[condor]

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

Don't tell me you're shelving the Gypsy plan and looking for this..

no, not at all. In fact, checked out one more today. A 2012 manufacture. The best of what I have checked out so far. I am getting a hang of what to expect in one, but looks like I will have to wait a bit before I find one I am ok with the condition of that.

I was checking out ads of Ventures just out of a mild frustration of not finding any decent Gypsies listed in the for sale's. Was thinking if I could remove the rear seats and use the space. However a soft-top Gypsy has it's advantages - plus the 4x4 option in situations of getting stuck in slush.

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by condor

I was checking out ads of Ventures just out of a mild frustration of not finding any decent Gypsies listed in the for sale's. Was thinking if I could remove the rear seats and use the space. However a soft-top Gypsy has it's advantages - plus the 4x4 option in situations of getting stuck in slush.

Yes Venture can't take you anywhere near where a Gypsy can. With rear seats of Gypsy removed, it can swallow in a lot of luggage, much much more than you can imagine. You can put all the paraphernalia that's required for a multi day adventure/camping trip easily. A Bhpian recently did a 25 day, 7500 kms Bangalore Zanskar/Leh trip in his Gypsy. He carried all the essentials needed for such a trip quite comfortably I was told.

Venture if not loaded enough at the rear can even lead to wheel spin even on street roads when the traction at one of wheels is lost/not enough. Don't even think about taking Venture into a slushy forest trail or to any hinterlands.

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

But this car which belongs to a friend made me lose sleep since last two days and now I'm hunting for one

Hopefully, I may land up with one soon.

Here I'm with the new addition to my modest garage. A second van after Omni. Picked this up yesterday. It's a 2011 make, gx variant with 1.5 lakhs on the odo.

I've just finished a 20 km drive in rains. What joy is it to drive this, a joy of a different kind. One don't necessarily need 250 horses and 500 Nm to devour the pleasure of driving TBH.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

Here I'm with the new addition to my modest garage. A second van after Omni. Picked this up yesterday. It's a 2011 make, gx variant with 1.5 lakhs on the odo.

I've just finished a 20 km drive in rains. What joy is it to drive this, a joy of a different kind. One don't necessarily need 250 horses and 500 Nm to devour the pleasure of driving TBH.

Congratulations
Been years since I have even thought of the Venture. Used to like it for the chic styling reminiscent of miniature form of Hiaces/Urvans, but looking at the condition of some models running in the mid 2010s reminded me of Sumo Grandes and Arias (and their related issues)
Would like to know the ballpark amount paid, but since most BHPians are reluctant to share used car prices, maybe say if it was xxx amount more than an equivalent Omni of the same condition.

[condor]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Used to like it for the chic styling reminiscent of miniature form of Hiaces/Urvans,

yes - those rear windows are actually neat ! Just that the front needs a differentiation from the Ace

Like mentioned on this thread, hope Tata brings out a van based on the Intra. Would be a good alternative, than the larger Winger etc, for people carrier usage. Can even double up as a closed body cargo mover for city transportation.

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Congratulations

Would like to know the ballpark amount paid, but since most BHPians are reluctant to share used car prices, maybe say if it was xxx amount more than an equivalent Omni of the same condition.

Thanks buddy. Great to know you too like vans. I don't mind sharing the price or any other details on this buy. I paid 1.30 lakhs. This is the the top end GX variant. Mechanically, it was in pretty sound condition, except for couple of small issues with suspension(Bushes and lower arm needs change on driver side). I was more focussed on the engine, gear box and suspension. Largely intact body lines and clean interiors were a bonus. I had a friend alongside - an experienced garage owner(an enthusiast and a car collector too) - to do the final evaluation.

AC was totally dead. Today the car is at an AC specialist. Both the previous owners had not used the AC at all. Today, we found broken AC pipes and even water in the compressor. The guy said it may still be possible to repair it. Fingers crossed. If the fixing job what he employs doesn't look promising, I may go in for a new compressor. The OE is Sanden. Luckily, I factored in this repair cost and new tyres' cost while negotiating the price with the seller.

Tyres are as bald as Anupam Kher's head. It needs immediate change. Rest of the things are largely fine, barring few like wiper blades, rear wiper arm missing but unit is working. Few cosmetical bits has to be fixed. I plan to do body wrapping after the small dents and kinks are fixed. I'll change tyres with upsized ones as soon as the car is out after the AC repair and possibly later some nice alloy wheels too. If I find it fairly reliable after few months of usage, would start to work on converting it as a mini camper.

And by the way, the omni I picked up 4 years ago was for ₹75k for a 2006 make. Omni is more raw and Venture lends a mix of raw feel and sophistication with creature comforts like AC, PS etc. Trust me, this van is so very delicious to drive. It's fun of a different kind.

[tdcarlover]

The new VW ID Buzz, the electric minivan based on the ID 4, is drawing rave reviews from pundits and plaudits globally.
Got me thinking (wishful perhaps) that Tata motors would consider an electric Venture on the same platform, as a city run about, little more creature comforts
Given the battery weight the Buzz has superb road handling and is really a car with a big boot.
Tata with the Venture EV could easily have a winner on its hands.
Hoping..

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by tdcarlover

The new VW ID Buzz, the electric minivan based on the ID 4, is drawing rave reviews from pundits and plaudits globally.
Got me thinking (wishful perhaps) that Tata motors would consider an electric Venture on the same platform, as a city run about, little more creature comforts
Given the battery weight the Buzz has superb road handling and is really a car with a big boot.
Tata with the Venture EV could easily have a winner on its hands.
Hoping..

It's possible but it'll be more of an EV adaptation. The battery can only go in the boot I guess. Even with the Tiago, they did that. On similar lines, I too would like too see an EV van but in Omni's dimensions. Or some day, i'll make my Omni an EV, when the tech evolves and there are enough expertise available to make such a conversion seamlessly .

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

It's possible but it'll be more of an EV adaptation. Or some day, i'll make my Omni an EV, when the tech evolves and there are enough expertise available to make such a conversion seamlessly .

Here is an interesting thing. The Tech already seems to be there.
Making your old ICE car relevant by converting into an EV.
https://retroev.in/

And this chap in Pune - Im interested in talking to him because one day when they finally decide to outlaw petrol vehicles I ll want my Gypsy converted into an EV.
https://www.pixycars.co.in/

Main thing is to get this into the mainstream.

[tdcarlover]

A van in uk , ICE , now reimagined in electric
Here’s hoping good folk at TML read this

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mUkuSC82...SIkaIECMiOmarE

It’s the morris J van so popular in the 50s
They’ve kept design cues but made it a electrical beauty
It’s versatile, passenger, campervan, commercial van