[shayne]

I have the same dilemma that many of the people on this forum have gone through: which SUV/4WD car to buy? Do i buy ONE car that will do it all (city/touring/off-road), or one car for the city and one 4WD? Since the decision will be something i will live with for at least 5 years, it is something to consider carefully. Any constructive suggestions will be welcome!

The choices:

1. Take the car my company is giving me, a Chevrolet Optra Magnum, as well as buy a Thar or failing its launch by November, a new gypsy. Might consider buying an old gypsy and doing it up with coil springs, ac, power steering and 1.6 Baleno engine.

2. Take the money for the car from my company, pay the required tax on it, and get a city car like a VW Vento/Maruti SX4 AT/City AT, plus the Thar/Gypsy.

3. Buy only one car, like the Endeavour 4WD AT, Pajero SFX(if they manage to launch the BSIV version by November), or the Fortuner (if it is available at all?).

The problem with 2 cars is that maintaining it, parking etc is a problem. But i am also not convinced a big car like a Pajero/Endeavour/Fortuner is something i would enjoy driving in delhi for the next 5 years, considering the traffic conditions!
Any thoughts or comments on my not-so-unique problem ?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by shayne

Do i buy ONE car that will do it all (city/touring/off-road), or one car for the city and one 4WD?

I'm becoming increasingly of the opinion that there isn't "one size fits all", especially when you are looking at a specialist application like off-roading. A 20 lakh SUV will neither be a hardcore offroader, nor will it be a competent highway traveller (as some European sedans are). Fact is, no 20 lakh rupee SUV can match the sheer handling or dynamics of cars like the Vento or Linea.

My suggestion : Buy a Thar / Gypsy AND a diesel Vento. That way, you can have fun offroading, and enjoy the high speed expressway drives as well.

[Nilesh5417]

+1 to GTO.
I think one should not fiddle too much with a work horse. An everday car should remain just an everyday car. You need something thats reliable, starts & runs every single time you crank it when you are already late to work. Altering the core purpose definitely reduces the reliability of the vehicle.
If you can afford it, just get two vehicles. You can alter the off road vehicle to suit your tastes/purpose and still manage everyday peace of mind, reach work on time and keep your family happy in the delhi heat (and now rain!!).

[shayne]

Thanks for the replies guys.
What about a Suzuki Grand Vitara as a one does all?!

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by shayne

Thanks for the replies guys.
What about a Suzuki Grand Vitara as a one does all?!

Well, dnt think it will do what a Thar or similar one would do.

Check for Samurai' sand sudev's thread.

Wait for Thar and get a Vento.

[jigbarai]

Two questions -
a) is parking a 'premium' or an issue - mostlu it is, esp in metros, where additional dedicated parking space costs more than a normal car
b) are you too much into proper off-roading or just want a car which looks SUV'ish / can do bad roads comfortably

Point i am coming to is around your constraints and preferences. Responses to the above should help you decide.

If a = yes and b = no : A fortuner should do you good.
vice versa : get the vento + gypsy/thar

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by shayne

I have the same dilemma that many of the people on this forum have gone through: which SUV/4WD car to buy? Do i buy ONE car that will do it all (city/touring/off-road), or one car for the city and one 4WD? Since the decision will be something i will live with for at least 5 years, it is something to consider carefully. Any constructive suggestions will be welcome!

If you intend to do hard core OTRs, you will end up spending quite a lot of money if you buy a 20 lac rupee SUV whichever it may be. Even with good upkeep, it will creak and groan when subjected to regular off roading. I wouldn't recommend it. Also,when you sell it after 5 years, you will lose a lot of money since it has been used/abused for off roading.

Originally Posted by shayne

1. Take the car my company is giving me, a Chevrolet Optra Magnum, as well as buy a Thar or failing its launch by November, a new gypsy. Might consider buying an old gypsy and doing it up with coil springs, ac, power steering and 1.6 Baleno engine.

This is the best bet. Buy a used Gypsy, spruce it up and enjoy OTRs. When on the highways, take the Magnum, an absolute highway rocket. It will be a bit of a pain in the city but nothing which you cant live with.

Originally Posted by shayne

The problem with 2 cars is that maintaining it, parking etc is a problem. But i am also not convinced a big car like a Pajero/Endeavour/Fortuner is something i would enjoy driving in delhi for the next 5 years, considering the traffic conditions!
Any thoughts or comments on my not-so-unique problem ?

Both these cars wont require much maintainance since they will be used where they work the best. Also the reason I recommended a used Gypsy is to offset the costs of upkeep due to your OTRs.
Coming to space, even if you rent a space to park your Gypsy even at a reasonable distance from your house, it shouldn't hurt much.

[druva]

What is your requirements for offroading? Are you planning to do Himalayas and equivalent cold places (like adc, tsk1979?). If yes, comfortable SUV would be better

If your offroading places are beyond 150 km rnage, then Gypsy will be difficult to drive(and dont mind bone rattles ;-) )

BUT. You dont want to put an expensive fortuner like SUV through the abuse that you can put on Gypsy/ Thar.

If you plan to drive the macho SUV to office, it becomes addictive and you simply dont feel like driving anything else.

So tough choice.

[shayne]

Ok too many choices!
- yes i am more into long distance touring, especially to the hills and Corbett etc so i guess a Fortuner would do very well. BUT as far as i know there are none available, and the bookings only open in January, which is too late for me. The Grand Vitara seems like it is quite good offroad, and its a Maruti, and is around 4 lakhs cheaper!
- i had a Gypsy King (carb), from new, for 5 years. Loved it but long distances are not recommended, especially since i am nearly a decade older now Anyone has the OME Dakar leaf springs and shock absorbers on the Gypsy on the forum? Would like to know what the ride is like with them.
- had a scorpio for 5 years as well. Loved it too, but it wasn't 4WD. After reading the problems some people have had with their scorpio 4WD AT's on this forum, decided not to get one. Also my brakes failed completely at least 3 times in 5 years on the Scorpio so doesnt give me a lot of confidence.

Basically a Vento + Thar/Gypsy seems to be the consensus. Thanks for the replies.

[blackbeast]

Originally Posted by shayne

Basically a Vento + Thar/Gypsy seems to be the consensus. Thanks for the replies.

How about Fortuner + used gypsy ? It should cost 2 lacs more than u actually planned. I think you'd be able to enjoy it as delhi traffic is better compared to bangalore.