[suhas_raj]

This should be an easy one for you GTO, the classic is timeless, elegant & signifies a true off roader of its time that you can never replace. Looking at the 2020 Thar bookings, you will find many of them on the pre-owned market in a few months/years, somehow the price tag vs the value it offers, the new Thar does not justify it. Just stick to your classic mate.. its one of a kind & will remain so for the rest of its life! Cheers

[amol4184]

Voted for Thar just because.Don’t think I have words for one of the most prominent and knowledgeable member here. I’m just curious which sporty coupe is on the horizon?

[Vikram Arya]

Most of what needed to be said on the subject has already been said.

We drive the cars that we drive (the special ones) is not always because of how quick they are, how beautiful the silhouette is, or how rare some of these are but because of how they engage us at an emotional level (okay, a heady cocktail of all those factors also plays a part too).

The very fact that you have started to question the rationale of owing the Classic means that the way it once used to tug at your heartstrings is waning somewhat or it might be the lure of getting to own the new kid on the block (the new Thar) however as some of the senior members have mentioned that once you lose it you may regret the decision as some of them have when they sold the cars that were close to their hearts.

I think I once mentioned in one of my posts that every year I travel to India to drive my Gypsy in addition to meet my folks (not necessarily in that order). I miss it so much that I even contemplated importing it here but found that it would be impossible.

I also understand that Classic is not your daily driver therefore the mechanical/organic/visceral experience that it provides will break the monotony of the cushy and cloistered experience that is typically provided by today’s modern automobiles. As for the new Thar, you can always pick one (new or pre-owned) whenever you want.

If keeping the Classic at Bombay is proving to be challenging then you may park it at your farmhouse at Deolali.

My vote is to keep the Classic.

[DicKy]

Voted for 2021 Thar.

Simply because if the Classic was a sentimental keeper, this question shouldn't even be asked.

Not a jeeper, so pardon. The new Thar will be more easier to live with, safer, as capable and still have character for the jeep experience.


Psst...psstt..... sporty 2 door coupe, eh? If it was 'sportscar', would have guessed some Porsche.
Smelling an M2, just like how I smelled a 530d last time

[viXit]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Voted for 2021 Thar.

Simply because if the Classic was a sentimental keeper, this question shouldn't even be asked.

Not a jeeper, so pardon. The new Thar will be more easier to live with, safer, as capable and still have character for the jeep experience.

Is ease of living even a factor after more than two and a half decades, sir?

It's a way of life now, the compromises and procedures with that car.

And GTO,
How good would RUSH look plastered on the top of the Thar's windshield vs on the Classic ?!?

Classic anyday.

[roy_libran]

Voted Classic (especially after taking a test drive yesterday of the new Thar with my wife)!
The best points in support of the classic have already been written by Mr. Shetty. All I'll add is that even this gen of the Thar is a very ordinary and forgettable machine despite the immense hype.

[AMG Power]

Thought you’d never ask. Of course it’s the CLASSIC!!


Reason #1 - Ask Jeepers not car guys: When you’re looking to buy a bike you ask biker guys for their opinions and not car guys. So when you buy a Jeep you should be asking Jeepers their opinions and not car guys. Look at what Jeepers have said on this thread and not what car guys say. You’ll find they are all for retaining the classic.

Reason #2 - Infatuation vs Love:. What you have is infatuation for the Thar and love for the Classic. You must know the difference between the two by now. The Thar infatuation will fade and you will be left with all the niggles that come with a Mahindra. Not only that, you will sorely miss the Classic if you part with it.

Reason #3 - True blue looks: The classic looks closer to what a true blue Jeep should be than the new Thar which in my eyes is an abomination. Its a wannabe Wrangler - something like what the Chinese do - make a copy of a Bentley and sell it for a fraction of the cost and the folks buying FOOL themselves into thinking they’re driving a Bentley. Don’t think you want to be one of them.

Reason #4 - Compromises: You drive a 530d, will be picking up a 2 seater sports car, have a true blue Jeep and now looking at an abomination?? If you want something like that, pick up the Wrangler! Nobody on the forum will advise you against that.

Reason #5 - Features / Comforts vs None: There are far more features / creature comforts in the new Thar but that is not why you buy a Jeep. Leave your luxury / feature cravings to your BMW and keep the CLASSIC to experience true blue Jeep life. As a true blue Jeeper, you buy a Jeep to get as basic as possible and the Classic is as basic as it gets.

Reason #6 - Clumsy design: Although there seems to be a lot of hype around the design of the new Thar it’s completely lost on me. The new Thar in my eyes looks clumsy from quite a few angles. It’s broader than your old Jeep and the extra breadth makes it look clumsy (rear quarter view / wide gap between wheels and fenders). The Classic looks great from every angle - a reduction in chrome would enhance it further.

Reason #7 - New Car Issues: Most new cars have teething issues and Mahindra is a past master in that game. Do you want to be their guinea pig?

Reason #8 - Misplaced Patriotism:. A Mahindra is a Mahindra is a Mahindra. Unless it’s basic like your Classic with very few things to go wrong, You wouldn’t want to buy a Mahindra or Tata for many more years to come. Patriotism can be displayed in other areas.

Reason #9 Image - Softie vs True blue Jeeper: The Thar is something that has been adapted to appeal to softies - those who want a Jeep but are not tough to handle a Jeep. No one will EVER say that of the Classic.

[avdhesh15]

I think it's an unfair comparison. It's like comparing Demi Moore or Salma Hayek to a new.age actress. The former just get so much better with time but the latter give you the comfort and thrills! And I've voted accordingly

[Hayek]

But a Thar, which you can use. But keep the Classic too for old times’ sake. You can park the Classic at one of the many Pay and Park lots of you wish. Or at Deolali or Pawna for off road use only.

Don’t think you should be using the Classic on Bombay roads - it is old and unsafe (even if no longer polluting). Have seen too many examples where a short ride in an unsafe car leads to adverse consequences.

[sarav100]

Since you already own 530d for highways and almost always have media drive cars ready for other miscellaneous duties, I'd say it won't be worth spending so much on new Thar.

Your Classic has every advantage in off-road situations over new Thar and I think it's more than enough for those rare drives to off-road destinations and leisurely city drives(or shall I say 'gedi' ).

Keep Classic as is and enjoy it's exclusivity. There's a different level of exclusivity in doorless or topless jeeps.

[Sreesh1009]

Sell the Classic. It's quite old and like BHPIAN Hayek has pointed, driving such an old vehicle on Mumbai roads may not be safe.
Also, if the Govt decides to implement the scrappage policy then you won't have a Jeep at your disposal. Get the THAR! It's a fantabulous piece of machinery.

[Rahul Bhalgat]

As few others have advised, the Classic is reliable and unique. So my vote goes to Classic. Plus, your classic seems to be very well maintained and shining.

You keep driving a number of other cars (own as well as the media cars). So, more usage of Thar (compared to Classic) might be limited only to the early ownership period, till the excitement of a new car is over.

Neither of these is a preferred highway cruiser. For the short drives in Mumbai traffic, the seat belts in the Classic shall be adequate for safety.

So, I would advise you to retain the Classic.

[Yash98]

I personally voted for the Classic over the Thar. There were 3 simple reasons for this choice:

First and foremost, a known devil is better than an unknown one. You have owned the Classic for long years now and are aware of any issues/ shortcomings of the car (if any), also knowing the workarounds for these (if needed). A new car will come with its on share of niggles/ teething problems, especially a recently launched model like the Thar.

Secondly, you have memories attached to the Classic and I am assuming you also enjoy several benefits like lower insurance costs, abuse friendly nature and lesser stress of nicks and scratches (since the honeymoon phase with the new car is over long ago.)

As you have always taught us young BHPians, buying used has numerous advantages. So, maybe hold onto the Classic for another 2-3 years (or until the government decides to complicate some more laws), by then you might see low-mileage Thars on the used market as the initial euphoria dies down and some owners realize that the beast (Thar) cannot be tamed by them.

Just my two cents, other than that I would ask you to follow your heart, since YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE.

[Ritkon]

The 1997 Classic wins it hands down.
Don't get me wrong, the new Thar is vastly superior in every respect, but the Classic has love, respect and a legend behind it.
In my opinion, it would be unjust to compare the Classic with the new Thar. Any car 24 years younger and modern will be vastly superior, but whether it has what it takes to become a classic (sorry for the pun)? Only time will tell.
The Classic will remain a Classic, no matter what. The Thar 2.0 will remain a darling till a hotter Thar 3.0 or Thar 4.0 comes along. It is the same reason why some still prefer the old classic Royal Enfield over new offerings from Honda or Yamaha, even though technically, the RE doesn't stand a chance.
These old cars have an emotional attachment like no other. The old world analogue charm, the imperfections that only an owner who has grown up and old with the car will know, the times she made you smile, the times she made you cry, the times you spent together only adds to her character.
Lastly, in my eyes, the Classic looks way cooler and macho than the new Thar. Sort of Steve McQueen cool and macho (don't know why that analogy came in my mind).

[akash_v12]

GTO, your Classic has much more sentimental value than a new Thar can possibly give you. You’ve spent so much time rebuilding it and like has been said earlier, they don’t make them like it anymore. Your garage remains a diverse one including a jeep that will probably appreciate with time. Since it is registered in Nashik, it won’t/shouldn’t be a problem avoiding the pollution issues and you would be good with it till the end of it’s engine’s lifetime after which you can probably plonk another new engine into it .