Sebastian Vettel Sums Up F1 India Success!

As Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel cruised his way to win his first ever Indian Grand Prix it marked as a proud moment for the entire Indian automobile Industry. Despite all the nervous speculation the Indian motor heads have delivered it! What a race it was! Following this successful F1 race both the Indian new and preowned cars markets have something to smile about, all of a sudden Indian autos industry has now made a global mark.  

Here's a read at what the Champion had to say about his impressions of India and his first ever  F1 India experience:
"Q: Sebastian, just sum up the thoughts about this first ever Indian Grand Prix.
SV: It is great, I think, what the people did here in a short amount of time. We heard about it a couple of years ago but to put up this arena is incredible. Surely there are little bits here and there that are not 100 percent finished but now the people know so they will fix that for next year I am quite sure. I think all in all it was fantastic. I am very proud, as I said, to be the first winner here in India. I think it is a very impressive country, very different to what we probably know from Europe, but very inspiring. If you keep you eyes and ears open I think you are able to learn a lot, the way the people handle things here. It is a big country, a lot of people, but sometimes it looks very different but they get along with it and they are very happy here. They enjoy life and in the end that’s what it is all about. If your life comes to an end it is more the thoughts, the emotions, the friends, the friendships you take with you rather than whatever you have in your bank account. Even the people have so little here I think in a way they are much richer than a lot of people back in Europe so there is a lot we can learn and it is a great race, great event. The circuit is fantastic so all in all it is fantastic so thanks a lot to India and all the people here.

Q:  Vettel, we have to say V for victory and V for Vettel. Speaking about India, you say that here people don’t have money but they’re happy, compared to Europe. Is this a very fond memory of the most memorable race of your life so far? 
SV: Well, as I said, I think some things are very difficult to imagine for us. If you look where we come from, I think it’s hard to imagine things if you haven’t seen them. The really surprising bit for us… where sometimes you measure happiness in our lives, in our world, with what you have achieved, what you have etc. For the people here, it doesn’t really matter, they’re happy with what they have, even if you compare they have so little, but they are happy and friendly, helpful, respectful. Obviously I haven’t spent a lot of time here, so I can’t judge as well as people from India, but it was very inspiring when I had a bit of time to spend in the country. I went to see the Taj Mahal which is obviously a touristy thing to do but driving there by car, and not falling asleep because the roads were pretty… it was a good adventure, let’s say. Keeping your eyes open, there are a lot of things which make you appreciate a lot of things much more than you probably do. Yeah, it opens your eyes, as long as you allow yourself to look at certain things, so I think it was an inspiration and something that you should never forget. All in all, it was great to be here, a great circuit, which obviously - speaking about our job, about racing, that’s what we judge most, the circuit is fantastic to drive. I was surprised that the race went by pretty quickly. Obviously I was always trying to keep the gap to him (Button), trying to push but my engineer came on the radio and said ‘twelve laps to go’ and I was surprised because I thought, bloody hell, that went by quickly. It’s a good sign, because you enjoy the circuit and there are some great corners as Fernando said, high speed corners which we usually enjoy a lot, because it allows us to put us on the limit, the cars on the limit so great to be here. Having had debuts in different places the last couple of years, this will be one of the races that settles in very quickly and we will all be happy to come back. Even though there has only been one race so far, I’m already looking forward to next year. 

Q:  When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, he said those famous words ‘one small step by a human being and one giant leap for mankind.’ Any famous first words? 
JB: I think it should just be the winner who has these special words. 
SV: Dhanyawaad… aapki aankhei bahut khoobsurat hai (thank you, your eyes are beautiful). Obviously that’s for the ladies of India. You know the girls, to all the girls in India, you have beautiful women in this country. They have beautiful eyes. 
JB: Beautiful smiles. 
SV: Thank you very much. As I said we all enjoyed it, everyone is happy to be here and happy to come back which is a good sign. 

Q: India has an advertising tag-line which says Incredible India. Would you guys like to endorse it or add to it after the weekend you’ve spent here?
SV: I think I answered that question before already. I agree, yes. 
JB: Yeah, I agree with Sebastian. 
FA: I agree with both. 

Q:  Vettel, we appreciate you have said good things about India but twice you have mentioned that India is different from what you know in Europe. Would you like to elaborate what impression you had about this country before landing here and what differences you found eventually? 
SV: Well, it’s difficult to say. Expectations, you obviously only know from what people tell you. To be honest I didn’t expect anything really. I heard a lot of good things, I heard a lot of bad things. I prefer to come here myself and take a look, so I took a little bit of time to have a look outside the circuit, as I said. Basically what I saw is very inspiring, it’s very different. I think you will find the same if you go there. Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine for us, which is why I think you really have to come here but it’s a country that I think is very interesting to travel around, because I think there are a lot of things you can learn. Some things you have to get used to because they are so different, but it’s not a drama, it’s a different culture, the people are different but as I said, they are very helpful, very friendly and happy, so that’s a good thing. "

For full interview click here. 

Preowned SUV's A Great Investment!

They say Big is Beautiful this is especially true of Cars. SUV's are one the most desired and craved for vehicles today. But when brought from new the basic SUV model starts from around 8 Lakhs which makes it very indefeasible for an average middle class family to afford. 

So how is it that there is an increase in the amount of SUV's on the roads? Does it mean that the people have become rich out of the blue? The answer is, nope. It only means people are making smart investments! It is a known fact that the second the car leaves the showroom it's value decreases. So what most people do is, instead of buying a new car they opt for a preowned car which has many advantages. 

An average preowned SUV starts at much lower price as opposed to the new. If lucky you might even stumble upon a decent SUV like Scorpio or Innova etc. just around 6-8 Lakhs. Even the rather popular SUV's like Endevor, Captiva, Safari etc. are made available at much cheaper rates by dealer who ensure that you only get certified and warrantied cars. If you are worried about the longetivity and the car apperence, fear not as what dealers do is, they refurbish the car from top to bottom in such a way that it will make it harder for the onlooker to spot the difference between the preowned & new. 

So why settle for a small car when you can get a preowned SUV at affordable prices? Make a big impression which is sure to turn heads around.

 

F1 To Paint India Red Today!!

The moment all Indian automobile lovers have be preparing for is finally here. All hell will break loose today with the F1 practice session commencing today!! And from the latest we've heard Louise Hamilton has topped the clock ; Hail Team McLaren Mercedes.


As if that's not enough, the legendary American hard rock band Metallica and the pop genius Lady Gaga are to perform today in Gurgaon in the wake of Indian F1 spirit, talk about India going Global today. These performances are to further add glitz and glamour to the whole event.  


With the best drivers and crew in the town coupled with the Hollywood biggies makes it an extremely proud moment for all Indians across the globe. This race promises to launch as a major player in the global automobile industry. It signifies that India has come a long way since the Ambassador and Fiat days. 


Today India has become a global hub for the preowned and new cars market. With the growing consumption of cars and the latest auto-technology it's only apt that India is now on the F1 map too. 


Here's the complete F1 schedule so you do not miss out on any action! The Chequered Flag is waiting for you so,  Ready, Set, Go....

Indian F1 track is "one of the best circuits" - Karthikeyan

Last week we gave you the F1 race track 3D experience and now this video is sure to make every Indian proud of F1 having come to India.

India's F1 journey pretty much commenced with Karthikeyan. So it's only apt that we hear about the sport straight from the horse's mouth!!

So, there you go,  Narain Karthikeyan pouring his heart out....

Exclusive: This Diwali Petrol Is The Way To Go...

With petrol prices having kissed the highs of Rs 70 mark, the sales of petrol cars have fallen sharply to as low as 20% for the new car sales. Everyone looking to buy a new car is fearful of opting for a Petrol driven car this Diwali. However, we have some good news for you, things are looking good for petrol cars at least for the next few days, thanks to the much-awaited festive season.

To begin with, there are a few interesting and lucrative launches in the petrol segment – with the Hyundai Eon being in the forefront to the Maruti Suzuki Alto, the Honda Brio being the first of the small car from the  Honda clan and the stunningly spacious yet cost effective, Nissan Sunny. Also there is the much talked about Honda Jazz which has been re-launched with a makeover and a revised pricing. 


The great thing about these fantastic cars is that despite being such great deals they aren't demanding a long waiting period like most of the their diesel rivals. Additionally what makes them a great financial investment is that these cars are highly fuel-efficient and make more sense over a diesel vehicle if you are not going to drive over 30,000 kms in a year.

 All these factors are expected to give the petrol cars sales a boost this Diwali – and with the likes of the Hyundai Eon having garnered over 8,000 bookings already, things are looking good for petrol cars – for now at least.

To add cherry on the icing the dealers on the other hand are also offering hefty discounts on their petrol offerings. 

The Indian F1 Race Track Experience

I came across this video earlier today and was totally mesmerized, apart from being a great graphic spectacle, this video as a keen driver had me spinning my head. With 3 sectors and 16 turns it is bound to burn some major rubber. It made me wonder just how good of a driver will you have to be to venture this track. 

The cars used for each of the race are not new, they are used for almost though out the F1 season and yet they can endure a track this like. Our average cars be it new or used I hardly doubt will be able to bare such excursion. So, I thought today's post should be targeted towards all the Auto enthusiasts like me who own an average car but dream of the F1 experience. 

Ok won't keep you waiting for long, enjoy the marvel that this F1 India is going to be!! 

The Checklist Before you Buy a Preowned Car...

 It is known fact that a new car depreciates by as much as 20-percent of its value the second it leaves the dealer. This perhaps the main reason behind the popularity of "pre-owned" cans, it means big savings because the first owner took that initial depreciation hit. That is why so many of us are opting for used vehicles. However for some, buying a used car means taking a big scary leap. The below check list will help ease your worries.

• Research Well - Check all the possible resources and data, including consumer reports and automotive magazines, about the car you are planning to buy. 
• Inspect the Car - Ensure that body parts are well line up, the original paint matches, doors operate easily and that the tires show even wear. 
• Engine Check - Check beneath the hood for leaky hoses, worn out belts, and dingy oil. Make sure that the automatic transmission is clear and reddish, and does not smell burned. Radiator water should have a light yellow or green color. 
• In Car Experience - Turn on the ignition key to check that all of the warning lights and gauges work perfectly fine. Start the car to see all the lights and accessories and make sure no warning lights remain lit on the dashboard. Pay close attention to airbag warning lights.
• Race - Race the engine for a few quick bursts and listen for knocks, look for smoke and make sure the idle runs smooth. 
• Test Drive - Take the vehicle up to 35-40 MPH. Make sure shifting is smooth and steering is straight. When braking, a pull to the left or the right could indicate a brake problem. The steering wheel should not shimmy at high speeds, and cornering should be smooth.
• Opt for a Pro - Always get a pre-purchase vehicle inspection from a qualified and trustworthy dealer. 
• Look for Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles - Dealers will typically perform comprehensive inspections and provide a limited warranty in addition to any remaining on the original for Certified Pre-Owned cars.
• Ask for Vehicle History Report - Most used car dealers should provide a vehicle history report. If the seller doesn't offer a vehicle history report, order one online. 

As new vehicles lose most of its value as soon as they're purchased, used cars make a wise financial alternative. All  thanks to the manufacturing, maintenance and technological advances, they are now better than they ever were and still a great value...

Why Preowned Cars??...

As we set out to buy a car one of the first questions we ask ourselves is should we opt for a New or used/preowned car? With hundreds of new models in the market, and more used cars than there are people to drive them, there are plenty of good vehicles out there ready for an owner and driver.

In the end, it all comes down to what you can afford and will it give you peace of mind?

Well it's very simple, if you're strapped for money, then buying a used car gets you the most vehicle for the least amount of money. You can count on one hand the number of new cars that list for less than 3-5 lakhs. And despite paying that amount all you are likely to get is a tiny car which is certainly bound  to be a manual transmission rather than automatic, no air conditioning, a lack of safety features and few other common amenities.

However, for less than half the price of the average new car, you can buy a fairly less old used vehicle that is larger and loaded with more features than the small, bare-bones new one. Whilst you may worry about your used vehicle requiring maintenance which are possibly expensive there are many company's these days that provide you with certified cars with warranty on most. 

The Advantages of Buying a Preowned Car

• increased choice: Both new and used-car dealers are feeling the side effects of a tough economy. The positive side of this is that consumers win in a bear market; as dealerships close prices of large, used SUVs and even midsized cars are down, and there should be more vehicles on lots due to slowing sales.
• improving reliability: Although used vehicles typically don't carry the same warranties as new ones, the original factory warranty on a new car is transferable to a second owner, usually at no charge. Buyers of certified pre-owned cars from an authorized dealer can purchase a late-model used car with the original warranty and then choose to add to it. The combination of a glut of late-model used vehicles, the greater reliability and durability of vehicles, and the availability of warranties make buying a used car less of a gamble.
• just like new: Another trend that makes buying used a better option is the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. The idea started with luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz and has become a popular alternative for car buyers.