[aparbansal]

Hi Friends,

Sharing you my experience with my new Tata Safari VX 2.2 VTT 4X2.

Thoughts about buying: I always wanted to buy an SUV but till now had my hands on a Hyundai Santro (2004-2007), Honda City (2004), Renault Logan (2007) and Chevrolet Spark (2009). Finally decided to sell of my Honda City (2004) and go in for a 7 seater. Shortlisted Tata Safari and Mahindra Scorpio. I have always gone for the top end models in every car I have bought. Although the price for the top end of both was same, but Scorpio top-end was not worth the money I was spending (12lacs). Also the interiors lacked class. The dealership experience (Koncept, Nodia) was pathetic. Test drive was unavailable and no sales person ever called up after I visited the showroom.

First Drive: The funny part is that I hit the test drive car of the dealership into a Tata Indigo and I became so afraid of driving the Tata Safari that I was in two minds whether to buy or not. But finally I went for it.

Finally Decided: I finally decided on the Tata Safari and booked it in time to get delivery by Diwali. Although I booked the Cycus Grey color but after a wait of 20 days, I was told it will take too long. Hence I shifted to Pearl White. Got the delivery in time as promised. The dealership sales experience has been good (Automobile Sterling, Noida)

Experience:

1. Exterior: The styling is very classy, Chrome finish grill with side mirrors coated with Chrome gives it a royale look. The shape is truly of an SUV. Am further thinking of getting a front grill and rear bar to give it more rugged look. The door handles and also very finely carpeted into the body. The sheer size of the SUV, makes it turn heads and makes u feel that u r inside a monster rather than upcoming small and girlish SUVs like Honda CRV or Chevy Captiva
2. Interiors: The interiors are of a quality much better than entire Tata stable - Indica, Indigo etc. Although they r little less than Aria. I have never been a fan of Indian Car Companies but the interior quality of every car in India boils down to the same thing after two years - be it Honda, Toyota or Chevy or Ford. They maynot be that classy but are not bad either. The AC grills are placed at very convenient positions. Although the buttons and switches could have been better. The car stereo system could have been placed a little up in order to avoid constant collision with the gear lever, of the co-driver is operating the stereo. The engine lever is also conveniently located
3. Seating: The seats are of utmost comfort. The front seat arm rest is a big welcome and adds to comfort. The rear seats have a very good leg space and u need not to shift your seats everytime u have 4 or more passengers in order to give more space. The rear most seats have not been used still, so no comments
4. Features: The top-end is loaded with some uncomparable features that are absent in many SUVs or cars. The car comes loaded with DVD player with two screens for the rear seats. This is an absolute luxury if you have kids. You can enjoy driving, while they watch their fav movies. The car comes with a rear parking camera. For new people joining the SUV culture, this is a big plus and adds to comfort and convenience. This is a real good feature. The car comes with dual AC and very effective. The car has some good features like ABS, EDS, fog lamps (front & rear), spoiler, park assist etc
5. Drive: The drive is a real monster truck drive. The engine is much refined than it used to be. Although you feel a bit of drift from the rear side, but I guess its temp (Hope so). The fourth gear comes only at 70-75 kmph. The fifth gear comes at 90-95 kmph. Fuel efficiency is 12 in city. I have driven 550 kms and the experience has been good
6. Problems: no problems except the car seems to have kinda tilted towards the left.

Overall rating would be 9/10

[TaureanBull]

Congrats on your purchase. Happy and safe driving. How about sharing the price info and more pics.

Originally Posted by aparbansal

1. Problems: no problems except the car seems to have kinda tilted towards the left.

Overall rating would be 9/10

Is this problem related to wheel alignment? Do you mean to say that the car seems to be running towards left? In any case you must get it checked at the earliest.

[himanshugoswami]

My safari also had the problem of tilting to teh left.....the culprit is the "shims" in the front suspension- for some weird reason, the number of shims on the left and right suspension were different causing htis tilt. please get it checked- it is a simple 15 minute fix but if delayed, will cause uneven wear in your tyres.

[_raVan_]

It looks very nice, and personally I have always like this color and the Grey on the Safari. About tilting to the left, as mentioned above, have the shocks checked.

Also, post more interior pics!

[gowda79]

Bansal, congrats on The King and enjoy the ride.

The tilt to the left had happened to our vehicle also and it is nothing but the steering alignment, get this sorted out immediately.

[anujmishra]

Congrats aparbansal for you new Safari VX. Its heck of the car and very very comfortable. I am sure you will enjoy it everyday along with its sheer presence.

Originally Posted by gowda79

The tilt to the left had happened to our vehicle also and it is nothing but the steering alignment, get this sorted out immediately.

I also had tilting problem and service people corrected it during first service, however I had not reported it, I thought it was my perception moving from smaller car to bigger car.

By the way, number of Safari owners growing exponentially in this Team-BHP forum. No other cars are counting as much as Safari.

[kaviprem]

Welcome to the "Safari" club "Aparbansal". Excellent choice and good luck !

Tilt on the left side - I dont know.. May be, I need to check it up in mine

Prem.

[aparbansal]

Thanks everybody for the info on Left Tilt. I was worried about the tilt. I will get it checked this weekend.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Congrats Bansal Sir.

Welcome to the ever growing Safari Clan on T-BHP, Very soon the forum will have 250 Safari's and thats a wonderful sign.

Wish you a troublefree ownership experience.

Make your own roads.

[swiftnfurious]

Congrats on your acquisition !

Regarding the left tilt, it could also happen due to lesser air pressure in those tyres. if the psi is same as recommended, may be alignment or as said, please check shocks / shims !

Wishing you miles of happy and safe motoring ! Some more pics please !

[Kairalee]

Congratulations aparbansal. Wish you many many miles of sheer bliss!

Originally Posted by aparbansal

The car stereo system could have been placed a little up in order to avoid constant collision with the gear lever, of the co-driver is operating the stereo.

Overall rating would be 9/10

The best way out is to use the remote control unit and also have a steering mounted remote which you can buy from most car accessory shops. If your ICE came with a remote control, it is very easy to add a steering mounted remote.

The only time you will be inconvenienced is when you want to change the CD or the USB stick, which hopefully is not changed constantly. This has worked well for me

[v&v]

Congrats aparbansal.
Get a good bull guard. it really helps in delhi/noida traffic.

drive safe.

[sgmitr13]

Originally Posted by aparbansal

Sharing you my experience with my new Tata Safari VX 2.2 VTT 4X2.

First Drive: The funny part is that I hit the test drive car of the dealership into a Tata Indigo and I became so afraid of driving the Tata Safari that I was in two minds whether to buy or not. But finally I went for it.

Experience:
I have never been a fan of Indian Car Companies

Overall rating would be 9/10

Congrats Bansal, and wish you long peaceful ownership & driving.

I was neither a fan of Indian mfd cars, but Nano changed my perception and went on to get a Safari for myself.

I am still not clear who is liable for TD damages. Just recently I read here in this forum of an ugly experience, with fist fights and threats.