Buying Second Hand Honda City
Buying your first car can be quite a tricky affair, especially with the number of options you can find in the industry. However, it is best if you choose to buy a used car instead of making your first purchase of a brand new one. Although you might have your learner's permit and some experience with driving, taking your car out on the road can be quite different from what you have learned.
This further means that scratches and dents are almost inevitable. Since buying a car is a significant investment, rather than denting your new car, it is best if you practice better in a used one first and then buy a new one. This will also be quite an inexpensive deal for you. This article will tell you exactly what you need to do when it comes to buying a used car and how to go about the process.
Used Honda City by Generation
The Honda City is perhaps one of the most celebrated cars from the Japanese manufacturer and has always been a hit with every rendition that has come out. However, since, as per government regulations, no car can be driven after 15 years of its manufacturing, here you will only learn about the renditions that you can still buy and use.
Fifth generation GM2/3 (2008)
First launched in Bangkok, Thailand, in late September of 2008, this car was quite a hit in the market. A few months later, it was brought to other countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, the Philippines, and India. This car followed the basic structure of the third-generation Honda City but with a wider wheelbase and longer front overhang. It also came with a lower roof than the hatchback, thereby fitting it into the proper proportions of a sedan.
The City was available in a number of four-cylinder engine variants, including the 1.3-litre engine that was able to produce 73 kW HP at 6,000 rpm and a 1.5-litre engine that could do a maximum power output of 88 kW. Both of them were available in automatic and manual transmission settings. There was also a 1.6 litre R18A engine variant available, but this was only for the Chinese markets. With such attention to detail and amazing features, this car quickly became the best-selling Honda in India, later being known as the leader in the mid-sized sedan segment for over a decade.
With such progress, Honda planned on revamping the looks of the 2008 model and launching it in 2012. The car had similar dimensions and features, and all variants were powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that could deliver a maximum power of 87 kW and a top torque of 148 Nm. Later, the Indian market also saw the launch of a diesel variant of the same model, which came with a 1.5 litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC Turbo Diesel Engine. However, the diesel model was not as popular as the petrol variant and was the only manufacturer in limited amounts.
Sixth generation GM4/5/6/8/9 (2014)
The sixth generation of the Honda City in India was the second model from the manufacturer that incorporated the ‘Exciting H’ design language, which could also be seen in the third generation Jazz, launched a year prior. This also won Honda the 'Middle East Car of the Year' award, and the design language can still be seen in the new renditions of the Jazz. This latest generation of Honda City saw a lot of subtle but notable changes, which only made the performance of the car a whole lot better.
Starting from the repositioning of the fuel tank from the middle of the car to the rear meant that the seating arrangement could be lower. This would give a more sporty driving feel. In addition, the roof of the car was lowered even further, helping it achieve a lower centre of gravity and promoting the sleeker design this car is known for. The top variant of this model comes with some premium features, equipment and kits. For instance, it included a touch panel with auto-climate control, a 5-inch LCD display, a reverse camera, four power outlets, eight speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and even rear AC vents. Such features were quite uncommon at the time in this price segment. While the overall dimensions of the car remained the same, the height increased by 10 mm.
Much like most other Honda City variants, this too went through a facelift later in 2017. This facelift mostly included equipment updates like LED headlamps, LED tail lights, and a new chrome bar grille. There was also a new hybrid variant of this car introduced later. The hybrid variant does not add any new features but uses Honda's patent Intelligent-Dual Clutch Drive system along with a 7-speed transmission system. It also comes with a 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine that can put out 97 kW of power and 178 Nm of torque.
Used Honda City - Variants Explained
Honda City cars come in 3 variants and one hybrid variant, namely V, VX, ZX and ZX hybrid. While the petrol manual is the cheapest of all, the ZX hybrid costs about Rs. 8 Lakh more and comes with only automatic transmission. If you are looking for a cost-effective buy, choosing the V variant in the petrol-manual configuration is the best choice. The ZX hybrid variant can save you a lot of money in the long run though.
Steps to Buy Used Honda City Online on car&bike
While buying a used car can seem like an easy task, there are quite a few considerations you need to have in mind before finalising the purchase. Here are some steps you can follow to ensure the best buy.
- Check the engine quality, brakes and tyres
- Take the car out for a test drive
- Look for suitable papers, insurance and the blue book
- Ask about the history of the car
- Once you are satisfied, reserve your car by paying a refundable amount
- You can then complete all the formalities and also opt for used car financing
With these few steps in mind, you will surely be able to find yourself the best Honda City available in the used car market.
