[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by n.devdath

So am I. Will follow your updates from now on. However, if I buy one, I also intend to use it on highway trips, which is where I need more inputs on.
ST or HT, PS or no PS, which ac, what seats? Its a long, long list of stuff to be observed.
Highway speeds and comfort are what my priorities are.

I prefer HT for the security it gives compared to the ST.
The Gypsy doesn't come inherently with PS. PS Jobs are usually after market and some people import parts from the Jimny from SE Asia and do a retro fit. Others plug in the PS unit from the Wagon R and other similar cars. This can be done I am told, but personally, I would not do it. Too many possibilities of retro fit failures.
My last Gypsy had a Sanden 507 Compressor and AC which was retro fitted. Being the old 970 CC HT it used to suffer to handle the extra load of the AC. But it helped, no doubt, especially in Summer. But I will not wish to do a retro fit of the AC into the Gypsy which I will soon be buying. I would prefer to keep it stock.

Same goes for the Seats. Im going to try and live with the existing seats which come with head rests etc. Only if, over a period of time I find that it is hugely uncomfortable, will I consider changing the seats. But I would probably go to a good seat upholstery chap first to see what can be done to enhance/ modify the original seats themselves instead of chucking them out and replacing/ retro fitting them with some other Maruti seats or whatever.

Frankly, if you're looking at Highway Speeds and Comfort, you'll have to look elsewhere - the Gypsy is definitely NOT going to cut it for you on both counts.

The Gypsy is purely an enthusiasts vehicle, an utility vehicle which is unsurpassed in its toughness, reliability, uncomplicated mechanicals and basically, it is ideal for a weekend enthusiast's usage. A daily driver maybe. But it will be difficult, because most of us are used to far better levels of comfort these days. Our points of reference have changed massively since the '80's and '90's!

[schakravarthy]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Some pics please!

Here you go, Rahul.

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

But I will not wish to do a retro fit of the AC into the Gypsy which I will soon be buying. I would prefer to keep it stock.

Quite a few people seem to have fitted the AC and are also happy with the reliability and performance.

I can live without the PS, but without the AC? Naah.

Seats and stuff can be managed as can be the suspension (CFLs etc for comfort) but an effective AC is a must for me.

[Aroy]

Gypsy is not the ideal vehicle for comfortable highway journeys. The closest that you can get to a Gypsy is the Thar which comes with AC and PS and has much better Highway Ride.

Where Gypsy scores is in hills and twisting paths, but definitely not on Highways.

[Desmosedici]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

I prefer HT for the security it gives compared to the ST.
The Gypsy doesn't come inherently with PS. This can be done I am told, but personally, I would not do it. Too many possibilities of retro fit failures.
My last Gypsy had a Sanden 507 Compressor and AC which was retro fitted. But I will not wish to do a retro fit of the AC into the Gypsy which I will soon be buying. I would prefer to keep it stock.

Same goes for the Seats. But I would probably go to a good seat upholstery chap first to see what can be done to enhance/ modify the original seats

HT - Yes, Please keep it as its very very practical even though it does look that great.

AC - On a MPFI, you can go for the variable speed compressor from the Swift. It doesn't sap the engine power. Just ensure you have the electrical fan setup to avoid overheating. This setup never failed. A Gypsy without AC is unbearable.

PS - Totally agree with you. I have heard stories where these PS jobs resulted into over-steering and topples.

Seats - Please dont waste time and effort on the stock seats. Been there, done that and of no use. Replacing them with some firm ones is the best option.

Just my few bits.

Cheers,
Raj...

[shyamkrish]

Hi All,

After driving almost 4000 Kms i can safely say that i dont miss PS. I probably never will. What i miss most is the AC and the suspension. Since i plan to stay long term in Kodai (where i have my home), AC shouldnt be an issue. The only issue is the suspension.

Today i drove the 120 Kms from Kodai to Madurai. When i left my home i saw that the fuel needle was on the lowest bar, so i wasnt sure if i would cover the entire trip with the fuel level. I added fuel for Rs 500 at Kodai itself and the level went up to the 2nd bar.

The entire distance in the hills i was hovering between 40-65 , 90% in 3rd gear and remaining in 2nd, 4th gears. No de-clutch and gentle acceleration. There was only one 5 km stretch on the highway where i touched 120

When i reached Madurai, the needle was still at the lower Bar (infact a little higher) which was when i started (before fuelling). Which kind of means i covered 120 Kms in Rs 500. Assuming Rs 63 in Kodai, iam getting a mileage of 15 Per litre

Is this possible? Ofcourse iam not sure if its 120 km or lesser. But even then i think iam definitely getting a mileage above 13 especially when i dont change gears

[Sawyer]

I have obtained 14 km to the litre on highway drives, so taking the circumstances that don't lend themselves to precise measurements - as you have pointed out - into account, yes it is possible. Note that intervening bars on the fuel gauge can't be used for precise measurements on any car - full tank to full tank is the closest good way that does not involve the use of specialised equipment.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by shyamkrish

Cool_dube,

Congrats on your Gypsy ! Iam already feeling nostalgic about it, having been in the same position 6 months back

Thanks Shyam. Couple of questions:

- What all did you get as part of toolkit? All I got was a spanner, nothing else. Wanted to check if this is the standard or if I was swindled.

- Did you get the strap to be used to fasten the windshield and bonnet when the former is folded down? As per the manual, it should be there but I did not find it in the car.

[shyamkrish]

Cool_Dube,

No i didn't get any of that stuff

I got a cover for the steering wheel and a car cleaning kit given for premium cars. Basically, car polish, shampoo etc

The strap is news to me. Let me know if you get it and i will ask.

The way the Gypsy was delivered to me, it was like i was lucky to get it in the first place and nothing additional

Shyam

[Sawyer]

I did get the strap and still have it, unused.

Mine also came with a jack stored in the engine bay, the rod to turn the jack under the front seat, and the spanner for the wheel nuts.

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

- What all did you get as part of toolkit? All I got was a spanner, nothing else. Wanted to check if this is the standard or if I was swindled.

The jack can be seen in the engine bay in the photo you have posted! I am sure the extension rod is under the front seat as well, and the strap too must be along with the papers or in the glove box.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by shyamkrish

Here are a few photos of myself and my Gypsy happily resting on my farmland and a nice temperature of 25 degrees

Hi Shyam - you seem to have switched to A/T radials but the spare wheel cover is still on. Does it imply that you have retained the OE tyre as spare? As far as I know, the OE spare wheel cover does not fit 215 A/T radials. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by n.devdath

However, if I buy one, I also intend to use it on highway trips, which is where I need more inputs on.

Gypsy is not at all the ideal vehicle for highway hauls from any aspect. I can vouch for this, having driven one from Pune to Bangalore. I thought you already had a Pajero Sport for mile-munching, eh?

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Frankly, if you're looking at Highway Speeds and Comfort, you'll have to look elsewhere - the Gypsy is definitely NOT going to cut it for you on both counts.

Completely agree!

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

Here you go, Rahul

Thanks for sharing the pics. The Gypsy looks deadly

Originally Posted by Aroy

Gypsy is not the ideal vehicle for comfortable highway journeys. The closest that you can get to a Gypsy is the Thar which comes with AC and PS and has much better Highway Ride.

Completely agree!

Originally Posted by Sawyer

The jack can be seen in the engine bay in the photo you have posted! I am sure the extension rod is under the front seat as well, and the strap too must be along with the papers or in the glove box.

Thanks Sawyer! I am aware of the position of the jack and jack rod. In fact, when I was taking delivery, the service personnel who was giving me a "demo" of the vehicle, tried to find the rod for 10 minutes before I told him about the location I am going to the showroom to get the no. plate fixed today, let me ask them about the strap. On the toolkit, I guess all we get is a spanner, not even a screwdriver?!

[shyamkrish]

I switched to 205 AT Geos (not 215). I gave all 5 OEM tyres. The spare is the Yoko 205

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by shyamkrish

I switched to 205 AT Geos (not 215). I gave all 5 OEM tyres. The spare is the Yoko 205

Ah, ok! I believe Sawyer started off with 205 but then switched to 215. In fact, I did not consider 205 at all, based on his feedback. Anyways, I am on 215 now, so not much can be done. But having driven about 15-20 km on the stock tyres before changing over, the Yokos are much much better in terms of ride comfort and overall "feel" of the Gypsy Sadly enough, I will not be able to use the OE spare wheel cover, which I love, since it does not fit on a 215.