Re: Buying a Mahindra CJ500D/CJ3B @ DHABHAR.BEHRAM
I walked out from the previous sale offer for the CJ3B in the pics given above. Although I couldn't P.M you due to a lack of posts, with the help of extensive reading from various threads from the Team-BhP website I managed to come up with a decision.
Although I was able to bring down the price quoted considerably and also the owner agreed on paying for the tinkering work himself (fixing basic electrical glitches, minor paint patch work). These were the reasons for walking out on that CJ3B.
1) Interstate (A.P) registration. It was still registered under the previous owner. A couple of vehicle dealers I talked to and another driving school agency advised me about the hassle behind transferring to Kerala regn and about the 1 - 1.5 month approx delay, (NOC issued to different RTO region) in getting over with the paper work, even if the owner had all necessary docs with him.
2) The owner claimed that it was a Peugeot engine. I think it is an XDP4.88 ( RC shows 1948cc & insurance shows 2523cc ??). Couldn't make out whether it was any other XD variants. I had posted some pics before, but for some odd reason it never showed up in this thread
3) The exhaust showed up some light-bluish-white smoke when it idled and during driving some sooty smoke as well. I now know that both scenarios are bad.
4) It had a 3spd T90 gearbox with T18 2 lever transfer case which seemed to need a major overhaul.
5) Even after flooring the accelerator, the jeep lacked both the initial grunt and speed. I guess it had to do with the differential ratios which I presume is on 5.38.
6)The paint work was starting to come off and the floor of the jeep's body under the front and back seats have started rusting seriously.
I guess I made the right choice although the final negotiated price seemed to be a good deal with relation to Kerala Jeep prices (although none of the kerala jeepers suggested a reasonable price after making a request !!)
Thanks to Team-BhP and expert jeepers for the innumerable informative posts.
Regards
Anton |