Hey, Hey! I guess this thread is just moving in no constructive direction. Should we take some time and revisit what this thread was all about. Actually, we had one friend who wanted to gather certain information about his next possible buy and he specifically wanted to know if Safari would be a good buy for him considering his requirements. All he needed were some pros and cons to help him make up his mind. These can be best expressed by people who own these vehicles and drive them regularly.
He did not want comparisons or somebody's love for his Scorpio or any xyz vehicle.
Q1. Comfort, comfort, comfort?
Ans. You will love the comfort of a Safari and will always praise it for this quality. I have never driven a Lexus, but have a friend abroad who owns a Lexus SUV. He was here in India for a year and wanted an SUV. Test drove everything available and finally settled for a Safari. According to him, Safari was the cheapest Lexus comfort one can ever buy. Anyways, only someone with a real extreme dislike for TATA and Safari would not agree with the comfort quality it provides.
Q2.Niggles, niggles?
Ans: Yes, yes, yes, but nothing major. Nothing to do with the engine, the power or the chasis. Just a few minor adjustments with rattles which you might hear in the first 1200kms. All complaints normally vanish after the first service. Infact, Safari is one vehicle I have seen improving with every extra kilometer you travel. I have done 15000Kms in less than 6 months and its been flawless. These are a few things which might bother you initially:
1. Rattle from the boot door (will go after service).
2. The safari suspension is not a hard one, and can conquer the most horrible terrains without a bump felt inside. But, if you over do the bad terrain part like I do everyday when I leave for work (there is almost no road left for 500mtrs after the sewer department dug it up a year back) and also if half of your drives are through forest roads and over river beds, you will need to get some under parts tightened. I think its fair if you put your vehicle through all that and still there is no need to replace parts.
Q3.City traffic?
Ans: Enough has been said about it on this thread. If you ask me "is it a problem?", I would say NO. Rest assured, the vehicle will not be affected. On the contrary, the traffic will be. Big turning radius and everyone knows about it on the road, so nothing to worry, they will make way for you. Its like sitting on an elephant with a majestic view of all the sedans barely reaching the hight of your steering and all other SUVs' drivers looking like they had just lost a few inches from under their seats. I am not exaggerating, absolutely no problems with traffic. Awesome low torque lets your vehicle sail without an effort.
Q4: ABS, 4x4, Side Cladding?
Ans: ABS is always "Preferred" but not a necessity, and it holds as true for a Safari as would for any other vehicle. 4X4 is only required if you are planning some serious off roading. Normally the 140ps power is more than enough to carry you over and through most of the challenges. Side cladding is a protection from city bumper to bumber and squeezing side traffic scratches. It will keep your sides clean.
No idea about the GX launch, so will keep quiet on that.
Buddy, take a ride, and a long one. No matter what anyone says (including me), listen to your heart and you shall have your answer. |