My 2008 Tata Safari Dicor: Keep or replace with 2021 Safari

I have also shortlisted cars like the MG Hector Plus, a used Tata Hexa and even a used Mahindra XUV500.

BHPian arnav17 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone!

We have a Tata Safari Dicor 2.2, a 2008 model which has given us so much pride and happiness over the course of 14 years with 75000km.

There have been many issues like the car not starting when cranked and the AC not cooling even though the car has spent almost 10 days a month in the workshop (where it currently is).

Currently, we are faced with 2 questions:

1. Is it worth keeping the safari? We have had issues with spares and trustable mechanics to work on the car and since Bangalore still has no rule of the 10-year-old diesel car ban, we are still not sure.
2. If we decide to sell it, which of the following would be better? We are looking for a 7-seater for family trips.

Options considered:

Tata Safari 2021

Was the default choice at first, but after a closer look at the car, didn't really like it and it didn't feel VFM at 25L OTR.

MG Hector Plus

Loved this car, but a bit of a dilemma about this, considering that there will be a new model this year with ADAS and other features, which we would not like to miss out on.

Used Tata Hexa

Having had an excellent Tata, it somehow compelled us to go back for another. But not sure about spares so need your advice.

Used Mahindra XUV500 2nd gen

Personally, I love this car for its looks and features, but not very sure about a 6-year old Mahindra.

These are the options we have considered. Please do advise if we should keep our safari or go for one of these options

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

14 years up, while the model (design) itself is 25 years old. Best to sell the car and move on to something fresher + more contemporary.

For which model to buy, please search through the many 7-seater comparo threads.

Don't throw good money after bad. The writing is on the wall.

Here's what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:

14 years and only 75,000 km, you did it and yourself a disservice. This is a vehicle that must be driven, enjoyed. Both for all the comfort it provides, the space, etc - and for the low resale value it normally gives.

Considering that it is 14 years, and close to FC renewal: the resale value will not be much. However, do think about the space + insurance + basic maintenance costs, vs what offers you get. If the deal looks fair, give it and get the 2021 Safari. Or a Harrier AT - since you are in Bangalore. Exchange with the dealer for any new car you may pick. Do remember, Tata dealers themselves will quote a lower price, more so because this is a Dicor.

One option is - to wait for the FC to be done and then sell it. That way, a buyer cannot use that as a bargaining point to lower the price. But then again, the price will be a little lower if you wait that long.

Hexa spares are not that much of a problem - it shares parts with Storme, and even some models of the Winger. There was a 2017 XE with 33k listed in the classifieds, asking for Rs 10.5L. You could look at that. The lower purchase price, and it's a BS4.

Btw, if you had listed a small car, I would have said keep it and use it as a beater. But this one's a Safari. Every time I used to visit my uncle in my Storme, he used to tease me if I came by a VRL (bus)

Mahindra XUV500: It's old now, and per posts here on TBHP, 500 would be discontinued.

MG Hector Plus: No comments. Lots of electronic gadgetry.

Here's what BHPian Tgo had to say on the matter:

Is it the case of seeing your car racking up the maintenance bill without actually being that productive? If so, owning the examples you mentioned will make you feel so even more.

Maintaining and repairing these new-gen cars is a totally different ball game. Gone are the days of 6-7k annual service bills:

• Use of synthetic oil in the Safari/Hector alone adds close to 5k to the bill.
• Larger wheels 17”, cost almost 10k a piece to replace.
• Add the cost of almost 12-14k for the replacement of disks and pads.
• Maintaining DEF levels along with the Diesel or the car won’t move. And with low running like yours, you’ll be wasting fuel going through regen to keep the DPF healthy.
• Insurance at close to 60k every year.
• Parts are expensive: headlamps easily over 20k apiece, windshield approx 12-15k, bumpers easily 9-10k apiece, fuel filter almost 3k, Clutch job almost 40-55k due to Dual Mass Flywheel needing a change too

Consider these costs and consider that your Dicor engine has close to nothing on the ODO compared to what it is capable of, let me indulge you in the following thought:

• Cost of repairing the Safari would be equal to the first year’s insurance on a new car you plan to buy.
• Cost of RC renewal for 5 years would be equal to an oil change on a new vehicle.
• If it is the bells and whistles you are missing, consider getting a smaller car as a daily driver to replace the ritz. Keep this truck for outstation trips.
• All the examples you mentioned are also not tested by NCAP so you’re not even getting the safety advantage with these options.

I would suggest you give your Safari a good once over, get the FC renewed for the coming 5 years and use it for venturing outside the city. In the next 5 years, who knows? You might be tempted to go for an EV and would also have these options you considered establish themselves in the market.

Here's what BHPian Ferruccio had to say on the matter:

My advice - keep it. I sold my Safari Storme on Feb 20 and bought a Hexa. While the Hexa is nice, nothing quite matches a Safari. And you are right about the spares shortage on the Hexa. My Hexa is currently in service with a damaged intercooler from a sharp rock hit awaiting spares that are rarer than Unobtainium!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.