The pre-owned or the used car sector is receiving a huge influx of inquiries and purchases for budget vehicles, mostly under the Rs. 10 lakh bracket. The number of buyers is only increasing exponentially ever since the pandemic outbreak in 2020, with last year reported to be the best year in terms of sales. Feasibly the biggest reason to buy a used car over a new car is the lower purchase price, as the prices for the newer cars have increased greatly, either due to the rising input costs or implementation of newer technology compulsory to meet firmer emission and safety standards. But, in the used car space, procuring a vehicle, within a budget is not too difficult, only if you know where to look. So, we have compiled a list of a few vehicles that you can buy under Rs. 3 lakh.
When Ford launched Figo, the small car segment was growing, and manufacturers were trying hard to catch the buyers' attention. The Figo brought in a new design, decent interior space, notable features, and a competent TDCi diesel motor along with a petrol unit. All of this, coupled with a killer price tag, made Figo an instant hit with the masses.
2013 Ford Figo
It came with a 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine that regrettably did not offer performance and neither did it return a respectable fuel economy. The 1.4-litre Duratorq diesel, however, was a jewel with more than decent performance generating more than respectable fuel efficiency. And thanks to its frugal diesel unit, this Figo was also one of the best-sellers for the company, back in the day.
Price Now: Rs. 1.84 lakh – Rs. 1.95 lakh
We've listed the Honda Brio numerous times in our stories, and yet again features here as well. One of the most durable, practical vehicles of its time, the Honda Brio was largely underrated, for more than half a dozen reasons. However, over the years, the Brio has aged gracefully, now is in high demand in the used car space.
2012 Honda Brio
Today, we are highlighting the 2012 Honda Brio in the S trim with a manual gearbox and petrol mill, as the most value for money proposition considering it's almost a decade old trim. However, if you are looking for a fun-to-drive car, with decent handling, then the 2012 Honda Brio is the car for you. Moreover, the petrol motor offers a balance between power and fuel efficiency quite well.
Price Now: Rs. 1.49 lakh – Rs. 1.58 lakh
The Honda City is one of the most iconic and most recognisable cars in the Indian market, with its debut dating back to 1998, and still manages to register more than 2,500 units per month, even in its 7th generation. However, back in 2011, the company gave the model a major facelift and enhanced the overall package with a stylish design, improved cabin, and enhanced features list. However, it was the 1.5 i-VTEC the star, as it was one of the most loved iterations of the Honda City.
2011 Honda City
With its unbeatable reliability, super smooth engine, slick gear shifts, ample space for a family of five, huge boot space, and fun to drive nature coupled with decent steering feedback, the 2011 Honda City was and still is a value for money proposition, even 11 years since its launch in the Indian market.
Price Now: Rs. 2.60 lakh – Rs 2.76 lakh
The Hyundai i10 topped the sales chart in India, ever since it landed in India back in 2007, and remarkably still garners respectable numbers even in its latest avatar. The Hyundai i10 was also the recipient of the 2014 Indian Car of the Year award or ICOTY as it is popularly known, adding to its credibility as an all-around daily driver.
2012 Hyundai i10 (Image Source: Mahindra First Choice)
The i10 from 2012 came with enhancements to its design, both internally as well as externally, demonstrating a clearer family look. The 1.1-litre 'Epsilon' diesel unit was the smallest unit on offer in the company's then product portfolio and was considered a jewel before the more refined Kappa engines came in.
Price Now: Rs. 1.62 lakh – Rs. 1.72 lakh
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata was the first model to be introduced in India with the company's global ‘Fluidic Design' philosophy, boasting of killer looks, with sweeping back headlamps, HID projector lamps, sculpted front bumper, integrated turn lamps, and of course the slopping C-pillar giving it the coupe look. It was also adequately furnished with chrome strips enhancing its premium appeal among the other D-segment sedans available at that time. The interior too was top-notch with a two-tone theme with dark wood inserts giving the cockpit a pleasant impression.
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata was the most preferred choice of wheels for a business executive.
Add the fact that the Hyundai Sonata was loaded to the brim with segment-first features such as 10-way electronic adjustment for the driver and 4-way electronic adjustment for the front passenger, ventilated front and rear seats, 12V charging point, and audio controls for the rear passengers. Under the hood, we would suggest opting for the 2.4-litre GDI unit that produced 201bhp @6,300rpm and 250Nm of torque @4,250rpm, coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Price Now: Rs. 4.92 lakh – Rs. 5.23 lakh
This car needs no introduction. Despite its conservative styling, the Maruti Suzuki Alto was one of the most popular, most successful, and a best-seller for the company for many years, and even lead the segment up until 2020, before being replaced by the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. However, that did not deteriorate the fame of the car and is one of the most preferred vehicles in the used car space.
2014 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is very popular in the used car space.
The K10-powered version of the second-generation Alto came with multiple exterior and interior updates, however mechanically it remained the same. Power came from the 1.0-litre K10B engine that returned an ARAI-certified fuel economy of 24.06kmpl and was mated to a 5-speed manual and 5-speed Auto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission.
Price Now: Rs. 1.47 lakh – Rs. 1.56 lakh
The Kwid was Renault's answer to the Hyundai Eon, Maruti Suzuki Alto, and even the Datsun Go, in the entry-level small car segment, which makes up huge sales numbers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. And this segment has been recession-proof for quite a few years as well, and things changed drastically with the entry of the new kid in town.
2016 Renault Kwid is a decent purchase.
Renault even threw in everything it had, including a 7-inch touchscreen, spacious cabin, a decent boot space, and SUV-ish looks. Helming the hood is a reworked 0.8-litre engine, to produce more capacity and indeed an extra 200 cc in its 1.0-litre avatar. It also resulted in a power bump to 67bhp and torque at 91Nm, with a very healthy 23.01kmpl.
Price Now: Rs. 1.76 lakh – Rs. 1.87 lakh
