[petrogeek]

Fortuner is over priced and overrrated. Not worth the price for all it offers. Compare its prices overseas. Toyota is milking this product since it ain't got no competitor after Ford closed shop.

The Thar and the Thar Roxx, 4WD variants seem a bit pricey to me.

Jimny base model 4X4 would be my pick. a) its cheap b) they dont call it the mountain goat for nothing c) its a tad underpowered but can be improved a bit by putting in a throttle controller 4) hugely customisable so you can go wild in terms of what you want to do with it.

Why drop 35 plus big ones on an old platform like Fortuner when you can get a newer 4x4 product within 20 L. Unless of course, vehicle size is what youre going for.

[2000rpm]

Scorpio, Jimny, Hilux!

I would pick the Scorpio for the value for optimal money quotient!

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by warbug

No one advise you on a Hexa 4x4 yet. Hard to find but if you get a pre-loved don't miss it. "Pre-Loved" is the key work here. Got one for myself in 2022, Manual XM 21k on ODO and 6.7L on pocket all cash deal, seller was desperate after he was shamed for skipping an Innova as minimum requirement for respect in family. 1.56k on ODO today, 1 Tyer change, 1 clutch change, 1 door master button change, 1 battery change, remapped engine at 17KM/PL and 2 x Rs 6K service every year. Runs like a raging Bull in 6th above 2k RPM. I think Tata never made something better. Had a Fiesta classic 1.6 Titanium before & never found a car that drove better, no problems with the VAGs or JAPs but if you look under the hubris of reputation and people perspective there are gems hidden in deeper waters. Fortuners are great but you really pay for the bling + all of them are over 1L on ODO.

Driving at 2.30 A.M. through badlands. I can't risk a v-belt throwing up because the earlier owner forgot to replace. Hence pre-owned I am not even looking into. Being with Polo for past 11+ years, I understand that one just cannot gauge a vehicle looking at few visible parts. Much much more goes wrong within.

Hexa was a gem but can't take the risk. Thank you for bringing up an old love.

Originally Posted by petrogeek

Fortuner is over priced and overrrated. Not worth the price for all it offers. Compare its prices overseas. Toyota is milking this product since it ain't got no competitor after Ford closed shop.

The Thar and the Thar Roxx, 4WD variants seem a bit pricey to me.

Jimny base model 4X4 would be my pick. a) its cheap b) they dont call it the mountain goat for nothing c) its a tad underpowered but can be improved a bit by putting in a throttle controller 4) hugely customisable so you can go wild in terms of what u want to do with it.

Why drop 35 plus big ones on an old platform like Fortuner when you can get a newer 4x4 product within 20 L. Unless of course, vehicle size is what youre going for.

Thanks, but not considering Jimny because:

1) I felt cramped in the driver's seat. Not generally but I couldn't stretch much

2) I don't like to modify my vehicles unless extremely necessary, things should be factory-fitted, atleast the electricals and mechanicals

3) It's a petrol

4) Since you touched upon vehicle size, except Jimny and Thar, almost all others are more or less the same size. So don't have much say there.

[locusjag]

The only problem, in my books, with Mahindra is their use of non-galvanized steel in cars made for the Indian market. They use proper galvanized steel in the Scorpion-N and XUV 700 that they sell in Australia. This fact was pointed out through a link to an Australian media article by a forum member back when either the Scorpio-N or the XUV 700 was launched down under.

This is very likely why Mahindra's customers experience a lot of rusting here in India. As much as I have liked the ruggedness of Mahindra's products (being a customer myself), this dichotomy has put me off.

Just buy an old Toyota and keep on keeping on, the way I (probably) intend to.

[ash22]

My requirements:

1. Part time 4x4
2. Body on frame
3. Diesel / Diesel-Hybrid
4. Manual
5. An extremely abuse-friendly reliable machine with spares and support easily available

Your requirements screams : Mahindra Bolero-Camper

[steadfast]

Don’t have clear fit for your requirements however can share two pieces of advice:

1.) You coming from a Polo, your options are limited. I myself drove mine for 1.65 L and tested all vehicles till 45L bracket and could not find a better car than Harrier in 2021 based on space and driving dynamics though market has moved on since then a lot and you have better options.

So please take a long test drive of whatever vehicle you short list. In my case, Polo had better ride quality and driving dynamics than a Fortuner.

2.) Understand you keep your vehicles for long so second hand does not make sense. Rather I would say you should be flexible by around ~20% of your higher limit of budget and stretch for a better choice

[HTC]

How about maruti/toyota grand vitara/hyrider hybrid AWD varient.

You get all creature comforts, peace of mind regarding service network and service costs. Good fuel effeciency will be light on your packet. Give it a thought.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by locusjag

The only problem, in my books, with Mahindra is their use of non-galvanized steel in cars made for the Indian market. They use proper galvanized steel in the Scorpion-N and XUV 700 that they sell in Australia. This fact was pointed out through a link to an Australian media article by a forum member back when either the Scorpio-N or the XUV 700 was launched down under.

This is very likely why Mahindra's customers experience a lot of rusting here in India. As much as I have liked the ruggedness of Mahindra's products (being a customer myself), this dichotomy has put me off.

Just buy an old Toyota and keep on keeping on, the way I (probably) intend to.

Thank you for pointing this out. This is a major point of concern as well.

Though my primary concern remains on the fact that, if I throw a Mahindra and a Toyota in the same pothole at the same speed, which will come out unharmed and stay so for how many such mishaps? . Maybe a mind-less comparison, but I keep such in mind as well.

Originally Posted by ash22

Your requirements screams : Mahindra Bolero-Camper

Attachment 2761542

Ha ha. Thanks. I will not get a good night's sleep with so many modifications.

Neither will the police in state borders or cities who are just looking for a quick buck out of cars from other states.

Originally Posted by steadfast

Don’t have clear fit for your requirements however can share two pieces of advice:

1.) You coming from a Polo, your options are limited. I myself drove mine for 1.65 L and tested all vehicles till 45L bracket and could not find a better car than Harrier in 2021 based on space and driving dynamics though market has moved on since then a lot and you have better options.

So please take a long test drive of whatever vehicle you short list. In my case, Polo had better ride quality and driving dynamics than a Fortuner.

2.) Understand you keep your vehicles for long so second hand does not make sense. Rather I would say you should be flexible by around ~20% of your higher limit of budget and stretch for a better choice

If I remove the 4x4 requirement, my excel and mind will go berserk with the options available. But I need the 4x4 hardware because of the reasons I stated in the original post.

You also rightfully put another reason above for not going second-hand.

Originally Posted by HTC

How about maruti/toyota grand vitara/hyrider hybrid AWD varient.

You get all creature comforts, peace of mind regarding service network and service costs. Good fuel effeciency will be light on your packet. Give it a thought.

Thanks but just not enough for my rough use. I would still have to baby them around like Polo.

Mod Note: Please use the EDIT or QUOTE+ (multi-quote) button instead of typing one post after another on the SAME THREAD!

To know how to multi-quote, click here.

[AROO7]

Originally Posted by locusjag

This is very likely why Mahindra's customers experience a lot of rusting here in India. As much as I have liked the ruggedness of Mahindra's products (being a customer myself), this dichotomy has put me off.

This is a shocking news, but Mahindra's rusting early on is not a new thing. When we got our XUV 700, I had made my mind to only once a month pressure wash it or if necessary. Rest it was dusting and cleaning using micro fibre towel and Jopasu duster. Another thing I noticed was that the doors would hold water, so it is always better to open all of them and keep them like that to avoid any water accumulation there after washing.

Followed by this I take my car for a quick high speed spin, this to a large extent blows away most water that are into areas not reachable by hand (although there is another work around to this of using a high speed blower). I have been following this for almost all our cars and haven't faced any rusting issues so far.

[Ashwin Morey]

I think a Jeep Compass would have passed your test easily but guess there top model offers 4x4 but automatic transmission and all other lower models do give the option of manual but 4x2! All in all Jeep Compass is still a lovely option and very good at being a fuss free long hauler

[Swapnil Ahire]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Although it's not as popular or glamorous as a Thar or Scorpio-N, you could take a look at the Mahindra Bolero Neo N10 (OPT) variant.

Related thread: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-t...f-shelf-6.html (Eaton MLD (M-Locker) now available off the shelf)

I echo the same, Mahindra Bolero Neo N10 is very capable real SUV in the pseudo SUV segment. I would suggest you should consider it. Apart from all your requirements it can also return you decent mileage no matter how you drive. Its comfortable for long travels. Had travelled in one during my recent visits to Prayagraj from Pune.

[ambarkhan]

Fortuner or Jimny? As a 2021 Thar D MT owner with a similar use case, I find that while Mahindra is generally reliable, it's not in the same league as the Japanese brands—some errors keep popping up here and there. For a solo driver, the Fortuner might be a bit too big and expensive. I’d rather put that money toward experiences.

[rroy92]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

...
I currently drive a 2014 Polo 1.2 TDI ....
I refer to drive during night hence the visibility stays hampered. So if a sudden big pothole or rough road surface pops up, including an unmarked speed-breaker, I need not swerve / brake heaviily. Even during daylight, braking for potholes or rough roads add to fatigue of my long-hauls. — Requirement 2

Hi Wanderer, considering your current car, you should consider the AWD Xuv700, though you will have to get the AT. I would recommend you to check it out because of how it drives. When I was in the market, I got spoiled by it's driving dynamics and comfort. It is world apart from it's own sibling the ScorpioN. I did not consider or TD the Fortuner though I have on good authority the XUV 700 rides better.

Also excellent headlight throw thanks to the booster headlamps that gets activated at 80kmph resulting in excellent draw distance at night. The suspension deals with any sudden potholes or unmarked speed-breakers that might pop in.

[dhrubojyoti]

Originally Posted by Sensible_Speed

Gurkha is a massive compromise in almost all fronts, so rule that out.

This may not be directly relevant to the actual query raised by wanderer, but I am just curious, what led you to conclude that the Gurkha is a massive compromise on almost all fronts? Was it based on personal experience, specific test cases, comparisons with other available similar class of vehicles, or a few limitations based on your experience? I think your experience could be an eye-opener for many. Thanks in advance, and apologies if this seems a bit off-topic.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

Hello All, am approaching you with a huge dilemma and mix of thoughts on the purchase of my next vehicle.

Your requirements have been laid out very clearly and hence, the answer is clear as well:

If you have the budget, go with Toyota Fortuner 4x4 MT without even thinking twice. Nothing, and I literally mean nothing else, comes even close to it when it comes to reliability, which is your primary requirement.

If you have budget constraints, go with Mahindra Scorpio-N 4x4 D MT, although the Scorpio-N is best enjoyed in the AT avatar, given the long clutch travel and instances of master cylinder failure on early batches on the MTs.

Do not even consider anything else! Good luck