

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Haylo

Sorry for any confusion, I didn't realise that by saying "non resident" people would think I meant "non resident Indians".

You are absolutely right, by "non residents" I definitely didn't mean Indian citizens who currently happen to be living outside India!

What I was trying to say was that I believe that foreigners are not allowed to buy cars or hold Indian driving licenses, unless they have aquired residency status, for example those who are married to an Indian and living in India on an entry visa.

tembo

Yeah, when I purchased my car the main sticking point was the ownership transfer. I had to open an account at a nationalised bank to enable me to provide the RTO (agent) the necessary address proof. Banks like HSBC and ICICI dont cut it.