[bigDaddy_In]

I am planning to trade my Ford Freestyle TDCi BS4, Goldberg(he/him)(5years and 100k Kms young) for an automatic. I feel there is no car in the market that can give me the kind of pleasure he offered at a comparable price point. I have completed the Spiti circuit, Ladakh(Umling La via Nerbole), driven 24hrs at a stretch to catch sunrises at Dhanushkodi or have a biryani in Hyderabad or sunset in Udupi without feeling any kind of discomfort with this humble hatch.

I hope I find someone who will appreciate his mechanical/visual condition and not just look at the odometer. Cars such as these are designed to be driven for multiple lacs of KMs if taken good care. He is on his 3rd set of tyres. All invoices related to service history is archived and can be passed on. If anyone of you knows an enthusiast who is looking for a fun car in budget, please feel free to refer. Not everyone would be able to gauge his worth.

Coming back to the topic, here are a few things I am looking at while narrowing down on my next vehicle:

• Fun to drive.
• Long Term Purchase.
• Sedan or SUV. If it has to be a SUV, it has to be RWD/4x4.
• I have a heavy right foot.
• I live in a part of Bangalore where we offroad everyday. The Ford Freestyle has made me careless about the road condition, I can drive through bad/no roads without worrying a bit. I do not want to retrain my brain to assess the road condition.
• Acceptable mileage. My drive is about 300-400kms per week within city limits(my work is 4kms from home and it takes 45/60mins on a good day, this being the main reason to change. Roads are not good enough for walking/two wheelers). I do not want to buy something which has a drinking problem. There is no point in buying a vehicle and worrying about fuel every time you'd want to take it out.

Cars I have shortlisted:

• VW Virtus/Skoda Slavia
  Pros - Fun Engine, okayish Automatic, good GC.
  Cons - Low single digit average mileage if driven hard, unnecessary red inserts in the interior(I don't need to be reminded I am driving a faster car), digital instrument cluster on the higher spec is an eye sour(what's wrong with the big circular dials for Speed and Tachometer with MID in between, do they cost more?).
• Hond City hybrid
  Pros - Comfort, no CVT related issues, best mileage for city use.
  Cons - Low ground clearance(requires change in driving style), bootspace issue due to battery placement
• Mahindra Thar Roxx
  Pros - GOAT capabilities, powerful diesel engine, future proof with required tech.
  Cons - Requires change in driving style being a Ladder-on-frame, BS6 diesel DPF issues.
• Mahindra Scorpio N
  Pros - Almost GOAT capabilities, powerful diesel engine, interior is family friendlier when compared to Thar Roxx.
  Cons - Requires change in driving style being a Ladder-on-frame, BS6 diesel DPF issues, less value for money when compared to Thar Roxx.
• Jeep Compass
  Pros - Need to test drive to comment.
  Cons - Price is for the logo, hardware is not GOAT enough.

If we go for either of the Mahindras, do you think the car will live well in Bangalore considering the traffic and also the fact that we are not shy of hitting the highway often. Can someone from Bangalore with a single car garage and having a bs6 diesel(Safari/Harrier/XUV700)? Do Jeeps also face DPF issues like a Mahindra(I have not heard or seen any)?

Or should we consider getting a second car for the city(I wish Goldberg could do this, but we need an automatic just for the city, can do manual everywhere else)? Just to give you perspective, we will be stretching our finances quite a bit to do this.

[diwakarmuthu]

You need an AT for city. I was using a Mahindra Scorpio MT (2nd generation) and got tired with heavy clutch driving, whicle I enjoyed the highway rides.

So, I swapped my Scorpio to XUV 700 AX7L AT. A world of difference to city driving, but have to say the size at times makes it difficult to plan or park in narrow lanes. I have done only 1500kms so I can't comment on the DPF issues.

The AT makes it good for the city and the highways in equal measure. I love the planted feel on the highways and it effortlessly cruises at 100kmph (haven't pushed it more).

Do I miss my MT? hell yeah, I feel the ATs aren't tuned for ghat roads and it keeps searching for 2nd to 3rd or 4th gear shifts. I feel the engine and clutch are getting overworked here

Maybe after a few more kms on the ODO I will have better clarity

One word of caution - Both the Thar and Scorp are BoF, so ride quality will not be the same to your other shortlists. If ride quality is not a criteria, ignore this part

[KL01toKA03]

If this car is primarily going to be driven in the city witha few outstation trips, I would suggest buying an electric car. The XEV 9e or BE6 would be ideal for you.

[bigDaddy_In]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

If this car is primarily going to be driven in the city witha few outstation trips, I would suggest buying an electric car. The XEV 9e or BE6 would be ideal for you.

I do not think an EV suits my usage at all + I need the vibrations and the exhaust notes for now. My requirement:

• One which can do long distance touring - I usually do 1000+ kms per day when on road trips.
• Everyday city duties, being a middle class salaried person - 2 car garage is too much of a burden.

[vignesh.cv]

If you are willing to consider the Jeep Compass, why not the XUV 700. It is definitely far more comfortable for longish drives when compared to the Roxx or even the Scorpio. With regards to DPF, as long as you do sufficient highway runs, it should regenerate and should be trouble free.

[bigDaddy_In]

Originally Posted by vignesh.cv

If you are willing to consider the Jeep Compass, why not the XUV 700. It is definitely far more comfortable for longish drives when compared to the Roxx or even the Scorpio. With regards to DPF, as long as you do sufficient highway runs, it should regenerate and should be trouble free.

Jeep Compass is in the shortlist just because I want to know how it handles the DPF related issue. The 4x4 spec model is too expensive for what it has to offer.

[AMG Power]

Originally Posted by bigDaddy_In

Cars such as these are designed to be driven for multiple lacs of KMs if taken good care.

The quoted bit is the answer to your issue.

None of the cars shortlisted by you will come close.

The Jeep Compass, maybe, but it is nowhere as good as it was with the BS6 version and is expensive for what it delivers.

Coming from a Ford, any Mahindra will be a handful and nowhere near as nimble. 1000 kms in a day to watch a sunset - don't even think about it! It does come with a complimentary set of niggles though.

The Honda City doesn’t figure in this race unless you intend to be chaffeur driven.

As for Slavia / Virtus, you are looking at compromises in build quality, lack of nimblesness and that devil in disguise - the DSG.

Stick to the Ford, they just don't make cars like that anymore.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by bigDaddy_In

*SNIP*. Can someone from Bangalore with a single car garage and having a bs6 diesel(Safari/Harrier/XUV700)?*SNIP*.

I believe I qualify.

I moved to a 2021 Diesel Thar (BS6) from a VW Jetta (since sold) and have nothing else to drive.

My usage is 99.95% highway. The only city driving I do is to get from home to highway and highway to destination front-door.

I do occasionally (maybe once a month or thereabouts) take the car off-road, nothing too extreme, but not very easy either.

Just wife and I, no extras in the family, neither of us being in any way a useful contributor to society.

I have completed 67,000 kms in this Thar and have nothing but praise for the car. Oops, one "complaint" I do have is that luggage room is more than enough for my wallet, as long as there's no cash in it.

I have so far not had any DPF issues; I just get the emissions check done once a year; fill fuel and air; and drive.

Parking is a breeze, the car is small and fits into tight spaces, as long as the tightness is related to length/width and not height.

But to answer your main question in the post title - yes, you can - I do.

Cheers

[fiat_tarun]

Originally Posted by bigDaddy_In

..my work is 4kms from home and it takes 45/60mins on a good day,...

This is the problem area for a BS6 diesel, so unless you are doing a weekly highway drive, you will likely have DPF issues.

Driving a Ford TDCI myself, I know your situation and would choose between the Skoda / VW's if petrol and the XUV 700 diesel if you can get the highway runs in and you are ok with the size of the vehicle

[bigDaddy_In]

Originally Posted by AMG Power

Stick to the Ford, they just don't make cars like that anymore.

I wish I could, the daily traffic is taking a toll on my knees. I hope ford gets back to Indian Market(the AGM at Ford Service was telling me there might be 2 cars apart from Everest that will be launched in India) before I make the move.

[sachinayak]

Originally Posted by bigDaddy_In

My drive is about 300-400kms per week within city limits(my work is 4kms from home and it takes 45/60mins on a good day, this being the main reason to change. Roads are not good enough for walking/two wheelers).

I drive a 3 door BS6 Thar Diesel (4WD) to work (around 8km each way that takes roughly 45 mins) twice a week. I have only had one long drive (BLR-MYS) and possibly a handful of airport drives (50km each way) so my BS6 Mahindra Diesel has primarily been driven in city traffic. Over the last 1.5 years, I havent had any DPF related issues, may be I am lucky. Just sharing.

[heydj]

My view on this.

-I feel you should get neither of above instead focus on brands that will give you trouble free ownership over the years.
-Second coming from a hatch why not go for a compact suv.
- Rules related to diesel cars are changing frequently hence would buy a vehicle one or two levels below budget or in comfort price range i e. 60% of budget possible. This leaves room for sudden change of car or buying second car.

I would possibly buy:
- Jimny AT as it can handle any road, good comfort, sips petrol, more power then previous car so its a upgrade
- Seltos / Creta Diesel AT for less budget spend then other options. Will have DPF issues but then any diesel engine below 2L will give. Above 2L also DPF issues there but brand to brand differ.

[fordday]

Originally Posted by bigDaddy_In

my work is 4kms from home and it takes 45/60mins on a good day,

While I cannot recommend a car for you, but this line caught my attention.
I thought I was leading this category being in BTM, Silkboard, Bellandur commute. But it seems you beat me.

[bigDaddy_In]

Originally Posted by sachinayak

Over the last 1.5 years, I havent had any DPF related issues, may be I am lucky. Just sharing.

This gives me a lot of confidence. (:

Originally Posted by heydj

I would possibly buy:
- Jimny AT as it can handle any road, good comfort, sips petrol, more power then previous car so its a upgrade
- Seltos / Creta Diesel AT for less budget spend then other options. Will have DPF issues but then any diesel engine below 2L will give. Above 2L also DPF issues there but brand to brand differ.

Thanks for your suggestions. Coming from the Ford TDCi, the Jimny would be a big downgrade in terms of power. It's good off-road, but not a highway mile muncher. I am not a big fan of Seltos/Creta either, do not think I can live with something that pretends to be a SUV, but I'll give this idea some time too.

Originally Posted by fordday

But it seems you beat me.

You have roads and hopes of things getting better at least . I do not . Come to Varthur-Panathur bit next time you want to enjoy off-road(do it early morning).

[mk600]

FYI, I drive a Scorpio-N D-AT in Bangalore ORR, and never had a DPF issues in last 1.5 years.

Also in terms of ownership experience, I find Mahindra service centres to be more crowded than my prior sedan (Honda), but it is also much less scheduled visits. The Management listens at Mahindra, but the Service Advisor can be a hit or miss in either in Mahindra or in Honda. I hate when the Mahindra returns my service car unwashed.