[hisunil]

Xinger,

Nice thread, very concise info on available options.
Alas cannot vote! my Option is not on the list!

Cheers
Sunil

[gsferrari]

I just want to clarify that although I have selected Option #6 "I will wait for the Jimny/similar to be launched", I already own a Gypsy and I now realize that after putting so much time, effort and money into it, I am not ready to sell it. I also realize that I would not get anywhere near the kind of money the machine is worth in pure off-roading terms.

Therefore I would like to amend my choice to Option #4 "I will buy an old MM540/550/CJ/Gypsy/LR/Jonga and restore it" and pick up an ex-army MM550-XD NGCS and rebuild it.

I need to have the option of flying...and crawling in my garage!

[headers]

Surprising, not a single vote for Thar V1 or THAR MDI.

I may buy a THAR if it comes with a HT and AC and 4x4 @ my price point. But what i am not clear about is the warranty claims on suspension and underbody.

CAN I GET my SUSPENSION CHANGED under warranty? especially if I damage my IFS in an OTR environment?

BTW, restoration of old jeeps are also interesting. Thinking of what engine options are available for a 540!!!

[gsferrari]

Originally Posted by headers

BTW, restoration of old jeeps are also interesting. Thinking of what engine options are available for a 540!!!

I am a HUGE fan of Orangie and I would love to get a DCM toyota mill under the hood.

I am, however, also a huge fan of the Scorpio MM540 that Allan got to Palar but the DCM crawls better.

[007 Bond]

I am following gurkha for a long time. But waiting for the OM611 ENGINE G32 combo. once that is on gurkha i will be buying the same.

The present one has got all the ingredients for a true off roadie, except the engine which his very underpowered.

[Xinger]

The poll above shows that restored Jeeps (mostly from their own stable) would be the biggest competition to the Thar, and Mahindra probably also knew this, so they have a comparison ready:






Apart from this, the Gypsy is the only readily-available (well, sorf of) option in the market, so they have a comparo for that too:


source




Can anyone tell me what an old MM550 4x4, mated to a Scorpio engine, restored to a reasonable standard of mechanical reliability and done up to basic fit, finish and comfort levels (i.e. better than the Thar) would cost today?

[Sudarshan]

Originally Posted by Xinger

Can anyone tell me what an old MM550 4x4, mated to a Scorpio engine, restored to a reasonable standard of mechanical reliability and done up to basic fit, finish and comfort levels (i.e. better than the Thar) would cost today?

A new & more powerfull ( 90/100 bhp ) engine will need a suitable & perfect transmission ,to be a reliable ride .

Sudarshan

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Xinger

Can anyone tell me what an old MM550 4x4, mated to a Scorpio engine, restored to a reasonable standard of mechanical reliability and done up to basic fit, finish and comfort levels (i.e. better than the Thar) would cost today?

Under 6 lakhs tops. Without any bling stuff.

[IronH4WK]

i'm kinda stuck with Pajero (not the newer versions). i know it isn't exactly very comfy and stuff, but always wanted one since i was a kid. Jackie Chan influence

[headers]

Originally Posted by Xinger

Can anyone tell me what an old MM550 4x4, mated to a Scorpio engine, restored to a reasonable standard of mechanical reliability and done up to basic fit, finish and comfort levels (i.e. better than the Thar) would cost today?

Originally Posted by Sudarshan

A new & more powerfull ( 90/100 bhp ) engine will need a suitable & perfect transmission ,to be a reliable ride .

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Under 6 lakhs tops. Without any bling stuff.

A scorpio engine - 2.6 - 1L
A NGCS Chassis - 1L
NGT 530R GB - 1L
Mechanical work - 50K
Tinkering painting - 50K
Good rims and tyres - 50K [I'm talking MT tyres here.]

Special Bling Bling [customer specifics] - 50 K

Totals to 5L + tons and tons of time and effort to execute the same.

But the same could be reduced to 4L if sizable numbers are available!

Reliability is based on the workmanship but the above configuration should work.

Maybe our friend Allan could throw more light on the same..

Cheers

[Xinger]

Originally Posted by Sudarshan

A new & more powerfull ( 90/100 bhp ) engine will need a suitable & perfect transmission ,to be a reliable ride .

Sudarshan

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Under 6 lakhs tops. Without any bling stuff.

Originally Posted by headers

A scorpio engine - 2.6 - 1L
A NGCS Chassis - 1L
NGT 530R GB - 1L
Mechanical work - 50K
Tinkering painting - 50K
Good rims and tyres - 50K [I'm talking MT tyres here.]

Special Bling Bling [customer specifics] - 50 K

Totals to 5L + tons and tons of time and effort to execute the same.

Thanks to you all for your replies.

Hmm... 5-6 lakhs for an restored jeep, with no guarantees. Whereas a new Thar + essential addons works out to around 8-9 lakhs, but with warranty and peace of mind (there might be a few lemons even here, but the relative percentage would be very low).

Of course one could go with one of the reputed restorers, but I'm sure they don't come cheap.

Allan, for example, with the kind of creativity and workmanship he brings to his projects, would be charging at least a couple of lakhs over and above cost of parts (which would again be premium quality). So you get a top-notch restored jeep, which is about equivalent to the cost of a Thar with similar accessories (seats/alloys/tyres etc).

So with about the same costs, I would think a hardcore offroader would be better off with going with a reputed restorer and getting it made to his exact specification; but a lifestyle buyer (who would not have the patience or passion to deal with niggles or spend time at the garage) would be better off with buying a new Thar.

Am I correct?

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by Xinger

..... Whereas a new Thar + essential addons works out to around 8-9 lakhs, but with warranty and peace of mind ...

I am not sure if this is the correct assumption you have. I am pretty sure the warranty would be worth nothing the moment you do any mod. What makes you assume this and also the piece of mind?

[sreejeshmp]

What about the RC and insurance ? is it possible to enter the engine number of all this scraped or theft engines ? What will you do in case of any accident ?

[Jaggu]

Yes you can endorse it if it is a legal engine and i dont think 2.6 is the price for scrapped or stolen engines. That you can get for a lakh

[Xinger]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

I am not sure if this is the correct assumption you have. I am pretty sure the warranty would be worth nothing the moment you do any mod. What makes you assume this and also the piece of mind?

That was assuming there were no major mechanical mods done, only things like better tyres/alloys/seats/hard or soft top and of course the ac. Why provide the groundwork for fitting an AC if you were going to nullify the warranty the minute anyone actually did so? I'm sure the same goes for things like tyres and alloys too.

Peace of mind is different when buying a brand new vehicle as opposed to a second hand one, I would think it would be the same when buying a new thar vs restoring a 10-15 year old vehicle.

Correct me if I'm wrong