Which vehicle to buy for a Himalayan Road Tour?

hondatoyotafan · 9th May 2008, 12:39

In that case go for a used safari dicor 4x4 vx with abs and airbags,if u can stretch your budget you can go for a new one.it will be great.

anupmathur · 9th May 2008, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesri

Just to clarify, my budget upper limit for this Rs 9-10 lacs; with all accessories & music system etc. - Kesri

A Scorpio 4WD will fit this budget, but has to be ordered approx 2 months in advance. Very reliable vehicle, and M&M service centres have parts avilable ex-stock.

vkochar · 9th May 2008, 13:32

Scorpio all the way I would say. Very Reliable and really good to drive. I have never driven the 4X4 But people say its really good.

Comfort wise - Safari EX 4X4, will cost near your budget.

anupmathur · 9th May 2008, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by vkochar

Comfort wise - Safari EX 4X4, will cost near your budget.

Your call!
A wee bit more comfort or utter reliability! We're specifically talking himalayas here, remember!

vkochar · 9th May 2008, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Your call!
A wee bit more comfort or utter reliability! We're specifically talking himalayas here, remember!

That's why I said Scorpio first. It is no doubt an excellent SUV perfect for that Himalyan trip.

anupmathur · 9th May 2008, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by vkochar

That's why I said Scorpio first. It is no doubt an excellent SUV perfect for that Himalyan trip.

While that might be slightly strong language, I would like to qualify this statement in some more ways:
The reason why a lot of us buy a Safari or a Scorpio is simply that our budgets do not permit us to go for Endys or Tucsons or Pajeros.
Consider this: Even if I were to be offered a choice, regardless of budget, to choose a vehicle for touring the Himalayas, I'd opt for a Scorpio. The reason is very simple: an Endy breaks down, through no fault of yours, due to an Act of God, like a big stone rolling down the mountainside and breaking your car's axle/wheel assembly, your trip comes to an end. Ditto for many of the best SUVs. The humble Scorpio can be repaired in the himalayas, with a lot of inconvenience no doubt, but it can be done. For the Endy or the Tucson, you bring them back on a truck to the plains - even Chandigarh might not be good enough; you might need to come to Delhi!!

MY VIEW. Sorry, no offence meant to others. And maybe I'm saying all this because the grapes are sour!!
And...and... I must add: IMO, THE best is still the Gypsy for our mountains. If you can live with its very modest trim/ride quality, the Gypsy STILL rocks!

zenx · 9th May 2008, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

And...and... I must add: IMO, THE best is still the Gypsy for our mountains. If you can live with its very modest trim/ride quality, the Gypsy STILL rocks!

From evidence at hand around the hills, I'd agree. Also the Boleros/Commanders! Used a lot by local transporters - esp the pickups.

anupmathur · 9th May 2008, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenx

From evidence at hand around the hills, I'd agree. Also the Boleros/Commanders! Used a lot by local transporters - esp the pickups.

Quite so, Zenx! Sorry, I ought to have mentioned those.

BlackPearl · 5th February 2009, 04:12

Sorry for reviving an old thread. At one time I was following thread quite closely. What happened to the plans mentioned here? Did the threadstarter make this journey?

vinaydas · 8th February 2009, 16:11

EDIT : dint see the date the thread was started..
any ways check out this video

YouTube - Risky Road Trip

kesri · 9th February 2009, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Sorry for reviving an old thread. At one time I was following thread quite closely. What happened to the plans mentioned here? Did the threadstarter make this journey?

Hi,

I think I might be the one to have started this thread? I havent been here for a while. I have'nt still done this tour. But it is still in the dreaming & planning stage. May be will happen in 2009 or 2010? Who Knows?

Till date I have the M&M Bolero as the most economically suited SUV(?) for this trip.

If you want know about the tour, when it happens, keep checking the India Mike "GHiRT" thread here:
Grand Himalayan Road Tour (GHiRT)- What to Visit? - India Travel Forum | IndiaMike.com

I once did a Grand India Road Tour (GIRT). See posts here:
What to see on our Grand India Road Tour (GIRT) ? - India Travel Forum | IndiaMike.com

OR see my blog here:

Srinivasan > Suhana Safar - Grand India Road Tour - GIRT (Page-1)

Cheers,
Kesri

nitrous · 9th February 2009, 13:25

Scorpio 4x4 with some good A/T!
Or the Toyota Fortuner 4x4(if it comes)

anupmathur · 9th February 2009, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Scorpio 4x4 with some good A/T!

What is that A/T? If you mean an auto box, there is no Scorpio 4X4 with auto transmission. Not yet.

jango · 9th February 2009, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

What is that A/T? If you mean an auto box, there is no Scorpio 4X4 with auto transmission. Not yet.

I think what he meant is All Terrain tyres.

anupmathur · 9th February 2009, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jango

I think what he meant is All Terrain tyres.

Ah so!
However, the Scorpio comes with Bridgestone Duelers, which are probably very good. Unfortunately my 4X4 came with JK and I changed them to Pirelli Scorpion STRs. I have no way of knowing whether these are better.

9th May 2008, 12:39	#46
hondatoyotafan BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: YYZ,AP(India) Posts: 105 Thanked: 266 Times	In that case go for a used safari dicor 4x4 vx with abs and airbags,if u can stretch your budget you can go for a new one.it will be great.
	() Thanks

9th May 2008, 13:32	#48
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	Scorpio all the way I would say. Very Reliable and really good to drive. I have never driven the 4X4 But people say its really good. Comfort wise - Safari EX 4X4, will cost near your budget.
	() Thanks

5th February 2009, 04:12	#54
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,608 Thanked: 16,998 Times View My Garage	Sorry for reviving an old thread. At one time I was following thread quite closely. What happened to the plans mentioned here? Did the threadstarter make this journey?
	() Thanks

9th February 2009, 13:25	#57
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Scorpio 4x4 with some good A/T! Or the Toyota Fortuner 4x4(if it comes)
	() Thanks