Gypsy vs Gypsy King

[man23ish]

Me Waiting for Maruti to launch a diesel gypsy, with the nex-gen diesel engine..

[Boom Shiva]

Used to own the original Gypsy with hardtop for many years. This had a 1 litre engine producing 40 something HP. It was still pretty good, but the narrower wheelbase and weight of the hard top made it pretty unstable.

After that we had one of the fist Gypsy Kings with soft top and big radials for 8 years. This had a 1.3 litre 65 HP engine, with a broader wheelbase. Also, unlike the previous version, you just had to engage the 4X4 transmission from the cabin, you didn't have to come out and lock/unlock the front wheels. The power difference was also amazing, and I've ripped that car through some crazy terrain. Spare parts were a big problem though. And the mileage put a nice hole in my college going budget. But I absolutely loved that car and still miss it at times.

The last version of the Gypsy King has the 1.3 litre MPFI engine giving 85 HP, so it would be pretty damn good to drive. It gives better performance and better mileage too. They're tough to find though, because they were mostly only made to order for the army and police. Maybe you could check a police or army auction or something like that.

I suggest if you're going for a Gypsy, spend the extra money and only buy the MPFI version. And stick with a soft top. Ours had an aftermarket A/C and a zipper partition for the front cabin, and along with good tints, it was pretty effective. Don't bother with LPG. You'll kill the beauty of the car.

Hope this helps you.

[.anshuman]

i read this comment in some magazine about gypsy "a mountain goat off the road and a donkey on it",i really find it true.

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by man23ish

Me Waiting for Maruti to launch a diesel gypsy, with the nex-gen diesel engine..

if it was not the army and the govenment departments,the gypsy and ambassador would have been forgotten a decade ago.

[greatmana2000]

the 1.3 gypsy is slightly different from the esteem engine . They use a hollow crank shaft .

[islero]

Do they still sell the Gypsy to the public? I had a hunch it is only made for the military now......

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by greatmana2000

the 1.3 gypsy is slightly different from the esteem engine . They use a hollow crank shaft .

What is the source of your info?
whats the point of using hollow crank. It makes less power than the esteem. I think it mostly the cam and the intake manifold.

[greatmana2000]

well, when the gypsy king was launched ,there was a brocheure and there was also a write up in some mag ,i am not really sure which mag it was ,its been a long time . but ,the gypsy produces lesser power than the esteem in the mpfi version .

[diff_locked]

A Gypsy will take you places where no other vehicle will dare to(at least any other Indian vehicle!). Trust me! Though I must admit that it is more of a mountain goat than a mud-skipper...this coming frm one who swears by the MM 540!!!

[govigov]

since the age old thread is opened, i would like to ask a question, are there FFE's available for the gypsy king?

[gowda79]

that's one good vehicle but for a person who is very tall above 6 foot is not a suitable vehicle

[fx45]

Originally Posted by Revvmaster

Well
Finding a used Gypsy, especially in Mumbai should be tough.
Revv

for you information.. or whoever who is interested in buying one.. there are some dealers who just bought some 8-10 gypsy's from JET AIRWAYS in some auction and they are lying on LBS ROAD at KURLA.. i am sure they may be eventually scrapped but looking at them.. they look almost new and in well kept condition but i am sure those are pre 95 models.

have a check with them.. you may find a good deal.

[Puffdamgcdragon]

U should come to Sikkim. We have Gypsies pouring out of our ears over here. About eight to ten years back, they were the most sought after "Upwardly-mobile-Yuppie-Tough-Guy" vehicle around here. Until Mahindra came along with the Scorpio and Bolero and the govt. started making better roads and people realised that a small hatchback can do most things a Gypsy can and much cheaper and more comfortably, too. Now, everybody's trying to get rid of them and good example Gypsy Kings are going as low as 45 grands...

Even I owned one of the earlier examples with the completely useless 1000cc engine. Used to wheeze and rattle up the inclines. But come trouble and U shift into 4 low mode and lock the differentials, boy, it could climb trees!

Recently I tried a friend's Gypsy after having been spoilt silly driving my Baleno/ bro's Swift for the last three years, and what a scary experience!!!! Felt like it had no brakes, it hopped from one pebble on the road to another and the steering felt so hard (My Baleno with a puncture and totally flat front steers better than the Gypsy.) I was amazed how I used to drive it so smoothly and fast when I owned it. How we take stuff like Power steering, power brakes, good suspension etc. for granted!!

Originally Posted by Samurai

Just a note. I have seen that in USA people who use pickup trucks for everyday commute always have some 200-300lb weight on the backside to settle it down.

Yup, that's the common practise around here too. I kid u not. I had two sacks of crushed stones- Gitti- weighing about 50kgs each that I used to lug around whenever I had to do long distance alone.

I agree with the general opinion here. The Gypsy really doesn't make any sense in the plains and big cities. No A/c, no power anything, choice between leaky, flappy soft top or rattling hard top, drinks fuel like nobody's business, geared to go at max 100kmph, entry to the rear seats requires extensive acrobatics and a horrible ride quality.

But it does look good and macho though. Kinda like the Bullet bike. Just Looking at someone else's one makes U long to own one again until U do finally buy one. Then u remember all the reasons why U hated the previous one and why U sold it....

[ram_hyundai]

we had 2 gypsies in trivandrum-both soft top and both with a sweet exhaust note.one black and other white.i used to stay behind these whenever i got a chance just to hear them roar bye.gypsies are known for bumpy ride because of the leaf spring ste up.any one aware of any after market suspension set up for the gypsy to turn it into a good every day car ,oops suv.
ram

[GSMINC]

BBC TOPGEAR magazine comments about Gypsy : A mountain goat off-road & a pig on road
I guess that sums it up