Safari Test Drive on horrible roads

Steeroid · 24th July 2007, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

According to local tradition, the time between mid-July to mid-August is considered very inauspicious, nobody buys a car in this period.

Over most of India, actually - the Shravan month. But then I've bought both my vehicles in India during EXACTLY this season.

The good thing is that you're more likely to get discounts and faster delivery.

Stock HU on EX used to be MP3 about 2 years back - mine was. If you're buying tyres please buy Michelin Synchrones - worth the extra few thousands.

Jaggu · 24th July 2007, 19:28

where is Steer when you need him!!! oops you overtook me, and samurai has questions for ya

rahul_intlad · 24th July 2007, 20:25

Very nice choice sir,the safari will serve you well and hope to see many more of your travelogues here.

Rahulk76 · 24th July 2007, 23:12

finally (hope so...), another passion red safari in the group...

doctorkats · 25th July 2007, 04:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

I am considering Passion Red Tata Safari EX 4x4 with 255/65R16 (but which one?) on 16x7.5 alloys and 18+30 months warranty. Does anyone know whether the stock HU supports MP3, if it does I don't have to upgrade the ICE I suppose.

samurai,
1.the stock HU is a blaupunkt monte carlo mp34 (plays radio/cd/mp3) and has an internal wing antenna stuck on the inside of the front windscreen.
2.the company alloys look smart but bring out a sharp cutting sound on harsh turning.
3.the hub locks on a 4x4 are automatic when you shift from 2H to 4H.(its a pleasure to feel that traction...)
however to get back to free wheeling (4H to 2H) you have to reverse 6 metres.

i'm positive you'll enjoy driving your beast around once you lay your hands on her.

BUSA · 25th July 2007, 12:03

Congratulations Samurai.

Though the 255 width will fit on the stock 6.5J rims, i would advise you to change to 7.5J for better results with the 255's.

@ Steer - Any review on the box for the Safari which you have got?

suman · 25th July 2007, 12:31

Samurai, congrats! A review well written but what else could one expect from you

.

But Mangalore or no Mangalore, like 1100D I'd really love to read about you putting the Scorpio through this acid test as well - an official validation of both vehicles capabilities as it were by the truly unbiased Moderator of Team BHP

Steeroid · 25th July 2007, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorkats

however to get back to free wheeling (4H to 2H) you have to reverse 6 metres.

No you dont need to. 4H to 2H is fairly straightforward. 4L to 2H requires you to engage reverse (if you were in forward gears, else reverse) and take the vehicle back a bit (approx. one vehicle length - till the 4H light goes off on the dash).

I do 2H to 4H and back to 2H quite often - never had to reverse, though I do engage reverse and let go of the clutch just in case.

extreme_torque · 25th July 2007, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorkats

2.the company alloys look smart but bring out a sharp cutting sound on harsh turning.

I dont think it has anything to do with alloys (OEM or otherwise). I dont know the exact part but they grease steering pin(correct me if i am wrong) and the noise goes off, only to come back after sometime.

Have you bought your safari or still contemplating? The profile says you haven't.

lohithrao · 25th July 2007, 14:22

Lovely write-up

Now am tempted to go for this moster

Samurai · 25th July 2007, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Over most of India, actually - the Shravan month. But then I've bought both my vehicles in India during EXACTLY this season.

I just realised that our Santro was delivered on July 22nd, four years back. So I can claim precedence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUSA

Though the 255 width will fit on the stock 6.5J rims, i would advise you to change to 7.5J for better results with the 255's.

Thanks BUSA, but I have already mentioned I am going for 16x7.5 alloys, that is the optimal width for 255mm tyre.

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

Samurai, congrats! A review well written but what else could one expect from you

.

But Mangalore or no Mangalore, like 1100D I'd really love to read about you putting the Scorpio through this acid test as well - an official validation of both vehicles capabilities as it were by the truly unbiased Moderator of Team BHP

Oh, thanks for the compliment. But I am not that unbiased, my wife and I always liked the Safari (for looks) since we saw it first in 1997. Scorpio never gave the same feeling.

Samurai · 25th July 2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahulk76

finally (hope so...), another passion red safari in the group...

Sorry man, after comparing passion red with pearl white, I am gunning for the latter. Another plus point is Pearl white is metallic paint while passion red is not.

The dealer said he has League and Aura catalogue, I asked him to hide the Aura catalogue and get only the League catalogue.

Jaggu · 25th July 2007, 20:03

I was keeping my mouth shut on your color choice, but white really looks good on safari compared to red and bery bery good choice. White plus slush is AWESOME photo oppurtunities

My perception maybe coz all the red i have seen have these ugly un painted side moldings.

ravibhat · 25th July 2007, 20:05

Congrats on the decision Samurai, Pearl white look very nice with Safari. I really liked it. Very decent color. I feel for Safari check out AURA too. They have couple of good new designs in 16 inch. Aura is good onbes especially for indian bad road. Imported wheels will have betetr look but reliability its Aura in Indian condition. Plati and League are good as well.

Choose between these 3 alloys

Regards,

Ravi.

condor · 25th July 2007, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

.. after comparing passion red with pearl white, I am gunning for the latter

A pearl white Safari going by is a sight to behold. It's got a stately, dignified presence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

.. I asked him to hide the Aura catalogue ..

Easy, brother. IIRC, you had said your wife is a silent member here, lurking somewhere. I guess she wouldnt miss this thread ..

24th July 2007, 19:28	#47
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,378 Thanked: 17,317 Times	where is Steer when you need him!!! oops you overtook me, and samurai has questions for ya
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 20:25	#48
rahul_intlad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,577 Thanked: 5 Times	Very nice choice sir,the safari will serve you well and hope to see many more of your travelogues here.
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 23:12	#49
Rahulk76 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,148 Thanked: 235 Times	finally (hope so...), another passion red safari in the group...
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 12:03	#51
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,127 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	Congratulations Samurai. Though the 255 width will fit on the stock 6.5J rims, i would advise you to change to 7.5J for better results with the 255's. @ Steer - Any review on the box for the Safari which you have got?
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 12:31	#52
suman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 4,585 Thanked: 281 Times View My Garage	Samurai, congrats! A review well written but what else could one expect from you . But Mangalore or no Mangalore, like 1100D I'd really love to read about you putting the Scorpio through this acid test as well - an official validation of both vehicles capabilities as it were by the truly unbiased Moderator of Team BHP
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 14:22	#55
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,203 Thanked: 226 Times View My Garage	Lovely write-up Now am tempted to go for this moster
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 20:03	#58
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,378 Thanked: 17,317 Times	I was keeping my mouth shut on your color choice, but white really looks good on safari compared to red and bery bery good choice. White plus slush is AWESOME photo oppurtunities My perception maybe coz all the red i have seen have these ugly un painted side moldings.
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 20:05	#59
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,250 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Congrats on the decision Samurai, Pearl white look very nice with Safari. I really liked it. Very decent color. I feel for Safari check out AURA too. They have couple of good new designs in 16 inch. Aura is good onbes especially for indian bad road. Imported wheels will have betetr look but reliability its Aura in Indian condition. Plati and League are good as well. Choose between these 3 alloys Regards, Ravi. Last edited by ravibhat : 25th July 2007 at 20:08.
	() Thanks