Re: Mahindra Thar Launch on 21st December 2010. Update: Price on Page 2! Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO From the business perspective, M&M have made the right decision. From the perspective of MOST car buyers in India, the Thar's independent front is more suited. I continue to insist that the Thar is a winner. |
@GTO. The Thar is a very refined jeep, but wouldn't a typical lifestyle buyer want AC/Hard Top/Alloys and preferably after market tyres? This will add about 1 Lakh to the 7 Lakh OTR price of the Thar. How many people are looking for an 8 Lakh lifestyle vehicle? I personally feel that the market is too minute for the Thar CRDe. If they had priced it lower by going for the Legend Platform with a better engine, it would appeal to much wider swath of buyers.
Thar OTR 7.25 Lakhs
Add Hard Top 60K
Add AC 25K
Alloys 25K
Tire upgrade from OEM Bridgestones xxxK
How many of you will buy a 8.25 Lakh for 4 seater lifestyle vehicle, raise your hands?? Quote:
Originally Posted by speedy The bulk of the buyer would use the car on tarmac or at the most dirt roads. The car is perfectly suited to drive you through effortlessly and in comfort. This car is a winner for the ones who have the money and want a hassle free experience.
Now if you ask me I would be spending 7 lakhs to buy it and then another few lakhs more to get it to my liking for offroading. |
@speedy:
For seven lakhs plus you get the basic soft top with side facing seats. At the most you will use it as a runabout? How about the safety of your belongings and keeping the dust out of the interiors? You will want a hard top. This will add a about 60K to the price and whole lot of headache with the Tinker unless mahindra offers OEM version.
Add the AC? If your friend and family complains about having to sit sideways on a bench seat, you will want to change the seating configuration to front facing rear seats. This will accomodate two people at the rear and some stuff. However the entry/exit will be painful as the front seats don't flip like in the gypsy with front facing seats. Quote:
Originally Posted by DRIVEN-TWEEL hey can anyone tell me if 4*4 di comes with the same dash as crde..? |
both MDi version some with the same dash. You can buy the CRDe dash and fit it aftermarket.
@DKG & Fazalbhai:
My debate is not whether IFS & Solid axle is better for off-roading. I don't even want to get into that. My concern is from a cost of repairs perspective if you break the front CV joints, lower arm etc.
In the last OTR at Anekal, I broke my second leaf spring in the front. I drove back to bangalore to papaboosts shop and pulled out the second leafspring from one of the Army MM550s lying in yard and swapped mine out. This was done on Sunday night and I drove back to Chennai Monday morning. If I had broken some major part of the Thar front suspension/drive train. I would have to leave the Thar CRDe at the dealer utill he can source the parts. What do you think will be the cost?
Leave aside the capability. I do agree with you that IFS should suffice for most Indian OTR from a capability standpoint but think about the cost of repairs/fixes if you break stuff...
BTW TLC moved to front IFS for civilian version. But they maintained a solid axle version for heavy duty applications (Defence/UN/etc) A few civilian markets were lucky to get this fantastic LC 105. See attached picture of a TLC 105 Series. The trend of all these vehicles have been to move towards an IFS set up because mostly they are becoming mall cruisers.
The Defender & Wrangler are the last true 4x4s money can buy. Yes, they are not perfect on road, but off-road they are fantastic.
P.S. The photo of the TLC 105 series is from the ih8mud forum which is a great site for TLC owners.
Last edited by 4x4addict : 3rd January 2011 at 18:17.
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