Quote:
Originally Posted by v12 I would say the Pajero and the Land cruiser would be the top options considering the large numbers they were sold in / imported.i think spares for these also can be procured very easily. Pajero and LCs are available dime a dozen in the used car market. |
That's what I noticed while searching.
Quote:
I haven't seen many Isuzu Trooper and Patrols - probably they also could be a good choice.
|
Well they do come up once in a while.
Quote:
A decently maintained Pajero / Landcruissr / LX470 will easily cost you in the range of 10-15 lakhs. And mind you, all these would be 10+ year old vehicles and you would have to spend a couple of lakhs more in doing then up.
|
I was looking for older vehicles more in the region of 4-5 L. Just basically running vehicles. Not looking to do up or modify but more like Buy Cheap - Use/Abuse - Sell/Scrap.
Quote:
If you have that kind of a budget, you could go for a brand new vehicle like the Isuzu D Max V Cross.
|
Actually I just picked up an X1. It can't do the things the above SUV's or a V Cross can. Well even if it can I don't intend taking the risk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by agambhandari Pajero would be the obvious choice IMO, simply because it sold in large numbers and it will be easier to get parts everywhere. A pajero will also be cheaper than say a LC or a Patrol. |
Correct. The idea actually came up after reading Tejus' Pajero thread. Also checked out Harjeev's and Khan Sultan's LC threads.
Quote:
Don't pick the X trail as its neither here, nor there kind of car. Vitara is good off road, but again the spares are very expensive, but at least available.
|
These only came into the picture because of the prices I saw them being sold at.
Quote:
P.S. Please mention the budget as well. If its anywhere close to 10 lacs, just close your eyes and get a Fortuner. The early models were 4x4 MT, so will be well suited
|
Well as mentioned earlier the budget is 4-5. Basically cars that have already taken the max depriciation hit. Something that I can easily sell at a throwaway price and still not make much of a loss.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benu9714 In the Middle East, the "off-road experts" choose a short wheelbase petrol Pajero as the best off-road car because it is nimble, doesn't get stuck on sand dunes, has a very good power/weight ratio and has high reliability. |
This model will be almost impossible to find in India.
Quote:
The Land Cruiser is a bit too big. Of course, the old straight six 4.5 liter petrol engine has tremendous low end torque to haul the heavy car up any slope. If you don't mind the size (e.g. if you plan on carrying several people) it is a good choice, too.
|
I know size is a problem but then it's not going to be my daily drive. Just going to be driving it around the countryside, hills and maybe crossing a few streams (not the extreme stuff seen in some of the OTR threads here). Other things would be hauling around stuff (my new house is under construction) and the regular coconut plucking trips.
Quote:
Yes, I had a Nissan X-Trail for seven years. It can go off-road, but is is not really an off-road car. As agambhandari said, it is a "neither here nor there" car.
|
I came close to buying one. The Leela Hotel was selling 4 and 4 of us friends went and made an offer for all 4. Didn't manage to get them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IshaanIan For mild off-roading the Grand Vitara ought to be more than adequate. It is far more capable than a mere X-Trail and is extremely reliable, easy and cheap to maintain so don't disclude it from your list of options. Try to get a 2.4L |
I'm looking out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO Honestly, the options among India-built cars are so good now that I wouldn't consider a grey-market import (dodgy papers, ownership, rolled-back odometers, no service history etc.). |
The grey import idea was basically to have something that was not available. Indian built are good now but then resale is also quite high. Dodgy papers are a concern. Can you elaborate what exactly is dodgy about the papers of these imports? Rolled back odometers and no service history is also a big problem not only for these but most cars in the market. However I assumed these vehicle were built to withstand such abuse.
4-5 L
Quote:
If you're looking at 2003 models, do keep in mind that you must have an appetite for risk and the time for finding spares + repairs. End of the day, you're talking about buying a 15 year old well-worn car.
|
I am aware of that but 2 factors tempted me to explore this option.
- The 4 SUV's here are know to take a lot of abuse.
- Some of the threads by people of went this route have managed to get spares quite easily.
Quote:
If tight on budget, I'd recommend holding the purchase, increasing the $$$ after saving up and buying a newer Fortuner, Pajero (Indian CKD), Endeavour or similar.
|
This is option 2 though I'd probably skip the Fortuner due to the high resale.
Quote:
If due diligence isn't followed, a 5 lakh used car can quickly become a 9 lakh one (with repairs), and a 10 lakh import can quickly become a 15 lakh car.
|
Well posting on Team BHP, reading the advise of guys here and only attempting to do something that someone has already done before taking the plunge is my idea of Due Diligence. That's the reason I'm posting this thread rather than an ownership thread with all the problems I'm facing after the impulsive buy.
Quote:
80 & 100 Series Landcruisers and Nissan Patrols are only for fans of the model. If you have no such affinity, buy newer, locally built ones for peace of the mind.
|
No such affinity. Just trying to apply the funda of Ajmats thread on Luxo Barges to these SUV's which were really expensive when new.
Quote:
Diesel is still better due to the torque.
|
Petrol was only considered due to the low resale value.
BTW, a bit OT but got to mention it. I had read your thread on the 530 D. Initial plans were for a new 320 D but your thread tempted me to check the 5 Series. Also purchase plans were not urgent but the thread accelerated that. Finally after much debate, research and calculations settled for a new X1.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sahil I am surprised you haven't recommended your favourite Montero! |
The Montero is newer Pajero.
Quote:
I think a well maintained Montero would be a good bet as they were all officially imported by HM/Mitsubhishi India unlike the rest of the models that were imported under very shady paper work.
|
Unfortunately very few in the market and prices haven't exactly crashed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbanator Can you share some links where I can check available options, I have been trying to find an LC myself for many Years but haven't seen a single which has a proper service history or correct ODO. |
My search is primarily on OLX and Facebook groups. Delhi and Mumbai are the places where most of the vehicles are found.
Quote:
Originally Posted by v12 I keep seeing a couple of 80 & 100 series lying around with a couple of car dealers - if you are interested, I can check and post details here. |
Please do.
Quote:
Surprisingly, no one mentioned the Toyota Prado, RAV-4.
|
There are a few Petrol LC Prado's in the price range of 16-20 L which is a steal considering that the price of the new ones is close to a crore.
Thanks a lot for the tips guys. Will be compiling my personal checklist from your points. Couple of years ago I was going through the Safari Pic thread and TSk's ownership thread. I set out looking for a Safari 4x4 and kept my budget 2L. I said I will not buy anything more than that no matter how good the car is. Took me a while but finally found a 3.0 Dicor 4x4. Mechanically sound with full service history but cosmetically not so good. Spent 25 K on doing it up (cleaning, paint touch up, polishing and basic service) and it was totally transformed. Had fun with it and sold it at a decent profit. Thought that was not the intention as I would have been happy to just recover my money or incur a bit of loss.
Same with this purchase. Not in any hurry to buy. Will wait for the right vehicle (including the newer alternatives suggested) to show up for sale. When it does I will be armed with all the information on this thread when I go to check it out.
So far I have been offered a Land Cruiser 2002 Automatic for 5.75 L. Odo is 123000. Also just received a FB message of another Land Cruiser. Let's see what that is.