Quote:
Originally Posted by F150 General,
By any chance did you manage to capture the Speedometer readings and the corresponding RPM of admiral during the course of your trip ? |
Hi F150,
No not really. Was concentrating on the lovely landscape and the sheer joy of driving.
Besides was constantly distracted by my two collegemates whose sight kept reminding me of the truth (which I refuse to accept) as to how old one is, despite how young one looks and feels !
Next time perhaps.
Also remember that in one of my responses earlier to Nilanjan had mentioned about the gear/Speedo reading/RPM level or range. Maybe you could check that post. It was quite sometime ago.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdsaab A Fortuner with it's rear wheels high atop a mound of some rubble.
Parked in close proximity to the restaurant.
Some of the perks of owning the T-Fort then.
Perks like these make you so wanna have one.
*Sigh* |
Hi mdsaab,
That *sigh* has been very well expressed !
There have been many times I have faced the same situation - where I have parked Admiral in the oddest of positions and points where normally you wouldn't dream of parking a 'ordinary' (read any other !) vehicle. In the full understanding that the ol' chap can extricate himself from any spot of bother. Dug up road sides, crazy gutters, odd angles...just bring them on ! The high ground clearance, AWD and the 4X4 range system on the standby has some unorthodox usage/s for sure. Hmmm...Toyota's own brand of PAS - Park Assist System for a perpetually dug up city like Mumbai ?!!
Go eat your heart out other PAS enabled vehicles !
Quote:
Originally Posted by charthom
1. Being an all-wheel drive how is the low speed ride-in city? You have written that he rode very well on the high way as well as the city. Is the ride good for a person with bad back for daily basis ride/drive? How stable he is at speeds above 120 kph? And at crawling speeds on pot hole ridden city roads?
And a curve-infected hill road with rough patches?
2. Apart from the bullying ability,how is he as a desirable vehicle? Is he ideal for those who do not off road much but would like to travel a lot comfortably?
3.Many claim that the Fortuner is a glorified Innova. Your unbiased views,please. I stress on the ride comfort part of it.
4. Are not bull bars etc reduce safety rather than enhance it? |
Hi Charthom,
Before I start the presentation of my post-doctoral thesis in response to the Q's raised by you, I would like to state the following by way of statement of facts and as a preamble before I amble along:
A. That by the time I had finally zeroed in or was forced to zero in on the TFort as my next ride - I thought I had evaluated and test driven the Ford Endeavour, Yeti & Scorpio MHawk etc. Externally/internally examined, received all the brochures and details from the dealer and discussed to death (with a rather ill informed representative of the dealer) about the X1. Actually first received the payment terms and then the product brochure !
B. That I am least interested in defending or extolling the virtues of the TFort. And so shall be restricting myself only to how I have experienced the TFort and specifically the Admiral (each vehicle has an individual soul and behaviour, you see !). At best it can be a touch, feel, sense comparision with my earlier vehicles.
C. That I am the least qualified chappie to compare anything with the Innova - as I have no clue of the Innova except the spelling and the fact that I think I see it on the roads - as I have sat in it as a passenger of a taxi just once and also that I can't understand for the world of me as to why it is being compared with a TFort. As the applications of the two vehicles (or at least the intended ones by the manufacturer but now confused by the political class and others), the price points and features are vastly different as I have read from this forum and elsewhere.
That if I carry out the comparision the honourable questioner will next ask me to compare an alley cat with a tiger or worse compare an US Army Hummer (not a civilan H1/2/3) with a Hero Cycle.
d. That I am quite worried about the fact that if the preamble is this long - how long would the main response be ? So I shall be very cut and dry.
e. That I might use this opportunity to go in for a SONA (State of the Nation Address - not to be confused with sauna or sleep) as it is nearing almost 6 months of partnership with the Admiral.
Keeping the above in mind, I state and answer as under:
1. Low speed ride in the city is good. Though I don't have a bad back (touchwood !) I can hazard a guess that a person/persons with bad back/s shouldn't have an issue with the seats as the same is luxurious - especially the driver's seat. However stiff suspension might be an issue depending on the type of back problem - slip(ped) disc/ Sciatica/muscular degeneration/ disc degenration or space reduction/physical trauma related etc. Some amount of shock can pass on to the back is my feeling here. Not sure how it is in the other vehicles. But in a Scorpio, both leafspring and multilink variety, you may have to take along with you - your orthopedic surgeon with X-Ray equipment.
As far as stability is concerned - at high speeds, crawling speed with pot holes - very good (or vaaary dessaant as one Mr Boman Irani intoned in Khosla ka Ghosla). As far as curve infested hill road with rough surface - am still searching for one - shall report back after experiencing the same. Or may be went over some and never felt anything ? Not sure.
2. Desirable ? To my mind and eye - Very ! In a sort of John Wayne kind of a way and not a Tom Cruise ! Rough and ready type and not a city slicker appeal. If you would have read my long distance run reports - you would have read how one can go on and on without any sense of fatigue. Further I haven't done much of off roading - but still want to continue with the old boy forever.
3. As mentioned in the preamble. Cannot/will not/shall not compare it with Innerwear.
4. Actually the appendage in front of the Admiral is hardly a bull bar. It is what Toyota euphemistically calls as 'grill' guard. It is not attached to the chasis/ladder. It actually very light weight and hangs on for its dear life on the bumper with 4 bolts ! The pucca bull bar is indeed terrible, safety wise, for the occupants and the pedestrians in case of a high speed impact. These are bolted on to the frame/ladder and are real heavy mothers. Though it has its own charms in the city to keep away pesky space intruders like autos, taxis and other animals.
And SONA ? A brief one before a full blown one at the next milestone.
After almost 6 months of incessant usage - am just lovin' it. Wouldn't want anything else or any other. Sure it comes with its free supply of warts - but then show me any other vehicle which is blemish free !
I find it rather droll when I read people mentioning poor brakes/ride quality/interiors.
What matters to me is that I am satisfied.
And much of everything depends on your driving style and approach.
And should any issue arise I am sure it can be handled by big daddy Toyota. Though even they have warts and all in good measure.
But then ownership experience is not just the company taking all the initiative - 50% of it is the owner's drive and enthusiasm for the vehicle too.
Aloha !