Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO You need to decide if you want offroadability at all. If you don't, why compromise on family comfort? Buy a comfort-oriented SUV instead. |
Granted the Jeeps cannot match the onroad manners of sedans, or even hatchbacks. Here's my situation:
Though I do not intend to take up serious offroading as a hobby anytime soon, the potholes on the Mumbai roads are already giving me a good training in driving on rough terrain.
Currently I am driving to work every day. So I have to pay attention to the fuel bills as well. And though I may discontinue driving to work every day, I would still want to do it occasionally or reserve it as an option.
My daily drive is just me. Also the family outings are approximately once in three months, where I would need the comfort of a sedan/hatchback.
Price is a huge concern at this point of time. Maybe a year or two down the line I could afford a good soft-roader, probably even a Safari that can give me the best of both worlds (as much as possible). But not today. So investing in a new car is out of question.
Of course the best option in this would be not to drive to work every day, which makes excellent financial sense. But then if I were to take that option, I wouldn't be here on this forum.
Next best is either to invest in a used MUV or go for a rebuild of some abandoned Jeep. From all the replies to my queries on different threads for these options, I find that going for a used vehicle would be financially the same as a rebuild. I would have to pay upwards of 1.5 L for any decent Sumo that can be driven. And it would be more than 10 years old, which means soon I would have to pay for all the different maintenance costs. So over a two year period of ownership, this would cost the same as a vehicle that is rebuilt from scrap.
The other option is to get my hands on an abandoned Jeep and rebuild it. While financially it might cost less, there are other issues. The biggest is the legal hurdles. How do I ensure the vehicle will be certified road-worthy by the RTO after it is rebuilt? And would it be insured for daily street use?
For RTO compliance, I have to keep it as stock as possible. While for most parts this wouldn't be a problem, I want to use a more fuel efficient diesel engine in it (probably mated to a 4/5-speed gearbox). This will allow me to cruise at decent highway speeds (80-100 kmph should do), and also help me achieve better FE figures. I don't know if this will be allowed first by the RTO and then by the insurance company.
Then there's the question of finding a reliable mechanic/garage who will not only help me rebuild the vehicle, but will also help me maintain it for at least a couple of years. Apart from the engine/tranny I also want to get disc brakes on the front. So the installation would have to be perfect and serviceable for the near future. So sourcing of parts would also be important.
Even if I were to take it on the highways I am not looking to take sharp corners at 100kmph speeds. I am prepared to drop speeds in corners if I sense I am going too fast.
If I could fit in bucket seats in the front with seat-belts (racing type would also do), roll cage and probably some kind of a closed cabin for the driver/co-passenger, that should take care of my safety / basic creature comfort requirements.
So the cost of a used diesel MUV would be around 1.5 L and the repairs expected in the next two years would be to the tune of another .5 L (I am factoring in the suspension, starter motor, electricals, tyres, a little body work, no painting). While a rebuild would cost upto a lakh including the cost of the vehicle with no fancy mods. Of course there could be changes to these estimates based on individual vehicles too, but that's for my luck.
4WD is something I don't exactly need. But I am not going to tinker with it. So if the vehicle didn't come with 4WD, I won't add it. And if it comes with 4WD, I won't be removing it.
Gypsies are currently out because not only would they cost me more new/used, they can't be changed to a diesel engine. My hopes are on getting a Jeep and restore it, or else find a good reliable Safari / Sumo from a known source.
There is a Jeep lying unused on the highway outside town, which I see every day. After going through all the threads on the Jeep rebuilds I was taken by a desire to go for it, but fortunately the lack of moolah has made me patient. It's a 2wd affair (couldn't see the short gear sticks for engaging 4WD and H/L). Should probably be a typical Jeep rebuild story here, in case I were to go ahead with it. But my intention would be to create a vehicle that will be reliable on road for another two years at least.