Quote:
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller @ Fazal & DKG: This is as close a driving impression as I am likely to get without actually getting behind the wheel. Enjoyed the read.
Here I'd like to put forward a few comments regarding how I see the Thar. - My present 4wd is not meant for pure off-roading fun as in an OTR; it's there to act as a vehicle to take my family and me off the beaten track, esp. in the mountains, in reasonable comfort and safety. My previous sedan did not take me places that I wanted to go, hence the current choice;
- However, 80% of my city driving is solo, and I would much prefer a smaller 4wd like the Thar to drive in, rather than a Scorpio;
- I wouldn't go to work in a non-AC soft-top - not in the Delhi summer, not in the chilly winter - and neither would my family ever let me consider buying a soft-top car without aircon ;
- There often are times when I need to go off the highway to squeeze past a traffic jam, and 4wd lets me do it without breaking into a sweat. The Scorp lets me do it, so will the Thar, in even better fashion;
- I wouldn't mind the Thar looking like the 540 - what matters is having basic features like AC, ABS, airbags - and a hardtop that I would prefer to be removable;
- Someone like me would be happier having a smaller vehicle than the Scorpio 4wd with the same competence, since there's no parking space in front of my house. Sell it to me for 10% less than a Scorpio VLX 4wd, with ALL the bells and whistles of the Scorpio included, and I could be a buyer.
The Scorpio 4wd IMO is as good a family off-roader as any, at that price point. The Safari wouldn't have fitted into the space in front of my house, and the Gypsy has all the features that I would NOT want in my car - no PS, no AC, no ABS - and above all, no diesel. Scorpio does my job admirably, except the times I find it's a little too big. Hence the Thar.
THIS family wants go-anywhere ability, forward-facing rear seat and easy parking ability along with the 5 points you noted above!
@adc: You'll agree, I'm sure. |
Absolutely the best summation of the wants of a SUV owner. All the points are exactly same as what I felt driving my Safari. Only I couldn't compile it so comprehensively!
There is just another thing that remains -
LOOKs!
The classic has been a looker, and I feel somewhat strongly about the
"has been". (forgive me please!)
But this one, the Thar, sports largely the same front as the Mahindra Max Pick Up and the behind same as all earlier behinds.
If it could look anything like the new gen jeeps like cherokee or rubicon (I think these are new gen, not very sure), It will absolutely fly off the selves. The old school looks, although charming to a comitted minority, fails to appeal to us (who want a all rounder for the fun - looks - comfort), the real majority.
I am quite hopeful that Mahindra will release a face-lift if this one does well. With modern looks and all the features listed by SS-Traveller, this will fully exploit the segment opened by Premeir mini SUV (I already forgot its name).
However, engine-transmission-performance wise, all the reviews, especially from this one from DKG quite conclusively proves that it's up to the task for
almost everyone - on and off the road. And, for anyone looking for more juice - there's all the mods available to them. I mean if someone can convert a tub of rust from before the histroy books to a capable all conquering off roader, what's stopping him to mod this one to a helicopter?
It's kind of funny and disgusting to see people jump upon any thread that mentions or praises the Thar. This forum has already given its mandate on what it wants -
a practical all round vehicle which can be driven to all rounds or a theoretical flying horse good for the back yard to mechanic trip.
Plus, this forum has stated several times that its the skill of the driver which sees him through the terrain and not the capability of the vehicle alone.