Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400: TorqueMonster (1,40,000 Kms Update)

[jeepster]

My review of D (domestic) Safari Storme 4x2 VX 2.2 BS-IV S7 PW. (aka Varicor 400)

Previous vehicles:

• 1993 Mahindra Commander 750DP (dont know km count)
• 1998 Maruti Esteem pre-owned (sold) (used around 30~40k km)
• 1999 Mahindra Voyager pre-owned (sold) (used around 40~50k km)
• 2008 Mahindra Bolero SLX (sold) (used for 1,50,000 km)
• 2012 Mahindra Xylo D4 captain seats (sold) (used for 1,84,000 km)

all above replaced to buy next one. (except commander , voyager was recently sold)

Guess who is with Commander.

​

Xylo review.

• Really spacious (yes, much better than innova)
• Good FE being D4 variant
• Good seating position
• ride was better than previous vehicles
• Reliable (only oil change, suspension work 1.2L km , not a single breakdown)

Current vehicles:

• 2009 Tata Xenon XT Pre-owned (used around 45,000 km)

• 2010 Maruti Dzire VXI Pre-owned (used around 28,000 km) (will be Sold ASAP)

• 2015 Mahindra Xuv W8 FWD (used 20,000 km, Wedding gift to lil Sis)

 

[jeepster]

Re: jeepster's 2016 Safari Storme Varicor400

Which Vehicle?

Scorpio

Pro's

1. Mahindra reliability
2. FE

Con's

1. ride (compared to Xylo)
2. Space (compared to Xylo)
3. Too Common

Fortuner

Pro's

1. Reliability
2. Looks
3. Resale value

Con's

1. Cost
2. FE

Xuv

Pro's

1. Mahindra Reliability
2. FEhing else
3. Looks
4. Resale value
5. Options

Con's

1. Already had one in Family
2. Ride (father disliked it, preferred xylo's ride)
3. Monocoque

Hexa

Not available

Pro's

1. Looks
2. Ride
3. Options
4. Safety fetures
5. 3rd row seats
6. Option to buy low end version with same E+GB combo

Con's

1. Not yet launched

No other vehicles were considered for purchase.

 

[jeepster]

Re: jeepster's 2016 Safari Storme Varicor400

Why Tata?
The Ownership Experience of the Xenon XT was/is(hopefully it will be) just Awesome. (except ordering parts)
Pro's

• The looks (even today guys in Merc ML/GL, Fortuner's,BMW's break their necks to see it)
• Reliability (no breakdowns, Mechanical/Electrical problems yet)
• Descent ride (front seats)

Con's

• Convincing service center guys that its a privet Truck previously serviced at Car outlets only
  
• Ordering Spares (yes have to order only)

​

Safari Storme Test Drive
Pro's

• Fit & finish is much better than Dicor version.
• Suspension felt better than XUV W8 FWD 2015
• VARICOR 400 is very smooth & peppy. (negligible vibration while start & stop)
• 6 speed GB is also felt smooth & needed less gear changing as compared to XUV W8 2015. (cruised at 60 in 6th)
• Fabric Seats (+ for me)
• GAS SPRING assist for Hood & rear door
• Spacious & higher seats

Con's

• No Climate control / GPS NAV.
• No MID.
• No DRL
  
• Tata Service. (but its better than local MM outlet)

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​

Quotation

​

 

[jeepster]

Re: jeepster's 2016 Safari Storme Varicor400

Booking
After lots of phone calls & Negotiation Managed to get following quot.

Ex. Showroom : _13,04,087/- (Price hike)​

Insurance : ____________0/-
RTO : _________________0/-
Handling Charge : _______0/-
Extended warranty : _4,000/-
Teflon Coating : _________0/-
-
Dealer discount : ____30,000/-
----------------------------
Total : _________12,78,087/-

​

Booked the Beast on 18-01-2016 by paying 20K, Expected delivery around 31-01-2016.
But Surprise, I got call from Showroom that i can get the beast on 22-01-2016!

Insurance

Company : National Insurance
IDV : 12,35,000/-
Premium : 31,000/-
Type : 0 Dep + Cashless Facility only
​

Delivery 22-01-2016
Went to the Showroom at 5:20pm & Got out at 6:30pm with the Beast.

Fiddling with Speedo cable?

Two 2.2 Beasts.

TATA MOTORS PDI 18-01-16

Father getting the keys.



Projector & Missing DRL.




Me with our little neighbor & DAD.


​

 

[jeepster]

Re: jeepster's 2016 Safari Storme Varicor400

Initial Review (Based on 30km ride)

• Overall build quality is very good
• Interior design & quality best till date
• Lots of Interior space & comfort at front & second row
• Just love the Driving position due to size of Windshield & windows
• Chilling Air conditioner cooling
• Good sound quality of Harmon
• Last row seats are useless so lots of boot space
• NVH levels are quite low.

The Engine & Gearbox

I am using the Xenon since last 3 years & have driven it around 45K kms, so review can be biased.

• Engine Type Varicor 07 (version 7?) is just awesome.
• Idle rpm is around 900rpm at which its quite stable.
• Torque delivery is max & linear from 1100 to 2000 rpm.
• Does not require frequent gearshifts like Mahindra Xuv Mhawk 2.2
  
• Comfortably cruises at 80 in 6th gear.
  
  (1500rpm)
• No or Minimum turbo lag.

Some morning pics.





Folded Seats.

Under seat location of the jack & wheel spanner.

Stuck seat belt.


Cant pull arm rest, its gets stuck every time.




Spare steel wheel.

Rubber cap for ECU.

Fues box.

​

Rgds,
Nikhil

 

[350Z]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

Note: Thread now live from TIP Zone.

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[bhvm]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

welcome Mr.J and you have quite a beautiful collection of beasts. I really envy you for having all the macho cars in garage at once.

keep it up.

 

[incarnation]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

yes even im amazed to see all big boys toys at your place.. Enjoy!!!!!, the safari in white is a killer and the XENON in black is a mean machine.. wishing you happy miles ahead. May you be blessed with many more such big boys toys in future

 

[vikyjoshi]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

Wow Xenon and Storme in one garage. That a wonderful collection. Frankly love the beast compared to XUV. Only rouse I have is Storme is not enough decked as XUV interior wise. But love the stance the beast has got. "Fida" over it right from day it was launched as Safari some 18 years ago.

 

[jeepster]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

welcome Mr.J and you have quite a beautiful collection of beasts.

the safari in white is a killer and the XENON in black is a mean machine..

Wow Xenon and Storme in one garage. That a wonderful collection.

Thanks guys.
Xenon XT is my daily-weekend drive & Storme is for my Father which will be our primary drive expecting 2,00,000km in next 3 years.
Xuv was wedding gift for my lil sister. (she was here for Makar Sankranti)

rgds,
Nikhil

 

[mayankdixit]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

Storme is for my Father which will be our primary drive expecting 2,00,000km in next 3 years.

congrats for storm,but I wonder what profession you are in,to get these many kms?

 

[Tornado]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

Namaskar Patil, tumchi Xenon bhari, tumchi Storme bhari, tumchi XUV bhari, tumche saglach lay bhari. (Your Xenon, Storme & XUV all are very special), I know, only this set of vehicles can do justice with roads in & around MH 24.

Glad to read that there is no turbo lag, can you please compare the turbo experience of Storme vs XUV? We already had two threads dedicated to this issue & closed due to same reason, with a viewership of more than lakhs!
Also, let us know if you feel any problem of steering wheel getting stuck to the thighs as compared to XUV.


Can you please post a. brief account of experience of Voyager on this or other thread , This was a van which always fascinated me in those days but we had to settle down with Commander due to cost (Rs 3.5 L vs 4.6L)
Also, post some pics if possible.

 

[acechip]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

Every time I read about the Varicor 400, I wonder whether I should have waited some more before settling on the Duster, then I take some comfort in the fact that my parents would not appreciate climbing so high up to sit in the car. Otherwise as a driver, I am jealous ! All the best..

 

[jeepster]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

I wonder what profession you are in,to get these many kms?

Thanks.
Two reasons for high KM's.

1. Our Farm is 60km away.
2. Father is in Social-work from last 20 years & has NGO dedicated for Water/Farming/Horticulture/Soil conservation/Animal husbandry, Currently have 2 IWMP projects of around 8000 Hectare's in two districts.

only this set of vehicles can do justice with roads in & around MH 24.
can you please compare the turbo experience of Storme vs XUV?
let us know if you feel any problem of steering wheel getting stuck to the thighs as compared to XUV.
Can you please post a. brief account of experience of Voyager on this or other thread

True, But now the roads are getting better ex. NH211.
Ill check both vehicles side by side & update here.
The steering doesn't touch my as i keep seat at lowest height & back, steering is at max height. (i am 5'10")
Ill post some recent pictures of the Voyager here.

Otherwise as a driver, I am jealous ! All the best..

All members of our family love vehicles with high seats. (all thanks to MM Commander 750DP Soft top)

​

rgds,
Nikhil

 

[Nanofreak]

Re: Jeepster's 2016 Tata Safari Storme Varicor400

Hi Nikhil, Congrats for the addition of your new stallion Storm, in your Drool worthy Car(s) stud farm.

Wow what an awesome garage, no wonder your signature signifies your steed(s).

A suggestion, open a separate thread for each of your cars.

Regards

Vinod